Can I use XP forever, if I’m careful?

Topic

New Reply

l want to stay w/XP Pro Forever! l use Chrome, Avira av, SuperAntispyware, Spybot and Malwarebytes antimalware. And also use Works and Word. The av and antispyware programs are updated and used daily. This will be fine, right? l love my xp, and do not do anything to overwork the system, which is fine and if it works don’t mess with it…..unless l’m forced to…..:D

Reply | Quote

Replies

You will still get updates for two years. After that it’s quite possible that you will have no issues for a long time. To make sure you have a robust system working for a long time, apply a good backup strategy, preferably using imaging, making sure you have multiple images that you can resort to, in case of need.

Reply | Quote

You will still get updates for two years. After that it’s quite possible that you will have no issues for a long time. To make sure you have a robust system working for a long time, apply a good backup strategy, preferably using imaging, making sure you have multiple images that you can resort to, in case of need.

Where did you get the TWO YEARS information? The updates for the OS are DONE! IE MAY give a few more, but the only updates other than that will be for dangerous programs like Word and Office. Maybe VB or .NET

I still have a 98SE and I can connect to the internet, but IE6 kinda stinks nowadays. Windows’ biggest problem is the browser and Office!

Reply | Quote

Where did you get the TWO YEARS information? The updates for the OS are DONE! IE MAY give a few more, but the only updates other than that will be for dangerous programs like Word and Office. Maybe VB or .NET

I still have a 98SE and I can connect to the internet, but IE6 kinda stinks nowadays. Windows’ biggest problem is the browser and Office!

Please pay attention before you go bashing people. Read the original posting dates. The statement was entirely correct at the time.

Joe

--Joe

Reply | Quote

Where did you get the TWO YEARS information? The updates for the OS are DONE! IE MAY give a few more, but the only updates other than that will be for dangerous programs like Word and Office. Maybe VB or .NET

I still have a 98SE and I can connect to the internet, but IE6 kinda stinks nowadays. Windows’ biggest problem is the browser and Office!

It’s really a shame that you just post without paying any attention…

Reply | Quote

You can use XP on that PC for as long as the PC lasts. You may encounter problems if you need to replace components such as motherboard, disk drives, optical drives, graphics card, or peripherals (printers, scanners, etc.) if device drivers are required. More and more vendors are not producing drivers for XP. You will most likely NOT be able to install XP on any new PC – same driver issue.

Joe

--Joe

Reply | Quote

Run Belarc adviser to get what U made need if it goes down, u’ll know what to ask 4

Reply | Quote

l want to stay w/XP Pro Forever! l use Chrome, Avira av, SuperAntispyware, Spybot and Malwarebytes antimalware. And also use Works and Word. The av and antispyware programs are updated and used daily. This will be fine, right? l love my xp, and do not do anything to overwork the system, which is fine and if it works don’t mess with it…..unless l’m forced to…..:D

I doubt it, anyway most people do not live that long and I have been told “Mac’s Only” on the other side. 🙂

However if you can keep your hardware going you will likely be able to use Win XP for a very long time.
I still have a computer that runs Windows 3.1 and DOS 5.0. Although I rarely use it any more, it’s just for fun. 🙂

Reply | Quote

I doubt it, anyway most people do not live that long and I have been told “Mac’s Only” on the other side. 🙂

However if you can keep your hardware going you will likely be able to use Win XP for a very long time.
I still have a computer that runs Windows 3.1 and DOS 5.0. Although I rarely use it any more, it’s just for fun. 🙂

I still have a wind-up watch (remember those?). It keeps good time, so who cares? It works for me.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

Reply | Quote

We have a network which is not connected to the internet. I can run anything I want on that network, because I’m not concerned about security issues. For a long while, I ran Windows 2000. There was no need to upgrade to anything else, until I could no longer get video cards for Windows 2000 (AGP video architecture). At that point I upgraded to XP, but only because of the video card problem.

