April 8, 2014

Windows XP and the End of an Era

Do you remember the first day you started using Windows XP? I do, and it was like taking a giant “jump to lightspeed” leap into the future of operating systems. It was a whole new world of richly rendered windows, dialog boxes, and that Start button. That start button was crystal clear! All this magnification coming from what seemed like the dark ages of Windows 95 (I did miss that Weezer video, however…). 

Although my XP days seem like they were yesterday, it was over 12 years ago Microsoft released Windows XP to the public. As all good things must come to an end, today Microsoft officially ends support for Windows XP, which for many users was Microsoft’s greatest OS of all time.


So, what does that mean for you as an Autodesk software user and an Ideate customer? Ideate Technical Support will still provide assistance for Autodesk software supported on Windows XP to the best of our ability, but can not guarantee a full issue resolution. 

Autodesk 2014 products were the last to be supported on Windows XP. 2015 products are supported on Windows 7 and 8/8.1 only. For Ideate’s OS recommendations, take a look at our Migrating to Autodesk 2015 software doc.

For those of you that are still holding onto those glory days of XP, or those unable to make that next OS jump, I assure you the future is bright. Windows 7 in my opinion is a great operating system. I’m even starting to get a little warm and fuzzy about Windows 8.1. Although it maybe a little early, I’ve already heard some interesting hints of Windows 9 on the horizon.

Farewell Windows XP. You will always have a special place in our hearts, but it's time we move on.



Derek Wielkopolski
Ideate Technical Support Manager/Application Specialist

Derek holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. He is experienced working within the AEC industry from concept design through construction administration for both small and large scale projects. As Ideate’s Support Manager he ensures a timely and quality response to support requests and questions. Follow Derek on Twitter: @dwielk

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