Those of you who are sticking it out with Windows XP and Vista, well, you're all in for a rude awakening. Microsoft has announced that all supports for Windows XP, which is still the most widely used operating system in North America, will go the way of the Dodo bird in two years. Furthermore, the company also plans to end mainstream support for Windows Vista, but seriously, who still uses Vista when Windows 7 is so much better? Anyway, these operating systems are dying, so time to level up.

You don't have to worry too much however, because Windows XP will continue to work long after the two years have passed, you just won't see Windows Updates alerting you to new updates. So, if you feel it is safe enough to use an OS which will no longer get security updates after 2014, then that is your call, big guy. We're not going to try to stop you.

Also heading for the graveyard is Office 2003. We can understand why many users still use Office 2003. It is actually easier to use when compared to Office 2007 and 2010, but this might be due to majority of users learning to use Office 2003 in school instead of the newer versions. Well, it appears the time to adapt has come, so throw away that old office product, and level up.

Now, over to Windows Vista and its imminent death.

On Tuesday, Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows Vista. The OS will be put on an extended support phase that will last until April 11, 2017, that's a full five years from now. As it stands, there's nothing to worry about for Vista users, but after the five years are up, you better upgrade or else you'll be left behind to wander the Internet with an operating system that is no longer getting updates, and that would not be good for your health, or rather the health of your computer.

Microsoft had ended sales of Windows Vista since 2010. Hardware manufacturers also took charge and ended sales of computers with Windows Vista installed, spelling doom for an OS that is dubbed as Microsoft's greatest failure.

There is no time like the present. So begin updating your PC to the latest version of Windows, or wait until Windows 8 comes along for a grander experience.

(reported by Vamien MacKalin, edited by Dave Clark)