However, on the internet-connected network, I have nothing older than XP sp3, because I want to make sure that I keep getting patches and that my security software will continue to protect the computers.

When XP no longer can be adequately protected, I will go to what can be adequately protected (probably Windows 7).

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

Reply | Quote

However, on the internet-connected network, I have nothing older than XP sp3, because I want to make sure that I keep getting patches and that my security software will continue to protect the computers.

When XP no longer can be adequately protected, I will go to what can be adequately protected (probably Windows 7).

That day will be early April 2014. And at that day you will likely not get any new systems with Windows 7 anymore, only Windows 8 or Apple Mac….

If you are serious and if your current hardware supports it go to Windows 7 now.
Re. Current hardware: In my experience you want at least a dual core CPU with >= 2Ghz, 4GB of RAM (the faster the better) and a Micro$oft approved graphics card. If you updated from Win2k to XP your current hardware most likely will not do it, sorry.

Reply | Quote

That day will be early April 2014. And at that day you will likely not get any new systems with Windows 7 anymore, only Windows 8 or Apple Mac….

If you are serious and if your current hardware supports it go to Windows 7 now.
Re. Current hardware: In my experience you want at least a dual core CPU with >= 2Ghz, 4GB of RAM (the faster the better) and a Micro$oft approved graphics card. If you updated from Win2k to XP your current hardware most likely will not do it, sorry.

By 2014, new PCs and devices will come with Windows 9 most likely.

Windows XP can be run safely as a virtual machine inside of a Linux host OS. This could extend the lifetime of Windows XP indefinitely if you act soon. New licenses and activations would be the main issues for Windows XP then.

Right now, there’s no compelling reason to give up Windows XP if it serves your needs.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

That day will be early April 2014. And at that day you will likely not get any new systems with Windows 7 anymore, only Windows 8 or Apple Mac….

If you are serious and if your current hardware supports it go to Windows 7 now.
Re. Current hardware: In my experience you want at least a dual core CPU with >= 2Ghz, 4GB of RAM (the faster the better) and a Micro$oft approved graphics card. If you updated from Win2k to XP your current hardware most likely will not do it, sorry.

Actually, since I posted the above, I have upgraded to Windows 7 (actually, I did a clean install). Works great, the wife loves it — it is her computer.

The only thing remaining on XP are the two computers that aren’t internet connected.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

Reply | Quote

Yes, you can keep using Xp safely forever. I got a brand new computer in 2013 and of course used Dban on it right away so I could put a real operating system on it, Xp. I found out firsthand how well that goes, I got a fullscreen full takeover virus. So, I Dbaned it again, installed Xp again, and called a really good antivirus company, and…? They said they have no problem fully protecting Xp computers!

Long story short, Microsoft is lying. But you can’t really blame them. They perfected their main product long ago, and now they still gotta make a buck. Even so, they need to find an honorable solution and quick, or bad karma will continue to haunt them all the way to zero dollars.

Reply | Quote

We have a network which is not connected to the internet. I can run anything I want on that network, because I’m not concerned about security issues. For a long while, I ran Windows 2000. There was no need to upgrade to anything else, until I could no longer get video cards for Windows 2000 (AGP video architecture). At that point I upgraded to XP, but only because of the video card problem.

However, on the internet-connected network, I have nothing older than XP sp3, because I want to make sure that I keep getting patches and that my security software will continue to protect the computers.

When XP no longer can be adequately protected, I will go to what can be adequately protected (probably Windows 7).

Awhile ago, actually around the time that this thread was current, I was interviewing for a job with a contractor who worked for the FBI at Quantico, VA. I checked in at the Visitors Center, before proceeding through the gate, and to the office building where the interview took place.

All the public facing computers in the Visitors Center were running Windows 2000. I didn’t have to get on them, and I doubt that they were on the internet, but they were probably using software that would not run on newer operating systems.

Reply | Quote

There are a lot of us in the world who are just like you ….. XP works just fine for our needs, and we don’t visit places where we may become a target …. AND, our truly “unloseable” stuff is stored off the main machine, just in case!

