Is XP going to be usable after April 2014?

[LondonMX]

Will Windows XP Pro still be usable after April 2014?

Im assuming that everything will still work on it BUT it will be vulnerable to security issues??

Also will Microsoft Security Essentials still function (or still get definition updates?)

If not will there be any other security software that could offer all in one protection?

Will the computer be at the mercy of spyware and virus attack or will it still be adequately protected? If using an up to date version of firefox with updates would online banking still be safe?

Im guessing in terms of 'software' e.g. adobe reader or whatever) it just means that will be stuck with the last version that was available and everything will still function?

finally will the 'existing updates and patches' still be available from microsoft update online (e.g. if i have to reinstall windows XP from a CD can i still download all the updates? (or will ms group every single update into one huge update? or will they literally close it down completely (or will i have to download it as one big file from a 3rd party enthusiasts site or something)?

I would like to still use it as it meets my needs and everything is set up for how I like it. Will it be okay to still use it from a security aspect, and if so what security software would be the best one to use?

Thanks for your help

[1234dist]

It will still work and will still be usable but you will no longer get updates.

but you will find things like ie 11, 12 ect will suddenly stop working and other little items will eventually force your upgrade.

[1234dist]

On a side note MSE is SH1t and couldn't protect you from a wasp if you used the case to defend yourself.

[jase]

If you bank with barclays you can can kaspersky free for 3 PC's plus mobile devices.

Personally id upgrade to 7. It is a much better OS. Plus if you have to you can run XP in a VM.
I run XP on my Dell laptop and wont bother upgrading that.

If your using your PC for a business then you need to make sure it is secure + reliable. Otherwise I wouldnt worry to much.

Oh, if your worried about your banking 2 simple things you can do is use a virtual keyboard (some security software provide this) and also always make sure the page opens in a new browser window. If your being hacked itll happen in the current session. A new session will be more secure.

[1234dist]

+1 for Kaspersky, only protection we have sold since 2007.

[LondonMX]

1. So will updates before April 2014 still be available to download from the Microsoft updates site?

2. After 2014 what’s the best free anti-virus to use for XP (that will work for a few years or in the long term)?

3. If all the software is left on automatic updates, will e.g. adobe reader or e.g. firefox be intelligent enough to download updates up until the latest one for XP (then simply stop informing me of newer updates or will it download a version only for windows 7+ and im left with a piece of software that no longer works?

If I do have an anti-virus running on it after 2014 how secure will it be (will I be able to use the computer the same as I am using it now?)



I know I should upgrade to win 7 or 8, but I have 2 computers running XP and it is fine and if I can safely still use it for a few more years it would be good.

One final question When I get a computer with windows 7 or 8 on it will Libreoffice alone be good enough to use instead of office 20XX? (opening word and excel and powerpoint documents and then sending the edited document to someone to open again in office) is the compatibility and formatting etc good enough?

Thanks for all your help!

ADDED -

so is Kaspersky the best paid one to use then and i wonder how long they will support it for XP i the future?

What would the best free one to use be do you think? I would ideally want something that would be usable in the long term, seems that most anti-virus products lose support of old OS within a year or two dont they?

[1234dist]

1. So will updates before April 2014 still be available to download from the Microsoft updates site? yes

2. After 2014 what’s the best free anti-virus to use for XP (that will work for a few years or in the long term)? Free ones don't do sh!t, what happens when you do get a virus is it says I can't get rid of this try our pro version (you always pay in the end!)

3. If all the software is left on automatic updates, will e.g. adobe reader or e.g. firefox be intelligent enough to download updates up until the latest one for XP (then simply stop informing me of newer updates or will it download a version only for windows 7+ and im left with a piece of software that no longer works? all previous updates will still work on windows updates but no new ones will be produced.

If I do have an anti-virus running on it after 2014 how secure will it be (will I be able to use the computer the same as I am using it now?) About as secure as any other pc running windows.



I know I should upgrade to win 7 or 8, but I have 2 computers running XP and it is fine and if I can safely still use it for a few more years it would be good. you have to remember xp is over 10 years old meaning your pc/laptop must be at leased half that. By all means if you have everything backed up, run it till it dies!

