Dave, I am an old retired guy and I have been using Windows XP forever. I know that it is no longer supported by MS, but I am really comfortable with the format and functions. How long will I be able to get away with using XP?
Windows XP. Impressive. The Windows XP operating system was released wayyyy back in October of 2001. Its code name was “Whistler” inside of Microsoft and just to give you a sense of what was going on back then, that was the year that George W. Bush moved into the White House and terrorists attacked the World Trade Center just a few weeks prior to the XP release. Gladiator won Best Picture while the first Harry Potter movie crushed it in the box office. Suffice to say, XP’s been around for a while.
While there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with running an older operating system, it becomes a huge problem when you’re online, whether via email or the World Wide Web. Why? Because while your operating system is sitting still, with no development and no improvements, the bad guys writing their malware, spyware and viruses continue to improve and update their code. In effect, you’re becoming an easier and easier target.
Microsoft officially stopped all support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014, so you’re already 18 months out of date, 18mo when you haven’t had a single security patch or update. Regardless of what anti-virus software you’re running, it’s getting more and more dangerous. It’s like having the last little corner market in a neighborhood that’s gotten more and more destitute and crime-ridden.
Microsoft says: “PCs running Windows XP after April 8, 2014, should not be considered to be protected, and it is important that you migrate to a current supported operating system – such as Windows 10 – so you can receive regular security updates to protect their computer from malicious attacks.”
I really have to agree, and strongly recommend that you either buy a new low-end PC that has the latest operating system — Windows 10.1 — and hook up your old screen and keyboard to it or try upgrading your existing computer to the latest and greatest. Not sure it can handle it? Run Microsoft’s Windows Upgrade Assistant to see what you can manage.
Worth noting is that there’s a relatively new trend in PC systems to have small boxes that offer all PC functionality, but where you’re expected to “bring your own peripherals”. For example, Asus sells its VivoPC Desktop, with 4GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, wireless, bluetooth, etc, for under $250. (see BestBuy.com). Since you’ll have to pay for a newer Windows OS anyway, if you can afford it, a bit more money could offer quite a huge upgrade from your 10+ year old system.
If you are going to stick with Windows XP regardless, a few tips:
- Don’t use Internet Explorer. At all. Google Chrome or Firefox are safer alternatives.
- Turn on the Windows Firewall. It’s better than nothing…
- Keep all your third-party software updated as best you can.
Really, though, your best bet is to bite the proverbial bullet and upgrade from Windows XP to something new, whether it’s Windows 10.1 (what I recommend) or an earlier version of Windows (Win7 is the next best bet if you want to stick with the familiar start menu and desktop design).
Good luck!
Are you nuts?
XP is part of what every newer version of Windows has, as it’s core. There have been lots of vulnerabilities since April, 2014 that have effected ALL supported versions of Windows — if XP was still supported, it would have been patched many times over, now XP is a real danger.
I don’t care what version of Windows you run, but the best option today is 8.1 Pro, it will give you until 2023 to migrate away and you had better lock it down as best you can for privacy and security — don’t trust M$ either. And most definitely don’t run IE or the Edge browser (Edge is just the same old poor wolf in new clothes, much like Windows 10 is to XP).
Your best option is to migrate away from M$ product, and you’ll get much better performance using Linux, especially on older and less capable machines.
Hi Dave 🙂
I have an old desktop PC from 2000 which I don’t want to throw away just because it was my first PC I got and reminds me on my old first days of computing world. I use it as 2nd PC for some testing purposes and visiting ‘suspicious’ websites. It has Windows XP installed inside. I think that’s maximum Windows version what it can handle because of it low specifications. So I’m force to have XP on that PC if I want to continue using it.
Now my question is (if you know the answer) can that PC get hacked by someone if it just stay turned on and if it’s connected to internet? Without my mistake move, I mean if I don’t run suspicious .exe files on it or fail on someones ‘phisher’ attempts etc.
I mean if it’s has an old unsupported Windows XP inside which is getting more vulnerable every day can it get hacked by some loop hole inside it, like with my IP address or something similar?
I still have many my old personal files stored inside like documents, photos and so which I don’t like someone can access. If it’s vulnerable and easy to hack by some loophole hackers recently discovered I would rather stop using it from now and keep it just like souvenir turned off in my basement xD
Sorry for longer comment and if sometimes you catch time to respond I would appreciate a lot your opinion 🙂
Regards,
Adam