200m computers vulnerable as Microsoft pulls plug on Windows XP

Microsoft stopped giving technical support for the Windows XP operating system yesterday, leaving about half the computers on the mainland more vulnerable to attack.

But the majority of mainland Windows XP users, more than 200 million, have refused to upgrade to more up-to-date software and the operating system, nearly 13 years old, will continue to be used widely in China for at least five more years, according to internet experts. Windows XP was still the most popular operating system in China as of last month with a market share of more than 47 per cent, followed by Windows 7 at less than 45 per cent, according to GlobalStats, an internet analysis company.

The China Internet Network Information Centre, the mainland's official internet infrastructure administrator, said on its website last week that more than 55 per cent of office computers in the country were still using Windows XP.

Windows 8.1, the latest software that Microsoft urges users to upgrade to, can barely be found at any workplace, the centre said.

Microsoft has warned users that if they continue to use Windows XP after the deadline their computer will still work, but could face more security risks and virus attacks.

But in an online survey conducted by the China Internet Network Information Centre last month, only about a quarter of mainland Windows XP users said they would follow Microsoft's advice on upgrading to new software.