One final question When I get a computer with windows 7 or 8 on it will Libreoffice alone be good enough to use instead of office 20XX? (opening word and excel and powerpoint documents and then sending the edited document to someone to open again in office) is the compatibility and formatting etc good enough? just get openoffice.org its free, you can save as Microsoft files and open them and still uses the 2007 compatibility patch same as office and is free!
Thanks for all your help!

ADDED -

so is Kaspersky the best paid one to use then and i wonder how long they will support it for XP i the future?

What would the best free one to use be do you think? I would ideally want something that would be usable in the long term, seems that most anti-virus products lose support of old OS within a year or two dont they?

As above free ones are not worth the cd they are burnt to

[Null_Byte]

Honestly there is nothing wrong with Microsoft Essentials - not the best AV, granted, but it does the job and far more efficiently than bloatware OEMs like to bundle like McAfee and Norton.

Avast is probably the best free AV at the moment. MalwareBytes is free, and the go to software for anybody dealing with an infected PC.
Most of the ISPs use a form of ClamAV, which is open source - so I wouldn't be too quick to knock free Antivirus software.

Frankly, if you have a good firewall, up to date OS and don't visit dodgy sites - AV has limited use thesedays. So I'd go for something lightweight with a small footprint.

[LondonMX]

I use e-set online scanner, malwarebytes anti-malware and macafee stinger in addition to MSE so I'm assuming that they will no longer support running on XP soon?...

so if/when Microsoft security essentials no longer gets definition updates in XP (and all the free/paid anti-virus products no longer support it (like avast, avira etc)) would it then be worth moving to something like Clamwin + sentinel, would that offer any kind of viable protection in the future?....(it seems to be the only choice to use on outdated versions of windows?)

So would using the last supported version of firefox + Clamwin + sentinel allow me to keep using the computer with reasonable protection?

Does Clamwin successfully remove viruses and is easy to use?

Thanks for your help!

[Null_Byte]

The problem you will have is that once Xp support stops, the vulnerabilities will no longer be patched. Xp is going to remain a target for malware for a long time, due to the widespread nature, and the fact it will still be used for some time in specific areas. Without core system updates, AV protection is pretty much a stable door after the horse scenario.

If your system is connected to the internet, then really you want to be on a supported operating system. Windows 7 is (imy personal preference) the best of the bunch, every bit as good as Xp and well worth dropping the money on a legit version - it will also give you the best backwards compatibility with xp software.

If cost is the main problem, look at a latest linux distro - linux mint or ubuntu desktop - unless you need specific windows software it will get the job done 99% of the time.

Xp was good, but it is just too patched and too old now. I certainly wouldn't rely on it for an internet connected PC past 2014.

[LondonMX]

well ill get another memory stick and back up all my important stuff to that and some cds/dvds before next year (and not use it on the XP computer anymore after Apr 2014). id like to keep using this XP computer for a year or two longer though if possible.

i really wanted to like ubuntu and switch over to it, but I couldn't get my wireless network card working, or my lexmark printer and there were some other issues. i cant remember.

Ill look into buying a computer with windows 7 and ill then be good til 2020!

Ill prob get a refurbed secondhand one from a business seller on ebay. At the moment they have Dell OptiPlex 755 Core 2 Duo E6550 (2.33GHz) with 2gb ram and a 1gb Nvidia card with windows 7 for about £100-150 would that be suitable do you think (and reasonable value?)

The only intensive thing I have it do is running about 12-15 programs open at once, prob firefox with loads of tabs open taking up most resources (only intensive thing I do is watch video e.g. tv/movies on it really) you know word, email, excel, documents, maybe a DTP the usual everyday stuff.

Do you think something like that would be adequate to use until 2020?...



What things normally go wrong on a secondhand computer?

I'm assuming the fans, maybe the hard disk (e.g.. moving parts) (anything more serious e.g. motherboard then i guess the pc will have to be binned then...?


My main question is can the fan on the graphics card be easily replaced? and how do you know if it is busted, and how long do they normally last for?

is it a case of removing the old fan but leaving the heatsink? I have seen universal graphics card fans on ebay with plastic fitters that look like an arrow, do you just jam them into the heatsink and they stay put to install them as a new fan on it?

thanks for your help.