Why Do So Many People Still Use Windows XP?

Windows XP’s existence comes despite the fact that it has been around for more than 22 years. General support for Windows XP was ended by Microsoft on April 14, 2009, and extended support continued for another five years. Despite warnings and upgrade recommendations, a significant number of companies around the world still use it as the operating system on their devices. So why do these organizations choose to continue using an operating system that is no longer officially supported by Microsoft? Let’s find out.

Windows XP is still used by a significant number of users.

Upgrade costs

One of the most common reasons given for people continuing to use Windows XP is the cost associated with upgrading software and hardware. For many businesses, especially small businesses, moving to a newer operating system requires a significant investment in purchasing new software licenses and upgrading existing hardware.

This can be extremely expensive, so some companies choose to delay the upgrade, mainly because they feel there is no good reason to replace something that still works, at least technically.

Dependence on legacy applications

Another important factor is the reliance on legacy applications that are only compatible with Windows XP, especially legacy DOS-based applications from the 1990s that are still used in critical infrastructure. Replacing them is not always possible because the vendors themselves no longer support the software.

Furthermore, some companies have developed custom software or use third-party software that is not compatible with newer operating systems, so moving to a newer operating system may mean losing access to these business-critical applications.

Many older applications or hardware only work with Windows XP.

Industrial equipment and integrated systems

In industrial and embedded environments, such as ATMs and vending machines, devices often use customized versions of Windows XP. Likewise, much older hardware, especially customized devices such as industrial machines and some early 1990s or 2000s networking and security devices, relies on drivers that have never been updated for modern versions of Windows.

These machines can be so expensive that companies rarely replace them unless they break. As a result, many companies continue to use Windows XP in these environments.

How many systems are still running Windows XP?

According to DigitalTrends , research from asset management software provider Lansweeper last year found that Windows 11 runs on just 1.44 percent of computers on the market, leaving it behind older platforms like Windows XP and 7. Specifically, Windows XP has a 1.71 percent market share, and Windows 10 continues to dominate with an 80.34 percent installation rate, likely due to the ease of updating when the operating system was released.

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