Windows XP end of support

[ThinkPad560X]

Is anyone still using Windows XP Professional like me? I got the End of support blimp and clicked on it and tells me to purchase another OS from Microsoft. Ends April 8, 2014 "But I got alot more years to go with this Service Pack 3 installed, April 8, 2104" Read under the "Potential risks of staying with Windows XP"
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ ... pport.aspx

[Cigarguy]

Still have XP loaded on 1 of my Thinkpad though I never use it. I've completely switched over to Win 7 and slowly 8.1 as I don't mind 8.1 now. Lots and lots of thread on this topic in this forum along with the relevant update that you mentioned. I'd get rid of said update and carry on. Microsoft would love for you and everyone else running XP to buy a new OS.

[kony]

tells me to purchase another OS from Microsoft

Time to install linux

[ajkula66]

Time to install linux

Indeed.

While my T42p will run W7 in a decent manner, I've installed Fedora 19 on it and the oldie flies again...

[ThinkPad560X]

I was saying Windows XP dont expire till 2104 on their site.

[86turbodsl]

Cut the cord. Linux. Mint 16 on most of the pcs in the house. Even the wife and kids are sold now.

Just say no to the upgrade treadmill.

[rkawakami]

I was saying Windows XP dont expire till 2104 on their site.

I read that section as, "In 90 years, if you are still running a computer with Windows XP, you may be at risk of malware". My opinion is that XP will probably be very safe from attack as there would have been around 8 other MS OSs released during that time (assuming the Bellevue giant remains alive).

Am I the only one here that's bothering to download all of the latest XP patches to most of the systems you see in my .sig? At the moment I have three laptops (A22p, T41 and X22) on my desk hooked up to Windows Update. Have already done most of the newer systems and the favorite A31p and T23.

[dr_st]

I've been updating my XP systems as well.

[jdrou]

Am I the only one here that's bothering to download all of the latest XP patches to most of the systems you see in my .sig? At the moment I have three laptops (A22p, T41 and X22) on my desk hooked up to Windows Update. Have already done most of the newer systems and the favorite A31p and T23.

Based on the Win2k end of support, the existing updates will probably remain available on Windows Update for some months or years. There just won't be any new ones after April 8.

[rkawakami]

I know that but as I'm home from work today (bathroom being remodeled this week) I thought I'd put my time to good (?) use. I'm sure that MSFT will keep the update site alive for some time, but exactly how long is really up to them.

It's also because I seem to be going against the grain in keeping with XP, as opposed to installing *nix.

[Keyhole]

I have ThinkPad T43 (2686-M7U) 15 inch LCD screen running Windows XP Professional on primary hard drive and Windows 7 Professional on the second hard drive in the second HDD caddy.

I use F12 key to boot either XP pro or 7 pro and I use Belarc Advisor to hardened XP Pro and got the security benchmark score to 9.33 out of 10.00. Then, I use limited user account only and software policy restriction enabled to prevent programs running on my system unless I added to list of exception so it will not get blocked. My ThinkPad T43 is LOCKED-DOWN like those corporate and government systems and most malicious users will not spend their time try to mess with (in my opinion).

I noticed that ALL corporations and government agencies do not use automatic updates from Microsoft, that is what Belarc Advisor come in. I run the program once a month and it tells me what hotfixes it needs by manually download and install it. Sometimes updates installs automatically from Microsoft causes problems. Information Technology people works in the corporations and government agencies maintains all the systems all the time by test it before installing it on the production system used by novice users.

Feel free to read the links below how to secure the operating system (Windows, Mac, and Linux).

Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Description of the Software Restriction Policies in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310791

Use a Software Restriction Policy (or Parental Controls) to stop exploit payloads and Trojan Horse programs from running
http://www.mechbgon.com/srp/

Using Software Restriction Policies to Protect Against Unauthorized Software
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/libr ... 57006.aspx

Preventing computer malware by using Software Restriction Policies
http://blog.windowsnt.lv/2011/06/01/pre ... p-english/

Welcome to STIG Viewer
http://www.stigviewer.com/

UNCLASSIFIED - Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs)
http://iase.disa.mil/stigs/

UNCLASSIFIED - Operating Systems
http://iase.disa.mil/stigs/os/index.html

Information Assurance Support Environment Home Page
http://iase.disa.mil/index2.html

[A31]

I only have it in a virtual machine now and I don't know anybody personally who is still running it as their main OS.

Time to move on guys... either go Linux or go 7 or 8.1.

[sir_synthsalot]

After almost 13 years of XP, yes, it's a conspiracy to get us to buy a new OS.

[kony]

After almost 13 years of XP, yes, it's a conspiracy to get us to buy a new OS. :lol:

Are you saying that people deserve to be bugged about giving not enough money to a company and changing OS just because?

[A31]

Are you saying that people deserve to be bugged about giving not enough money to a company and changing OS just because?

For goodness sake, it is a 13 year old OS. Technology has changed a lot in that time and XP has barely changed at all by comparison. You can't expect Microsoft to support stuff forever. You also can't expect for people to cater for an OS that came out 13 years ago.