Reply | Quote

😀

Reply | Quote

Still run 2000 on wide open internet connection. Just know what I am doing, where I am going and Malwarebytes, etc. Have had many attempts at infection since I use Newsgroups et al a lot, but running a sandbox and knowing how these things work and how to defeat their installs so far has kept me in the race, so-to-speak.

Reply | Quote

Reputable AV/AS companies, will continue to release products that will be XP compatible, for some time to come, due to the HUGE XP base, worldwide.
The new AVG 2013 FREE works great on my XP machine.

Cheers Mates!
😎

Reply | Quote

I still have a laptop running Wn98! However, I use it only to play older, compatible 16-bit and 32-bit old favorite games, and NEVER connect it to the Internet!

My wife’s desktop runs XP. For her uses, there’s no reason to upgrade, especially as it’ll still be supported through mid-2014 by MSFT, and there will be AV programs out there well beyond that to protect your system, which is the main need for running a safe OS with an Internet connection. You’ll only need to upgrade when you want or need new hardware or software that won’t run on XP because of the lack of XP drivers for it.

I would also advise that you get a hard copy of Win7, especially when it starts selling at closeout prices after October. I held off Win7 until I had to get it to avoid Win8 as my only option for the future- at least until that OS proves it’s not a Vista redux. I had little complaint with WinXP, but I can tell you Win7 has a shallow learning curve, and runs WAY more stable- not a single crash yet! Support here lasts until 2020 and, if you need to give up WinXP for driver or other issues, you may want to go to Win7 instead of Win8. If you elect to do this, however, be sure to download Win7 drivers for your XP hardware ASAP. You’ll find that the majority of XP hardware does have drivers for Win7, but be sure to graqb & copy them from the manufacturere’s websites, as some may disappear by the time you may finally decide to go to Win7.

Reply | Quote

I think the underlying concern behind this great question is, ‘How can I continue running all my favorite games & applications well into the future?’ I feel the same way about Windows XP, but after considering it, much of those feelings are about being able to use the software I love or have spent years developing into an expert at using. The upgrade treadmill is one of those bizarre things that too few people question.

I tend to agree with some of the comments that with responsible use and good community support, WinXP will manage to stay alive well beyond 2014. However, there are always those unknown factors such as [mentioned] issues with hardware drivers, degradation of stability and/or vulnerability to future (as-yet-unwritten) exploits. Who knows, maybe Microsoft will figure out a way to legally or surreptitiously cripple WinXP at some future point? The natural reaction might be to look toward latter versions of Windows, but of course those aren’t the only options.

In trying to think ahead on this very subject I’ve been watching closely the two most user-friendly Linux distributions: Ubuntu and Linux Mint. But the Operating System I’m most excited about is ReactOS. Why is that? According to the mission statement: “The main goal of the ReactOS project is to provide an operating system which is binary compatible with Windows. This will allow your Windows applications and drivers to run as they would on your Windows system. Additionally, the look and feel of the Windows operating system is used, such that people accustomed to the familiar user interface of Windows would find using ReactOS straightforward. The ultimate goal of ReactOS is to allow you to remove Windows and install ReactOS without the end-user noticing the change.”

Not directly associated with the project, nor have I tested it…but do have a partition reserved for just that purpose.

Reply | Quote

I think the underlying concern behind this great question is, ‘How can I continue running all my favorite games & applications well into the future?’ I feel the same way about Windows XP, but after considering it, much of those feelings are about being able to use the software I love or have spent years developing into an expert at using. The upgrade treadmill is one of those bizarre things that too few people question.

I tend to agree with some of the comments that with responsible use and good community support, WinXP will manage to stay alive well beyond 2014. However, there are always those unknown factors such as [mentioned] issues with hardware drivers, degradation of stability and/or vulnerability to future (as-yet-unwritten) exploits. Who knows, maybe Microsoft will figure out a way to legally or surreptitiously cripple WinXP at some future point? The natural reaction might be to look toward latter versions of Windows, but of course those aren’t the only options.

