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Windows XP won’t be officially supported for much longer.
Sure, you could keep using it – it won’t just stop working one day.
It will just become more insecure over time as Microsoft and everyone else stops supporting it.
Let’s face it, Windows XP has had a good run.
It has been officially supported for more than a decade.
In a nutshell, Windows XP is old.
Windows XP is next in line for the chopping block.
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 take a bit of extra footwork.
New computers come with Windows 8, and your local PC store probably doesn’t sell Windows 7.
Windows 8: Windows 8 can be ratherawkward on traditional PCs without touch screens, especially at first.
That said, it’s not completely unbearable.
Windows 8 has the advantage of being easier to find.
Microsoft even sells Windows 8 in downloadable form.
Desktop Linux: Unlike Windows 7 or 8, desktop Linux distributions like Ubuntu are completely free.
In addition to being secure, modern, and free, it’s immune to Windows malware.
It’s even possible toinstall older versions of Microsoft Office on Linux.
We’ve previously coveredhow to switch from Windows XP to a more secure Linux system.
These are all valid upgrade paths, but they require purchasing new hardware and replacing your existing computer.
You’ll have to perform a clean install.
Luckily,clean installs are the ideal way to install a new operating system.
But I Have Windows XP Applications!
You may still have important Windows XP applications.
Essentially, your machine will run an isolated copy of Windows XP where your Windows XP applications can run.
Do you plan ontaking the risk by continuing to use Windows XP anyway?
Image Credit:PoloGoomba on Flickr
