Relaunch XP ?

fwiw, there's always the 64-bit Windows XP, not that I would go back to it...

 

Could've be my response to your previous post, seriously. I don't think we're talking about the same subject. Anyhow, I do not agree with the article being likely or even wanted, that's all.

 

Time to let go and get modern.

 

I'm probably still going to use XP for some legacy games. I've got a box waiting on it.

You can get AMD's latest motherboards with XP support. They'll probably drop it next gen. Both nVidia and AMD provide XP drivers for their latest GPUs too. Don't know how long that will last.

I think Intel's last was the 7 series motherboards, but you could still install XP on an 8 series. If you need to be online, then you would probably have to use an add-in network card if the integrated one is Intel, but if it's Realtek, then you should be fine. If you want to use AHCI instead of IDE emulation, you would have to use hacked drivers, which do exist btw. You can just run the USB 3.0 ports as 2.0 in the bios. The Intel inf installer installs all of the relevant entries in the device manager in XP, just like it does with Win7 & 8.

I know because I put in a spare HD in my Intel 8 series machine and installed it myself just for the heck of it. I have all the drivers covered except for the network (Intel) and the usb3.0 (Intel).

 

Although I hate Metro with a passion the main thing about W8-8.1 that really bothers me is the hideously flat bland looking changes they made to the desktop.

Windows 7 got the UI just perfect IMHO & I love the aero look, not giving users the choice of using aero on win 8x was a big mistake.

It's a silly thing I know but just the simple act of changing the wallpaper on Win 8x also seems to change the window border & taskbar colours (I think you change that so it doesn't)

If in Win 9 they give the option during install to not use metro or install the metro apps & runtime & also allow users to choose to use aero then I would most likely use it.

It might be faster, more secure (but then MS always say that about new OS) but I have to say it is as ugly as hell.

XP was a great OS after a few service packs were installed but like a old pet that is long past it's prime & suffering it should be put down.

Just wish that MS would learn from their mistakes, WinME was utter garbage, Win 2000 & XP kinda redeemed them, Vista was slow as hell & clunky but with Win7 they fixed all the issues & it was fast & stable as a rock, Win8x was too much change too soon.

 

i've always used 3rd party utilities to skin Windows OSes because i never liked any of them.

Aero was ok but i totally hated the sunray effect on the Taskbar.

that's one thing i like about Linux, you can change the look of the OS quite easily.

 

Win7 is an incredibly rock-solid beast compared to XP and after using Windows 8.1 Pro for approximately three months, I would not go back to 7. I'd say that the more you'll use it, the more you'll like it... You don't need to use the "Metro" UI and its uber-lame apps.

 

And if they didnt force me to create online account for their updates. Yeah then maybe I would buy Windows 9 netbook. But microsoft has never listened to their customers and they never will. So I will just stick to Linux Mint for my primary computer and maybe Mac for my gaming/netflix/other software needs.

 

Maybe they don't listen beforehand, but given enough flak they can be convinced to change some things (e.g. Xbox One restrictions, Windows start button).

 

i allow Windows to connect to Microsoft so they know how i use my computer.
there is something during the Windows install to that effect.
it's just a matter of checking a box.

anyway,
i hope they see i am not using Metro.

in all fairness though, i did not use the Start menu much in previous Windows versions either.

 

My 2 cents worth about the imminent xp meltdown:
I shall run win xp 'til its wheels fly off, because I like it.
Also because it does absalooteley anything I want to do...pictures, video, office documents.

No offense meant to the security experts who may cringe nor those with strong differences of opinion.
And also to be fair, this win xp computer is not mission critical, and will not harm others.

If this dogged usage of xp gets me in trouble, I'll 'fess up and eat crow here first.

Not trying to persuade anybody, not a windows fan nor basher, certainly not very tekkie . . . just an attentive user who is tired of spending money for the privilege of sending bug reports to microsoft.

Imho, Microsoft feels the cold breath of a penguin on the back of its neck.

 

And as I stated, those people would have the option of using 7 or 8. While people that prefer the feel of XP would have that option too the way I proposed things. Everyone could have what they want.

 

Your comment works until you get someone like me. I hate UAC and everything about modern Microsoft Operating Systems. My only real answer when I leave XP is Linux.

 

What specifically do you hate about UAC? Unless you plan on running as root under Linux, I imagine you will need some method of escalating privileges there too (i.e. (gk)sudo).

