Upgrade to software that was produced in the past 12 years.

Work computers run a program that only runs on XP. Owners do not want to convert to another program. So, at work, it is what it is.

Switch to a supported OS.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]The company I work for owns the PC I use at home and runs XP, so I don't have the option of changing. Therefore, the suggestions in this article are very useful to me.

Thanks for posting.

That is unfortunate though. Everything that XP has is compatible with Linux but if your work owns it, well that's that.

...of their risk and potential liability of having unsupported business systems out in the wild. As soon as the first exploit is found for XP that ISN'T patched (after next month), all XP machines will be at risk forever, and that includes all of their private business matters.

On the other hand, using a business machine for personal things is asking for trouble. Your employer owns the machine, and thus they own everything on the machine, including all of your personal history. I understand the temptation, but in the long run you are just asking for trouble, especially if they suddenly want it back. Try to migrate away from it for your personal stuff, if possible.

You should be able to find your own personal machine running Windows 7 (used, even) for a few hundred bucks at the most. The really nice new all-in-one Lenovo I got my kid was $300, and it's one the best in our house aside from my development boxes.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]They even sent out notices before XP support stopped to say that they're "working on" the situation, whatever that means.

I don't normally use the PC for personal stuff, but have had to since my old laptop died. There's nothing so earth shattering that I'd be suicidal if the boss snooped, though. Since I've been through a number of PCs over the years I've been with this company, all my personal stuff is saved in a cloud storage account.

Meanwhile, a new laptop is getting very near the top of my priority list.

Glad you seem to be on top of it. If you are patient, you can find really good random deals (in various price ranges) here: http://slickdeals.net/

Good luck.

Chances are, you can upgrade to Windows 7.

put on Linux. There's no reason in fact to keep XP, there hasn't been for years and if it's on the net in any form it's vulnerable. Or if there is data transfered via cd, dvd or thumb drive (or diskette) to any other computer, that computer is vulnerable.

It's not worth it !!!

There was another Linus, something like deanna? so maybe a discussion about the options would be good to hear.

Ubuntu is a good option with different desktop choices. There is Mint which is a stable Ubuntu/Debian knockoff. Many love it. There are some Linux OSs that are for more experienced users like Debian and Slackware and some for very old and small machines. There are some OSs that run completely on ram at an extremely fast rate like Puppy Linux and Damn Small Linux. There are also different desktop options that have totally different screen functions or in my case... I like the good old Gnome Classic. I also run Enlightenment desktop but that is sort of experimental. Bodhi Linux does a great job of putting up Enlightenment desktop.

Here's a link to a vast collection of Linux OSs you can browse: http://distrowatch.com/ It has explanations for each, their origin, what application they work best with. When you decide, you just download and install. I suggest a live cd.

To make it simple, you can always choose Ubuntu, try it out with the standard desktop (Unity) and if you don't like the unity desktop, download the Gnome classic and give Ubuntu a whirl with that one.

The possibilities are endless... and free.

Any specific issues with installation or the like, I'd be glad to talk with you. It's a favorite subject for me.

and specifically the Lubuntu distribution--it uses LXDE, the "Lightweight Desktop Environment", which runs quite well on older hardware and is similar enough in look and feel to WinXP that you'd be comfortable with it.



And here:


http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2014/02/four-reasons-why-windows-xp-users-should-switch-to-lubuntu-this-april

I use the same on a laptop and it's solid and fast.

Will I be able to play YouTube files on lubuntu?

it installs the Flash plugin you need to play web content like Youtube videos. Or rather, there is an option for you to install it when you set up the system; Flash and certain other software for DVD/MP3 playback is non-free/not opensource, so you have to tick an extra box to have it included.

that's always in trouble with viruses. Otherwise, I'm not concerned at all. Personally, I don't even use anti-virus software. And before the flamers get too carried away, I have installed them, but after I scan once and find nothing, I remove them. I'm like many users who are low risk. Our Internet behavior, the sites we visit, are not likely to contain viruses and if on the odd chance they did, I doubt they'd make it through my browser.

