assistance microsoft / How to persist using Windows XP after the end of the support period

How to persist using Windows XP after the end of the support period


You may already know that Microsoft ended support for Windows XP operating system on April 8, 2014. If you are one of the users (from millions of other users) of Windows XP, you may be wondering what this means to you. We'd like to try to discuss some answers to questions you may have also experienced before about the lifetime of Windows XP support help.

screenshot of Windows XP
What exactly is "endless help support"?
Microsoft has stopped providing technical assistance services for Windows XP. If you have Windows XP, this means your computer will no longer receive automatic updates from Microsoft, including important security fixes. It also means Microsoft will no longer support Internet Explorer 8 (standard web browser on Windows XP). If you are still using Windows XP and Internet Explorer 8, then this is potentially against virus and malware threats.

The versions of the Windows operating system are still supported
Microsoft will continue to provide support services for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

How do I know if my computer is running Windows XP?
Windows XP was released in 2001 and was bundled on the majority of new PCs from 2001 to 2007. If you are not sure if you have XP, you can go to this page from Microsoft to see which version of Windows is installed on your computer.

Can my Windows XP computer still work?
Yes, your computer can still be used normally even when the support end has ended. However, your computer is at risk for virus and malware attacks because Windows XP will not receive any security updates from Microsoft. Immediately update your computer if possible.

I do not want to upgrade Windows XP. How can I still keep my Windows XP security?
If you still want to continue using Windows XP after the end of the support period, we recommend you stop using Internet Explorer 8 and switch to a more modern web browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. These browsers are free and can be used on a Windows XP computer until mid 2015. It will help your computer a little bit safely, but keep in mind that this is not a permanent solution. Your computer remains at high risk of viruses and malware.

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I want to upgrade, but I do not want to use Windows 8 or 10. Can I use Windows 7?
If you are more comfortable installing the software yourself, you can still CD Windows 7 from some seller like Amazon.com. Make sure that your computer hardware meets the standard Windows 7 requirements. If your computer was originally designed for Windows XP, then it is unlikely to run Windows 7 optimally. You can download a checking app from Microsoft here to check if your computer meets the hardware requirements for Windows 7.

If you are willing to buy a new computer, then many computer manufacturers including HP and Dell are still producing computers with bundling Windows 7. However, we still recommend buying a new Windows 10 computer. Because Windows 10 is faster, safer, and still supported by Microsoft much longer.

Wait, I still have a lot of questions!
We hope this guide answers some basic questions about the lifetime of Windows XP support help. You can contact Microsoft directly at the Microsoft Community Forum.