Windows Xp

[Coldicote]

I expect this has been raised before and I apologise for taking more of your time, but what is the simplest - and I emphasise simplest - solution to Windows giving up on XP in about a months time? Searching around on the internet seems to make a huge issue of it with so many references it's difficult to know how and where where to start. Some even suggest getting a new computer. Isn't it possible to simply download a more up to date version of Windows? If I do so then what happens to the existing XP? I do a lot of shopping on line and it's important to me to get it right. How are other ABers dealing with this please and what provider do you use if not Windows?

[jeffa]

What do you actually perceive the problem to be? What do you think is going to happen?

[twofeathers]

If you continue to use Windows XP after support ends, your computer will still work but it might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Also, as more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimize far more recent versions of Windows, you can expect to encounter greater numbers of apps and devices that do not work with Windows XP.
You will need to upgrade Coldicote at some point

[Khandro]

2f; By 'upgrade', do you mean buy a whole new system?

[twofeathers]

I just brought a new laptop for my son windows 8 £300 pound

its not a lot for something which will last

Alternatively you could purchase 7 for about £100 and install it yourself

[SpikeyBush]

I had a lot of PCs in my office that were running XP upgraded to windows 7 today. A guy from IT at head office came over and did the lot in one go. If your own personal computer isn't up to it there are many you can buy secondhand that are reconditioned. I bought one through Amazon for little more than £100 as my old PC struggled with Vista (I bought it new in 2003)

[HansUrbancka]

To answer your question....Please start here:-

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Computers/Question1319742.html

Hans.

[RATTER15]

I bought my 64 bit Desktop PC a few months ago, it has been serviced and Windows 7 pro installed with 4 gig ram, so far it hasn't missed a beat. I paid £60

[Khandro]

SpikeyBush; //I had a lot of PCs in my office that were running XP upgraded to windows 7 today. A guy from IT at head office came over and did the lot in one go.//
Does this mean that everything, - all the programmes and files on XP were transferred to Windows 7 and you can now carry on as you were? I believe 7 doesn't support Outlook Express, is that correct?

[tamborine]

All my peripherals are compatible to XP. I do hsve another lappy with W8 but its too fickle for me; changing apps with every cough & sneeze.

W8 lappy is back in its gift box - hate it!

[ivor4781]

get a version of win7
install and away you go,my very old (11 years) pc had this done no probs with the comp at all,the only thing that didn't work as there were no drivers for it in win 7 was my old scanner, which wasn't used much any way

[Coldicote]

Thank you. It seems a lot of users are not happy with Windows 8. I'm thinking that I shall have to call in the services of a professional. No point in trying to do updates myself if it means Outlook Express will not work or my security system (Norton) will have to replaced.

[HansUrbancka]

My advice is 'Sit Tight' for a while. No need for you to rush off and spend what could be a few hundred pounds to up-date an old computer which is still functioning. Norton has Not decided to withdraw support for its AV programme, so you will still be protected and your XP will continue to work.

Hans.

[Khandro]

Does anyone know why XP support is being withdrawn ?

[RATTER15]

Khandro, probably because it is now a very old operating system, they cant support it for ever, we all have to move on or we would still have people running Windows 95 or 3.1

Also Microsoft want people to spend money on newer operating systems.

[Khandro]

Ratter; I think your last sentence is apt. My XP pro. gives me everything I would wish for, and my wife's newish laptop has W7 installed and I don't like it a bit. Maybe I'm a Luddite, but if I have a mechanical device I want to keep using, a car for example, then it's up to me to decide when to give up on it. I think it all relates to your other question about a throw-away consumerism.

[bibblebub]

But computing and computers has always been a rapidly developing industry and people who have only become involved with these devices at home in recent years need to realise that. Just like websites have come and gone, they're not permanent fixtures that stay the same for years on end.

[The Builder]

Khandro, I agree. We all know that many manufacturing companies practise "built-in obsolescence".

To be fair to them, the problem lies with all the cyber villains out there who would find your largely unprotected system an easy target.

Without them, your system could last for years. XP is very stable these days.

[RATTER15]

Khandro, if you want to keep using XP you can but nobody is going to be infesting in an outdated programme to it secure, the same as most devices you buy, after a while you can no longer buy spares or get it repaired, its the way the world turns, like I said on my other thread, you are right, its a throw away world.

[RATTER15]

but nobody is going to be infesting in an outdated programme to "keep" it secure*

[Coldicote]

It would be helpful to know that alternatives to XP others are using and what email service could one have instead of Outlook Express, which I've read somewhere will not work with Windows 8?