 

Its a fair question. To give you a fair answer is more complex. First, Vista put a horrible taste in my mouth. Even with UAC mostly fixed I cant stand the nag factor. However, it is more then that for me. I have been around since the days of DOS. I am not a twenty something coming into the computer world where all I have known is Windows 7 or 8. More or less I can remember the semi complete history (admittedly gaps). Throughout my posts I have demonstrated that I do not like Microsoft. I dislike the arrogance, I don't like the removal of tech tools from one OS iteration to the next assuming the public is just too stupid to be able to effectively make use of a given thing, tool or aspect (fill in the blank). The MS OS seems to be designed to simply ooze personal information for example the windows swap file. Windows is very very hard to truly secure yet we have deluded ourselves to the contrary because MS has been around since the beginning. I short I dislike the business model. With all the work I have put into XP when I leave XP it will not be to go to another Windows version.

 

You only gave 2 options, and expected everyone to be happy with that:

"Sell like hotcakes" is what I also disagree with. Where's the option for Windows 9x and DOS interfaces?

 

My thoughts as well. Linux bleeds information, don't fool yourself.

There are plenty of ways to properly secure a Windows environment, including 8.1.. You can port block calls back to Microsoft, for example - entire IP banks. Hosts, or PB can easily do that - removing all potential for dialhome activity. Services can be disabled, and locked down. Logging takes place in all OS's, including Linux. Logging can mostly be disabled, search services turned off, etc. Installation of CCLeaner and CCleaner Enhancer will remove *ALL* of them.. Without enchancer CCleaner is limited, with enhancer, it gets the traces (sometimes gigs of logs you didn't know about). UAC and nags can be easily made to go away. To be honest, it takes me about 30-40 minutes to fully lock down, clean, and fix up a Windows installation, including disabling or blocking any phone home action. Encrypting of anything important, and removal of all remote access/remote triggers. It's not all that difficult. 8.1 may be the finest OS Microsoft has ever done. That's coming from someone that was diehard about not running MS operating systems after Win7..

Of course personal vendettas, or company hatred notwithstanding.. Nothing I can really do about that. Windows XP is dead, it's no longer a viable choice, and it's not being supported. Anyone hanging on to it will be at risk of being thought of as a sort of hopeless rebel. Those mullet wearing dudes you run into at the liquor store, or that guy with CB antennas on his car. If that's how you want to be, fine. But don't go demanding Microsoft make Windows 9 into some XP nonsense .. Please..

 

I hate UAC too, but it takes just a few seconds to disable it permanently, and then you'll never get another UAC prompt again.

What else do you hate about Windows?

 

This is an example of the perpetual hyperbole that I mentioned earlier in this thread, totally no factual. XP isn't dead, it will lose M$ OS patching support in a few months, while M$ anti-malware support will continue until July 2015. Again, I characterize statements of the type as blatant fear mongering. I strongly dislike when people project, or try to, their likes or dislikes, and or, preferences on to others. Let XP users make up their own minds, especially here on a forum like Wilders, where the assumption is that members are informed, and PC literate enough to make informed choices. My question to the user of the quote is this: Are you a Microsoft pitchman?

 

Terrible, terrible assumption. And exactly why others feel the need to explain the risks, because it's fairly clear that 'informed' isn't the word.

 

Really? If members spending copious amounts of time here in discussion/debates/plugging into the latest news and information, yet 'informed isn't the word' are you speaking for all members, or just XP users? Because, categorically, you're not speaking for me.

 

It is more than fair to say that whether XP is secure / will remain secure after it loses support is up for debate. I would not dismiss it by saying "Well members here know better" when being able to log into a Wilders account is hardly a significant qualification.

Whether users on Wilders are more qualified to make these decisions compared to anyone else is debatable.

 

Without giving any ground on my stance, I would venture to say that members here on Wilders, or a similar forum, are in a better situation with PC knowledge, and PC security awareness, than most average/novice users out there. I don't have a problem with a stated opinion, one way, or the other. What I do object to is being beaten over the head with it, over and over.

 

DoctorPC,

Nicely put. I have a mate who only upgraded to WinXP from Win98 in recent years. He has a mullet too.

 

Well, in this case you seem to be knowledgeable enough to know that you can secure an XP instalation as well...

I like that, it has a romantic feeling to it and it fits me pretty well! Thanks