Windows XP - obsolete soon?

[momoffduty]

I have Windows XP extended home edition and getting a little concerned over the news that after 2012 microsoft will not support. Should I switch this year to 7 or wait for 8 to come out? I read another deadline of 2014, but guess that is for businesses. Any thoughts?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/197870/g ... _2012.html

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

I think that you'll be OK with XP until you decide to replace the PC. Microsoft will support XP with security updates etc. until 2014 and that date is still a long way off.

[Bobby]

I never advise people to upgrade. It is much easier and cheaper to just buy a new PC. Upgrading (especially from a 32-bit system to a 64-bit system) can require a full install and reformatting of your C: drive. That means you have to backup all your stuff and do it correctly. With a new PC you can take all the time in the world to migrate your programs and stuff to the new PC and have the old hard drive as a permanent backup.

The only XP PC that I have left is my netbook, which came with XP because bloated Vista wouldn't run on it. Win7 may run, but I am probably not going to bother to find out. The netbook gets minimal usage anyhow since i got my iPad.

[momoffduty]

My system is capable of 64 bit. Would the C drive still have to be reformatted? At least I have time to decide and change over when I am not in the middle of a bunch of projects.

[Bobby]

Actually Cheryl, ALL systems have been capable of 64-bit for a long time now. It just took Microsoft all this time to catch up.

I don't remember all the rules (Bob?) but I think if you go from a 32-bit to a 64-bit system you have to do a full install, not an upgrade. This may require a reformat. Most of the installation DVDs that come with PCs make you do a reformat, but if you buy an off-the-shelf Windows Upgrade it may not reformat. But you still have to reinstall all your applications and software.

So, if you are going to have to reinstall everything anyhow, why not do it on a new PC?

[Peru]

Just because support ends, that doesn't mean that the computer will stop working. It really just means that updates will stop. Anything that worked before support ends should continue to work, unless a program gets updated in a way that requires W7.

The more important question is: Will you need want to add new software that will require W7 (like CS5 and up)?

[momoffduty]

I'd love to get CS5, but can't right now. Good to know that things will continue to work and have plenty of time. Thanks for all of the advice.

[Bob]

Windows XP has been obsolete for some time now. Windows XP ended mainstream support in 2009 and Microsoft cut off retail and OEM sales. With mainstream support ended, Microsoft will not be making bug fixes or releasing new functionality. Software that depends on that new functionality will not work. Forget about IE 9, for example. Only security related fixes will be made available through Windows Update during the extended support period. Windows XP will end extended support in August 2014. After that date, you will be on your own with only the existing knowledge base materials available. And, you will not be able to contact Microsoft support regarding Windows XP problems.

To go from Windows XP to either 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7, you do have to do a full install. You cannot do an upgrade in place and you will have to reinstall all your software. You can do an upgrade in place from Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 32-bit -- but, not to Windows 7 64-bit. If you have a spare drive, you can do a format and install on the spare drive and the Windows 7 installer will automatically set up for dual boot and you can select which system to use at boot time.

If upgrading a Windows XP era PC to Windows 7, you need to be careful and verify that the hardware is compatible and that appropriate drivers are available. Given the advancements in technology, a better choice is to buy a new PC with Windows 7 preinstalled.

[momoffduty]

The computer is about 2 years old and had it built by my local tech guy. Thanks Bob, lots to think about. I hate tech decisions since I don't know enough to know if I am making a good decision.

[Bob]

At 2 years of age, your PC is probably Windows 7 64-bit capable (unless your tech guy used old parts). Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor (http://windows.microsoft.com/upgradeadvisor) to confirm that and get a report of which of your peripherals may have issues and whether your software is compatible.

[momoffduty]

He said it was capable and could switch over when I am ready. I did book mark that link a couple of months ago and need to run it to see what the issues may be. Thanks for reminding me of the link. How long does it take to run?

[RJ Johnston]

I don't want to hear any more talk about XP becoming obsolete. I'm very content having it as my operating system and buddy. It's not like it is wearing out from usage.

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

The system in my sig is a self build. I upgraded from XP Pro to Win 7 Pro when Win 7 was released.

As Bob says, a complete install is required as there is no upgrade path from XP to Win 7. Other than the chore of application software reinstalls all should go smoothly. Note that if there are no Win 7 drivers for any of your hardware the equivalent Vista drivers will work.

[momoffduty]

Thanks RJ for the words of comfort. And thanks John for watering it down for me.

[cdeemer]

Windows XP, PE 3, no problem! I'm a happy dinosaur. I think it's the software in the BRAIN that matters most.