Computer question since I have no grandchildren...

[stillriding]

Microsoft is withdrawing all support for Windows XP on April 8th and that will affect me big time. I'd welcome suggestions as to what to do with this old desk top.

 

[Frank G]

Why do you need support (from Microsoft) after all these years? Keep using it tell it dies.

 

[RodMyers]

Microsoft is withdrawing all support for Windows XP on April 8th and that will affect me big time. I'd welcome suggestions as to what to do with this old desk top.

Linuxmint.com

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[bcoulter19]

I agree with Frank G it will still work. You just won't be able to call microsoft and get help if you have a problem. do you do that now? if not why worry?

just my 2 cents.

Bill

 

[retread]

I pulled my XP off line and am using it to rip my collection of 78s, 45s and 33 1/3s to .wav files, and the old VHS stuff to DVD. It's been getting a little cranky, lately, anyway.

john

 

[SNOOPY]

One of our computers still has XP, I think the concern is no updates and possibility of more viruses? Not sure if that is even a valid concern since we still have anti-virus service?

 

[Wiredux]

I would look at donating it to a good cause and looking for a newer system.

But that is just me.

 

[shelbydave]

Basically, they will have no more updates, and security patches released. There are a couple of options for you to continue...

Instead of using Internet Explorer, use Firefox, or Chrome - IE is integrated into the OS, and even WITH Microsoft's patches, it was a huge security hole... It will get even bigger now.

If you do online transactions (banking, buying with Credit card, etc...) I would suggest NOT using the XP machine for that. (reason to come)

Keep your anti virus up to date. That will minimize the risk. Keep in mind though, that AV software is a "generic" deterrent for all the bad stuff out there. your AV software will NOT patch security holes in the OS. (This is why I suggest getting a more updated machine for online transactions)

I just got rid of my last XP machine last month. Replaced it with a Windows 8 machine, and feel no need to look back. If you want to keep Windows, 8 seems to be the best version they have put out since XP.

You can always keep the XP machine around for word processing, and stuff like that, and get a low cost android tablet for online business as well..

 

[bullant12]

If the machine is not that old...

You can update it to Windows 7 provided the machine you have has the required capacity (memory, hard drive, processor, etc). It is more stable that Windows 8, and it is still supported by Microsoft.
Seeing that you are still on XP, I am not sure if going to Linux or any open source operating system would be the best option for you.
Like Wiredux said, you might best need to start looking into a new system.

 

[Bob Denman]

..Saw the same notice also...
How many times did you EVER call for help?

We're just gonna run ours, until it's heart stops beating... :2thumbs:

 

[bullant12]

..Saw the same notice also...
How many times did you EVER call for help?

We're just gonna run ours, until it's heart stops beating... :2thumbs:

Or you get a virus... and that would be worse if it's one that compromises your security.
Better be safe than sorry.

 

[Wiredux]

One thing to keep in mind if that if you have to have the system reinstalled for any reason you will not be able to get any of the operating system updates as the Windoze XP update servers will be offline and you will be stuck with the vulnerable system. What i mean by vulnerable system is that you can open your self up to a lot of security things especially if you bank online or even shop online. One thing to ask your self is how much information am you willing to expose to the internet on an unpatched system. I work in enterprise security and I see this all of the time. Old systems still talking to the internet and companies wonder how their networks get hacked.

 

[Bob Denman]

Even with the best "Anti-Fungal" software that we can run?? :dontknow:

 

[Some Guy]

One thing to keep in mind if that if you have to have the system reinstalled for any reason you will not be able to get any of the operating system updates as the Windoze XP update servers will be offline and you will be stuck with the vulnerable system. What i mean by vulnerable system is that you can open your self up to a lot of security things especially if you bank online or even shop online. One thing to ask your self is how much information am you willing to expose to the internet on an unpatched system. I work in enterprise security and I see this all of the time. Old systems still talking to the internet and companies wonder how their networks get hacked.

:agree: I work in the IT field as well.

A XP re-install is not the only problem with this. Hackers are always finding ways to exploit XP systems. Microsoft has been chasing them for years and issuing fixes. MS will no longer being issuing these fixes unless you pay big bucks to continue XP support (which my company is NOT doing...we're completely off of XP). If you keep going online using the XP operating system, eventually you will get burned somehow.

 

[Some Guy]

Even with the best "Anti-Fungal" software that we can run?? :dontknow:

Not necessarily. There are ways they get around your added defenses to hack the actual operating system. Once they control the unsupported operating system...game over.

 

[wyliec]

If you're going to get another computer, check out an iMac. I switched from windows and for a week I wish I hadn't; then I learned how easy it was to learn the Mac system.

 

[Some Guy]

If you're going to get another computer, check out an iMac. I switched from windows and for a week I wish I hadn't; then I learned how easy it was to learn the Mac system.

:agree: Macs are very sweet.

I regularly use a Mac, a I-Pad, a Windows 7 PC and a IBM mainframe...talking about getting confused sometimes!!! :shocked:

 

[SPYD1]

I would look at donating it to a good cause and looking for a newer system.

But that is just me.

Agree...and write it off...

 

[Bob Denman]

Not necessarily. There are ways they get around your added defenses to hack the actual operating system. Once they control the unsupported operating system...game over.

:shocked:

 

[Dan_Ashley]

Microsoft is withdrawing all support for Windows XP on April 8th and that will affect me big time. I'd welcome suggestions as to what to do with this old desk top.

Just because they stop publishing updates does not mean it will stop working. My father had a 50 year old, out of warranty, weird car. It still works. If you are happy with XP keep it until the computer dies.