In trying to think ahead on this very subject I’ve been watching closely the two most user-friendly Linux distributions: Ubuntu and Linux Mint. But the Operating System I’m most excited about is ReactOS. Why is that? According to the mission statement: “The main goal of the ReactOS project is to provide an operating system which is binary compatible with Windows. This will allow your Windows applications and drivers to run as they would on your Windows system. Additionally, the look and feel of the Windows operating system is used, such that people accustomed to the familiar user interface of Windows would find using ReactOS straightforward. The ultimate goal of ReactOS is to allow you to remove Windows and install ReactOS without the end-user noticing the change.”

Not directly associated with the project, nor have I tested it…but do have a partition reserved for just that purpose.

ReactOS has a long history of infringement issues with Windows. This article from 2006 shows the problems (especially the Comments below the excerpt). Although these particular issues may have been resolved, Windows compatibility is about as spotty as WINE under Linux, and there is no reliable revenue stream to guarantee future development of ReactOS. Most tellingly, very few publications have paid much attention to ReactOS since around 20006, when Windows Vista was causing much the same issues as Windows 8 is causing people who haven’t tried it yet today.

(More here (Section 2.2) on the History of the infringement issues with ReactOS, and the internal code audit from Wikipedia.)

I suspect ReactOS will go the way of IBM’s OS/2, which was virtually abandoned after Microsoft Windows 95 took hold in the marketplace. Windows 8 or Windows 9 will probably lay to rest the issues which are putting people off from upgrading today, just as Windows 95 put to rest many of the concerns folks had about the future path of Microsoft development years ago.

We’ve seen niche OSes come and go over the years, and ReactOS is likely to become yet another niche OS. I wouldn’t pin my PC’s future on a niche OS — especially not one with such a checkered history of possible infringement issues with Microsoft.

As for Windows XP antivirus, there is still ClamWin and Solo Antivirus, both of which still work with Windows 98 as well. Many others will undoubtedly service the Windows XP aftermarket as long as there is demand.

One fly in the ointment — Windows XP uses an Activation Technology. It is therefore possible (though unlikely) that Microsoft could send a “Bullet” over the Internet to Windows XP and deactivate it. This would end its lifetime very quickly. But I don’t think MS is interested in doing this. Not unless Windows 8 can’t sell enough devices to break even — also very unlikely.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

Your link “ReactOS” won’t work 4 me.??

Reply | Quote

Your link “ReactOS” won’t work 4 me.??

Try http://www.reactos.org/download

Get the live CD, because it is in an Alpha, or even pre Alpha condition, and you probably just want to look at it, not install it.

Reply | Quote

I really think that you have something there, iam going to look at ReachOP, Thanks

Reply | Quote

i am still using two 98SE systems
would be using a 95 if the battery could have been replaced on the mobo

i have 3 xppro systems and plan to run them as long as the hardware is alive

there will be problems with some web sites who use tricks that require newer software than xp can run
so buy a cheap netbook or similar if you have to run a program to access those sites

Reply | Quote

You could use xp forever put as a secondary machine , get another harddrive that matches your machine and dual boot it with windows 7
as a old guy gamer I have machines dual boot win 98 ( for the game cossacks) with xp and another machine dual boot win xp with vista ( soon to be win 7 ) Dual boot is fantastic and there are free boot managers that can boot upto 5 systems on a machine . Dual or multi boot is the best way to go.

Bob

Reply | Quote

You could use xp forever put as a secondary machine , get another harddrive that matches your machine and dual boot it with windows 7
as a old guy gamer I have machines dual boot win 98 ( for the game cossacks) with xp and another machine dual boot win xp with vista ( soon to be win 7 ) Dual boot is fantastic and there are free boot managers that can boot upto 5 systems on a machine . Dual or multi boot is the best way to go.

