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Windows-XP posts

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Microsoft extends Windows XP lifespan through 2011

Windowsby Brad Linder Jun 18th 2009

Windows XP
Microsoft is having a pretty hard time killing off Windows XP. Once upon a time, you could reliably count on Microsoft to release a new version of DOS and then Windows every few years. The new versions typically offered significant improvements in speed and stability as well as new features. But a funny thing happened with Windows XP. Many users found it was good enough for daily use -- even 8 years after the operating system was launched.

Microsoft had planned to phase out Windows XP after introducing Vista, but demand for the older operating system remained high. And while you can't just go out and purchase a boxed copy of XP anymore, you can get it preinstalled on a netbook, and in some cases you can purchase a new computer with Vista and acquire Windows XP "downgrade" rights.

Now it looks like Microsoft will continue to offer downgrade rights for up to 18 months after the introduction of WIndows 7. Computer World is reporting that Microsoft will make Windows XP available as late as April, 2011. The move should give enterprise users who haven't switched to Vista time to make the transition from Windows XP to Windows 7 without rushing.

But it does raise a question. Sure, Windows 7 has improved graphics, an enhanced GUI, and better security features than Windows XP. But is that enough to convince you to upgrade? Or would you be happy using Windows XP for the next 10 years as long as software makers keep pumping out compatible applications?

Tags: windows-7, windows-xp

Filed under: OS Updates, Hardware, Windows, Linux, Microsoft

Microsoft fires another shot at Linux netbooks by extending XP availability

WindowsLinuxby Lee Mathews Apr 30th 2009

Linux advocates had a lot of fun recently taking shots at Windows 7 Starter version, which Microsoft has positioned as an option for low-cost netbooks.

What could Microsoft possibly offer in response to the "Starter is a comically bad attempt at an operating system" comments?

They could announce the continued availability of Windows XP for netbook manufacturers for a full year after the release of Windows 7 - which exactly what they've done.

If what Acer said earlier turns out to be true, that means OEMs will be able to sell XP-powered machines until October 2010, and that decision is sure to have repercussions for Linux on netbooks.

After all, one of the key weaknesses of Starter Edition was the three application limit - something that can't be said about Windows XP.

Though it will still add a bit to the cost of a system, the amount has been pegged as low as $15. That's a negligible amount and one most consumers will be willing to absorb to have access to an operating system that is far more familiar to most than any Linux distribution.

The extension will give Microsoft an entire year to build public awareness of Windows 7 and showcase Starter Edition - or scrap it and offer better pricing on another more complete version. Either way, today's announcement could mean a continued rough road ahead for mainstream Linux.

[via PC World]

Tags: linux, netbook, windows-xp

Filed under: OS Updates, Office, Microsoft

Say goodbye to free support for Windows XP

by Brad Linder Apr 16th 2009

Windows XP support
Microsoft may have extended the retail lifespan of Windows XP several times to accommodate computer makers selling low powered netbooks that balk at the system requirements of Windows Vista. But that doesn't mean that Microsoft wants to keep supporting an 8 year old operating system forever. And it won't.

As of today, Microsoft no longer offers free support for Windows XP Home Edition. The company is also ending free support for Office 2003. You can still pay for extended support for either product through 2014, but don't expect to get any free answers to your questions from Microsoft.

The company will still be sending out important security updtes to Windows XP and Office 2003 users.

Tags: office-2003, support, windows-xp

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Microsoft to let users downgrade from Windows 7 to Vista or XP

Windowsby Brad Linder Apr 7th 2009

Windows XP
Windows XP is turning out to be the operating system that will not die. Microsoft had planned to phase out the OS a while back, but extended its life because Windows Vista is too resource-heavy to run on low powered computers like netbooks, which are taking the world by storm right now. You can't walk into a store and buy a retail copy of Windows XP anymore, but you can purchase a netbook with the operating system, and under some circumstances you can purchase a computer that normally ships with Windows Vista and have it downgraded to XP for no additional cost.

It looks like Microsoft plans to continue allowing downgrade rights once Windows 7 is released. Not only will users be able to downgrade to Windows Vista, but they'll be able to skip an entire generation of operating system and downgrade to Windows XP.

