Microsoft ending XP support on April 8

[martinfan5]

So far, I'm finding Win8 itself works fine. I simply do not like the user interface, hence Classic Shell. I figured for the price, might as well give it a shot.

Charlie

I be havin' zero issues wi' Win8 other then some audio issues, I be nay sure if its th' programs I be usin', but th' issues I be havin' I did nay be havin' on XP

I download classic shell, but be havin' nay installed 't yet

I have zero issues with Win8 other then some audio issues, I am not sure if its the programs I am using, but the issues I am having I did not have on XP

I download classic shell, but have not installed it yet

[dieseldawg142]

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Edited May 11, 2018 by dieseldawg142

[Austin T]

Two family members of mine recently got a new laptop with Windows 8 on it and asked me to teach them how to use it. After about two hours I taught myself the basics and then taught them what I learned. I absolutely hated it the first hour but then started to get used to it. It's like learning to drive stick for the first time, at first it seems impossible to do everything at the right time but then you get used to it and rarely goof. It's still totally out there and different, but not too bad if you take time to learn how to use it.

[disabled modeler]

Well I am not real computer savvy but I think its horrible for people like me that can not afford to get another computer.... I barely know who to run this one to start with. I cant help but feel there could be a inside interest in the whole thing for financial gain here of the sales of new computers or ? I have an old 84 Pickup that is much more reliable than many of the newer cars/trucks out there...guess they would want me to through away it too and force me to buy a new one if I want/need to be able to drive anywhere???

[Quick GMC]

They are ending support. It doesn't mean your computer is going to self destruct.

[Ace-Garageguy]

What it means is that no more "security patches" will be offered by Tinylimp (be SURE to install the very last one, which will come out April 8) and that every hacker in the known universe will be targeting weaknesses in the system.

Here's a relevant article from IT World, posted on the 26th of March: http://www.itworld.com/windows/411661/microsoft-returns-scare-tactic-well-dump-xp-campaign

Advice to help keep an XP machine secure: http://www.itworld.com/software/408137/9-must-dos-if-you-must-stick-windows-xp

A happy thought: http://www.itworld.com/software/412304/chinas-unsupported-xp-machines-hold-potential-become-massive-botnet-army

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Though this is all maddening, the flip side is that a desktop machine running 8, with a massive increase in power and memory over most old XP machines can be had for under $300.

Used / off-lease / reconditioned 7 machines can be picked up for less than $200.

BUT, these may or may not be compatible with accessories (cameras, etc.) and peripherals (printers, etc.) that you already have.

Edited April 1, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[Exotics_Builder]

If you select desktop mode in Win 8 it will look like Win 7. I have my new Win 8.1 laptop tied to a second HDMI monitor. My laptop is touch screen, the HDMI is not. I flip back and forth on the laptop because I like some of the win 8 apps. I use the desktop for browser (HDMI is 24 inch monitor) Corel Draw, Office 2010, etc.

If you upgrade, you may have peripherals, like printers and scanners, that may no longer work as the vendors are not providing driver updates.

[Rob Hall]

If you upgrade, you may have peripherals, like printers and scanners, that may no longer work as the vendors are not providing driver updates.

I found that with my old (circa '10) Lexmark printer/scanner..it doesn't have a Win 8 driver..but I can print from my Mac to it w/o problems.

[JollySipper]

Will I still be able to browse around online since I have an AVG subscription? It doesn't run out until June....

[martinfan5]

Will I still be able to browse around online since I have an AVG subscription? It doesn't run out until June....

Yes, you can

Here is what Windows 8 looks like on the desktop side

[Harry P.]

I cant help but feel there could be a inside interest in the whole thing for financial gain here of the sales of new computers or ?

Of course!

The only reason they keep "updating" computer operating systems (and software programs) is to force you to keep buying them!

Think about it... if your computer's operating system was never "updated" by Microsoft or Apple, you could run that computer, on that OS, forever without a hitch. If your computer runs fine today, it would run fine 50, 75, 100 years from now! But the software company wouldn't be able to make any more money off you, because basically, you and your computer are set for life! So they keep coming up with new upgrades, to get you to open up your wallet and pay for the "latest and greatest."

