Microsoft Publishes Article About Moving People Off XP, Comment Rage Ensues

Microsoft’s often dubious PR and marketing stunts have always been something to sit back and have a good laugh at, below are just a few of some of the examples I can think of:

• Microsoft In Hot Water After YouTube Stealth Marketing Stunt Backfires
• Microsoft Starts iPad Trade-In Campaign – Store Vouchers For Old iPads
• Microsoft Making Controversial Anti-iPad Adverts To Market Windows 8 Tablets
• Microsoft Attacks Gmail Again With A New Video As Part Of “Scroogled” Campaign
• Microsoft Attacks Google, Says It Does Anything To Monetise Consumer Data

Microsoft’s latest example barely classifies as a marketing or PR stunt, but it has had a similar effect nonetheless. Microsoft released an article entitled “Help your friends and family get off Windows XP” in an attempt to persuade its loyal followers to convince, assist and persuade family and friends to make the Windows 8.1 upgrade if they are still running XP. The article has been plagued with criticisms from angry readers using a variety of Windows operating systems. Some typifying comments include:

• thebuzzcjc: “I would trade in Windows 8 for XP every and any day of the week, and consider it a substantial upgrade.”
• trparky: “As for my feelings of Windows 8/8.1, they are as follows… IT SUCKS!”
• WL1999: “Microsoft is not listening to customers. I like my Win XP PC and I not interested in upgrading, but I feel I am been forced to. Is it so inconvenient for Microsoft to continue support Windows XP???”

This certainly looks like an article that has backfired heavily on Microsoft; with 86 comments and counting it is certainly worth having a read through what some of the comments have to say.

Do you still use a Windows XP computer? Will you be making the upgrade when the retirement date passes? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Image courtesy of Microsoft