(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Demise of Windows XP- Now what?

M

Mike (WA)

Well-known Member
Microsoft support of Windows XP ends today. Main problem, I am told, is that their internet security package will no longer be updated, so we'll get viruses pretty quickly unless we do something different. Updating to 8 is not an option on our home machine- its old, and not worth paying for updating.

So, what does anybody recommend to install for security? I used to use AVG, I think it was called- is it still any good? Will those outfits continue to upgrade them to protect Windows XP?
 
I thought they had decided to keep the security updates going for one more year, but no bug fixes?

As well your antivirus package should work for some time yet, as long as it runs in the XP environment.

So, kind of not a big deal for at least a year yet I was thinking?

Paul
 
just use avast anti virus it what I've used for years its free just register once a year, but eventually you will have to upgrade basic laptops are relatively cheap right compared to their cost a few years ago.
 
It seems to be planned that every so many years you can be sold a new one of these time wasters.Maybe you have to take it to Best Buy and get the old system out and have a new system instralled. I'm still looking for a payphone to make a phone call.
 
I don't know that you would want W8 yet anyway. The IT guy at wife's work advised against it and I have since had a couple clients who do system support on their jobs warn against W8. I put W7 on this new desktop and, while it is not the XP I have loved for over a decade, it is a decent system and very very fast. Would be nice if they would keep more compatibility going so that those of us who rely on older software that cannot be replaced could use it. Now I have an old XP machine on my desk to keep those programs running. I just shut it off from the internet and let it do it's thing.
 
i have a friend that fixes puters. he put avast on mine, i used to run avg but got a lot of viruses. so far so good with avast. if you go to ninite dot com, it is a free software site that bundles various applications and downloads for you. i run avast, ad-aware, superantispyware, and malware bytes. really keeps the system clean.
 
Only thing I'd heard about one more year of security was that the State of Michigan had negotiated a deal to continue them in state owned computers at a cost of $270,000.
State Windows deal
 
In the past, when MicroSoft ended support for its operating systems, there was never this much publicity and fanfare. It just faded away quietly.
Start here....
1) Windows XP is NOT dead. It will continue to live and will eventually take its place among the other obsolete and outdated OSs. Nothing has changed from yesterday to today. The sky is not falling.
2) The main effect that this drastic event has is that MS will no longer be issuing updates. Have YOU been updating and keeping up with security patches??? If not, then how will you miss something that you never used anyways???
3) Get a good anti-virus program, and you will continue to be as well protected as before. The hackers may be able to get through XP's security holes, but will they be able to get through an anti-virus program as easily?

Food for thought.....
XP is getting too old and dated to keep up with newer and more capable software and computers. Older computers will eventually be replaced with newer, better, and faster systems. Components will fail in older machines. Hard drives, power supplies, mouse/keyboard, etc. have finite lifetimes. They will ALL eventually fail. When they do, it will be a trip to the local electronics store. Then you will see that some of the new hardware and software coming along is actually in many cases better, faster, and more capable than what you are using now.

As a wise old man once told me, "keep the old as long as it is good. Get the new when it is better"
 
I bought the award winning Bitdefender and have been very happy in its ability to protect my MS XP. I'm gonna keep going as long as I can. I hate the way MS comes out with buggy and substandard products and demands we change just to fill their coffers.
 

I got norton 360 for about $30 you can install it on up to 3 PC's.
Works on XP, 7, and 8.
Works very well.
 
From what I understand, security essentials will no longer be available for download. They will continue to update it for around a year for those that already have it. There will be no more bug fixes, but existing fixes will still be available.
 
The IRS also uses XP.

They too have arranged a one year maintenance agreement until they update everything to W7.

Dean
 
What about Apple? People that I know that have Mac machines seem to be oblivious to all of this Microsoft hoopla. I know nothing about Mac - is it something that an old man can learn to use? What are the drawbacks to Mac machines? If I'm forced to learn something new anyhow - you see what I mean.
 
You will reach a point where your applications also will not run on XP, I am seeing it happen quite fast.

Your hardware will also fail.

It is best to transition in a controlled manner than to do it in a crisis.
 
