I feel abandoned. Nice way to push the last happy people, into something new, that we don't want. Two points.

1)  If you continue to use Windows XP after support ends, your computer will still work but it might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Also, as more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimize for more recent versions of Windows, you can expect to encounter greater numbers of apps and devices that do not work with Windows XP.

2) Very few older computers will be able to run Windows 8.1, which is the latest version of Windows.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-support-help?ocid=xp_eos_client

Dear Sir: Your 2002 automobile will cease to run properly on the roadways as of April 8th, and may experience unnecessary breakdowns at random. Also be notified that service stations will no longer carry fuel or be able to repair your car. Parts will become increasingly unavailable. Please rest assured we will be willing to sell you a much more expensive new car, even though the one you have, works fine and you are happy with it.

Thank you, Microsoft Motor Company

(and this is why Bill Gates is always one of the wealthiest people in the world. Do start with MAC he has his fingers in that pot and rescued Apple when it was on the verge of distinction, because Microsoft sells software for Macs.)

One of my 4 machines is still on XP. It's an old laptop I use as a backup. I wonder if Windows 8 will run it. It is 32-bit...but probably has 64-bit capabilities. I might have a copy of vista...actually I know I do, so I may have to just upgrade to that for now. I have Windows 8 on my main machine and I had to hack it to run like Windows 7. Windows 7 is a decent OS...Vista was okay...XP was solid though. I

Apple.

rescued Apple when it was on the verge of distinction, because Microsoft sells software for Macs.)

you mean people actually install Office for Mac on their systems ... ewww 

I should have known I was going to see this one. 

Do the computers Gods of Apple support all their old OS and legacy computers? Do they all run the latest software? Or do they become obsolete like the rest.

Apple.

Yes Sue, must have been a slip, I'll just leave it for the humor value.

I still have a system running Win98SE. You might ask Why? Well some of the Midi software only runs on 98 and won't work at all on XP (or 2000 for that matter) Plus sometimes I want to run some DOS software for controls, it has some use. So I will keep a couple of XP computers, even after I upgrade, dragging my feet, shouting and screaming, into the 21st century... 

I have nothing against 8 or modern systems. Probably much faster and better. (must be a thrill for video) Just that what I have still works, and I'm happy. So why should I be forced to change by a company that decides for me, so they can make more money?

I'm gonna put off ditching my XP machine as long as possible, but I know at some point, I'll have no other option.  I haven't been able to update Windows for several months because a while back, it was the automatic update that slammed my processor up to 100% and kept it there, slowing my machine to a crawl, and it would have baked the processor if I hadn't shut it down.  Then I discover that you can't update manually without turning on the automatic updates, so no updates since then.  But I've kept my antivirus updated and my home network secured, so I'm good. 

I've had the same problem with automatic updates, like you I disabled it for the last couple of months.  Is this a conspiracy policy from MS to force people to upgrade?  Who knows.

Perfect timing for me as I am making the leap from Windows to Mac.  Currently running both systems, just bought photoshop for mac, FCP-X and learning the quarky differences in keyboard shortcuts.  Mac SUCKS at this part compared to Windows.

Just to play devil's advocate for a minute...

It has to be very costly to support multiple versions of an OS. I'm sure that those costs would be passed on to us, the consumer.
I have no problems what-so-ever with Windows 7. I skipped over Vista and will probably skip 8. Microsoft's history has been to release one good OS, then one crappy one. Hopefully whatever comes after 8 will be another good one.

May I point out thay many of the old XP machines will be great Linuxed based platforms and should be able to be good for many more years

Last year I had occasion to replace a laptop with a newer version.  Unfortunately it came pre-loaded with Windows 8.  I struggled with it for about a month and finally threw up my hands over the beyond useless OS.  I took it in to a friend of mine who runs a computer repair business.  Together we stripped out Windows 8 and replaced it with Windows 7, upgraded the appropriate utility drivers and all has worked fine ever since.  Makes you wonder when people are willing to get rid of the "latest and greatest" technology and spend money to go back to older versions that actually work and make sense.

I understand this is no longer an option for most computers as they have changed the utilities such that Windows 7 drivers no longer work with them, only Windows 8 drivers.

I'm no fan of Windows 8 either, but in fact Windows 8.1 can now be relatively easily configured to make it similar to Windows 7 in use - there are even add-ons to re-instate the Start button and menus, without which I found it just too painful to use.

It's also faster in my experience, and less hassle with new hardware additions...  worth another look anyway, though I haven't yet got around to transferring my main machine to it.

But then, I speak as someone who has PCs and laptops with Win 8.1, Win 7.1, Win XP and even Win 98SE installed, for various purposes...  I guess I'm not your typical user!

May I point out thay many of the old XP machines will be great Linuxed based platforms and should be able to be good for many more years

Hmmmm.  Never thought about switching to another OS.  I'd be interested in knowing more.

I switched to Mac in 2009 ish so I could spend more time doing vectors and less time "under the hood" being a girl geek

I have to say though lately apple has recently put out updates that have had problems I am now hesitant to do any major upgrades. I still like mac.




My Very Best
KimsCreativeHub.com

I just made the move to Windows 8.1 on my desktop. Once you set it up to boot to the desktop and load desktop apps such as browsers, acrobat reader, Photo viewers, and video players then it is not so bad. Actually I am really liking it.

I would love to run linux. I like both Ubuntu as well as Mint but I think my favorite is Mint right now. I just loaded up mint about 3 months ago to see where it was and if I could make the switch. Not at this time. I played with Gimp a little to see if I could make the switch from Photoshop to Gimp but gave up. I am sure if I stuck with it I could probably make the switch. I came closer this time around to making the switch to linux than ever before. The only issues would have been the adobe products I use (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Lightroom). I did see some have gotten PS and LR to work under linux but it was quite a bit of work and some features I think were crippled if I remember correctly.

-Tim