Nothing we say here in any way in meant to encourage anyone to use Windows XP past its expiration date this April. We are NOT recommending that anyone use Windows XP beyond the end official end of Microsoft support.
With that being said, we are also aware there are many who are not going to stop using XP because of financial or personal reasons. If you are one of those, it’s very important that you read this and implement the changes we suggest. If you do not do so, you will exposing your computer, your personal data, and even other computers to security issues and worse.
Stop using Internet Explorer and switch to the Google Chrome as your default browser
Chrome is going to support XP for at least another year. Microsoft is not going to support IE on XP. Your browser is probably the most likely entry point for hacking and malware and exploits that can compromise your computer and your privacy. It is essential, then, that you stop using Internet Explorer and install and use Google Chrome before Microsoft ends support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014. If you’re going to be using XP beyond this date, it may be wise for you to make this switch right now and start familiarizing yourself with Chrome. It’s not a huge learning curve to move from IE to Chrome. You can get Chrome free from http://google.com/chrome/ (Installing Chrome does not remove or affect Internet Explorer, but we strongly recommend you don’t use IE after the end of MS support.) After installing Chrome, you can import all your I.E. Favorites – it’s very easy to do.
Stop using Outlook Express and start using Gmail or other Web mail
Outlook Express is a wonderful email client — but it’s very old. After Microsoft stops providing security updates for XP, Outlook Express will be more and move vulnerable. We advise all of you who for financial or personal reasons are planning on keeping and using Windows XP beyond April 2014 to get a free Web mail account like Gmail ( www.gmail.com) and check it with the Google Chrome browser. if you are not a Gmail fan, you can get an Microsoft Outlook.com account, free, at www.outlook.com . We do not recommend Yahoo Mail due to numerous security breaches and hacks which Yahoo seems unable to control.
If you do get a Gmail account (which we highly recommend), you can set it up to check all of your email addresses, including your ISP accounts.
Use Emsisoft Anti-Malware
First, Microsoft will NOT be offering any updates, definitions, or new versions of Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) for Windows XP users after April 8, 2014. It is very important, if you’re an MSE user and you plan on using XP past the end of support that you change your anti-virus software before support ends. And we strongly recommend you switch to Emsisoft at this time.
Emsisoft is going to support its products on Windows XP for at least one year past Microsoft’s end of support of XP. Emsisoft is not only an anti-malware, it’s also one of the top anti-virus programs too. It is imperative you install a good anti-malware and anti-virus if you plan on using XP past the end of Microsoft support of XP.
XP is going to be more and more vulnerable to exploits and malware as time goes by – and you’ll need a security program that constantly being updated to prevent security breaches and malware and viruses designed especially to target XP systems. Emsisoft has assured us that they are committed to updating Emsisoft Anti-Malware for XP users for at least one year beyond the official end of Microsoft’s support for XP – to help keep them safe against the continually increasing number of XP exploits that will be released as soon as Microsoft pulls its support for Windows XP.
We offer Emsisoft at $10-off retail and we can even install and configure it for you. See www.thundercloud.net/emsisoft for details.
We remind you: We are not recommending anyone use Windows XP beyond April 8, 2014. But we know some of you will continue to use it. If you are one of them, it’s very important that you follow the suggestions we make in this article. It will help you keep you safer as time passes. There are no guarantees. And at some point in the future, nothing will be able to protect XP users from the continually growing number of exploits and malware programs that miscreants will be creating to target those still using XP. Darcy (EB) will continue to use and monitor XP on a daily basis after support ends, so we can keep you abreast of any security issues or breaches.
At least we can now assure you that Google Chrome and Emsisoft have committed to keeping their software updated for Windows XP for one year past the Microsoft End-of-Support. So, you can think of it this way — Chrome and Emsisoft have your back. If you have a Cloudeight Direct Care session key, you can use it to have us set everything up for you – we can install and set up Chrome, import bookmarks, set up email (up to 3 accounts) and shortcuts for ease of use, install and set up Emsisoft. If you’re interested see http://thundercloud.net/direct/ .
I sold my last XP computer, a laptop, to a buyer who claimed need for it, even though I cautioned about the April 2014 end date. I set the purchase money aside for a couple months but the buyer never came back for a refund.
Some of my pals run special software they claim runs only on XP systems.
Should I toss in the trash my old operating system CD’s? I have Windows 98 (first edition), the Win 98 second edition update CD, Windows Me, Windows 2000, and Windows XP … plus CD’s for Windows XP service packs 1,2,3.
I run a dual-boot Vista/Ubuntu laptop. All other computers are Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. I also have a few USB thumb drives filled with programs installable on those older systems.
Is it time now to clean house and be rid of all this old stuff, books too?
I just came across the information on my Infoave home page that Microsoft is extending support for XP anti-malware support until July 2015. I guess they changed their mind about it. Here is the link to the information. http://podcasts.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/microsoft-extends-xp-anti-malware-support-until-july-2015-234374?source=rss_microsoft_windows
On the contrary — this is for Enterprise customers — and besides MSE’s protection level has fallen so low that it doesn’t protect much of anything. As of the last anti-virus lab reports, MSE comes in dead last with a 74% detection rating. That means 26% of threats are not being caught. While no anti-virus has consistent 100% ratings, most top anti-virus software (including Emsisoft) catch 99% of all threats. Of the top antivirus software, only Emsisoft is also a full anti-malware with PUP detection. Your chances of ever seeing a virus are about 1 in 10; your chances of being exposed to malware is about 9 in 10.
As Windows XP ages, it will be come more and more vulnerable and eventually no antivirus will be able to protect you.
I use windows seven on a relatively new computer but have kept my old Xp as I have art packages on it that are incompatible with windows 7. I am thinking of disconnecting the old computer from wi-fi and just using it for artwork transferring work to the new computer via Cd, I would like your opinion on this and whether I would need to keep my Emsisoft updated on it. Also does anyone know if its possible to get some of these “old fashioned” but much loved art packages converted to windows seven and eight.
While I am on here I would like to thank you for all the excellent advice you have given out over the years it’s very much appreciated.