Say goodbye to Windows XP

It was a great little operating system, but it’s been overtaken by events.

 

 

Like it or not, Microsoft ends all support for windows XP (and Office 2003) April 8, 2014. We can complain, we can curse, we can wave our hands in the air, we can sign online petitions. It doesn’t matter. Microsoft will not support a 12-year old operating system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP) any more.

That doesn’t mean your machine will quit working on April 9. That DOES mean no more updates, including security updates and patches. For more about that see this column: http://rlis.com/columns/column441.htm or search the phrase “XP end of support” in your favourite search engine.

Computers being sold now in stores run Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. You can still find Windows 7 computers out there, but you have to look for them. You can have one built for you, or you can purchase through the Dell or HP websites. You’ll generally find these machines in the Business section and they will be more expensive than the regular computers.

Microsoft plans to provide extended support for Windows 7 until 2020 and for Vista, the forgotten operating system, until 2017. If you’re running either of those operating systems make sure you are up to date on the Service Packs. There’s no support for either system unless all the Service Packs have been applied.

I have a netbook that I really love, but it’s running Windows XP and I had to replace it. I bought a faster, lighter, prettier netbook running Windows 8.1. If you’re in the market for a new computer, here’s a link to a previous column with tips about shopping for a computer: http://rlis.com/columns/column420.htm.

And while we’re at it, here are some things to know if you’re shopping for a computer with Windows 8.1 on it.

Windows 8/8.1 is made for a touch screen. It’s nice with a touch screen, but it does not REQUIRE a touch screen. You can use a mouse and keyboard.

Windows 8/8.1 does not have a Start Menu. That is jarring, and it is inconvenient. In my opinion, that was a really bad idea. But it is not the end of the world. You don’t need a Start Menu if you work in the new 8/8.1 environment. In 8.1, just start typing the name of the thing you want anywhere on the Start Screen and you’ll get search results.

If you like the familiar Desktop environment better, you can get inexpensive or free programs like Start8 or ClassicShell that will put a Start Menu back on the Desktop for you, and let you customize it in ways that are impossible in, for instance, Windows XP. See the first item in this column for more: http://rlis.com/columns/column431.htm. And, if you don’t use a Start Menu now because your Desktop is littered with icons and that’s how you get to things, you can litter the Windows 8/8.1 with those icons too, AND when you stop to think about it, the new Start Screen is just like having a Desktop full of icons, except these are bigger and some of them flash.

Are you using Windows 8 or 8.1? Do you have a touch screen? What do you like or dislike about the touch screen experience?

 

Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or business computer get along!

Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna (http://computercarekelowna.com/) a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send email to [email protected].

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This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.