Bob

However, do keep in mind that a dual-boot does not put up a Walled Garden around either OS. Both can access each other’s files.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

Bob,

Actually you can hide the boot drives from each other via a registry hack as follows:

Hide Drive from View
Key: HKLMSYSTEMMountedDevicesOffline
Create a new DWord entry with:
Name: DosDevicesC:
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Where C: is replaced by the drive to be hidden. Thus on each side of a dual boot machine you would hide the drive letter of the other copy of windows. :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

Reply | Quote

One fly in the ointment — Windows XP uses an Activation Technology. It is therefore possible (though unlikely) that Microsoft could send a “Bullet” over the Internet to Windows XP and deactivate it. This would end its lifetime very quickly. But I don’t think MS is interested in doing this. Not unless Windows 8 can’t sell enough devices to break even — also very unlikely.

The above from BobPrimak.

Maybe you know this, but the following registry patch will set that XP has been registered:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsNTCurrentVersion

Edit the string value Regdone to 1.

Acknowledgements to the author of “Performance Tweaks for Windows XP”.

windyrij

Reply | Quote

The above from BobPrimak.

Maybe you know this, but the following registry patch will set that XP has been registered:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsNTCurrentVersion

Edit the string value Regdone to 1.

Acknowledgements to the author of “Performance Tweaks for Windows XP”.

windyrij

That may or may not work now, and in the future it would be very easy for Microsoft to place a Kill Switch into the System Kernel which would override any Registry Hack. I discovered that this is a very real possibility when certain antivirus programs accidentally placed a Kill Switch inside the Windows XP System Kernel as security drivers. I had to reinstall the OS from scratch. The online version of PrevX version 2, when it interacted with the then-current Zone Alarm Firewall (with its Kaspersky based security elements) was one of these programs.

That same Registry Hack was posted by our very own DrWho (as DrWho07) in THIS THREAD in 2008, with the same “Performance Tweaks For Windows” Reference. Windows Activation Technology has changed since 2008, and the Hack no longer works if WGA or WAT is installed. SP3 installed WAT for everyone. Sorry, your hack seems to be way out of date.

And to other Lounge members — posting Windows Activation workarounds or other Cracks is against Lounge Policy. Don’t do it.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

Bob,

Actually you can hide the boot drives from each other via a registry hack as follows:

Hide Drive from View
Key: HKLMSYSTEMMountedDevicesOffline
Create a new DWord entry with:
Name: DosDevicesC:
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Where C: is replaced by the drive to be hidden. Thus on each side of a dual boot machine you would hide the drive letter of the other copy of windows. :cheers:

Good to know, and actually, I have Acronis Disk Director, which can also hide partitions from each other without messing with the Registry directly. Very useful if trying to install two instances of the same OS version. Still, by default, this is not how a dual-boot is set up.

In my laptop, I prefer to have total access to all partitions from anywhere. When scanning for malware, the Registry of only the current active partition will be scanned, but otherwise, all files everywhere can be scanned and archived from a single location this way. A Quick Scan of the remaining users and partitions will catch their Registry areas.

For that matter, users can make their Folders private, and hide them even from Administrators in the same OS instance.

No other downside (other than scanning issues) to hiding partitions or users that I can think of. But maybe even with the Registry Hack, some very clever malicious codes could break through?

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

Bob,

I’ve been dual booting using this registry hack since XP due to loss of restore points. I don’t know if this is still a problem but old habits die hard! As for the malware I have the same anti-malware setup on both boot partitions so that is not a problem. Personally, I also like to hide the unused boot partition just so I don’t do anything stupid! :rolleyes: :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

Reply | Quote

Bob,

I’ve been dual booting using this registry hack since XP due to loss of restore points. I don’t know if this is still a problem but old habits die hard! As for the malware I have the same anti-malware setup on both boot partitions so that is not a problem. Personally, I also like to hide the unused boot partition just so I don’t do anything stupid! :rolleyes: :cheers:

