Windows XP

Rockman

I have Windows XP on my Dell computer and I have just read that Microsoft is no longer providing technical support for Windows XP. I also believe that Internet Explorer 8 is no longer supported and I cannot download Internet Explorer 8.1 as Windows XP is no longer suported.

I belive that I can still use my computer although I no longer get atomatic downloads and my computer will be at risk for infections.

Can anyone advise if there is a way of protecting my computer or better still is there away of downloading Internet Explorer 8.1 onto my PC.

Any help greatly appreciated.

bob_a_builder

Use another browser ?
chrome, firefox etc

Infections ?
try AVAST - be aware, there is both a free and paid for route

Every now and then run Malwarebytes - also a free and paid for option

free will be fine in both cases

debitcardmayhem

Use Firefox or Chrome or any other browser

GunJack

you're also mixing up Internet Explorer 8 (a browser, like Firefox and Chrome) with Windows 8.1 (an operating system, like XP, Vista and 7)

dogmaryxx

To continue to receive XP? updates with no risk until April 9th, 2019 do the following

Install RollBack XP

Download link

Download xp-security-updates.zip

Download link

Unzip and click to place in registry

Run Windows updates

Been using above method since April and have received all updates without a problem and have Rollback should anything untoward happen.

esuhl

On my XP installations, I've installed these:
Avast Free Antivirus
Comodo Free Firewall
MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware (free version)

In Avast, I did a custom installation and un-ticked everything except the File Shield and Web Shield (the Mail Shield would also be useful if you have an email client installed). Otherwise you end up with loads of useless junk installed!

To make web browsing safer, you could install Firefox with the AdBlock Plus add-on. The latter is intended to block adverts, but there are blocklists you can subscribe to that block known malware domains and scam sites here: https://adblockplus.org/en/subscriptions

Sandboxie allow you to run programs in a "sandbox". Normally, web browsers (and all other programs) have direct access to your system, so they can easily be used to install malware. Running them in a sandbox means you can isolate (and undo) any changes the program makes to your system.

Hopefully that should keep you protected. :-)

NiftyDigits

Rockman wrote: »

I have Windows XP on my Dell computer and I have just read that Microsoft is no longer providing technical support for Windows XP. I also believe that Internet Explorer 8 is no longer supported and I cannot download Internet Explorer 8.1 as Windows XP is no longer suported.

I belive that I can still use my computer although I no longer get atomatic downloads and my computer will be at risk for infections.

Can anyone advise if there is a way of protecting my computer or better still is there away of downloading Internet Explorer 8.1 onto my PC.

Any help greatly appreciated.

XP? There is a Service Tag written on your DELL. What is it?

gjchester

dogmaryxx wrote: »

To continue to receive XP? updates with no risk until April 9th, 2019 do the following

This makes Microsoft think you are running the Embedded OS version.


Embedded OS typically is used on things like tills or ticket kiosks. The developer may not install all of XP so its more modular.


Typically Embedded OS systems don't have the same user interactions. The end user will have limited access, they can't install software or surf the web on a till. Protection for these systems is more likely to be passive defence, ie stopping a system being hacked form the outside, and not focused on protecting the user from doing something they should not. There are chunks of XP that are not in embedded and will never be updated.


This is best through of as a temporary measure, until you can buy a new PC or install a new operating system of some sort. Relying on it for protection is not the best idea, you need to be thinking how do I get off XP, not how do I keep securing XP.

dogmaryxx

gjchester wrote: »

There are chunks of XP that are not in embedded and will never be updated.
.

Nothing worth worrying about



• Windows File Protection (WFP)
On Windows XP Professional, WFP helps prevent system files from being overwritten unless the files that are being installed are digitally signed by Microsoft. Windows XP Embedded does not enforce system file protection, however, because embedded device users do not typically install software. There are also some benefits to excluding WFP from Windows XP Professional. For example, Device Update Agent (DUA), a management tool that was created specifically to support embedded scenarios, performs better when WFP is not included in a run-time image. Another benefit of not including WFP in Windows XP Embedded is a reduced footprint. However, because Windows XP Embedded does not include WFP, it is critical for run-time images to be built with the correct versions of system files.

• Windows XP Tour
Windows XP Professional includes an interactive, animated tour of the operating system. This tour is not appropriate for end users of embedded devices that run highly customized Windows-based operating systems, so it is not included in Windows XP Embedded.

• Windows Setup
Windows XP Embedded does not include certain user interface and infrastructure elements that Windows Setup uses to install Windows XP Professional. Windows XP Embedded does not support the Control Panel user interface that is used to install additional Windows operating system components, for example, the Add/Remove Windows Components option in Control Panel.

• Online product activation
Windows XP Embedded does not include online product activation. Instead, Windows XP Embedded-based run-time images are activated by using a run-time product key in the Windows Embedded Studio tools.

• Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE)
Windows XP Professional includes welcome screens and wizards to help new users set up Internet connections and other operating system features. These are not included in Windows XP Embedded because of the highly customized nature of Windows XP Embedded-based operating systems.

• Windows Update
Windows XP Embedded does not use the Windows Update Web site (http://www.windowsupdate.com) to detect and patch software components. However, Windows Update can be used with a corporate server running Microsoft® Software Update

Services (SUS).
• System files that support upgrade scenarios
Windows XP Embedded does not include system files that support upgrade scenarios to Windows XP Professional from Windows 98 or Windows 2000. These files are not necessary in Windows XP Embedded because embedded run-time operating systems are not upgraded in the same way as desktop operating systems such as Windows XP Professional.

• Obsolete Windows Image Acquisition files
Windows XP Embedded does not include older versions of Windows Image Acquisition system files. These files are not necessary in Windows XP Embedded and their absence does not affect application compatibility.

• MSN® Explorer
MSN Explorer is included in Windows XP Professional, but no longer ships in Windows XP Embedded.

Features that are specific to the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Server and Windows Server™ 2003 operating systems are also not included in Windows XP Embedded. If an application runs on a Windows Server operating system but does not run on Windows XP Professional, that application will not run on Windows XP Embedded.

I like XP and it does all I require so will continue using until I decide otherwise.

Gillor

dogmaryxx wrote: »

I like XP and it does all I require so will continue using until I decide otherwise.

Likewise.

And if the OP is ultra-cautious there are a number of ways of making XP virtually watertight.

Try installing Malwarebytes Ant-Exploit and running all browsing activity in a sandboxed environment such as Sandboxie. Then it won't matter what junk gets past your a/v as soon as you close your browser it's gone.

A.Penny.Saved

I also recommend Sandboxie because it's the single best method to avoid problems while browsing the web where the majority of malware arrives via ads. I have been using it for years and have never had any problems with malware. That is unless your foolish and run something received by email outside a sandbox which you would need to be pretty stupid to do.

I spend money on only a few items of software and Sandboxie was one of them that I thought worthwhile. I do like to use multiple sandboxes, sandboxing all my internet facing applications including multiple browsers.