Windows XP
- Thread starter deanodog
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Honestly?
If you are still running XP, it is well worth an investment in a decent low end Windows7 box.
XP IS going end of life. The potential risk of anti-virus software not keeping up, with a resultant time / exposure to loss of data from a worm or trojan is very high.
Compare that with a smooth transition of your files onto a new machine, on your schedule, with modern AV software, and it is hard for me to understand why staying with XP is an acceptable risk.
But your mileage may vary.
To your question, I'm not aware of any quick fixes for this. I'm in Aerospace at a major DoD integrator, and most all of our support/COTS solutions are on track to address XP as an ongoing obsolescence issue.
If you are still running XP, it is well worth an investment in a decent low end Windows7 box.
XP IS going end of life. The potential risk of anti-virus software not keeping up, with a resultant time / exposure to loss of data from a worm or trojan is very high.
Compare that with a smooth transition of your files onto a new machine, on your schedule, with modern AV software, and it is hard for me to understand why staying with XP is an acceptable risk.
But your mileage may vary.
To your question, I'm not aware of any quick fixes for this. I'm in Aerospace at a major DoD integrator, and most all of our support/COTS solutions are on track to address XP as an ongoing obsolescence issue.
OldK22
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I have/had the same problem. Went to upgrade to Windows 8 and there are no disks available locally. The people at bestbuy did not recommend that I try and upgrade as my old computer does not have much RAM. Old computer got attacked and crashed this morning so I took it off line and plugged in a laptop we only use when we are traveling that is running a newer version of windows. My guess is you will need to purchase a new computer.
Does anyone else use windows XP on your computer. With the coming of dropping security support of XP does anyone have suggestion other than buying a new computer? I am not very computer savvy.
The consensus is to download windows 7 or 8. However, seeing as how people don't know what they like but they like what they know, Windows 7 is closer in function to XP and will probably last you a few years. By then you can go all out and buy a microchip that is implanted in your brain loaded with Windows 10.
XP still works, and will. However, Microsoft is no longer sending out the tweeks. There are still security options for the operating system, just not through microsoft.
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
I am using and will continue to use XP until my computer ceases to function. You can download Microsoft Security Essentials to give you some protection. I haven't downloaded it yet, but intend to this weekend. When my computer finally dies I will dump Microsoft and buy a Mac. That's what my daughter did and she says the Mac is so much easier to run and work with.
Seems every new operating system Microsoft comes out with it's worse than then one it replaces.
Free Virus Protection with Microsoft Security Essentials
Seems every new operating system Microsoft comes out with it's worse than then one it replaces.
Free Virus Protection with Microsoft Security Essentials
I understand that a lot of older computers can't run Windows 8 because of processor capability & lack of RAM. I had the impression though that Windows 7 could be used on older computers. Is this false?
OilTrader
Member
XP is in use by a little over 30% of the global computer market. MSFT has extended this OS for as long as possible, not because they have come up with something that is far superior to XP, its because with XP being around so long the world's hackers are zeroing in on the OS with much more frequency and success. If you've ever used the 'custom' selection when the XP updates come out, you will have noticed that the list of security patches has grown by leaps and bounds.
So what can you do to extend the life of your XP OS? Kaspersky Internet Security.. KIS has stated that they will continue to support XP for at least two to three years. This is hands down the best total security program you can get.
I've got two computers running XP, and I'm not going to stop using them knowing KIS is running in the background. Dump IE and load Chrome, and you're good to go.
So what can you do to extend the life of your XP OS? Kaspersky Internet Security.. KIS has stated that they will continue to support XP for at least two to three years. This is hands down the best total security program you can get.
I've got two computers running XP, and I'm not going to stop using them knowing KIS is running in the background. Dump IE and load Chrome, and you're good to go.
GreyOwl
Member
My understanding is that Microsoft is dumping Security Essentials along with the XP support. As long as you have a GOOD AV program, XP will continue to work without any trouble. We have 2 desktops and 2 laptops running XP, all 4-8 years old and replacing them is not in the budget at the present time so will "run them into the ground" so to speak.
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Comrad
Member
Get a MAC and never look back. Windows is just an awful mess.
Win 8 is pretty much for a touch screen computer. My Wifes laptop has it and it's not a touch. I hate it.
I can get Win 7 installed but then it will fade away. My system is 6-7 years old and works fine I hate to dump it.
Think it's time for a MAC.
I can get Win 7 installed but then it will fade away. My system is 6-7 years old and works fine I hate to dump it.
Think it's time for a MAC.
I know a guy who repairs computers out of his home, when everyone was down loading windows 7, he was busy seven day's a week.
You can use XP
You can use XP indefinitely, they just won't support it and nowadays security is a VERY big deal.