My Recovery Partitions are hidden on both of my laptops. They never need to be scanned and they do not contain data, so I don’t want to risk messing them up, as you say. Hiding partitions also avoids overwriting of Restore Points, an issue I have in my Windows 7/ Windows 8 dual-boot. Only the Win 8 Restore Points seem to disappear, however. Windows 8 is the Lead OS in this dual-boot. Strange…

My point about scanning all users is that they maintain their own views of the Registry, so a scan from one user or one partition will not scan the Registry as seen by other users. Otherwise, a single (deep) scan from an Administrator Account should be sufficient for the whole disk. Even Private Folders are scanned by most modern scanners. But Hidden Partitions would not be scanned, as they are not seen. I just prefer to be able to use Quick Scans of all users, and only one lengthy Deep Scan. Others may have other preferences.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

I’m still running Win98 for some games (though that VM has online disabled for obvious reasons). So long as you find XP useful and viable, you already paid for the license so have fun. 🙂

Reply | Quote

of course you can
at least until the pc dies

we are still using two wind98SE boxes
and have 3 XP pro boxes in use (one downgraded from vista)

l want to stay w/XP Pro Forever! l use Chrome, Avira av, SuperAntispyware, Spybot and Malwarebytes antimalware. And also use Works and Word. The av and antispyware programs are updated and used daily. This will be fine, right? l love my xp, and do not do anything to overwork the system, which is fine and if it works don’t mess with it…..unless l’m forced to…..:D

Reply | Quote

I have read where SOME of the antivirus programs would be continued for up to 2 years beyond the April 8, 2014, date of Microsoft’s drop of support for Windows XP and Office 2003.

As for using WinXP without support a lot will depend upon what one wants to do and if willing to risk a virus or malware mostly when on the Internet.

I am keeping a WinXP [it could have been Win98SE as I still have the software] because once in awhile I have need to extract data from 5.25″ and 3.5″ floppy disks. The computer I’ve kept has BIOS support for both types drives, A: and B: which is quite necessary, newer computers have been dropping, first with no B: drive and last couple of years some with no A: drive. Such could have been seen coming as USB devices became almost necessary to have as was the elimination of Serial COMM ports and Parallel Printer ports from Desktops and Notebooks.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

Reply | Quote

I’m sure that Microsoft is continuing support for MSE on Windows XP systems, and some third party AV vendors are doing the same.

Reply | Quote

Sorry about that.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-support-help

We know you have questions…here are some answers
Will I still be protected if I use Microsoft Security Essentials?

No, you will not be protected. Microsoft Security Essentials is no longer available for download on Windows XP, for starters, but even if you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you still won’t be protected—even though you’ll continue to receive antimalware signature updates for a limited time. This is because Microsoft Security Essentials (or any other third-party antivirus software for that matter) will have limited effectiveness on PCs that do not have the latest security updates. What does this mean for you? That your PC running Windows XP will not be secure and will still be at risk for infection.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

Reply | Quote

Zorin OS 9 has been released. It was previously available as a release candidate, but now the final release is available.

This is a little late for most who are here. Most of those who decided to move away from Windows XP didn’t want to go at all, and migrated to Windows 7 as the best other OS available. Some went to Apple Macs (the high price option), and some went to Zorin and other Linux systems (the low price option), but I think most of those who are still on XP are going to stay with it until either XP gets infected and crashes and burns, or their hardware fails.

But if you are still on XP, and still looking for another OS, you should get a Live DVD of Zorin, and a Live DVD of Linux Mint 17 Qiana Cinnamon and compare them.

Reply | Quote

Got this E-Mail from the Zorin site a couple of hours ago about their downloads:

Dear Sir,
Unfortunately we are experiencing some technical problems.
We will contact you as soon as the problems are resolved.
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.
Best regards,
The Zorin OS Team

The downloads I got fail the MD5SUM hash check, may not burn or run correctly.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

Reply | Quote