Just a reminder for all those using Win XP. Just 1 more year of support. Support ends next April 8th.

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/04/...ntcmp=features

 

XP had a good run. Can't really blame Microsoft for ceasing to support it.

IMO, XP was vastly better/more stable than the earlier versions of Windows. You could actually keep using it several machines in a row after your computer became obsolete.

We held on to XP at the office until mid 2011, which was far longer than most. Windows 7 has been fine as a replacement.

FWIW, I just replaced my last XP machine yesterday, an old Dell desktop at home, from 2005+-. Hard drive was going out, the XP was still fine. FWIW, not a fan of Windows 8 yet, but the new machine I chose did not offer 7 as an option.

 

duplicate post

 

38% of windows users are still on xp. Thats a lot of pc's. MS should continue supporting xp. Got a new laptop with win8 and hardly ever turn it on. Hate win8.

 

I had XP but not that long after Win 7 came out I went to that. In some ways I liked XP better, but in others, I liked 7. Definitely stayed away from Vista. Will probably stay away from 8. If you haven't tried 7, you might like it and it will be supported by MS for quite a while yet. In general no complaints with 7.

 

I'm going to keep using XP till I *HAVE* to upgrade. The only thing that will force me to upgrade is if I want to use some particular software that won't run on XP. If it weren't for software, I'd still be running Windows 2000.

I have a Win 7 box, it's okay, but even with Classic Shell I don't really like it that much. I've played with Windows 8 and I despise it.

 

XP has always been good for me. I was newer to computers for the earlier OS so it didn't matter that they weren't that great.

Had a Vista machine, it was a waste of money. Currently use three 7 machines, my home desktop, wifes laptop and a work laptop. All function well. Just picked up an 8 machine to replace a netbook (XP machine) that served as a "radio". So far I'm not so pleased with 8. It's more complicated than it needs to be. It's a much faster machine than the netbook, so I can more easily play music from more internet locations. It can also do more than one thing at a time, which the netbook could no longer do, which is why it was sent to the electronic trash heap.

I would have been fine if they just stayed with XP. I replace computers because processors get faster, and I would like to do more with less time. It's actually a PITA to have to keep learning new OS. I guess if they made it too good for too long we wouldn't have to keep buying their crap every few years.

 

Speaking of Win 8. It is being blamed for the recent large drop in PC sales. 8 may be the new Vista.

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/04/...ntcmp=features

 

My brother bought a Win8 laptop and returned it within 48hrs and got one with Win7

 

Been using 8 a few days now at home, and remain unimpressed. Happy with my new hardware, but kind of wishing I had ordered a similar machine with 7, which is much more XP like.

If you are on 8, you need to manually choose to be on the 'desktop', which is not the default setting.

If you don't locate the traditional 'desktop' screen and you try to access the internet, nothing requiring flash player works.

WTF? Seriously? The default way to get to the internet with Windows 8 is not compatible with Adobe flash?

Not sure what Microsoft was thinking there, but that is my main annoyance so far. Should not have to go through hoops to use the internet properly on a new computer, IMHO.

 

Just saw something the other day that if you install will allow you to have a desktop just like win 7. Will see if I can find it again.

Found some. For a different shell, start at these sites.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/20267...-for-free.html

http://www.howtogeek.com/127699/6-st...for-windows-8/

http://www.howtogeek.com/127699/6-st...for-windows-8/

http://www.classicshell.net/

http://blog.laptopmag.com/5-windows-...the-start-menu



PS - The eleven biggest flops of the decade. Win 8 is #2, just after Vista.

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/slidesho...ecade/#slide=1

 

What is Windows XP?

 

Is it any wonder I'm a Mac fan....

 

Thanks for the links! Put the classic shell on the 8 machine and it works like all of the others now!

 

^ A reformat and fresh windows 7 install would be better. Much more effieciant OS.