Rather than buying Windows 8, PC users are scouring auction sites and license brokers to obtain copies of Windows 7 in anticipation of XP going dark.

During the last seven months, sales of Windows 7 on eBay have more than doubled. Unless they pay Microsoft for custom support, anybody running Windows XP after that date will face malware and virus writers.

According to data extracted from eBay, 11,042 units of Windows 7 were sold in January 2014. Compare that to June 2013 when 5,661 units were sold.

Jonathan Horley, Value Licensing's managing director, said: “The [Windows 8.1] interface is alien to them. They are more keen to get Windows 7." He is trying to keep up with demand. Many of the Windows 7 licenses are coming from bankrupt and liquidated companies for an up to 80 per cent discount.