Customers will continue to receive critical security updates, and will have the option of paying for support through April 11, 2017. After this point customers will be out of luck, and Microsoft will finally put Windows Vista out of its (and ) misery.

Vista's gradual decline into obsolescence won't be an issue for most consumers, since most of the computer purchased with Vista installed are able to handle Windows 7.

But for users who aren't quite ready to make the jump, there are other support options. These suggestions will help keep you up and running:

Get Help from Microsoft -- The best support for Vista is still Microsoft, even if person-to-person support has ended. still contains pages of Vista support documents. Another option is , which scans your PC and corrects common PC and device problems with a click of a mouse.

Go Back to Where You Bought It -- Most electronics stores have in-house technical support. Support teams such as Best Buy's may be able to solve problems that are too complicated for you to fix on your own.