Microsoft Security Essentials: No new installations after April

Less than three months until the end of support for Windows XP a stream of new information about the event continues.

Today we learned that after April 8 of this year you will no longer be able to download and perform a new installation of Microsoft Security Essentials. Microsoft made this announcement some time ago on a page about the end of XP support: "...after April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. Microsoft will also stop providing Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP on this date." [emphasis added]

After that date, users performing a new installation of Windows XP will need to use a third party antivirus product if they want antimalware protection.

Earlier today we learned that Microsoft will, until April 15 2015, continue to provide antivirus signatures for their Microsoft Security Essentials program for users on Windows XP. Microsoft has also said from the release of Windows XP that they will continue to support activations of new installations of Windows XP even after the end of formal support.

Microsoft will also continue for the next year to make changes in the antivirus engine itself. This was included in today's statement about the extension of signature updates:"To help organizations complete their migrations, Microsoft will continue to provide updates to our antimalware signatures and engine for Windows XP users through July 14, 2015." [emphasis added]