When bought my new HP computer it had 8 not long after that I got free upload for 8.1 I love it I also. Have a touch screen monitor and that's great to.
My HP is an
I7 the fastes of the new ones I ordered some stuff the other day and it came in the day before I ordered it.
Walt
 
You are worried about nothing. Just use a non-Microsoft antivirus/spamware program like Avast (which is free). Stop using Internet Explorer for a browser and use Google Chrome instead. Use a non-Microsoft mail program also. Do this and you'll be fine until your computer hardware wears out. The nice thing about keeping the older OS is you can keep your older programs. New programs are very expensive and many now - you only "rent" for year at at time. One other temp option is to just change to Vista or Windows 7. Note that that just about ALL XP programs run on Vista fine, but many will not run on Windows 7. Worse yet, many Windows 7 programs will not run on Windows 8. For myself - my XP machine has all the programs I'll probably ever need for sound editing, video editing, word processing, etc. I'll be d*mn if I left Microsoft fool me into buying all new programs that do nothing new.
 
A coincidence you brought that subject up. I had the last XP machine in our firm of 250 or so computers. Windows 7 was on there this morning. Taking all morning to reset settings. Frustrating.
 
Mike,
My son and SIL are both in to computers. One fixes them and the other is in security for an Insurance company.

After reading your post, I sent them an email asking their advice. I'm thinking it's about time to dump my land line, internet service, pre-paid verizon phone, which everything is around $80+ total, and going with a smart phone, keep my cell #.

Not trying to steal your post, but do you think this may be a good option?

Do you need a virus program with a smart phones?
george
 
Backup all your programs & files to an external hard-drive or flash-drive; then load Windows 7 PRO onto your computer. Nice feature about WIN 7 PRO is that it has "VIRTUAL XP" ; then just load up the Virtual XP with all of your programs & files.

You get all the updates for Win 7, and since the Virtual XP is part of the Win 7 program, it's covered too. It's like having two operating systems in one.

I've found that a lot of the XP programs that won't work on 7, when loaded onto the Virtual XP will now work on Win 7 .


Doc
 

Hi Mike -

I have about 1500 PCs and other devices that I manage on my network at the university where I work.

Contrary to what some folks have said, XP will not be defendable by ANYTHING going into the future.

Microsof has been releasing a constant stream of XP security updates for the last 13 years - fixing thousands of weaknesses - and there are still many more that will be discovered as time goes on.

Everyone has opinions on antivirus - but in this case, that is like arguing which home burglar alarm system is best - while the kids leave the back basement window wide open.

With Microsoft no longer patching the Windows XP operating system (which is the foundation for all programs running "on top of" it - including every antivirus program), there will be no long-term way to defend against these "foundational" vulnerabilities that are discovered going forward.

You will probably be able to use XP for a few more weeks without too much trouble. Longer if you don't browse the internet, use email, etc... And for quite a long time if you disconnect it from the network altogether and are very careful about not letting just anyone plug USB flash drives into it... Like if you are just going to keep Quickbooks only on it...

Depending on how old your hardware is, you might want to upgrade to Windows 7. That is what we've been doing on most of our remaining XP boxes...




Howard
 
(quoted from post at 16:03:19 04/08/14) What about Apple? People that I know that have Mac machines seem to be oblivious to all of this Microsoft hoopla. I know nothing about Mac - is it something that an old man can learn to use? What are the drawbacks to Mac machines? If I'm forced to learn something new anyhow - you see what I mean.
Click to expand...

I found the change to Apple fairly easy. Seems to be much more stable, never had virus issues, and the programs are user friendly. Down side, the Apples definitely cost more upfront but I get more years out of them than the PCs I used to buy.
 
I downloaded all the service packs and updates I could find, just in case I needed them for later. And I keep my antivirus up to date. I haven't had a virus in years.

I keep my important stuff on an external hard drive and only connect it when needed.
 
I talked to my local computer guru, and she said the same thing, Howard- without the ongoing security patches from Microsoft, even the best anti-virus program won't be able to keep the nasties out.

I especially dislike planned obsolescence when their plan works. . .
 
