Microsoft is really keen on killing Windows XP on April 8 and in addition to notifications displayed right on the desktop to tell users that support is coming to an end, the company has also updated Security Essentials to display upgrade warnings.

Our reader Steve Smith told us that an update marked as KB2949787 was delivered to his computer a couple of days ago and right afterwards, Security Essentials started showing upgrade notifications telling him that Windows XP support will be ended on April 8.

It turns out, however, that this particular update is actually enabling Security Essentials to display upgrade notifications, so if you’re not willing to deal with such warnings, you know what you have to do.

Users are being advised to upgrade to a newer operating system not only in the main window of Security Essentials, but also via pop-up notifications which include a link providing more details on “end-of-support guidance for operating systems.”

“Support for this operating system is ending. When this occurs Microsoft Security Essentials will no longer be supported and your PC might be unprotected. To make sure your PC stays protected, click on the link below to see our end-of-support guidance for operating systems,” the message reads.

Microsoft Security Essentials will continue to work on Windows XP for one more year, but it’s pretty clear that with such notifications, users might start looking for alternatives. Starting April 8, Security Essentials will no longer provide support for Windows XP, so only machines with the app installed will continue to be updated with new virus definitions.

“Microsoft Security Essentials will not be available for download on Windows XP after April 8, 2014. If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you will continue to receive anti-malware signature updates through July 14, 2015,” the company said in an announcement published a while ago.

Hat tips to Steve Smith for sending this in!