Windows 7 isn't the resource hog that Windows Vista is. So it's not likely that Microsoft will be offering these downgrade rights to netbook users. But corporate customers who aren't ready to upgrade hundreds of computers at once might prefer to buy new computers running XP than Windows 7. It's likely that you'll need to purchase a computer with a Windows 7 Enterprise or Ultimate license to qualify for the downgrade.

Microsoft isn't commenting on the deadline for downgrading to Windows XP. But an early report indicated that the downgrade option would be available through April 30, 2010.

Tags: downgrade, windows-7, windows-xp

Filed under: Windows, Office, Microsoft

Free Microsoft support for Windows XP, Office 2003 ends next month

Windowsby Brad Linder Mar 25th 2009

Help and Support
Microsoft will end official free support for Windows XP Home Edition and Microsoft Office 2003 on April 14th. That doesn't mean the help center on your computer will stop working, but you won't be able to get free answers to your questions from Microsoft anymore. You will be able to pay for extended support for both products through 2014.

Microsoft will also continue providing free security-related hotfixes to non-subscribing customers. So unless you frequently make calls to Microsoft support, the April 14th deadline might not really affect you.

[via ZDNet]

Tags: office-2003, support, windows-xp

Filed under: Windows

Windows 7 Volume mod for Windows XP

Windowsby Brad Linder Mar 19th 2009

Windows 7 Volume mod
Windows Vista and Windows 7 have a ton of features that differentiate them from Windows XP - an operating system that is, after all, nearly a decade old. But some folks are going to be slow to upgrade because XP still meets their needs, runs software they need it to run, and because you don't need to pay a new fee to keep using the operating system that came with your computer.

But that doesn't mean you can't still have some of the advantages of a new operating system. Microsoft puts millions of dollars and plenty of manpower into optimizing its operating system and making it easier to use. Sometimes it even works. And it usually only takes a short time for hackers and graphic artists to start figuring out ways to make older operating systems such as Windows XP look like newer software like Windows 7.

If you're not looking for a complete transformation pack, there are ways to just change the look and feel of certain Windows components. For example, the volume mixer. fediaFedia has put together a tool for making the Windows XP sound mixer look like the Windows 7 version. Installation is a bit tricky. You need to:
  • Go to your Windows\System32 director, back up your sndvol.exe file to a safe space
  • Press Win+R and type "dllcache" in the box to open a new window
  • Copy the sndvol.exe file you downloaded to the dllcache directory and click OK when it asks if you want to overwrite the existing file
  • Now copy the downloaded sndvol.exe file to your Windows\System32 directory and click OK to overwrite existing files
When you're done you should see shiny new volume mixers. If you don't like them, fire up the Windows task manager and kill the sndvol.exe process and then copy your backup version of sndvol.exe back to the dllcache and system32 directories.

[via Technobuzz]

Tags: windows-7, windows-7-volume-mixer, windows-7-volume-mod, windows-xp

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

No easy upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7

Windowsby Brad Linder Jan 30th 2009

Windows 7
If you're running Windows 7 beta, you probably know that when you first load operating system it asks if you want to upgrade an existing Windows installation or do a fresh install. But as Business Week's Stephen Wildstrom points out, that upgrade feature only works for Windows Vista users. If you want to upgrade from Windows XP you're out of luck.

Now, that doesn't mean that Microsoft won't offer a lower priced version of Windows 7 for Windows XP users who want to upgrade. What it does mean is that you probably won't be able to load Windows 7 on a computer running XP without losing your personal data, programs, and settings. But Windows 7 is enough like Windows Vista that Vista users will be able to install the newer operating system while leaving many files intact.

[via Eee PC.net]

Tags: upgrade, windows-7, windows-xp

Filed under: OS Updates, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft

Access Windows 7, Vista exFAT partitions in XP

Windowsby Lee Mathews Jan 29th 2009

Since a lot of you weren't (and still aren't) too excited about Windows Vista, you might not have noticed the exFAT file system before.

It's the heir apparent to FAT32, and it can finally cope with large files and drives. What's new? For starters, exFAT has been tweaked to provide faster access and allocation, adds support for UTC time stamps, and provides increased compatability with flash media.

