How Much Does It Cost To Install Windows Xp

Windows XP won't be officially supported for much longer. Sure, you could proceed using it — it won't simply stop working one mean solar day. It volition but go more insecure over time every bit Microsoft and everyone else stops supporting it.

Let's face it, Windows XP has had a proficient run. Information technology has been officially supported for more than than a decade. If you're still using Windows XP, you lot should be making plans to upgrade to something that volition be supported.

Why You Should Care

We've already explained why it's fourth dimension to let become of Windows XP and what volition happen when Microsoft finally stops supporting it on April 8, 2014.

In a nutshell, Windows XP is old. It doesn't support mod hardware properly and information technology isn't equally secure as modernistic versions of Windows because it doesn't have User Business relationship Command and other modern security features. (Forget what you may take heard nearly UAC in the Windows Vista days — information technology'southward ameliorate now.)

Every bit time goes on, Windows XP will become increasingly insecure and both hardware and software vendors will stop supporting it. Effort using modern hardware or software on Windows 98, Windows Me, or even Windows 2000 — even Firefox no longer supports Windows 2000. Windows XP is adjacent in line for the chopping cake.

RELATED: Online Prophylactic: Why You Should Surrender Windows XP For Good (Updated)

Where You Can Get From Here

Mayhap y'all've heard near how awkward Windows 8 can be on traditional computers — If y'all're using Windows XP, we're assuming yous're not using one of Microsoft'due south Windows XP tablets. Or perhaps yous're perfectly happy with your existing software and just use your computer for very basic things, then y'all don't come across the point in paying Microsoft an upgrade fee.

Here are your options:

Windows 7: If you're notwithstanding using Windows XP, in that location'southward a good hazard you won't want to go through the stupor of upgrading to Windows eight. Windows seven isn't the latest, but it'south the most widely used version of Windows and will be supported until January fourteen, 2020. Even today, many businesses are upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 — not Windows 8.

If you're a typical home user, getting Windows 7 may have a bit of extra footwork. New computers come with Windows viii, and your local PC store probably doesn't sell Windows 7. If you want to get a boxed re-create of Windows 7 to upgrade to, yous may want to get it online — boxed copies of Windows seven are still sold on websites like Amazon, although you probably won't find them in many PC stores.

Windows 8: Windows 8 tin be rather awkward on traditional PCs without touch screens, especially at start. That said, information technology's not completely unbearable. It really offers many desktop features that are an upgrade over Windows seven and you can hide much of the new "Modernistic" surround. Windows eight.i is also on the way, set for official release on October 17, 2013, and it'south much more than comfortable to employ on a more than traditional desktop or laptop PC.

Windows 8 has the advantage of beingness easier to find. You can go into any figurer store and purchase a boxed copy of Windows viii or a new reckoner with Windows viii. Microsoft fifty-fifty sells Windows 8 in downloadable class.

Desktop Linux: Unlike Windows seven or 8, desktop Linux distributions like Ubuntu are completely free. If you merely apply your computer for web browsing and other bones tasks, desktop Linux is a good choice to seriously consider. In addition to being secure, modern, and free, it's immune to Windows malware. Information technology's even possible to install older versions of Microsoft Office on Linux.

If you have an older reckoner, yous may want to try the more lightweight Xubuntu or the extremely lightweight Lubuntu instead of the heavier standard Ubuntu system. If yous're going with Ubuntu, you'll probably want to stick with the long term service (LTS) release, which is supported for five years with security updates. We've previously covered how to switch from Windows XP to a more than secure Linux organization.

iPads, Macs, Chromebooks, and More: Okay, so the higher up options aren't the only ones. You could get buy an iPad (or an Android tablet) and a keyboard for it, a Chromebook, or even a new Mac computer if you want to pick a laptop upward at the store but just aren't sold on Windows 8. These are all valid upgrade paths, but they require purchasing new hardware and replacing your existing computer.

Unfortunately, it's non possible to perform an upgrade install from Windows XP to Windows 7 or Windows viii. You'll have to perform a make clean install. Luckily, clean installs are the ideal way to install a new operating organization.

But I Have Windows XP Applications!

You lot may still have important Windows XP applications. If your entire business concern is going to grind to a halt because you tin't run an sometime awarding on Windows XP, you lot tin however upgrade your computer to a more modernistic operating arrangement.

This is why Windows seven — the Professional version, at least — contains Windows XP way, which allows you to run applications in a special Windows XP arrangement. Essentially, your estimator volition run an isolated re-create of Windows XP where your Windows XP applications tin run.

Windows XP mode isn't included with Windows 8, merely you lot tin set something just similar Windows XP style with VMware Player on Windows 8. You tin fifty-fifty use VMware Player — or another virtual auto tool, such as VirtualBox — to run Windows XP and your Windows XP applications on other operating systems, such as the Habitation version of Windows vii or desktop Linux.

RELATED: Our Expect at XP Mode in Windows 7

What accept you upgraded to from Windows XP, or what practice you plan on upgrading to? Do you plan on taking the run a risk by standing to use Windows XP anyway?

Epitome Credit: PoloGoomba on Flickr

Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/172243/windows-xp-users-here-are-your-upgrade-options/

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