Microsoft is preparing to release an urgent patch for Windows XP on Tuesday, the fix will restrict attackers from taking over the computers that have the update.

According to a blog post, exploits have made it possible to completely compromise computers and patching of XP will make computers less vulnerable. Attackers are known to execute malicious code with kernel privileges and according to Microsoft; the same problem affects Windows Server 2003

The urgency for patching of XP is due to Microsoft ending its support to XP in April and wanting to tie up lose ends.

My question is, why was this not patched as soon as it was discovered? The least Microsoft could have done was to warn users, however many XP users are left. Who’s to say other Windows versions don’t have this vulnerability and they just haven’t announced it?