Gone are the 32gb drive and 4gb file size limitations. The only problem is that exFAT isn't native to Windows XP - which the vast majority of you are probably still running.

Problem solved. Microsoft has released KB955704 to address the issue. Download it from their site and install it, and you'll be able to seamlessly work with exFAT partitions in XP.

[ via gHacks ]

Tags: exFAT, format, partition, windows-7, windows-vista, windows-xp

Filed under: OS Updates, Microsoft

Microsoft extends Windows XP lifespan yet again

by Brad Linder Dec 22nd 2008

Windows XP on an Asus Eee PCWindows XP is turning out to be the operating system that just won't die. Microsoft has stopped offering retail copies of the operating system.

The company had planned to tell computer makers to stop preloading the software on new notebook and desktop systems earlier this year. But Microsoft has issued several stays of execution so far -- and this week the company did it again. Windows XP was scheduled to go gently into that good night on January 31, 2009. But now computer makers are allowed to continue shipping machines with Windows XP through 2009.

While Windows Vista has been available for nearly 2 years, there's still a strong demand for Windows XP from customers who don't want to switch to the newer OS for one reason or another. Windows XP has also been given a bit of new life by low power netbooks like the Asus Eee PC which often have slower processors, less RAM, and less storage space than full sized computers, making it difficult to run Windows Vista on them.

[via Silicon Alley Insider]

Tags: windows-xp

Filed under: News, Windows, Macintosh, Linux

Windows market share reaches new low - 89.6%

WindowsMacLinuxby Brad Linder Dec 2nd 2008


Windows Market Share
If you gauged the market share of various operating systems by counting the number of Macs vs PCs you see in the typical urban coffee shop, you'd probably believe that Apple and Microsoft were duking it out like Republicans and Democrats in a close US presidential election.

But the truth of the matter is that Microsoft is the dominant company when it comes to consumer oriented computers. In fact, according to Net Applications, a company that tracks these things, Microsoft had more than 90% of the market share. Until last month, anyway.

In November, 2008, Microsoft's market share dipped to 89.62%. Which is to say, Microsoft's Windows operating systems still dwarf the nearest competitors, Mac OS X and Linux. But a slightly smaller percentage of people who visited web sites tracked by Net Applications in November were using the operating system.

Net Applications reports that OS X has also seen a slight jump in usage, and that Windows Vista use is up while Windows XP use is down. More than 20% of computer users were running Windows Vista for the first time in November.

[via Computer World and Slashdot]

Tags: linux, mac-os-x, market-share, net-applications, os-x, windows, windows-vista, windows-xp

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Lists

3 alternative ways to get Windows updates

Windowsby Lee Mathews Nov 25th 2008

Not everyone wants to let Windows handle downloading and installing updates. If you prefer the DIY approach, here are three ways to keep your system up to date without Windows helping out.

1. Windiz Updates provides an experience that's as similar to the original as its name. The twist is that this service won't work in Internet Explorer - you'll need Firefox and the Windiz addon. It doesn't collect any personal information, and IE doesn't even need to be installed on your system to use it.

It's an intelligent system and won't download old updates that have been superceded by newer ones. Windiz also won't install updates that have potential security issues. New updates with It can even provide updates for Microsoft's golden oldies like 95 and NT.

Read more →

Tags: automatic-updates, hacks, patches, updates, windows-updates, windows-vista, windows-xp, workarounds

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Filed under: Windows, Productivity, Microsoft, Freeware, How-Tos

How to log on to Windows XP automatically

Windowsby Jason Clarke Nov 18th 2008

Auto Login Windows XPWhile in in many cases it would be a security risk, having your Windows XP computer log in automatically can be useful. For example, I have my Windows XP instance running under a virtual machine on my Mac. The easiest way to do this would be to use the Administrator account and simply leave the password blank. However, this has two distinct disadvantages: you can't log onto a domain with a machine that is not using a password, and you cannot have a machine configured this way accept Remote Desktop connections.

I have no need to use Remote Desktop to access my virtual machine, but since my XP instance needs to access a Windows network, I do need a password set. In the past, the easiest way to configure your machine to automatically log on was to use TweakUI powertoy for XP, where there is a setting under Logon for configuring automatic logons.