(quoted from post at 08:03:19 04/08/14) What about Apple? People that I know that have Mac machines seem to be oblivious to all of this Microsoft hoopla. I know nothing about Mac - is it something that an old man can learn to use? What are the drawbacks to Mac machines? If I'm forced to learn something new anyhow - you see what I mean.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Mac has a whole hoopla all its own. Mac users are the WORST about having to have the latest-greatest of everything.

That said, Mac is supposedly easier to use. Only one mouse button for everything.
 
Howard said, "XP will not be defendable by ANYTHING going into the future", and that's exactly what the smart kids at Staples told me about my machine. I went ahead and had them put another year of Norton anti virus on it anyhow, and they kinda rolled their eyes (you know how kids do around old people, ha).

Mike calls it planned obsolescence, I call it extortion.
 
(quoted from post at 20:45:14 04/08/14)
(quoted from post at 08:03:19 04/08/14) What about Apple? People that I know that have Mac machines seem to be oblivious to all of this Microsoft hoopla. I know nothing about Mac - is it something that an old man can learn to use? What are the drawbacks to Mac machines? If I'm forced to learn something new anyhow - you see what I mean.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Mac has a whole hoopla all its own. Mac users are the WORST about having to have the latest-greatest of everything.

That said, Mac is supposedly easier to use. Only one mouse button for everything.
Click to expand...

I'm the WORST at having an opinion.
All machines have problems. So?
And Macs aren't restricted to a one-button mouse.
 
Might consider MAC. Problem with MAC though now that its getting far more popular than it used to be through iPhones, iPads, lap tops, etc, is that now virus writers are busy writing viruses for MAC.

I've been hearing all day long that support for XP is ending today, which I knew from the bombardment of Microsoft screen pops that are popping up. First report I heard today was through the Wall Street Journal update on the radio station that I listen to, and then peppered throughout the day. Versions of Windows have come and gone, no mention. 93 gone. 95 gone. 97 gone. Millenium gone. Windows versions have come and gone, no mention. XP goes, A WHOLE LOT OF MENTION, especially from Microsoft. That tells me that they screwed up and know that customers aren't as happy with them as perhaps they expected. My company lap top has 7. I've dealt with a couple of customer cumputers that have 8. I've got no use for either. Neither operates like XP, neither can be minipulated like XP. Both assume that the users are mentally challenged and lock stuff down so that users don't have to think and can't hurt themselves. That's fine, the software belongs to Microsoft. They can do what they want. When my XP quits working and I have to relearn Windows away from work, I will stop using Windows period and get a MAC.

I still have a hard drive that came loaded with Ubuntu, a free OS out of South Africa that few have or use, but has free applications paid for by advertisers similar to how Linux works for fees. Time to fire it up and play with it. See what it will do. But in any event, time to move away from Microsoft. Time to move away from PCs. Its a big world, not limited to Microsoft. Its like anything else. You like what the manufacturer is offering, or look elsewhere. When the smoke clears, you make a decision that fits your needs best. Deere versus Case versus New Holland versus...

Good luck.

Mark
 
It is time to move on. Even if you discount the security threat, you're going to find it increasingly difficult to add new hardware and software.
 
Just a thought.....there may actually be a reason that PCs have 95% of the market and Apple (Mac) only has 5%. Could it be that they have less virus problems because they are so much smaller of a target??? Could it be that Macs are so overpriced that they do not present a good value for the money?
 
If you are not already using it you should download the Firefox browser and quit using Internet Explorer.
 
Sure they're a smaller target.

If you do an accurate apples-to-apples comparison, macs aren't out of line $ wise.
Compare hardware quality, included software, service & support, not having to use Windows :), etc.
 
Virtual XP only works if a person had Windows 7 pro and the correct chips on the motherboard. Will not work with all computers and does not work with Windows 7 Home Basic or Home Premium. Also won't work on certain computers that even have the Pro, Enterprise or Ultimate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
F/U to Windows XP thread
Replies
12
Views
2K
Royse
R
A
%#$@*% WildBlue
Replies
17
Views
2K
Rootsy
R
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top