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from the we-need-to-get-them-to-buy-the-new-version dept.
Windows XP holdouts are even more danger than ever after Microsoft abandoned anti-malware support for the ancient platform.
Redmond overnight stopped providing XP support for new and existing installs of its Security Essentials package.
The run-as-needed Malicious Software Removal Tool has also been axed, while support for patching ended in April last year for those who aren't paying large wads of cash to stave off an upgrade.
"Please note that since the above real-time protection products have limited effectiveness on PCs that do not have the latest security updates, your PC will still be at risk for infection," Redmond says.
"We strongly recommend that you complete your migration to a supported operating system as soon as possible so that you can receive regular security updates to help protect your computer from malicious attacks."
Netmarketshare.com data shows XP is alive and kicking
Windows XP's market share still beats its loathed successor Windows Vista, MacOS and Linux on the desktop.
The operating has a 12 percent market share or 180 million users, according to netmarketshare.com , putting it in third spot just behind version 8.1 representing 13 percent of installs, and version 7 with a whopping 61 percent of installs.
Are you still running Windows XP? What about your company?
Original Submission
(Score: 4, Disagree) by J_Darnley on Thursday July 16 2015, @01:46PM
Windows XP was the best OS Microsoft ever produced. Newer versions just remove features. I would still be using it if my PC hadn't died and I could find where I put my copy.
A poxy little Start Menu that can't find jack in. Removal of the quick launch bar, replaced by pinning and shit non-standard menus. Removal of the cascade windows feature. Removal of the file types dialog. No up button in Windows Explorer. Stupid "libraries" view instead of My Computer. What else have I forgotten that is now missing?
Not to mention the most stupid of all warning dialogs, the UAC prompt. "Click yes to start your program" "Click yes to write to this folder" "Click yes to delete this file" On and on, incessantly, never telling you why this operation needs admin permission or even what this operation is. I see why people disable it.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday July 16 2015, @02:07PM
XP isn't all that unique, IMHO. Twins or clones of XP can be had with any of the following:
XP 64 bit (still supported with updates because it is part of the 2003 Server family)
2003 Server converted into desktop use
Win 7 "classic" mode, with a few mods
I really don't like Windows much, and seldom run it, but I'm at home in all of those environments. They're XP, just a little newer. Grab one and try it!
(Score: 3, Informative) by iamjacksusername on Thursday July 16 2015, @02:36PM
Server 2003 wend EOL this month... 7/13/2015. I am in the process of decommissioning my last instances this month and I know there are many places that are far behind me.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/products/windows-server-2003/ [microsoft.com]
(Score: 2) by iamjacksusername on Thursday July 16 2015, @02:46PM
I have to disagree with you on UAC. I always try to educate non-Windows tech people on UAC because they tend to turn it off. UAC is a huge leap in security compared to where it was with Windows XP. Generally, you should always leave UAC on, especially when installing software.
Why is that?
Mandatory Integrity Control - https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb648648(VS.85).aspx [microsoft.com]
UAC File Virtualization - https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2007.06.uac.aspx [microsoft.com]
Application Manifests. Getting developers to actually include application manifests in their installers and not just spewing random nonsense in an exe installer - http://blogs.msdn.com/b/patricka/archive/2009/12/09/answers-to-several-application-manifest-mysteries-and-questions.aspx [msdn.com]
"On Vista and Windows 7, a manifested application with a trustInfo section will control what token will be used to start the process (standard user or admin). Also, all legacy mitigations will be disabled. This includes UAC Virtualization, Installer Detection, and the Program Compatibility Assistant. "
(Score: 1) by J_Darnley on Friday July 17 2015, @12:30AM
What does any of that mean? If I press yes on the UAC prompt how does that not let the software do whatever it like to my system? Is it not the sudo of Windows?
Anyway, sure, that all applies to installing software but I never said install. I said run. Many programs I have here cause the UAC prompt every time I run them. Moving files around I occasionally the a prompt with that UAC icon and some bollocks about permissions. I didn't advocate that people should disable it but I can see why people do. It doesn't do anything useful.
(Score: 2) by curunir_wolf on Thursday July 16 2015, @03:01PM
Windows XP was the best OS Microsoft ever produced.
I mostly agree, although I would use the caveat that is was the best 32-bit OS they ever produced. Sure, there is a 64-bit version, but it had all kinds of issues, including a very limited number of drivers. It was needing 64-bit that drove me to Win7, which is quite capable. I actually still keep a Windows XP virtual machine around for supporting VB6 applications some customers are still using. They run on Win7, but I cannot run the VB6 Studio (with the required add-ins) on Win7 - it just doesn't work. The most annoying part of that is the inconsistent functionality of a VB6 application between XP and Win7. I have to compile the executable and run that on Win7 for testing. There were actually a lot of changes needed, mostly for data access / ODBC, but also some 3rd-party libraries for manipulating JPEG images. That required converting some functionality to ImageMagick instead. Open source FTW.
Before anyone asks about an update / rewrite for these things, it was something I recommended years ago. No one wanted to pay for the update, even though I warned them that, if I continued to enhance and modify the application, they would be saving money in the long term. At least one of those companies has already passed that mark.
I am a crackpot
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @05:46PM
on Win7 - it just doesn't work.
I think there are 2 or 3 registry settings you need for it to work correctly. Apparently the installer does not put them in. Learned that little 'trick' a few years ago when I was sucked into VB WinCE work. Oh and you *must* install it before any other visual studio. If you have a newer version it probably will not work at all unless you install it first (that took me 3 days of reinstalling different visual studios to find that out).
I like to use car analogies with people who refuse to upgrade. It is like you brought your 1964 buick rivera into your local dealership and just expect them to have parts on hand just for you. You dont and you can not buy new parts. You will have to take it to a specialty shop and it is going to cost you more. They way you handle it is you get them to sign a new contract saying you will no longer support it on the next fix. If they want support it now costs 50x unless they upgrade and pay for it.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by dry on Friday July 17 2015, @01:45AM
And yet it seems like only yesterday that everyone hated the new XP, Windows activation, Fisher Price UI were objects of hate and everyone loved Win2k.