Jeff!

The virus threat is just ONE of the many issues that you will eventually encounter without upgrading to a different OS. Windows XP/Pro won't just stop working or anything like that.. but .. as time goes on, you will find that you won't be able to run/process things that didn't give you a problem prior... and that is because a lot of sites, vids, media, etc. are no longer going to work with XP/Pro. But again, not immediately. Hackers will now have a "silver key" as there will be no more patches and updates to protect XP. Microsoft has stated that they will CONTINUE with bits and pieces of support up 'till July 2014.. but .. it is recommended that you upgrade as soon as you can. I literally just did...

... and all the data transfer from my XP Pro to Windows 7 was finished yesterday. As long as I HAD to do this, I figured I'd bite the bullet and UPGRADE completely, including a larger capacity HD, processor, and RAM. The whole thing including three hours of data transfer!, cost me $500.00.. but .. I am now running up to date. I will say that I had been running XP Pro for 9 years prior, and had absolutely NO ISSUES with it. We are/were forced to do this. I figured it was inevitable, so just do it... thus I did. You should be okay for a while longer... but it is recommended that you upgrade.

Tommyp

Thank you Tommy! Ya Ive been running this computer for 8 or 9 years now

and hate to change it now but I guess it wont run forever. Might as well do it before is breaks down. I just wanted to hear this from someone other than a computer sales person.

This is a great non-drum discussion, Jeff.

Windows XP support stopped on April 8th, which means Microsoft is no longer going to "patch/update" the computer operating system. These past updates included performance/bug fixes and security vulnerabilities. If hackers identify new security loop holes, they will attempt to exploit computers still running Windows XP. Since Microsoft is no longer providing fixes the vulnerabilities are not going to get fixed. Over time these security issues will continue to build up. A/V products might be able stop some of these attempts to exploit computers running XP, but they can only do so much.

If you run your business on an XP computer, I would either upgrade to a newer system that can run a minimum of Windows 7 or like you suggested take the XP computer offline. Run Windows Update one last time before you disconnect it.

-Tim

I work for a huge Enterprise level company. We do a very good job of keeping our computers current. However many of our employees do not want to be bothered to upgrade(if it aint broke don't fix it mentality). This is how seriously we believe it is to the security of our network. Our Security group still allows xp computers to function locally, but they have been blocked/disabled from being able to acces our network and the Internet.

If you need to keep that old beast running for a bit put on a good firewall like Zone Alarm and something like AVG anti-virus. They will probably support XP for a while.

I love my old PowerBook but Adobe Flash isn't supported any more, Firefox doesn't create a browser for it any more. It doesn't get much use any more.

As long as Firefox and Flash work, I think you could keep using that box as long as Zone Alarm provides updates and there is anti-virus support.

When you are ready to replace it, remember this web site.

http://www.apple.com

I would think that if you don't stray to far on the "web" you can pretty much stay "safe". AVG will stay with XP for a while. So will Malware bytes IMO, because they know people won't upgrade quickly. It will be a few years before XP is gone completely. I use XP with ProTools,because I won't upgrade yet because everything works fine.And it will cost quite a bit.If it ain't broke don't fix it. The XP computer is not on the Internet though............

Although this comp is running Win 7 Pro.

Ed

Besides being involved with vintage drums, I'm an A+ certified computer technician. My last job, until the "great recession" was as a tech for a local K-12 school district. I'm currently upgrading quite a few of my clients from XP to computers with Windows 7. Please don't get me started about the love/hate relationship with W8!

What all the other posters have said is true. Your reliable XP computer will not go up in flame with the next boot up or anything like that. XP has been one of the best OS's that Microsoft has come out with, evidenced by its 12+ year run!

Like all other OS's before XP, you can continue to use it for a good 6 months or more with no real issues. Just be sure you are fully patched and NOT using Internet Explorer to surf the web. Why? Because IE for XP can only run version 8. IE is currently up to version 11 for W7 and W8 and is, in fact, a good browser. With XP, please be using either Firefox or Chrome and be sure it's the latest version.

Make no mistake, while 99.9% of holes in XP have been patched, it only takes one hacker to discover that .1% and take advantage of it. However, this is true in ALL current OS's. Just use good judgement when surfing the web and downloading suspect files.

BTW, be sure to have a good Anti-virus program, too. Since MS is also discontinuing support for Security Essentials, a good, FREE alternative would be Avast. This is what I'm currently installing on many client's computers. Works great and won't put a burden on your resources.

Nice to know we can also post about other important topics, other than our beloved vintage drums!

-Mark

Everything he said!! Great advice!

Thank you Mark and everyone else. This is what I wanted to hear. I do have a good AVG anti virus and I called them to ask the same question. Their answer was that they will continue to support XP so I am safe. I also use Google Chrome. I will upgrade soon, just wanted to know how much risk I am taking until I do the upgrade. For me it make sense to start over with entire new system as mine is 8 or 9 years old but the funds are not there this month due to money spent on a Camco drum set! Not to mention the Zebra kit.