Fare Thee Well, Steve Ballmer and Windows XP

April 8th is a big day for Microsoft; it's when they will finally pull the plug on their successful Windows XP operating system by ending its support. There are many users around the world that are still using Windows XP, which is a very risky move after tomorrow. Before we retire XP from the office, let's take a look back at how great it was with help from Steve Ballmer.

Steve Ballmer was made the CEO of Microsoft in January 2000 and he recently stepped down as CEO on February 4th, 2014. Known for his unbridled enthusiasm for Microsoft and its products, Steve was hired by Bill Gates in 1980 as the company's first business manager and 30th employee.

Steve played a key role in the development and marketing of Windows XP, which no doubt attributed to its success. The retirement of both Ballmer and Windows XP in the same year signals the end of an era for Microsoft; an era characterized by unprecedented success and high fashion:

We recommend that Windows XP users upgrade to Windows 8.1, which is the latest OS by Microsoft and was overseen by Ballmer. Even though Windows 8 (and the subsequent 8.1 upgrade) is an OS that's tremendously efficient and built to handle the demands of the modern office, it has yet to achieve Windows-XP-like success. This is likely due to the marketing campaign of Windows 8 lacking the enthusiasm and charm of Ballmer's video. See for yourself:

This video does a great job communicating the new features of Windows 8.1, but at the end of the day, which video will you remember long after current Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella retires? That's right, the Steve Ballmer video. "With Windows XP it blooooooows my mind!"

So long Windows XP and Steve Ballmer, and thanks for giving us one enthusiastic and reliable decade!

If you've still not upgraded from Windows XP it's not too late! Ferrum Technology Services can assist you in getting your company's workstations up to date with the latest operating system, and we can walk you through how to use it. For the sake of your organization's network security, we highly recommend that you upgrade from Windows XP. The sooner the better. To make arrangements for new software installation call Ferrum Technology Services at (847) 697-3282.