Today's release of security updates for Windows XP, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 signals an about-face by Microsoft. In the wake of the WannaCry outbreak, the intention was to stem the spread of a virulent and damaging ransomware attack. But should the company keep patching an operating system that has been out of mainstream support for over eight years and extended support for three?

And in a week where the world is grappling with the consequences of just how vulnerable computers are is this joyous nugget of news: more Australians are using Windows XP than Windows 8.1, even though support for the former was officially canned years ago.

By now, you'll know all about WannaCry - a ransomware attack that ran rampant late last week and over the weekend. While ransomware attacks suck - they can cost a lot to recover from whether you measure that in ransoms or time lost in recovery - the worrying thing about WannaCry was the attitude of many organisations when it comes to updates and patching.

Last week, a virus attack on the computer system of one of Melbourne’s largest hospital networks. It is cause for concern not only because it affected machines running Microsoft’s Windows XP, an operating system no longer supported by the software giant, but because a large number of businesses and individuals still using it.

Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP early last year but a number of organisations are still using the outdated operating system. Google had said it would end Chrome support for XP by the end of 2015, but it looks like it has extended the deadline. The company has also provided details on when it'll stop supporting Microsoft Vista and older versions of Mac OS X.

Last time Google talked about Chrome and Windows XP, word was the company would support the OS "until at least April 2015". You may have noticed that we are well into April and Google is still providing updates for Chrome on XP. So just how long will this generosity last?

Melbourne Airport is introducing 28 shiny new kiosks that can be used for automatic check-in by international airlines. And what operating system are they running? Windows XP, which was officially killed off last April.

Windows XP officially took its last gasp back in April, but that didn't mean it stopped being used. Yet November marked an interesting development: there are finally more machines using Windows 8.1 than Windows XP.

Windows: Many people have kept their old Windows XP computers running because they have software on the systems that can't be reinstalled. VirtualXP lets you migrate an existing Windows XP installation into a virtual machine that you can run on Windows 7 or 8.

Windows XP has effectively been put to pasture by Microsoft -- almost. If, for some reason, you're still hanging onto this relic of an operating system, it is possible to get official security updates from Redmond itself until early 2019 with a simple registry tweak.

Windows XP was supposed to have received its final patch last month. However, Microsoft has unexpectedly issued one final update, with a new patch to fix an Internet Explorer vulnerability extended to XP as well as more recent Windows releases.

As the sun sets on Microsoft's support for Windows XP this may be a great time to think about trying out a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) operating system for your still-working PC.

As operating systems go, Windows XP has had a fantastic run since debuting 13 years ago. It can be still found on nearly 28 per cent of the desktops in the world. It is the second-most installed desktop operating system, behind Windows 7, and it can be found in banks, government departments, in desktops across China and India, and in automated teller machines (ATMs). So why, as of tomorrow, is Microsoft ceasing support for its iconic operating system?

On 8 April, Microsoft will officially cut off support, service, and security updates for Windows XP. It's been a long time coming, but depending on where you stand, it's either overdue or absolute Armageddon. If you're just coming out of the Windows XP world and need help, here are some tips to help you get your bearings.

In January 1996, Charles "Chuck" O'Rear captured the above photo on his Mamiya RZ 67 film camera while driving through the wine counties of California. It would go on to become the default wallpaper for Windows XP -- an image that has been seen by hundreds of millions of people. Here is the story behind the iconic photo, along with O'Rear's design tips for perfect wallpaper creation.

Hey Lifehacker, So we are now days away from Windows XP reaching the end of service. I don't believe there has ever been a situation where so many computers will be left vulnerable in this way. It has more than 10 times the market share Windows 98 had when support ended for it. This is unprecedented, right? Is this likely to be a really bad time for an awful lot of people?

Almost 13 years after its release in October 2001 to a world still in shock after the 9/11 terror attacks, the sun is finally setting on Microsoft's Windows XP. The operating system has been the software in many home and work PCs but for die-hard users who continue to use XP, danger that way lies.

Anyone still running Windows XP won't be able to argue they weren't warned that support is stopping soon. From later this week, machines running XP will start displaying pop-up notifications that support and patches for the operating system ends in April.

Microsoft will end support for Windows XP in April, but before then, the operating system will continue to receive updates. Perhaps taking the opportunity to tie up a few loose end, the company recently addressed a performance-degrading issue that has reportedly plagued the OS for some time.