It is time to move on. In fact, it was time to move on years ago. The only reason why it has been supported for so long is because thousands of businesses were (and likely still are) using it.

[ThinkPad560X]

I own every Windows OS from 3.1 - 8 and I still use Windows XP, and using it right now on my Z60m. I know where all cetain file folders are from 95-XP and then Vista-8 everything got moved around in diffrent locations. I used my Windows 8 Pro that I got for $14.99 when first came out probably 3 times, I dont really do much on PC anymore then browse the interenet/forums/reviews/buying and play PC games. And XP still works fine for me. Microsoft should atleast have support for all Windows Live Essentials as its on all Windows from XP-8, So it shouldnt really bother MS to have XP in that list for security update with Vista, 7, 8. Another reason I use my older OS is PC games designed for that OS works best, Games for 95/98 had trouble working on XP,Vista, 7, 8 or had to find a patch online.

[rkawakami]

I only have it in a virtual machine now and I don't know anybody personally who is still running it as their main OS.

[addressing a small group of people, ala, an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting] "Hello, my name is Ray and I'm a Windows XP user!" [a chorus responds] "Hi Ray!"

Time to move on guys... either go Linux or go 7 or 8.1.

Linux might be possible on the most of my older equipment but I think W7 and W8 would be out of the question. Especially with the machine you are named for .

[sir_synthsalot]

After almost 13 years of XP, yes, it's a conspiracy to get us to buy a new OS.

Are you saying that people deserve to be bugged about giving not enough money to a company and changing OS just because?

It's not "just because" and when the box comes up saying XP is no longer supported you can check "do not show this again".

I have no problem with XP, just find people claiming end of support is just a ploy to sell W8 a little bit ridiculous.

[jdrou]

It's not "just because"

OK "just because" they don't want to put the money into supporting it or bother collecting some reasonable support fee from the large number of people that don't want or need the "new features" of Windows Vista/7/8. There's nothing inherently wrong with XP that would require it to be retired on existing systems. Only real lack is support for new hardware.
Should start a poll asking how much people would pay per year to keep getting updates for XP.

EDIT:
For example, Windows Pro has a planned lifetime of 10 years (XP got an extra 2 years). Costs around $150 for an OEM copy. Would you pay $15 a year to keep getting updates after 10 years? (That would surely be a minimum amount; would probably be at least double that in reality.)
I believe companies can actually already buy support for old versions; the price is just ridiculous for an individual.

[A31]

"Hello, my name is Ray and I'm a Windows XP user!" [a chorus responds] "Hi Ray!"

I honestly don't know anybody personally who still uses it as their main OS. Most of the people I know use 7 or 8 or have OS X. Some are still on Vista, but most on 7 or 8.

I don't know you personally, either...

Linux might be possible on the most of my older equipment but I think W7 and W8 would be out of the question. Especially with the machine you are named for .

If you're still using an A31 as your primary machine then it might be time to buy a new computer. The A31 came out 12 years ago...

It's those who use XP on the internet on their primary machines who are most at risk. If you just use it on an old machine which you don't use a lot, or on the internet, then it's probably OK to keep it on those kind of machines.

[loyukfai]

Plenty of users are still on XP.

Quite a few of them, I guess, haven't installed any patch whatsoever, so the "EoL" changed nothing.

Some other instances of XP reside behind locked down environment, like those ATM machines, and the "EoL" probably isn't much of a problem either.

Besides, 2 sovereign countries just signed contracts with MS extending XP support (i.e. providing patches) for at least one more year, IIRC.

And the Embedded version has support for 1~2 more years.

Cheers.

[jdrou]

Note that according to Steam, over 5% of its users are running Windows XP. And these are gamers; I expect the % is quite a bit higher on business-oriented machines that don't use Steam. Some estimates seem to show as much as 27% overall.

[rkawakami]

If you're still using an A31 as your primary machine then it might be time to buy a new computer. The A31 came out 12 years ago...

Actually, the main machines both here at work and at home are currently A31p. They are perfectly fine with what I need them for; email, web browsing, Office applications, C++ IDE. All CPU-intensive jobs (video editing/production) are done on the X60/X61 systems; also running XP, although I do have W7 on a couple of X60 systems.

I've never been one to upgrade something just because it's "old", if it's still useful to me in its current state. Therefore, I have not bought into the idea of upgrading all of my computers when Microsoft says that their newest OS is "better" or "safer" than ever. And really, with the majority of the systems I own, many of them can't be updated simply because their hardware won't support it.

If you look at the list of Thinkpads at the bottom of my posts, the only ones I currently use on a regular basis, and by that I mean expose it to the internet, are the X6x, X30x, Z61p, T23 and A31p. So I do have a "new computer" (i.e., X30x) that is capable of running W7/W8 but I much prefer the 4:3 screen ratio in day-to-day work. There's no "new" Thinkpad that can compare to the A31p's 4:3 UXGA Flexview display.

