XP is coming to an end on 4-8...What to do?

DennisArrow · Mar 12, 2014

I have 4 units that are happy running XP now for many years. I really DO NOT want to change; but it seems from what I read that I shall be overrun with malware and viruses if I don't upgrade to something else. It seems that the monthly updates and security updates from Microsoft have kept me issue free and that this is gonna end on 4-8. A huge can of worms is coming my way??? Is this true???????????

I really do not want to make huge changes and do not use touch screens. What are options????

It seems that Windows 8.1 is the most like XP.....How is the best, least painless, and minimal learning curve????????...........

THANKS for YOUR help........God bless........Dennis

rrrkkk · Mar 12, 2014

Wrong 8.1 is completely unlike windows xp the closest to xp is windows 7 I read awhile back Microsoft made a tool to transfer xp files to win 7 of course you will need to buy 7 I have converted one new from 8.1 and two from xp to 7 nothing is easy there are some files from xp that wont work on 7 because the drivers are different

Tollster · Mar 12, 2014

Don't go deeper, start your moderate change to apple as soon as you can... I have been a long time MS user since 97, and with 8.1, I finally realized it was the worse choice of my life..

The interface is very different on 8.1 and more complicated than it needs to be.. I never liked apple heads, but got my wife a Ipad for Cmas... I had it interfacing with everything in less than 30 minutes...the web, the printers, and so on.

8.1 is finicky, the online printer work one day then the next you have to plug in the USB jumper, not to mention that my 500 dollar full version of office 2003 is no longer compatible, so they now want you to pay by the month on the new version. There are also 3rd party software issues across the board..

My wifes Ipad is an Ipad 2, still being sold with a non hackable OS and easy use.. no malware there.. Use XP as long as you can without support, but change over is what I plan on doing.

Thay have tried to merge apps into the OS, and there is no getting away from it, I stuck with MSFT simply because I did not want apps, if I did, I would have gotten a cell phone... But there are only two OS's available, apple and MSFT, and apple has had apps since.... who knows.. MSFT has a lot to learn before they ever get it right.. and they won't be doing it on my dollar!

pwright · Mar 12, 2014

Are you going to replace the XP machines or try to upgrade them? FWIW, I wouldn't recommend trying to upgrade them. If they came with WinXP then they are probably a bit dated and even the low end newer units will far outperform them.

Is this a business expense?

HP is still offering desktops and laptops with Windows 7 which will be the closest to XP in terms of user interface as well as compatibility with older software. Windows 8 will have a fair learning curve to it.

I believe that Dell also has some models with Win 7 still available.

rekees4300 · Mar 12, 2014

DennisArrow said:
What are options????

Upgrading to Windows 8 is a fool's errand. Just keep XP until your old hardware fails then replace with new hardware that has whatever OS is available at that time.

batwing · Mar 12, 2014

pwright said:
Are you going to replace the XP machines or try to upgrade them? FWIW, I wouldn't recommend trying to upgrade them. If they came with WinXP then they are probably a bit dated and even the low end newer units will far outperform them.

Is this a business expense?

HP is still offering desktops and laptops with Windows 7 which will be the closest to XP in terms of user interface as well as compatibility with older software. Windows 8 will have a fair learning curve to it.

I believe that Dell also has some models with Win 7 still available.

I also would try to find a good deal on new computer with windows 7, I also used XP for a long time after using 7 for a while I like it better than XP.
Ron

CalG · Mar 12, 2014

Stay of the inter web, and your computors will never know the difference!

I just set up two old lap tops with XP, put on all the service packs (SP3) It's all still out there.

But, These machines never see an internet connection in use. (Automotive diagnostics for one, and an instrument application for the other (RGA)

For the inter web, Linux is the way to go!

buckshot721 · Mar 12, 2014

Why change? And the world will not come to an end the day after. Just keep your anti virus and malware up to date. I have a machine still running windows 98 using it for programming. Just keep a copy of service packs in case you have to reinstall Xp. You don't get rid of your car or truck if the warranty expires do you? If you like your XP you can keep it. And the sun will come up the day after.

ovrszd · Mar 12, 2014

We have two with XP, desktop and laptop. What we experience is extremely slow when on Internet. Always stopping in the middle of something and just sitting there, etc. We took our desktop to a friend that runs a computer shop. He suggested buying a newer computer. They are both 10 years old. Said they would not run new programs much better because of their builtin limitations. So yesterday we bought a Dell with Windows 8.1, Intel 1.5, 8GB and 2TB mem. I spent a couple hours setting it up and transferring files yesterday. Terry played with it a couple hours today and she's very happy. I didn't think it was a steep learning curve, although it does go about it's functions totally different. Paid $479 at OfficeMax.