Windows XP support stops in April
 

[After April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for Windows XP. Security updates patch vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malware and help keep users and their data safer. PCs running Windows XP after April 8, 2014, should not be considered to be protected,

Without critical Windows XP security updates, your PC may become vulnerable to harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software which can steal or damage your business data and information. Anti-virus software will also not be able to fully protect you once Windows XP itself is unsupported. ]
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windo...ofsupport.aspx


If you are adventurous and/or don't want to buy another Microsoft Operating system.. there are free operating systems.
Called Linux distros/distributions many styles some are nearly the same as windows xp.
If you know how to download and burn an ISO CD /DVD you can get many to try called a LIVE CD, they run from the DVD drive so you can test it out to see if you like it.
Or you can buy a cd/DVD for a low cost.

Here is more info and the page with the major distros -
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major


If you have any questions just ask.

Right now I am using Xubuntu on my older laptop and just installed PCLinuxOS (MATE) on my desktop, but I have sampled many distros over the years.

This intrigues me. Tell me more about it before I download? :D

I googled some images of it...clean.

screenshots & links to more info than I can type out ..
https://www.google.com/search?q=PCLi...en-US:official



I will say that some distros "find" & connect to wireless easier than others. It all depends on the wireless adapter inside the machine.

The easy go to distro for wifi is Ubuntu, it has always found & connected wifi for me and I have tried out at least 15 of the various top distros.
If you don't care for the ubuntu default look you can click to use the old style classic or use the repositories to get XfCE or other "styles"

Xubuntu is based off Ubuntu so wifi worked connected nicely on Dell laptop.


I use ISO burner, very easy.
http://www.freeisoburner.com/

be sure to set burn speed as slow as you can for best results. I did some on automatic/default speed and they did not work.

Jo*mar,

It's good to see another Linux user around, and now is a good time for XP users to migrate onto a more secure enviornment.

I use Debian for my main desktop machine, CentOS for another work station and Fedora on a laptop. Linux-Mint is another user-friendly version, is based on Ubuntu(which is Debian based).

have an older laptop with XP. Was thinking of getting a new one so now is the time. Question: apple macbook vs. MS 8.1 pro and cons.

I use my computer as a hybrid for personal and some work. I know I need access to Office and assorted secure portals, but other than that I don't know enough to ask. Advise??

also- will the new provider/supplier of the laptop put my old files, etc onto my new machine? Can they set me up to have a cloud presence, like email, calendar, contacts etc? {I just want to basically slap down my credit card & walk out ready to work - sort of like magic ;) )

We are upgrading to a new machine this week. I am in a tizzy about it too. A faster computer with a nice processor, a terrabite of harddrive space, enormous RAM compared to our 2003 computer! But we did find Win 7 for the fast model of Dell we wanted....on Newegg!
Dell itself charges $50 MORE for Win 7 on their models on their site!

I sent an email to Rovio about my Angry Birds download and histories, and they gave me a link to their page online about moving to a new machine. In that page, is their confession, that they themselves do not have Win 8 either, and only up to Win 7.
I think that is quite revealing of a huge business not using the most recent operating system for Windows!

I too would like it to work with the wave of a wand..but looks like we will be struggling with it all for a while. We run back ups on all our machines. The backup industry has become very affordable. I would like to clone my whole harddrive now, so as not to lose programs. sigh.

I suggest finding a reputable small computer business locally to do this kind of service for you, I don't think the big box type store provide services like this, but you could ask..

There is a business called Geek Squad around here they will come to you to provide personal pc fix or service. They could also assist/advise on what type of new pc to get. You might search for something like that in your area.

FYI: Newegg.com still sells lots of laptops and desktops with Windows 7 if you have the need to abstain from Windows 8

:D

edit: I see that mrsD already mentioned that....well, reinforcement...LOL

Well I am now trying out Mint Maya LTS (long term suppoort) :cool:

so far is is doing everything the way I like it to..
And the webpages are rendered nice and clear.

And updating it doesn't mess anything up LOL

I don't know why but updates for me with PClos mess up the videos drivers and I can't or don't want to spend time trying to fix that..

Well....it is done.... our son decided to put the old harddrive in the slot of the new computer, and then moved off the documents etc that way. It was faster and easier.

My Angry Birds came over perfectly... whew! I really need that game for my sanity! LOL

All my photos and graphics are here now, and music.

But still getting used to the new keyboard. :o

Funny thing is..
 

I just read an article about how Windows XP is safer than Windows Vista, Windows 7 and 8.

I'm not sure for how long this will be, but it's good to know good ol XP has some value over the new kids on the block!

As a TBI patient, I find it very hard to learn new things. As a result, the constant changes in technology are a nightmare.

windows xp has done this before

windows xo professional version is bullet proof

support is a joke i ran xp no windows updates the life of the pc

win xp is stronger faster better than 7 or any other

you want safety security all that find a older pc and use xp

i have a older laptop im buying a 160 gig drive for and 2 gigs of ram thats fast enough for most normal users and im going back to xp

on windows 7 i have been hit and even erased 10 times with firewalls anti this that more security than i ever used

they just try to scare and force you to use there new os like all new pcs wont run xp they force you to use 7 or 8

i like garage sales they throw out great pcs just to run 7 or 8

so do what you like they are now after 7 and 8 xp is a distant memory to hackers

What?

This is either a gross exaggeration, or you have a deeper issue. I have over a dozen Win7 machines running in my building (that I maintain) with very little problems.

I upgraded all of them from XP about 2 years ago because they are smoother running, less temperamental and recognize peripherals much better then XP ever dreamed about.

update: I am still using my old XP Pro laptop with no issues. My security suite has apparently done its job to keep me safe (enough).

Still don't know if I should go Apple or Windows, leaning towards Apple only based upon on how great the Apple store near me has been for kids
's ipod and my 5S.

I went on newegg, etc and my head felt like it would explode - sigh

ok late reply maybe a few less but i hate using it since this post i finally got it stable for i dont know how long

but the newest os is always the most popular for them to hit

and its a scam new pcs custom pcs all now force 7 or 8

im die hard xp cooperate unlike other versions cooperate is almost bullet proof

i cant help the hat i grew up on what most now say huh what

8086 dos batch sys reg and all that programming i could program xp i new the reg and batch etc by heart

now i lost count of types of whats it ddr? sdram crap do what you want mix it whatever most often ran fine and just slow or better sdram

i am no going back to pc and os school i will just garage sale and dumpster it to stay old like me lmao

hope this is not to old to reply my settings were not on oops

I am going to have to correct you here. There is NO difference between XP Pro and XP Pro Corporate Edition EXCEPT for the licensing.

XP Pro is licensed for one individual. They can re-install it numerous times with the same product key. The "Corporate" edition is a volume license for install in large offices with robots at cubicles.

How do I know this? I was the "guy" that did the purchasing, installation and upgrades of hundreds of machines in a BIG corporate setting.

Lets not confuse people here if we can help it.

ok thanks for info i always gave Corporate Edition i liked it better and like said my customers could crash change parts without the dreaded xp shutdown

beats me about that because i used Corporate Edition but thanks

the main point is its bs only time xp dies is on new machines new machines force the new windows if you want drivers that was my point all old already running xp are fine just another not explained well scare

thanks