Microsoft XP - security updates ended

Voydra

If your only using the computer for basic functions there is no need to upgrade. As long as you are using an up to date browser such as Firefox/Chrome etc and don't visit nefarious websites or open strange email attachments your going to be ok.

I think people have the general assumption that with a fully up to date MS operating system that they are going to be magically protected from anything bad that could happen to them online. Simple common sense should always prevail regardless of whether it is an old or an up to date computer.... If your not sure then don't click on it.

ayrforce1

Microsoft have a Windows 7 upgrade advisor which you can run to check if your computer is suitable. I tried this some time back and my old desktop was not up to the upgrade. http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=20

kwikbreaks

When you apply the final updates there is a popup to an advice page. That contains a link to a Windows 8 update adviser. The MS advice is to either install Windows 8.1 or buy a new machine. There is a little questionaire at the bottom about how helpful you found the advice. I suspect reading the responses may be amusing

I have a couple of netbook level machines which I've just updated to final. I was using MSE on them which I've removed as it will no longer be supported on XP either and installed AVG as a basic AV. I'll take backup images and wouldn't use them for anything sensitive. Spotting obviously errant behaviour and scanning with Malwarbytes should keep them safe enough for general browsing and the like. If I see any announcement of a major security problem cropping up I'll probably install Linux Mint on them which I have tried in the past but found less convenient and no faster than XP.

NiftyDigits

kwikbreaks wrote: »

When you apply the final updates there is a popup to an advice page. That contains a link to a Windows 8 update adviser. The MS advice is to either install Windows 8.1 or buy a new machine. There is a little questionaire at the bottom about how helpful you found the advice. I suspect reading the responses may be amusing

I have a couple of netbook level machines which I've just updated to final. I was using MSE on them which I've removed as it will no longer be supported on XP either and installed AVG as a basic AV. I'll take backup images and wouldn't use them for anything sensitive. Spotting obviously errant behaviour and scanning with Malwarbytes should keep them safe enough for general browsing and the like. If I see any announcement of a major security problem cropping up I'll probably install Linux Mint on them which I have tried in the past but found less convenient and no faster than XP.

Will be supported for another year.

* The Malicious Software Removal Tool and updates to Microsoft Security Essentials will continue to be provided for Windows XP through July 14, 2015.

Brand names and model numbers of these machines?