Microsoft has relented on their decision to terminate the use of Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows XP. We previously reported that this antivirus program from Microsoft would no longer be available for download or updates after April 8, 2014, which is the date for the end of support for the XP operating system.
In their announcement, Microsoft said that in order to help organizations migrate to newer operating systems, they will: continue to provide updates to our antimalware signatures and engine for Windows XP users through July 14, 2015.
This reprieve for MSE does not affect the end of support for the Windows XP operating system itself, nor does it extend support for any other Microsoft products.
Microsoft does include a warning to those who intend to continue to use XP, saying that the extension for MSE is not in itself sufficient to protect the operating system from attacks: Our research shows that the effectiveness of antimalware solutions on out-of-support operating systems is limited.
You can read the announcement at the Microsoft Malware Protection Center.
