Forum Topic

Microsoft updates this week

Microsoft have scheduled a multipart software update from April 8, only part of which will be applied to XP or earlier systems, and it is rumoured will effectively kill them. Should I start burning a stack of Knoppix DVD's and CD's to rescue the files?

Chris Bell ● 4545d10 Comments

Well, back-ups are always sensible and using knoppix is as good as anything.If you have to continue using XP and are worried Microsoft will remotely kill your machine (they won't), then turn off automatic updates. If for any reason you have to reinstall the OS then you'll still be able to activate XP and install all previous updates after April 8th. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/end-of-support.aspxJust make sure you have adequate anti virus (Microsoft Security Essentials for XP will be supported for another yaer), Or update to Win7,8 or 8.1

Neil Owens ● 4545d

"Microsoft have scheduled a multipart software update from April 8, only part of which will be applied to XP or earlier systems, and it is rumoured will effectively kill them."What do you mean by "effectively kill them", and what's your source for the rumour?  Sounds like scaremongering to me.

Richard Jennings ● 4544d

XP DEAD?  Did it gone to Dignitas?You should still be able to run XP home and pro, but there will be no further updates.  Just make sure you have a good anti virus.  Will be backing up my files tonight on to DVD.

Nikki Howard ● 4544d

I do not have any specific information, just persistent rumours from a few professionals. I personally dislike Microsoft and try to avoid using it, so do not really care.

Chris Bell ● 4543d

Apparently HM Government is paying Microsoft £5.5m for continued support of XP. Now, if they're creating updates for the civil service, they might just as well release them for everyone. Or am I missing something?

Susan Kelly ● 4543d

Money talks. I wonder which parts of government are still using XP, schools?I was intrigued by the stories about really ancient mainframe computers still running the underground signalling, interbank money transfers, etc. Apart from problems obtaining spares, so few people know anything about the software involved that we need to employ contractors based abroad.

Chris Bell ● 4543d

It seems that the majority of HM's computers are still running XP, Chris.

Susan Kelly ● 4543d

Google for GCHQ and Linux.www.chrisbell.org.uk

Chris Bell ● 4543d

Parts of the NHS are still on XP.

Nikki Howard ● 4543d

I was told by Ealing Council IT that there is a retraining cost for any change, but they were closely watching councils in North London who had already changed to using  Free Open Source Software. They claimed that there is also a shortage of suitable IT staff. But far fewer IT staff are required to run FOSS. The US government worked with the USAF to create a super-secure FOSS distribution. There is now an enforced change. Now if the UK government had spent 5.5 million on staff training ....

Chris Bell ● 4543d