I have a Windows 98 PC, three Windows XP Pro SP3 PCs and one Windows 7 64-bit PC. 30 years of computing, not one virus to show for it.

You guys go ahead and upgrade. I'm not.

becomes a thing of the past.

My old computer (currently on XP Pro) won't handle anything newer than Vista. My sons are thinking of switching me to some variety of Linux.

We just stripped the thing down and reloaded Windows, and I hate to start over again on all my programs, but we'll do it.

My mom was just asking about this. I'll send it to her. She bought a new Samsung notepad, but still has an outdated computer with XP on it.

Way OT:

She also asked for suggestions on what to name her wireless connection. Apparently someone in the neighborhood had theirs labeled "FBI Surveillance Van". Probably someone trying to prevent people from messing with their connection.

If anyone has suggestions I'll pass them on.

For more info about XP, we have pinned threads in Computer Help and Support.

I think the others were:

Secret Service
Guantanamo drop off point (I know, bad)

and my favorite...

Putin Stinks

Putin Stinks

Yeah, that's true but I'm not going to use that. So much for a sense of humor.

her knowledge of Putin though.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/109510515

Remember that security holes don't just stop at the operating system.... Windows XP support is ending on 4/8/14, but also Microsoft is pulling support and updates for Microsoft Office 2003! If you must stick with Windows XP, make sure you upgrade your MS office to 2007 or 2010. (2013 is not supported on Windows XP). Or, if spending bucks is out of the question, consider a free Microsoft-compatible suite such as LibreOffice.

Update your browser, yes! As much of an Internet Explorer fan as I am, I'd recommend staying off of even IE8, the last version supported by Windows XP.

Lastly, my 2 cents so take it for what it's worth... but I'm currently running Windows 8.1 Pro and have been running various derivations of Windows 8 since the first consumer preview version came out in early 2012... That said I don't agree with all the negative press about it. It IS different than previous versions and for newbies will take some getting used to... but it's not bad in my opinion. Especially 8.1 as it gives a lot more options to cater to those who prefer to stay on the Windows 7/XP-like desktop.

As an IT pro, my best advice is to ditch XP. With a 12 year old operating system, this would be like running Windows 3.0 in 2002. Ridiculous! But, if you absolutely have to (or prefer to) stick with XP, treat it as a vulnerable machine.... because it will be. Avoid handling sensitive info such as bank passwords, credit cards, bill payments if at all possible.

then do a full install. Skip the update. Back up your files first. Might want to think about using Ctrl+Shift+N when just surfing. Don't ever buy any version of Home anything or Premium from microsoft. Spend the extra bucks and get Pro or Ultimate.

Or skip all that get 8.1.

You still get a few years of MSE updates on XP, but I would switch to Vista or 7 asap.

It's always best just to do a total fresh install than upgrade.

The main security problem is the ID ten T error.

"I don't understand why I got a virus. I have protection" I've heard that more times than I can count.
My response "When you click on something you just gave it permission"

I actually had to replace the HDD I had Vista installed on, it outlasted the hardware. Once updated, it runs like 7. Of course I recommend 7 Ultimate.

Yeah 8 is total crap, you have to automatically update it to 8.1 just for it to work on some systems.

STICK WITH 7 folks.

Use it to run anything internet-aware (browsing, emails etc) + anything novel (until you know the novel app is safe).

http://www.sandboxie.com/

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/introduction-and-quick-guide-sandboxie.htm

some may find this article useful: http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/end-support-windows-xp-survival-guide/#!A8vsP

I have to point out, though, that just having the original WinXP install disk may not help. I bought a Dell refurb years ago, and when I reinstalled WinXP from the CD the new installation needed to be activated -- MS would not do this, because the OS was too old (this was well before the end of XP support was announced).

Or at least uninstall Java from your browser.

Additionally running NoScript will stop a lot of things in your browser.

MS will no longer provide support for XP Mode after the cutoff date.


This from MicroSoft ...




See number 5 ... http://gcn.com/Articles/2014/03/27/XP-mitigation-ISC2.aspx?Page=2