Nothing in computing can be considered truly "safe". Just look at this recently revealed security flaw: http://www.zdnet.com/heartbleed-serious ... 000028166/

[Dos3.1]

...existing updates will probably remain available on Windows Update for some months or years...

I have Windows 2000 (a very stable and good OS, I have found) on one of my first ThinkPads, an A20m. I connected it online the other day, and a notification said Windows updates were available for it!

And, I use XP as my main OS, with Mint a close second. I do have 7 on one machine, should I need it, but XP does everything I need.

[Dos3.1]

Cut the cord. Linux. Mint 16 on most of the pcs in the house. Even the wife and kids are sold now.

Just say no to the upgrade treadmill.

I use Linux on a lot of my computers. The varieties ("flavours") of it that are available is amazing! I find slim versions of Linux are especially useful for giving a second life to older machines (Wary 5.5 is very good for this, as are older versions of Mint, like 7).

[Dos3.1]

...I've never been one to upgrade something just because it's "old", if it's still useful to me in its current state.../

Couldn't agree with you more!

I have an A20m, which I use a lot, running Windows 2000. It's a beauty! I use it mainly for writing/word processing, as it has an incredible keyboard! Secondary uses are listening to music (streaming and also CD/mp3), and light Web browsing (not for watching videos).

It's good for getting work done, as there's not so much of a distraction factor, as it can't handle heavy Web browsing, or too much multi-tasking. When I want to do those tasks, I switch to one of my more modern ThinkPads (which run XP, Mint, and 7).

And, compare the keyboard of the A20m to most new computers. The A20m's keyboard is superior in most cases, which is important if you do a lot of typing. I do, and luckily for me, most any old ThinkPad is good for writing on, so I have quite a possible selection! I just got a 600 running again that I thought was dusted (great keyboard, too) - runs Windows98 like a champ!

[Norway Pad]

I've never been one to upgrade something just because it's "old", if it's still useful to me in its current state. Therefore, I have not bought into the idea of upgrading all of my computers when Microsoft says that their newest OS is "better" or "safer" than ever. And really, with the majority of the systems I own, many of them can't be updated simply because their hardware won't support it.

Your views and actions equals mine exactly.

I have spent the last days updating all my XP machines too, just like you and dr_st. A couple of the newer ones will move on to Win7 soon, but the pre-T43 ones will stay with their XP installs forever. I also made Clonezilla images of them, so if they get any infections in the future, they can be reset to the status they had the 8th of April 2014. I will not do online banking or Paypal transactions from them and also turn any network sharing off. But apart from that I have no fear of using them, and it should be my choice to do so. If my Facebook account or LinkedIn profile get hacked, so what? Chances are low, and the consequence is a minor annoyance. On a forum like this I don't even see the point of someone urging other users to update, as most of us here understand and accept the risk of running XP after EOL.

The one thing that might affect others is what an infection can do from my XP computer if it's just left alone, turned on and connected to the internet. So I will have a rule that XP computers are taken offline when I don't need online access.

[ilakast]

I've never been one to upgrade something just because it's "old", if it's still useful to me in its current state. Therefore, I have not bought into the idea of upgrading all of my computers when Microsoft says that their newest OS is "better" or "safer" than ever. And really, with the majority of the systems I own, many of them can't be updated simply because their hardware won't support it.

Your views and actions equals mine exactly.

Same here. A few nice answers on this question relevant to the topic http://superuser.com/questions/739172/w ... windows-xp

[Puppy]

The only real threat is that another bug in a kernel driver (typically win32k.sys) that allows elevation of privileges would be found, published and actively exploited. I still use my old X31 and R51 machines with Windows XP because any OS upgrade does not make sense. Yes, I always use Software Restriction Policy and limited user account (even on Windows 7).

I have created disk images just after the last Windows XP windows update applied to have an easy path to revert back in case such exploit is published.

Also notice that many ATM machines are still running Windows XP. It is connected to secure private network only but still. I am also wondering how Microsoft will react when another Windows XP threat will be exploited in the wild ... never say no

[ThinkPad560X]

Since Security will be ending for XP, And I still done this with older Windows is I take the drive out if its a ThinkPad and plug it into my desktop witch I have a SSD drive for every version of Windows for that one desktop, so Windows 7/8 have the up to date security Essentinals and I scan the HDs throught that and keeps them clean. I remember a long time ago, Windows 98,ME,2000 era We use to to pay for security software that came on disc and pay monthly. Not sure if that is still around that support older Windows. And If anyone still uses Windows 98/2000 havnt hackers moved on to 7/8 and finishing off on XP wouldnt 98/2000 be safe really now? I went on the internet on my IBM ThinkPad 755CD running Windows 98 and it worked fine, but the only thing I see that is wrong with old Windows is the lack of Web pages you can view since the HTML keeps getting updated. Another thing I see about upgrading to a new Windows is too many versions and alot of money. I really liked the Windows XP select. Home, Professional and Media Center. I think Vista had, Home Basic, Home Premiume, Professional, Business, Ulitmate . Just keep with a Home and Pro.