How to Safely Use Microsoft Windows XP in 2024

Can You REALLY Use Windows XP in 2014? Mitigate Security Risks & Keep Your System Safe!
Worried about keeping your Windows XP machine secure? You're not alone! While Microsoft ended support for XP in 2014, many folks still rely on this classic OS for legacy software or simply because they love it. In this video, we'll explore how to make Windows XP as safe as possible for continued use!

We'll cover essential security best practices to minimize risks, including:

XP Security Updates: While official updates are no longer available, we'll discuss alternative solutions (beware unofficial service packs!).
Antivirus for Windows XP: Not all antivirus programs play nice with XP. We'll recommend some options that still offer protection.
Windows XP Firewall: Learn how to properly configure your firewall to block unwanted access.
XP Security Risks: We'll break down the biggest security vulnerabilities in XP and how to mitigate them.
Is Windows XP Legal?: Using a genuine XP license is legal, but be aware of software piracy risks.
Windows XP Forums: Feeling lost? We'll point you to helpful online communities for XP users.
But can Windows XP truly be safe for everyday use? We'll discuss the inherent risks of using an unsupported OS and alternative solutions to consider. Ultimately, the decision is yours. This video equips you with the knowledge to make an informed choice about using Windows XP forever!

Is Windows XP still usable? Can you keep Windows XP safe? Let's find out!

If this is your first time here thank you for stopping by. On this channel we discuss #retrocomputing and #unsupported software. You will find how to videos, demonstrations, slipstreaming updates, and repairing automatic updates for windows among many other projects. There is a little bit here for all manner of retro computing enthusiasts.

Here are some suggestions for videos to check out:
Using Windows XP FOREVER!
Automatic Updates for Windows 7 After 2020 - How to Get Them
15 Practical Things You Can do With an Old Computer

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[demirdmr]

Great video! But speaking of browsers, you forgot to mention Supermium which is a Chromium fork and right now it's the most up-to-date web browser for XP

[demirdmr]

Also when using an extension to block ads and many websites with filters etc. ublock origin is the best option imo as it includes a ton of filter lists from various developers

[bertnijhof]

I installed Windows XP Home in a Virtualbox VM in March 2010. That VM survived 2 VBox owners; 3 desktops and 4 CPUs. XP received all the updates till they stopped in 2014. I use the VM weekly to play the wma copies of my CDs and LPs with WoW and TrueBass effects. It could run Firefox 52.9.0 ESR; Format Factory 3.3.5; Rufus 2.14; Google SketchUp 8 and MS-Office 2003 :) I almost never use those programs anymore except Windows Media Player. I use the newest IOBIT software (Advanced System Care; Application Software Updater; Malware Fighter and Uninstaller) to maintain the system.

[QuicksilverSG]

I installed Windows 7 on an 8-core 32GB Ryzen 7 desktop PC in Jan 2020. The only unsupported hardware feature is USB-C (Win7 driver not available), which can easily be worked around with a USB-3 adapter. I have a legacy Win7 corporate account from Microsoft and still receive periodic security updates. Mosaic also provides Win7 updates for Firefox. I use this Win7 machine daily and it still runs flawlessly. I have no plans to upgrade it further, particularly not since Windows 10 is scheduled to go EOL next year in 2025.

[paulstubbs]

I would like to keep using XP, mostly for retro boxes, in which case web traffic would be restricted to locally hosted stuff.
If you want to browse the web, setup another computer with a recent copy of Linux. The same goes for email.
It would be nice to have some box to filter my network traffic so as to provide a sanitised version fit for XP and other 'ancient' Windows flavours - however I've had no success searching for any help on this front.
The activation and update bit is a right pain, so I now don't try doing new installations, I just use saved images that are close enough then just make a few changes as needed. If you have a nice XP setup, grab an image now.

[russellmania]

Windows XP was the best. It was user friendly and very light on resources and you didn't need that much Ram. Windows 7 was decent, but required most people to upgrade their PC's because of the heavy system requirements it required. Windows 10, 11, and beyond is just malware.

[The_DreadStorm]

A little tip for XP users (of which I am one): If you go where your Network Adapter is, you can right-click on it, and drop a shortcut of it onto your desktop, making the switch easier. Right-clicking on the shortcut will also enable/disable it. I have two adapters in my machine, so I renamed the shortcut for the Internet one "Internet Connection" and the other is for my private domain. That way, when I go on the Internet, I can also disable the LAN one for added protection. Just makes things a whole lot easier. Or even better, make a batch file that enables one and disables the other with a simple double-click.

If someone's familiar with XP, chances are they're familiar with Dial-Up internet access. Just think of it as that - dialing out and disconnecting.

I am of the school of thought that, since I use internet sparingly on my XP rig, I don't need Antivirus. But I do use Microsoft's own Windows Defender for XP. Less bloat and BS, and with a little know-how, you can manually update the definitions for it using a download of the data file for a 32-bit Win7 version. Of course, until it's discontinued. heh

[AhmedMar-xh]

When I first used windows 7 on a laptop, it made me feel like an entrepreneur. Same thing with a time i tried Xp. Both amazing and clean experiences!

[LeooSaGoh]

Useful as always.
Already waiting for Use Vista Forever, specially 32bits 🔥 🔥 🔥

[kungfooman]

A PC can be hacked through many ways, not just being connected to the internet. For example pictures can contain viruses, which are executed during thumbnail generation for `explorer.exe`. That's why you still need a virus scanner to prevent possible data loss or simply make sure to make enough backups of your important data.

[costincodreanu]

Adventures In Nostalgia, I want to say you can use java and flash player as long as is from the last version and not doing any online banking or not having any critical important data stored

[sonicgalaxy]

Windows XP is far by one of my top favorite computers I have ever own.

[Onverted]

how am i supposed to use the internet without getting hacked?

[AppleFan-mdsp]

How you got Internet connection on VirtualBox?

[kirekocev]

Does Windows XP 64 bit support the latest version of FL Studio?

[davidkimsey]

Shouldn't this thing be behind a firewall with just about all of the ports locked down?

[unclej]

I still have an emachines PC with Windows XP. I haven’t turned it on in a few years. Purchased it within weeks or even days before they stopped selling computers loaded with XP.

[jaceydurland]

Windows XP is a great OS. I used it all the way up until 2009. Now I use Windows 10 online and Windows Vista offline.

[gamereditorner]

Interesting...🤔 Can I use it on Type 1 hypervisor ?

[SoftwareRat]

Why are you still recommending antivirus software in 2024 that on the one hand slows down the system extremely (in the case of XP computers even dramatically) and on the other hand is dubious in terms of their business models?