Emily wonders what will happen to her Windows XP computer after April 8, 2014 if she doesn’t upgrade
I am one of those dedicated XP users who doesn’t want to change my operating system. I don’t like Windows 7 and I really don’t like Windows 8. What will happen to my computer after April 2014. Will I really be in such great danger? Thanks for all your advice and information. Emily.
Our answer
Nothing will happen immediately. But Microsoft will no longer support XP after April 8, 2014. You’ll get no new security patches or critical updates. As time goes by your computer will become more and more vulnerable to security threats. Eventually your computer will be virtually defenseless against attacks designed to take advantage of vulnerabilities in XP. So your vulnerability will not be great the day support ends, but as the months pass you’ll be using an increasingly vulnerable machine.
We’re not afraid to criticize Microsoft, as most of you can attest. But in the case of Windows XP, Microsoft has been extremely fair to its XP users. When April 8, 2014 arrives, Microsoft will have supported XP for over 12 years. In the world of computers, that’s a long, long time.
But there are other things to consider too, Emily. New software won’t be developed for XP (how many programs do you see today that say they run on Windows 98?). You’ll be using an old, outdated version of Windows Internet Explorer which itself will become increasingly vulnerable. You may switch to Chrome or Firefox, but it’s unlikely that either will continue to develop browsers that work on XP. And with Web sites being built using HTML5 and newer versions of HTML — eventually you might not even be able to view many Web sites.
New hardware won’t include drivers for XP. New software might not run on XP. XP will become as Windows 95 and Windows 98 are today – dead.
So it’s not only the vulnerability factor you need to consider, but also the other things like the fact that no new software or new hardware will be developed for Windows XP.
We wish Microsoft would support Windows XP forever. Windows 7 really hurt our main business – Cloudeight Stationery. Windows 8 will hurt it further. But all the wishing in the world isn’t going to bring XP back.
If you used Windows 7 or Windows 8 for some time you might find they’re not as difficult to use as you think – and not nearly as bad as you think. You really should start thinking about the future, because using Windows XP after April 8, 2014 will become increasingly iffy and even dangerous.
Consider upgrading to Windows 7 or Windows 8 before support for XP ends — and don’t take chances. Right now computer sales are slow and there are some really great bargains out there. That’s our advice to you and to everyone who is considering hanging on to XP even after Microsoft ends support for it.
What do you say about the news that the PC will become unheard of in the near future too…is that going away also?
So many people use their phones to view the internet now. Not me…sad to think the PC will be going away too! We started out with a PC with a 15″ screen, we were all overjoyed when the larger monitors arrived…now they are down to using their smart phones which are sooooo little, amazing!
I like XP too Emily!
XP was the nicest operation system that I had used and when I first got Windows 7 I sure did a lot of stumbling around and complaining. However, now that I’ve had it for quite a while, it’s just become almost as automatic for me as XP was. Still think it’s hard to beat XP but Windows 7 does offer some nice things once you get used to it.
I guess all through our lives things change and we do get used to the changes with time.
They will have to pry it (XP) from my cold, dead hands.
Deanna–my thoughts exactly about smart phones. I am vision impaired and cannot see those small screens. If they ever take away my desktop with the MAMMOTH monitor I will be in bad shape.
combine windows Xp with Linux….Linux can use windows but windows can’t use Linux. just a thought….
I love XP also. I have worked on a lot of systems since the beginning, but XP is the best by far. I have seen the Win 7, Win 8. I am not impressed with either of them. I realize that I am going to have to get something, but, I am not sure what at this point. I just tried Google Chrome browser and I was disappointed and took it back off.
The XP useage answer contains a comment regarding few software makers developing programming for XP any longer…all I see anymore is apps. Where tech newsletters used to offer free or at least very well written software, they now recommend almost exclusively apps for smartphones and tablets. CloudEight might just be the only exception I receive.
I have Windows XP and I still think it is the best Microsoft ever had. You talk about Win. 7 & Win. 8. I imagine Win.8 is the latest right. Which one is better and will last longer, Win 7 or Win 8? Husband has a Win 7 for about a year now and I still have to look just about everywhere to find or download different emails etc. for him. I also have eye problems so Microsoft better keep our large screens cause they will lose many customers. (P.S. Do have a key for TC to help me when I myself get Win, 7 or 8. Others who have problems with PC should get TC to help them as apparently he and 8B are very good.)
I can’t see the small cell phone screens either so if they “steal” my desktop, I’ll be in cyber darkness forever!
Well, I take a different view about alleged security threats. Hackers and or those who love to create havoc only like to attack new versions of various OS. Considering how long XP has been out it would be a been there done that attitude when it comes to attacking Windows xp. I don’t plan on adding or changing hardware nor do I plan on adding more software. Besides Windows 7 and above do not work with my version of Office and I use Outlook for my email.
I say its time for a revolt against MS or is it too late.I do have 7 on my laptop, which is okay but I really hate 8 and yes I tried it and I was completely frustrated and lost.
Frankly I think all these so called security updates are back doors into your pc that could give them total control over your PC thus rendering it useless even offline.
If it ain’t broke, leave it the f alone.
You must not have been on the Web when Windows 98 became unsupported. Those were the days of millions of computers running 98 become zombies spreading spam, viruses, trojans, rogues, botnets, worms and malware all over he internet. I really don’t care much for conspiracy theories — I mistrust the U.S. government (regardless of which party has control) a lot more than I mistrust Microsoft. Microsoft is waning; its best days are behind it. Apple and Google are soaring and Microsoft is wading in quicksand trying to find a new direction — by the time they do, it will be too late. Look at the U.S. car industry. While they laughed at Japan, Japan was building really good quality cars. A few years later Ford, GM and Chrysler — started caring about quality, but it was too late. How many hundreds of thousands of auto workers lost their jobs due to corporate hubris?
You can do whatever you want — too bad it’s just not you you will be affecting. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.