Microsoft will cease support of Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2000 on 13 July this year.
The end of support for Windows XP SP2 means that Microsoft will no longer be testing newly discovered vulnerablilities to determine if Windows XP SP2 is affected, nor will it be developing any more patches or updates in support of the XP version.
The company warned users to upgrade to SP3 Microsoft Update website which will continue support until April 2014.
Extended support for Windows Server 2000 will also cease and Microsoft will supply self-help online support for a minimum of 12 months after the extended support period ends.
The company said businesses that have not already begun to migrate their operating systems from Windows XP to another platform have little hope of finishing before the SP2 cut-off.
It said the testing, logistics, and support required to upgrade operating systems requires significant planning and preparation to avoid costly mistakes and down-time.