Why People Love Windows XP

This video covers the cultural phenomenon for why people seem to love Windows XP so much. The OS was released in 2001, and it was the product which followed the releases of Windows ME and 2000, but the main direction XP intended to take was simplicity, and this makes a lot of sense. Microsoft struck gold with Windows 95 six years prior, and were now very much on the mindset of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Windows didn’t need some game-changing layout overhauls. It just needed to be more secure, fresher, and easier to use. Although it was primarily meant to be a more nuts-and-bolts update of Windows, it introduced a new UI and a ton of new under-the-hood changes. Because of this, Windows XP had a warm welcoming energy, actually a little too welcoming for some people. A lot people initially criticized XP for its, at the time, unconventional “toy-like” appearance, calling it a “Fisher Price” OS.

But regardless, this didn’t stop people from upgrading their machines to it, and reviews were not only overwhelmingly positive, but Windows XP, in many respects, would prove to be, in the long-term, one of Microsoft’s most successful and beloved products in history. As it turns out, what the client at the coffee shop was doing wasn’t actually all that unusual. In 2014, it was estimated that over 1 billion copies of Windows XP had been sold since its launch. Despite support having already ended, in 2015, Windows XP was still the OS of choice for over 150 million users. The United States Military even still runs Windows XP and so do, statistically, about 1 every 100 computers. What exactly is going on? Microsoft has already come out with at least four more mainstream operating systems since then, yet millions of people, business, and even the strongest military in the world continue to use it. Not only that, Windows XP has seemed to develop a cult following of people who consider it to be the greatest operating system of all time, even some bold enough to claim that it’s still better than Windows 7 and 10. But why Windows XP in particular? Why does it seem to stand out so much among all other operating systems? Does this old, clunky, outdated software really have this charm to it that just ties people in and makes them too stubborn for change? Today, we are going to talk about what exactly made Windows XP not only so great for its time, but why it continues to be very active among PC circles.

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction
5:52 - Structuring and Development
7:50 - Windows XP's New Features
9:05 - Merging the Old and the New
11:09 - Compatibility Mode
12:24 - Windows XP's Release
13:41 - XP's Competition, and How it Crushed it.
15:01 - Comparing Other Operating Systems
16:20 - Longevity
17:28 - Versatile Use of Software
18:44 - Why People Still Use it Now
21:18 - Nostalgia (Conclusion)

Google +: just kidding.

Beauty Flow by Kevin MacLeod

Reawakening by Kevin MacLeod

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

A special thanks to these patrons:
- Swingadee
- Winolotonolo
- Tommy Sharp
- Sl0rg
- Hannah Marsh
- Nathan Inkenbrandt

ENJOY THE PROGRAM.

[alexello]

Hearing that the US military still uses windows XP is both a testament to how solid the os was and an alarming concern at the same time

[plebisMaximus]

I miss this OS so much. No bullshit, no bloat, it didn't slow the computer down. It just did what it needed to and did it well. The peak of Microsoft.

[toshineon]

What I miss most is just how it looks, honestly. I've always liked this style of design way more than the modern minimalist flat designs that are so prevalent now.

[nishanthsalian]

I still remember installing Windows XP on my pc which went into midnight and the awe I got seeing the ui. It was surreal at that time. Can't forget the feeling.

[microcloudhd]

Windows XP is actually getting more usable, it's so old that malware creators don't bother making viruses for it anymore and with more and more software transitioning to web apps you can use lots of popular software using one of the browsers that are still being supported on the OS.

[spckaxe]

Windows XP is 20 years old this September, Let's all commemorate September as "XP month"

[justaman]

I'm 52 years old. Windows XP was the best Microsoft did.

[micahnightwolf]

XP and 7 were my two favorite operating systems. No bloatware, no spyware, beautiful UI design (though Vista's UI was even more beautiful in my opinion than either of them) and it was fast and responsive. It just worked, and it worked beautifully.

[wolfgangamadeus]

Windows XP, it just works .
Like 7, every option or tweak I wanna make is easy to find without hassle .
10 is so convoluted with useless options and menus, I have to google everything I wanna change .

[WGL]

Another thing that could contribute to people liking xp as much as they do is the standard "bliss" background witch studies have shown actually positivity effect veiwer's moods

[DemonArshan]

Windows XP was my and several million others childhood. I think the early 2000 era and youth growing up using it really made it into a solid nostalgic positive compared to literally everyone nowadays using windows and iPhones, it's not a big deal now but it was a big deal back then due to the change of time.

[orboakin]

This was the first Microsoft and computer OS I ever experienced and used. I was a kid in Nigeria in 2005 when my dad bought the first ever computer for our house. He used to work for the Central Bank of my country back then and he needed the computer for work. It was an old COMPAQ desktop and XP was the OS on it. He allowed me play around with it and even at a young age, i found it so easy to use and fun with the design😌😌

[chrislamp]

Windows xp had that "home" feeling. The extreme number of wallpapers that just felt familiar to us. The simple yet real life looking icons, the friendly workplace. That's what made windows xp fun to look at. Now, it has showed it's age. Having a search bar in the start menu is a must now. The file manager looks outdated nowadays. For me, I can let windows xp rest in peace. But I still have a bone to pick with Microsoft. They really had nailed down the "personalised" feel with windows vista and 7 whilst also moving forward to the future. But, when windows 8, 10 and 11 now, everything just feels corporate, blocky simplified icons, no rounded edges (excluding windows 11). And the low number of new wallpapers is just a pain. The only thing they care about now is if you will still use edge, cortana and bing. They have been out of touch for quite a while

[nemtudom]

Windows XP just felt so comfortable and 'homely' with its design language.

Using Win 8 and onwards, it just feels like im in a digital office building. It's not terrible, but it just doesnt give the comfort that a 'homely' OS would.

Wallpaper engine helps an insane amount, i cant stress how instrumental that is in making windows 10 usable.

[euroschmau]

The last point is how I feel about it. I see XP as relating directly to a time when there was true optimism for the future, and a batter more tolerant world through communication.

[vanadjog]

I spent my entire childhood on windows XP

Surely will get it on my computer once again

[CamScam]

Windows xp was warm and inviting. It had a unique charm with the colorful icons and bright, playful sounds. The UI was simple, and the default background was calm with its lush green field.

[advaitkumar]

Back when XP was released in 2001:
Michael Jordan was still playing in the NBA
David Beckham was the football icon
America was in the middle of an anthrax attack
Dial-up Internet was still common
Floppy Disks were still used regularly
Friends was still running
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube didn't exist

When XP lost support from Microsoft in 2014:
Social Media was common place
Rick and Morty season 1 had aired
Messi and CR7 were the football icons
LeBron James was now the basketball icon
Computers and Internet access grew in both the developed and the developing world drastically
Streaming services like Netflix had now grown popular
Smartphones were everywhere

All this happened during the timeline of one operating system. You cannot say the same thing about Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, Vista, 7 or even 10

XP was simply popular during the peak of the tech revolution during the 2000's and early 2010's, which is why many still love it

[hughjass]

I'm nostalgic for XP because it reminds me of the old pre social media tech world. The good old days before everyone was online and everthing went crazy.

When the internet, tech, gaming etc was niche and your presence online was probably a message board profile.

Mostly, I like it because it reminds me of youth, when building pcs and gaming performance was a huge deal in my life.

[rjhs]

I studied computer at high school back 1998 and we used 95 and other 9x versions. I have worked with all Windows versions since then and I can tell that the only one that is unforgettable is XP and hardware made me move from it. Great video.