When it comes to supporting the different flavours of Windows, one of the key decision factor is around what CorelDRAW users have and are expected to have going forward. In addition, as we look at new versions of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, we also want to make sure we provide the best possible experience to users around the world by leveraging the latest functionality provided by the operating system. 

Keeping track of the latest Market Share data available, we've seen a consistent decline of Windows XP over the last 2 years, with the latest numbers showing the 11 years old operating system to have fallen under 29% of all computers world-wide, with Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 taking over. Looking at the visitors on CorelDRAW.com, the XP visitors represent 20% of the total traffic and is in rapid decline. Steam shows, in its December 2013 report, that XP now represents less than 6.5% of the gaming computers used on the service. 

Microsoft will officially end support for Windows XP in early April 2014. After that date, Microsoft will stop releasing updates and security fixes for the Operating System they released over 11 years ago. In addition, Windows XP and Windows Vista will not benefit from the latest enhancements to the Windows platform going forward.

Based on the "end of support" policy from Microsoft around Windows XP and the fact that the vast majority of the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite users are today already on Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1, we will deliver the best possible experience on these two versions of the Microsoft Operating System, in both 32- and 64-bit, going forward. Starting with the next major release of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, the supported operating systems will, therefore, be Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 with the latest updates and service packs installed. For those who want to remain on Windows XP once Microsoft stops providing security updates, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 will continue to work perfectly.