I'd go to Windows 7. Win8 has a steep learning curve but it's supposed to be able to emulate Win7. The clerk I talked to the other day was very knowledgeable about Win8 but didn't know anything about how to get it to look/act like Win7.
I think Win8 would be great for tablets but I don't use tablets or iphones.
You can use XP indefinitely, they just won't support it and nowadays security is a VERY big deal.
I'd go to Windows 7. Win8 has a steep learning curve but it's supposed to be able to emulate Win7. The clerk I talked to the other day was very knowledgeable about Win8 but didn't know anything about how to get it to look/act like Win7.
I think Win8 would be great for tablets but I don't use tablets or iphones.
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
This says it will run until July 14, 2015. I also read that almost all ATM's still are running Windows XP, as are a lot of small businesses.
Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows XP Updates Until July 2015
95% of bank ATMs face Windows XP security deadline - Mar. 4, 2014
The death of Windows XP will impact 95 percent of the world?s ATMs | The Verge
BBC News - Windows XP demise gives small business a tech headache
Closing the Window on XP ? Urgent Steps Small Businesses Must Take
I have win 8 on a laptop that doesn't have a touch screen. I'm running it in a win 7 mode right now. I used a lot of different OS's before I retired and several were built for mobile devices like win 8.
Going back in time with an OS like win 7 may make your life easier now (you won't have to learn as much) but sooner or later you will wish you had win 8. One good reason is MS Defender which replaced Essentials in win 7. It took me about an hour to figure out how to run win 8 in win 7 mode.
If you have to pay someone to load 7 it isn't worth the money.
Going back in time with an OS like win 7 may make your life easier now (you won't have to learn as much) but sooner or later you will wish you had win 8. One good reason is MS Defender which replaced Essentials in win 7. It took me about an hour to figure out how to run win 8 in win 7 mode.
If you have to pay someone to load 7 it isn't worth the money.
Comrad
Member
For the life of me I can't understand why people continue to use Windows. It's just awful, driver issues, security holes you could drive a truck through and endless upgrades that require a whole new set of skills.
A Mac just runs and runs and runs, painless upgrades, everything works all the time, bullet proof security, no virus, no spyware just smooth sailing.
I've spent over 35 years in IT and I see an end to Windows sooner than later. How much pain can a vendor expect their customers to put up with?
Just sayin
A Mac just runs and runs and runs, painless upgrades, everything works all the time, bullet proof security, no virus, no spyware just smooth sailing.
I've spent over 35 years in IT and I see an end to Windows sooner than later. How much pain can a vendor expect their customers to put up with?
Just sayin
ChattanoogaPhil
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A year or so ago the Wife needed Windows for work. Went to BestBuy and got her an open box HP Pavillion, 4GB ram, 1TB hd with Win7 for $250. Unless someone is suffering severe financial distress... something like that would be my suggestion to cure the XP blues. Or get a Mac. A word of caution about Mac... it's difficult to own just one. We started out with a 13'' MacBookPro and now our home looks a like a MacAuthority showroom.
KKECK5
Member
XP is the best system Window put out.. They might stop supporting the platform, and not issue anymore services packs (fixes) BUT it will still run. A good anti-virus software might get you by.
This^^^^.
You can pick up a decent Windows 7 or 8 desktop for under $300 from multiple online retailers. Not a power user system to be sure, but one sufficient for the average home user. I have my old XP desktop and a newer Windows 7 desktop with a 3 times the size hard drive, twice the RAM, and exponentially faster processor. Transfer the data and good to go. Windows 7 has an easy transfer program that makes it fairly simple.
Don't use Internet Explorer as your browser.
Yes, you can make your existing XP machine still function using online security suites from a number of providers. But the opportunity to get a newer, faster processor for a very little bit of money should not be discounted. You'll be amazed how much quicker everything works.
Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.
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357-RevolverGuy
Member
If money is tight I'd recommend switching to the Linux OS. You can download (for free) or purchase a copy of Ubuntu, which is probably the easiest one to install and works on most machines out there.
I'm not that computer savy myself but in an hour was able to install it on an older HP laptop running XP. It was my fiance's main computer and needed to be replaced but she didn't have the finances for a new purchase. With Ubuntu it's now running like brand new.
Meet Ubuntu | Ubuntu
I'm not that computer savy myself but in an hour was able to install it on an older HP laptop running XP. It was my fiance's main computer and needed to be replaced but she didn't have the finances for a new purchase. With Ubuntu it's now running like brand new.
Meet Ubuntu | Ubuntu
I can not dispute that Windows anything is a pain. I guess the sticker shock of anything MAC is why. There is no price deals anywhere it's fixed.
Also the majority of systems in the work place are Win PC based, so having a Mac at home was inconvenient.
I am about ready, if I need to "learn" a new system it might as well be Mac.
