No more support for Windows XP...Now what?

[crappiewisdom]

I don't know much about computers. But I hear that Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows XP. My computer is about 10 years old and uses XP with Office 2003. Is it time to get something new? Do I go with Windows 7 or Windows 8? I don't really use my computer for much...I come here of course, my wife pays bills on line, a little bit of word documents, a little looking around the internet, not really into games and such. This computer works well, but the way I understand it is now at greater risk for bad stuff to happen since there will be no more updates from Microsoft...

Just wondering what anybody else thinks. Thanks.

[Barnacle Bill]

What ever you decide don't get Win 8.

[st041986]

It will still work the same as it always has, but you will be vulnerable to any future exploits due to not getting any more security patches developed for XP. I've got XP on my desktop here at the house and don't plan on changing it anytime soon. That system doesn't get used for anything more than browsing forums, gaming and downloading music so not a big deal if it get's infected with anything.

Microsoft has given in and is starting to release updates to make Windows 8 more like traditional Windows. The most recent update now boots to the regular desktop screen by default as well a few other things that are traditional Windows and not Windows 8 style. They have said that there will be a future update to bring back the old start menu as well, but they did not say when. You can use third party software to get the start menu back though. I think you will be perfectly fine going with Windows 8.1 at this time. Up till recently, I wouldn't have recommended it.

[Barnacle Bill]

I'm running Win 8.1 and hate it.

[crappiewisdom]

Thanks. I'm leaning towards Windows 7.

[Eager Beaver]

I just got a new computer earlier this year and it had windows 8 and was updated to 8.1. I don't mind it but just have to get use to something new. The office works a lot better on the 8.1. EB

[CrappiePappy]

pffffttt .... I'm still using Vista Home Premium. Never had any problems with it, and see no reason to (pay) update until it's no longer supported. Probably be time for a new computer by then, anyway.

... cp

[PawPaw Gene]

When I was looking into a new laptop before the end of the year because mine was having screen problems, I was looking at some at Office Depot and didn't like what the salesman told me. We were talking about Windows 8 and of course he had to try to sell me some more software. I told him I already had MS Office and didn't need it. He said that no older version of Office would run on the new system and that I needed to either buy the software outright or buy a years subscription to it. Also, once installed on your computer it could not be installed again. Needless to say I found a system with windows 7 on it. If what he told me is true, that really sucks.

"gene"

[Barnacle Bill]

When I was looking into a new laptop before the end of the year because mine was having screen problems, I was looking at some at Office Depot and didn't like what the salesman told me. We were talking about Windows 8 and of course he had to try to sell me some more software. I told him I already had MS Office and didn't need it. He said that no older version of Office would run on the new system and that I needed to either buy the software outright or buy a years subscription to it. Also, once installed on your computer it could not be installed again. Needless to say I found a system with windows 7 on it. If what he told me is true, that really sucks.

"gene"

That is true about office except I have read that some of the newer old versions will work. I've got Office 2001 and it will not work. I got a free years subscription for the new office with my puter and just got a notice from Microsoft that it was time to renew for a year. Cost $100.00. They took the old fashion solitaire off and I'm constantly getting spam from Microsoft wanting me to buy this or that. I can't figure out how to turn that off.

[brian_w_watson]

you can run windows 8 with the classic shell and it will look look just like windows 7 -- i run it on both my windows 8 PCs and it boots directly to windows 8 -- about the only thing i need to know how to do in windows 8 is shut her down.

http://www.classicshell.net/

This is not an advertisement and i am in no way affiliated with these guys.