But there's an even faster way do do this.

On the machine that you want to configure to auto-login, click Start, Run, then type "control userpasswords2" (without the quotation marks) and press enter. In the window that pops up, click on the user account that you would like to automatically log in, then uncheck the "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer" checkbox. You will now be asked for the password for this account. Set it, click OK and OK, and you're done.

Tags: auto-login, automatically-login, how-to, login, powertoys, tweak-ui, windows-xp, xp

Filed under: Fun, Windows

How we know that Matrix doesn't run on Windows XP

Windowsby Brad Linder Nov 10th 2008

So here's the thing about the advanced computer systems you see in movies like Terminator or The Matrix: They don't crash. They don't ask you to send error reports. And they don't bog down after you've been using them for a few months and the registry is filled with gunk from programs you've installed, uninstalled, and forgotten all about.

On the other hand, it'd be kind of funny if they did. With that in mind, the folks at College Humor have produced a short video showing what The Matrix would be like if it ran on Windows XP.

Anyone want to take a crack at letting us know what it would be like if it ran on OS X? Debian? PalmOS? Windows 7? Sound off in the comments!

[via Gizmodo]

Tags: college-humor, humor, windows-xp

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Windows XP gets another stay of execution

Windowsby Brad Linder Oct 3rd 2008

WinXP BlissWindows XP, also known as the operating system that will not die, looks like it could be around a bit longer, making it just a bit more likely that you can upgrade directly from Windows XP to Windows 7 in a year or two and skip Windows Vista altogether.

Microsoft instructed retailers to stop selling copies of the operating system to consumers this summer. But there's a loophole that lets customers purchasing new computers running certain versions of Windows Vista request a free downgrade to Windows XP. That option was set to expire on January 31st, 2009. Now Microsoft has extended that date through July 31st, 2009.

That means you may not be able to pick up a standalone copy of Windows XP from your local computer store, but you will be able to get Windows XP with a new computer until the middle of next year. Unless, of course, you pick up a low cost ultraportable machine like the Asus Eee PC, Dell Inspiron Mini, or Acer Aspire One. Microsoft has made an exception for that class of laptop and will support Windows XP through 2010.

For anyone keeping track, the operating system was first introduced in late 2001. It's already nearly 7 years old, and at this rate, you may still be using it in another 2 or 3 years. Which is to say that either this is the best operating system Microsoft has ever produced, or Windows Vista is really just that bad.

Tags: microsoft, operating-systems, windows-xp

Filed under: Microsoft, Beta

Windows Live Wave 3 includes new movie maker, writer, messenger

by Brad Linder Sep 17th 2008

Windows Live Wave 3
Microsoft is expected to officially unveil Windows Live Wave 3 beta later today, but you can already find download links for the new Windows Live suite of applications at LiveSide, an unofficial Windows Live news and review site.

Windows Live Wave 3 includes new beta versions of Windows Live Messenger, Toolbar, Mail, Photo Gallery, Writer, and Family Safety. Windows Live Movie Maker has been included in the Windows Live suite for the first time as well, although I discovered that Movie Maker Beta is only available for Windows Vista. If you try running the installer using Windows XP, Movie Maker doesn't show up as an option.

The new applications feature a number of changes. First, the user interface has changed a bit. All of the applications have a lighter, brighter color scheme than their predecessors. Windows Live Writer Beta includes a new tool that lets you post videos to YouTube directly from the blog editing client. There's a new calendar in the Windows Live Mail Beta application.

Windows Live Movie Maker appears to be a stripped down, easier to use version of Windows Vista Movie Maker. It lacks a timeline and audio editing features, doesn't allow you to crop or edit clips, and lacks the ability to place text overlays on a video. In other words, if the old Windows Movie Maker is like Final Cut for dummies, Windows Live Movie Maker is Movie Maker for dummies. I'm not entirely clear on why Microsoft even bothered with this program.

Tags: windows-live, windows-live-messenger, windows-live-movie-maker, windows-live-wave-3, windows-live-writer, windows-movie-maker, windows-vista, windows-xp

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