It's the same old "planned obsolescence" business plan that the automakers use. It's all about $$$ and getting you (the consumer) to fork over $$$ over and over and over and over again. The computer companies have us by the you-know-whats, and they're not about to let go.

[dieseldawg142]

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Edited May 11, 2018 by dieseldawg142

[dieseldawg142]

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Edited May 11, 2018 by dieseldawg142

[martinfan5]

Lucky for me, I dont see it very often, I always have a program open or the web browser up

[1930fordpickup]

looking at that screen gives me a headache! i think there's about 20 of them stupid little things on my screen & i ONLY use two of them

you only need t o have the ones up there you need.

[1930fordpickup]

Just picked up an HP with 8 gig in the memory with 1T for the hard drive. I choose the AMD chip because it was cheaper, on sale for 379 plus tax , last week. there may be better stuff but I am not a gamer just surf the web. It will work for me until windows 10 or 11 comes out in a few years.

For all the guys that do not want upgrade sooner or later you will have to fight through this just as I am. If you are going to update why start behind the 8 ball again. Jump up to the latest now and it will last for years until the next time.

Edited April 2, 2014 by 1930fordpickup

[slusher]

I am using windows 8 on this one I bought last year. I still have not got the total swing of it yet. I sure hope the next one is better...

[martinfan5]

I am using windows 8 on this one I bought last year. I still have not got the total swing of it yet. I sure hope the next one is better...

Carl, what issues be ye havin', maybe one o' us that be usin' 8 can help ye out

Carl, what issues are you having, maybe one of us that are using 8 can help you out

Edited April 2, 2014 by martinfan5

[charlie8575]

looking at that screen gives me a headache! i think there's about 20 of them stupid little things on my screen & i ONLY use two of them

I've started foldering most of the icons. Keeps things much neater.

Charlie Larkin

[highway]

looking at that screen gives me a headache! i think there's about 20 of them stupid little things on my screen & i ONLY use two of them

I've started foldering most of the icons. Keeps things much neater.

Charlie Larkin

You don't need to "folder" them, just delete the shortcut icon by either dragging it to your recycle bin or right clicking the icon and going down to delete. You won't delete the program it is attached to, just the shortcut for it. The program will only be deleted if you go into the "Add/Remove Programs" section and you choose to delete the whole program.

[martinfan5]

If I remove the short cuts, there is a very likely chance I will forget I have the programs installed

[Skydime]

Jonathan, you can go to startmenu8.com and download start menu x. It will make that start button fully functional and you don't have to worry about losing your shortcuts. The best part is, it is free.

Edited April 3, 2014 by Skydime

[sjordan2]

Switching to Mac is always a good choice, but Apple ceased support of my iMac 10.4 Core Duo OS years ago. They won't even upgrade the OS at the Apple store, so I'll have to go to a third party, and I'll have to double my installed memory to do so. The biggest downer for my limited needs is that I can only use the Safari browser, not Firefox or others, without upgrading my OS. Otherwise, everything still works fine.

Edited April 3, 2014 by sjordan2

[Ace-Garageguy]

Switching to Mac is always a good choice, but Apple ceased support of my iMac 10.4 Core Duo OS years ago... Everything still works fine.

Smart fella, staying with an OS that every hacker and his dog isn't writing viruses to attack.

Though I've despised Tinylimp for years, I'm not currently in a position $$wise to go Mac. I've been able to get by with obsolete hardware and software for a long time, but I guess it's about time to change. Thing is, my old system still performs pretty much flawlessly, and I don't ever like being FORCED to do anything...like buying a new system, as cheap as possible, to stay in business for the time being.

[Quick GMC]

I just bought a new desktop yesterday for my office. it came with Windows 8.1. It takes some getting used to, but so far I like it.

8GB RAM, Gen$ i5 3.2ghz processor and 1TB hard drive for $499