Windows XP: End of Life

Windows XP: End of Life:

In just a few days (April 8, 2014) Microsoft will officially end support for Windows XP. I know there are many who would wish that Windows Vista would have been shelved, and XP support continued, but such is not the case. Windows XP had a good life, addressing some of the problems with Millennium, offering several variations (Home, Professional, Media Center) and was available for both 32 and 64 bit systems. It also continued in popularity after the release of its successor Vista. Microsoft has this page regarding the upcoming end of support:http://www.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/xp/default.aspx

In short, on the 8^th, Microsoft will cease adding updates for Windows XP. This means there will be no further Service Packs, software updates, and security patches. While some may say that this is merely a way to sell more software, To a degree it is. Microsoft offers, through their site, options for upgrading your copy of XP to a newer, supported version. However, marketing and sales aside, newer software is better able to handle evolving technology.

What's Going To Happen?

What does this mean to you if you're an XP user? Much like Y2K and 2012, the world won't end for you on April 9^th. Your PC will continue to run the same as it did the day before (short of any catastrophic device failure). The biggest concern for you will be exploitation. “Bad guys” are still out there writing malicious code, and knowing that weaknesses discovered will no longer be fixed will embolden them to seek every opportunity to take advantage of them.

Another consideration is that there will no longer be “bug fixes”. Windows is a complex piece of software, that is a collaboration of many programmers, and massive amounts of code. Even within the default XP environment there are multiple programs, device drivers, utilities and more, Every now and again there's a “bug”, or unexpected response to a situation. Sometimes it will freeze or crash a program. Sometimes it will cause a Blue Screen and force a restart of your computer, Some of the updates that Windows offers are fixes to these reported bugs. Any bugs left after April 8 will no longer be fixed.

Should I Worry?

There's no need to panic, though. It's OK to be concerned, but don't hit the “panic button” just yet. While Microsoft will no longer be supporting XP, some third parties will continue to do so. If you choose to continue to use XP, the most important things you should keep in mind are protection, awareness of your activities, and support from your other software vendors.

What can I do with my XP Machine?

When we look at security, we're talking about protecting your computer. The easiest way to protect it is to keep it offline. I have one machine that has never met the Internet. If the computer is never exposed to threats, then you have nothing to worry about, short of component failure. So, if you have an XP machine that works well, and you use it as an offline word processor, photo editing computer, for playing older games, etc – you should have little problem with it after the 8^th.

If, however, you have an older machine that you use online, then you definitely want to take all the necessary steps to protect yourself. Before looking at software, you should be mindful of how you use your computer. Especially with running a no-longer-supported system, you need to be careful. There are a few simple “tricks” you can use. First “pay attention”. I know it sounds simple, but it's good advice to pay attention to where you're going, what links you follow, what email messages you open – and attachments as well, etc. While it's not perfect, only opening messages from people you know, only going to sites you trust, and not opening strange attachments can help reduce your risk. Another tip is to use a separate user account (within Windows) for your “normal use” than your Administrator account. If your Administrator account is compromised, the results can be costly (time, money, lost files, etc).

When you look at software, you want to make sure that it is still supported under Windows XP. This is especially true when working with an anti-virus or security suite. Over time, these will be harder to find. However, for now there will still be some that offer protection for older machines. Third party programs will update virus and vulnerability definitions, and may protect your computer from malicious code, but will not address vulnerabilities in the software itself.

Should I replace or upgrade?

Do you want to continue with your XP machine, but want to make sure you're “doing it right”? We can help you with that. If, on the other hand, you would like to upgrade, we're here for you as well. The first thing we'll do is evaluate your current equipment, as well as your wants and needs What does your computer have to do, and what would you ideally want it to do? These may be two different things. The most simple upgrade would be from XP to Vista (if your current hardware supports that). Other options include reformatting your machine with a fresh operating system, like Vista, 7 or 8 (as long as your hardware supports such).

Another option may be to purchase a new system. You can buy a new system (desktop or portable). You can get these from various retail shops. They'll be current, will offer warranty options, and, barring a defect, should have no problems running straight out of the box. An economical option may be to purchase one used or refurbished. With these, you'll have less warranty options – might be “as is” or “buyer beware” from an individual, but many companies that sell refurbs will put some kind of guarantee on it – it looks bad if they're known for selling lemons. The other way to go on this is to build (or have someone build) you a new PC. The advantage to this is that you get exactly what you want. If you want something other than the stock options , this may be the way to go. We can help you pick out the parts you want, and even put it together for you, install your software, and make sure you are comfortable in using it

I may want to try something new....

Here, I would like to add that Microsoft is not the only fish in the sea. Apple has the Mac OS. Generally, this is found on their computers and notebooks. These tend to come with a price tag that's a bit steeper than a comparable Windows-PC, and there tend to be fewer customization options. I don't want to knock their products. They make a solid product that works well from the box, have several support options, and a lot of fans who speak highly of their product. With their higher price, and a learning curve in changing operating systems, this may or may not be a viable option.

Google has entered the computer operating system market in recent years, as well. The Chromebook has been out for a couple years now. It uses Google's Chrome operating system, and presently there are a limited number of retail computers sold with that. The Chrome OS can, more easily, be deployed on a non-standard device. Early criticism of the Chromebook was that it required an Internet connection to run. More recent devices have addressed this, and offline work is now possible. Chromebooks have a sleek look, somewhat similar to the Macbooks. They do tend to come at a significantly lower price, though, with some found for under $200. Chromebooks have their advantages and disadvantages. There are several manufacturers, though limited configurations. They include some basic programs, and a 100GB cloud storage, and have access to an app store for customization.

Linux is another option available. Once more in the realms of hobbyists and “geeks”, some variants of Linux have taken to the mainstream. In fact, Dell has been selling Linux-based systems for years. There are many flavors to choose from, and some are actually quite simple – and safe – to use. Some advantages to Linux are the costs – the operating system, and most programs are free, and open-source; many components work with it; it is far more difficult to be affected by a virus; and it can be customized to your preferences. Drawbacks include a lack of support for some programs and games, and a learning curve for something different. The nice thing is that this can be installed on most computers – including older ones, and maybe be lighter on using the resources, allowing you to get more life out of older equipment.

An0other possibility to consider is the tablet route. The big players in this field are Microsoft (Surface), Apple (iPad), and Google (Android). Of these, Android offers perhaps the largest variety, Android tablets may start around $50 for entry line models, and go up to several hundred, depending on manufacturer, sale, and features. Microsoft and Apple have more firm price points, and limited selection.  Choosing one is a personal decision, and is based on your needs, wants, preferences, and budget. The economy-priced tablet may be a deal, but it may have shortcomings on upgradability, features, camera quality, memory, etc.

If you have questions, or need help deciding, then give us a call. We'd love to help you find the right thing for you to work with, and help you get it running just the way you want it.