Lenovo Group Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd will continue to provide software security services for Windows XP users in China, after the U.S. tech firm stopped updating the operating system. Microsoft is treating China differently than other parts of the world, as stopping servicing the 13-year-old XP would leave the 200 million XP users in China vulnerable to viruses and hacking. Upgrading those millions of XP PCs in the country could be expensive those computers might not be powerful enough for newer versions of Windows.

Tencent will provide permanent XP support to Chinese XP users free of charge, and that it has set up two 24-hour hotlines. Qihoo 360 Technology Co will also offer security support and, for 299 yuan ($48.25), help users transition to newer versions.

The cost of upgrading to a modern OS is high for Chinese XP users. The cost of the Windows 8 software is at least 888 yuan ($140) and an additional cost would be required to upgrade the hardware too.