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Microsoft's Attempt To Convert Users From Windows XP Backfires

Posted by Unknown on from the get-your-free-upgrade-to-ubuntu dept.

MojoKid writes "Microsoft has been loudly and insistently banging a drum: All support and service for Windows XP and Office 2003 shuts down on April 8. In early February, faced with a slight uptick in users on the decrepit operating system the month before, Microsoft hit on an idea: Why not recruit tech-savvy friends and family to tell old holdouts to get off XP? The response ... was a torrent of abuse from Windows 8 users who aren't exactly thrilled with the operating system. Microsoft has come under serious fire for some significant missteps in this process, including a total lack of actual upgrade options. What Microsoft calls an upgrade involves completely wiping the PC and reinstalling a fresh OS copy on it — or ideally, buying a new device. Microsoft has misjudged how strong its relationship is with consumers and failed to acknowledge its own shortcomings. Not providing an upgrade utility is one example — but so is the general lack of attractive upgrade prices or even the most basic understanding of why users haven't upgraded. Microsoft's right to kill XP is unquestioned, but the company appears to have no insight into why its customers continue to use the OS. "

7 of 860 comments (clear)

  1. I have your conversion right here... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...to a Mac mini for $599 with the latest OSX.

    FUCK YOU!!!

    1. Re:I have your conversion right here... by SJHillman · · Score: 3, Funny

      "in every case I can imagine, cannot be programmed to do things other than what the person that is physically holding them wants them to do."

      You've clearly never had someone steal your spoon and stab you with it.

  2. Re:Tired... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    For the ultimate Fox News experience you can always switch to beta.

  3. I already upgraded years ago... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    To DEBIAN, bitches!!

  4. Meanwhile, the Linux community ... by jamesl · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... has done a terrific job converting these decrepit XP machines to open source. After all, its free, secure and runs on anything that XP will. The migration tools are free, secure, work really well and available just about everywhere.

    And once she's running Linux, grandma will stop calling with all those support questions.

  5. Re:lack of attractive upgrade prices by NotDrWho · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can't wait to live a new mobile lifestyle!

    --
    SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
  6. Re: Tired... by NatasRevol · · Score: 2, Funny

    Fuck, I guess this Chrome app on my iPad is just an illusion.

    I'm so disappointed.

    --
    There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure