On April 8, 2014, Windows XP will effectively die.
Unfortunately, there are still millions of people around the world using Windows XP PCs every single day. These people are about to be exposed to zero-day attacks and a never-ending series of viruses, malware, and identify theft complaints.
Want to avoid all of these problems? Microsoft wants to help.
Microsoft recently announced a Windows XP upgrade deal at its Microsoft Store website. Anyone still using Windows XP will receive a $50 digital gift card and free data transfer with the purchase of a new Windows 8 PC.
You can view that offer here.

Upgrade offers are available for Windows laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, and two-in-one PCs. Prices range from $229.00 for the cheapest option and over $1,000 for the more expensive options. There are 16 devices in total available.
The $50 gift card can be used for any future Microsoft Store purchase, including Microsoft Office subscriptions. Meanwhile, the free data transfer offer is particularly helpful because you can transfer all of your Windows XP data to your new PC with ease.
Along with the $50 gift card and free data transfer, users receive 90 days of “free premium phone, chat and sales support for virtually anything you need on your new computer.”
I don’t know about you, but if Microsoft is offering these deals in March, what will they offer once April rolls around? Will they just start giving out Windows 8 PCs for free?
But seriously, if you’re still using Windows XP, you need to switch ASAP. This isn’t some trick by Microsoft designed to get you to upgrade to Windows 8 – April 8, 2014 is a day that will live in infamy for anyone who still uses Windows XP.