WINDOWS XP SHELVED

I am planning on taking my two XP machines off of the internet. I will continue to use them on my local network, but they won't have access to the internet.

I plan on mirroring my hard drive just as a backup as well.

I seem to be doing alot of traveling lately, so I will be getting a new windows 7 laptop, and it will become my main workstation. My Vista laptop will be the field computer, as it has always been.

Windows ought to continue supporting it. Just like Autodesk needs to quit messing with something that works.

I bought a new computer two years ago with windows 7 pro. I will switch to that, but my favorite and most productive software will be on my XP pro machine. I will endure the learning curve and make the switch. I will also follow the advice of others and completely remove my XP machine from the internet and go wireless for data transfer only. I would like to learn more about that method.

I wonder what the virus concerns and implications are if you are using a flash drive between machines?

Maybe Wendell could weigh in?

I know an older surveyor that plans on using a Chromebook for email and internet and a flash drive between the two systems.

A company I used to work for went down for several days because of a virus from a flash drive.

Thanks for the responses. Here is part of the email I received the other day.

Microsoft has announced that support for Windows XP will end on April 8, 2014. According to Microsoft, "After April 8, 2014, there will be no new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates. Running Windows XP SP3 ... in your environment after their end of support dates may expose your company to potential risks." as detailed on their website here and here.

The email was from a Microsurvey Software Inc. rep.

Most updates are for computers connected to the internet.

I don't have many programs that depend upon internet connected sources and the ones that do I can install on my Win& Professional 64bit.

If you are afraid of cross contamination, download to a win7 or other and run virus scan with that machine before transferring to your XP.

I un hooking and continuing their use.

B-)

🙂 I still have a machine on win2k for my old Ashtech GPS units used as a continuous datalogger base.

Well, I suppose there is the possibility of transferring the bad guys via USB drive. Especially since XP is a horrible security mess. Windows 7 and 8 are FAR more secure than XP. This is why XP needs to be put to rest. I loved XP also and couldn't imagine anything better... then Windows 7 entered my life and I found myself saying, "XP who?"

So if the supported version of XP is a horrible security mess, imagine what it will be like after support ends. Microsoft has indicated that they will continue to offer updates to Microsoft Security Essentials for XP until September, but that is certainly not a fix-all for all the underlying security issues. At best, it is the equivalent of one of those cheap bandaids that peels off after a couple hours. I'm not saying that as a bash to MSSE (because I love MSSE) -- I'm saying that because there's only so much you can do to protect XP.

I don't typically advertise IT services as part of my business. But I do provide it to some of my clients when they ask. Of all the computers I've worked on in the last several years, those running XP have always been the worst. Everything and anything gets in there. At least W7 and W8 (hell, even Vista) have a fighting chance.

Edit: I stand corrected on the MSSE support extension. It is July 2015. http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2014/01/15/microsoft-extends-updates-windows-xp-security-products-july-14-2015/#!zBOtx

Google Chromebooks should be very secure though, right?

WINDOWS XP SHELVED- questions???

I have two computers running windows XP. One is in my office, I use it as an ftp server and also to store a mirror of my project directories. It used to be the print server for my HP 500 plotter, but I have since bought a new plotter that is on the netowrk and doesn't need a server.

The other XP computer is an old office computer that I put in the basement bedroom, mainly for use by guests.

I bought a windows 8 computer last year for the kitchen, I REALLY do not like it (windows 8). Windows 7 I am perfectly happy with, I have two desktops and my laptop running it. My employee Todd has an XP laptop, now that i think about it.

So, my questions are (which I am sure others have):

For older computers is it better to install windows 7 or windows 8? In other words, which needs less horsepower?

Where can one buy windows 7? I googled and found several places selling downloads of 32 bit windows 7 professional it in the $80-$100 range. Can these be trusted? Are they valid versions? Do you get a license? Or is there an official way to buy it at a reasonable price?

You would hope, but there are no guarantees. There's still the chance that the websites themselves are compromised, so you can never completely get away from it.

It's definitely possible. Already happened to us.

WINDOWS XP SHELVED- questions???

I may be mistaken, but I think there is an upgrade of windows 8 to 8.1. It loses the tiles and more like 7. Someone may know more.