Summary: The most successful and yet most problematic version of Windows passed on as Microsoft provided its last full measure of support today.
Microsoft Windows XP’s lifecycle came to an end today after a tumultuous 12-year reign as the most successful operating system ever.
Despite great market success, Windows XP had been suffering from severe security vulnerabilities almost since birth. XP barely survived major surgery in 2004, emerging as Windows XP SP2, more resilient to attack, but still weak. Having long-since decided to forgo further heroic measures, Microsoft withdrew support today.