Windows xp support ending

closed

ripplyuk wrote: »

it still works fine.

And it will continue to work fine as will the firewall.

Stick avast free on, and backup with macrium reflect free - in the unlikely event all hell breaks loose, you can restore a working system in a few minutes.

Jivesinger

ripplyuk wrote: »

Will the windows security essentials be unreliable after this date? Maybe I should get another free antivirus. I've also heard the firewall won't work.

On that specific point, Microsoft Security Essentials will keep getting updates for another year. However as stated, other free products are probably better in any case.
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-to-extend-windows-xp-anti-malware-updates-one-year-7000025215/

closed wrote: »

Stick avast free on, and backup with macrium reflect free.

Just to add to that, it isn't just about backing up once - you need to keep backing up regularly. (This is a general thing which applies to any computer, of course.)

If there is a big Windows XP hack, it won't necessarily happen next week. It could be next month, 3 months, 9 months, 18 months time. If there's a big hack in 9 months' time and you need to restore, the backup you made this weekend may be of limited use.

grumpycrab

ripplyuk wrote: »

Will the windows security essentials be unreliable after this date?

MSE may provide some protection until July 2015
http://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/a-last-reprieve-for-the-enduring-windows-xp/#story1
Google Chrome is also supposed to be providing specific support under XP until 2015 too.

giraffe69

There is no very immediate threat provided you take the precautions spoken of above but in the medium term you will find it becomes more awkward. For example you won't get updates or new versions of your browser (immediately if it is IE, after a longer period if it is Firefox or Chrome). If you end up getting a new printer you may not be able to get XP drivers. Eventually you should bite the bullet but it may be Windows 9 before you do.

datostar

I have an old Microstar laptop with a 40GB hard drive and 512MB RAM. Frankly, it struggled a bit even with WinXP and wouldn't have stood a chance with Win7.
I've had some experience with Ubuntu but realised that the full version of that is about the same size as Win7, so after a little research I installed Lubuntu, a lightweight Ubuntu version. Excellent results - occupies less than 4GB as installed, boots up in less than a minute, altogether faster and smoother with most basic programs included and access to the Ubunutu repositories for extra stuff. I did have to go into Terminal to set up a Samba server for networking and to sort out a 3G dongle settings so it's not all plain sailing as a Windows replacement (but no Linux ever is!) Nevertheless, the old beast has got a new lease on life (with regular updates) and I'm keeping XP Mode on my main Win7 machine in case I need to use any old XP programs.

Queryone

I have XP too, so worried about it no longer being supported. Also Microsoft Security Essentials says it is ending in 3 days. I have an old laptop, bought second-hand in 2004. Only half GB RAM, and 55GB hard drive. Don't laugh. Upgraded RAM to 1GB few years ago, shop was going to put in more but discovered 1GB was max. Reading this post, presume I should put Avast free on. Obviously need new machine too (at least 10 keys no longer have any lettering on them) - everyone advises against Windows 8 - but all new machines have that. Should I get another second-hand machine with Win 7 or what? Can't believe they are getting rid of XP, so many people say it is best, and I like it. Any suggestions?

Susan1942

I have a laptop with windows 7 and an old XP desktop I almost never use the XP but it will have my bank account and other things on it I have Norton on both
Are there things I should delete from the XP computer I don't really want to spend a lot of money upgrading as it was purchased in 2004 and feel it may not be worth it
If I continue to run a scan on it would this help or not If need be I could simply stop using it altogether. I know a lot has been said about this matter but because I have not seriously considered paying money for an upgrade am now wondering how best to protect myself. Sorry for asking this question again Sue

giraffe69

I have XP too, so worried about it no longer being supported. Also Microsoft Security Essentials says it is ending in 3 days.

I think after April 8 you won't be able to download the program to XP so if you haven't got it you can't switch to it on XP but if it is already there you will be able to update it for a while yet so you don't have to change.

giraffe69

everyone advises against Windows 8

I don't think that is true. There are those who don't like the look of Win 8 (some have found 8.1 an improvement) but even if you don't like it you can get something called classic shell(free) which makes it look more like Win 7.
Mostly however the dislike is by people who never want anything to change and regret the invention of the wheel!

closed

use the W7 laptop for banking if you're worried