No future support for windows xp

[old man 52]

What do they mean by no support after April 2014 , I'm not a computer guy but I can get a good deal on a xp laptop but I don't know how long it will work. Can anybody explain what this means please. Thanks.

 

[crash]

No technical help/no support like patch's and so forth.

 

[Lentsnh2012]

It means that Windows XP operating systems will no longer get software updates or hardware updates.

 

[SINister]

It means no more updates or technical support from Microsoft. With XP you really shouldn't need it anyway, it was definitely one of their better OSs. If you have a copy of XP in case of a total failure you should be good.

EDIT:lol gotta stop watching TV while replying to posts

 

[Calderwood]

I only use xp on the computer that runs my cnc so I could care less about updates. It doesn't connect to a network or need antivirus etc. People still use xp for personal computing?

 

[vonclod]

I only use xp on the computer that runs my cnc so I could care less about updates. It doesn't connect to a network or need antivirus etc. People still use xp for personal computing?

i still use xp on my pc..it was the best thing out there but it is haveing more issues these days and at some point will have to go with something more current(not better)

 

[BUBBA069]

There are a lot of people still running XP because the PC they bought had XP installed on it, and it still runs. Most people don't change the OS, they change the PC when it fails.

Now that MS has drawn the line in the sand for support, most hardware makers will also now follow suite and start dropping support.

 

[old man 52]

So the system will still work the way it dose now ? I don't do more than looking around the crawler sites ,the net and paypal. I just dont wont the buy a system that I cant use after a certain date. Sorry for all the questions but I just don't know anything pass this and google.

 

[cody426]

It will continue to work yes, but as Software/Hardware manufacturers continue to release new products Windows XP will not be supported on those products. So if you buy a new HP printer next summer, XP drivers will most likely not be produced for it. Or, if you want to download a certain plugin or a new browser, Windows XP will likely not be supported. A good example of this is .Net 4.0, it is not supported on XP and therefor XP cannot run Internet Explorer 10, which is no big deal because IE 10 sucks. Everyday computer users will not be affected by this much, but IT Administrators like myself are busy moving business over to Windows 7/8 platforms to avoid compatibility issues after April next year. Hope that helps.

 

[BJoe]

I only use xp on the computer that runs my cnc so I could care less about updates. It doesn't connect to a network or need antivirus etc. People still use xp for personal computing?

Yea, even though all of our laptops at home are post XP, our 10 y/o desk top still is and we have at least 2 computers at work that are still too............probably should let my bosses know that.

 

[old man 52]

So how often do you need to update. My old laptop I got used 3 or 4 years ago and I never updated anything to my knowledge.

 

[cody426]

Personally, I upgrade my machines when I feel the need to do so. (Basically when it no longer does/supports what I want to use it for) From a business standpoint, usually as soon as I realize a need or budget for it. I would say if its doing what you want it to do, don't worry about upgrading it until it no longer does that or a new need arises forcing the upgrade.

 

[BigSki]

I only use xp on the computer that runs my cnc so I could care less about updates. It doesn't connect to a network or need antivirus etc. People still use xp for personal computing?

Hell yeah! My old Toshiba laptop uses XP with SP3, it works well for anything I need to do with a laptop. The new work station has WIN 7 Pro, that's as new as I want to get.

 

[KJ10]

I need to find my XP install disc. IMO, it is better than Win7 or Win 8. My laptop would be much better with XP than Win7. And I can't stand Win8. Even if I have bought 2 copies for my son's laptop, I refuse to use it. Give me XP, any day!

 

[sgtbham]

The good news is that there is a free dowload for windows 7 that lets you run xp mode (works like a VM), so if anything absolutely requires XP you are still in luck.

 

[hpiguy]

So how often do you need to update. My old laptop I got used 3 or 4 years ago and I never updated anything to my knowledge.

Windows security patches should be installed monthly, they release the second Tuesday of every month. You only need the high priority updates, the others are optional and not necessarily required.

 

[old man 52]

Windows security patches should be installed monthly, they release the second Tuesday of every month. You only need the high priority updates, the others are optional and not necessarily required.

So will this stuff still be available after the support stop , Or would I need to just buy a good anti virus program.

 

[sgtbham]

So will this stuff still be available after the support stop , Or would I need to just buy a good anti virus program.

Everybody needs anti virus either way, just my opinion.

People without it are often participants in bot nets without thier knowledge.

 

[hpiguy]

So will this stuff still be available after the support stop , Or would I need to just buy a good anti virus program.

No, that's what end of life, or end of support means. A good AV solution is always recommended, whether free or paid, each has it's merits. But that's a separate component from exploits and security vulnerabilities in the OS itself.

 

[old man 52]

Everybody needs anti virus either way, just my opinion.

People without it are often participants in bot nets without thier knowledge.

I don't even know what that means. I'm that mid 50's guy that never made the jump to technology , I don't even own a cell phone.