Microsoft warns against using the Windows Update hack

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Could cause more harm than good:
http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-warns-against-registry-hack-that-allows-windows-xp-updates

Jerry

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No such thing as a free lunch..

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No such thing as a free lunch..

Especially when something like this EATS YOUR LUNCH ! 😎

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Microsoft Says:

We recently became aware of a hack that purportedly aims to provide security updates to Windows XP customers. The security updates that could be installed are intended for Windows Embedded and Windows Server 2003 customers and do not fully protect Windows XP customers. Windows XP customers also run a significant risk of functionality issues with their machines if they install these updates, as they are not tested against Windows XP. The best way for Windows XP customers to protect their systems is to upgrade to a more modern operating system, like Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

ZDNet Says:

http://www.zdnet.com/patching-the-wrong-product-a-bad-thing-7000029904/

For somebody who is taking a risk anyway, balancing the risk of not patching XP against patching XP with a hack, is a judgement call.

I would let somebody else do it first, and if their systems did not turn to caca, I might do it too.

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I’m sure the Microsoft hack’.. er.. patch creators are sweating blood trying to come up with a unique update that will only work with the POS OS and crash XP and that hac…er.. patch sole purpose is to do just that. Yes, cynical I am. lol

🙂

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If I use this hack, and for now the only XP I have is the Windows 7 Windows XP Mode virtual machine, I will make an image before doing the updates, so that if it damages the system, I can get back to where I was.

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If I use this hack, and for now the only XP I have is the Windows 7 Windows XP Mode virtual machine, I will make an image before doing the updates, so that if it damages the system, I can get back to where I was.

+1

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found out the hard way that after disabling the registry “hack” on an old XP machine after enabling the “hack”, I can’t re-enable the hack afterwards on subsequent restart (not without reformatting & reinstalling Windows XP). disabling the hack by changing PosReady “Installed” from 00000001 to 00000000 in Regedit made the change permanent and after rebooting XP and launching Regedit, it won’t let me change it from 0 to 1. oh well.:(

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Look guys, just give all this crap up and buy Windows 7 or 8 and come into the 21st century…
It’s not really worth the risk of trying to keep XP with all it security flaws..

It was good in it’s time but it’s really time to move on.

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Why spend more money to replace something that is easily manageable? Not to mention 16 bit software, old software, weird hardware, etc, etc.

cheers, Paul

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Why spend more money to replace something that is easily manageable? Not to mention 16 bit software, old software, weird hardware, etc, etc.
cheers, Paul

Much to my surprise, I found out that although Windows 7 does not support really old 16 bit software…..
Windows 8.1 does. I comes with a 16 bit compatibility pack. It’s not installed by default, but if you attempt to install an old 16 bit program, the OS will ask you if you want it to install the 16 bit compatibility app.

Windows 8.1 installed on my nine year old, Home Built, PC, with narry a whimper.

So if you need to do an upgrade to your OS, for whatever reason, give Windows 8.1 a try. [ Windows 7 could just be a waste of time and money.]
It also runs all the programs and Security Software that I’ve run on XP for years. Some programs DO need to be run in Compatibility mode, with Administrator privileges. That’s easily set up in the Shortcut Properties.

And life goes on, despite Microshaft :rolleyes:

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Windows 8.1 does. I comes with a 16 bit compatibility pack. It’s not installed by default, but if you attempt to install an old 16 bit program, the OS will ask you if you want it to install the 16 bit compatibility app.

Windows 8.1 32-bit has a 16-bit compatibility mode which can be enabled. But most Windows 8.1 systems are 64-bit.

Bruce

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I agree with you there Paul and I still have XP on another drive but hardly ever use it..
Almost all my software worked on W7 64bit from XP 32 bit.
True, some hardware may be difficult but nothing that can’t be overcome.
Some of my scanner features don’t work on 7 but I got used to that and really don’t miss them that much.

I have always found that when you think change will be difficult you find out it isn’t that hard after all.

I understand some people feel comfortable with the status quo..

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The initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who gain by the new ones, to quote Machiavelli.

cheers, Paul

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Am I right that this limitation can be overcome by running XP in a virtualbox??

And FYI
HOW TO: Identify a 16-bit Program in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320127

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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