XP Users - get updates til 2019

[NavyRet]

Windows XP registry hack keeps security updates rolling for the dead operating system.

Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP in April, but a simple registry hack lets users continue to get security updates.

The hack, as reported by ZDNet, fools Microsoft into thinking the system is running Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, a variant of XP that's used by ATMs and cash registers. Those systems will keep getting security updates until 2019.

All XP users need to do is create a text file with the following contents:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\PosReady]

"Installed"=dword:00000001

Then, change the file extension from “.txt” to “.reg,” and run the file in Windows Explorer. Opening Windows Update at this point should reveal several new security updates.

On the downside, the hack only works on 32-bit systems. There's a workaround for 64-bit machines, but it involves manually downloading update files from Microsoft's website and tweaking them so that Microsoft doesn't block the installation. (Windows XP 64-bit is based on Windows Server 2003, which Microsoft is supporting until next year, and Microsoft checks to make sure XP users aren't installing those Windows Server updates.)

There are, of course, other caveats: While the registry hack doesn't seem to cause any issues, it may not provide the same level of protection as a newer operating system with proper security updates. And unsurprisingly, Microsoft is not amused.

“The security updates that could be installed are intended for Windows Embedded and Windows Server 2003 customers and do not fully protect Windows XP customers,” the company said in a statement to ZDNet. “Windows XP customers also run a significant risk of functionality issues with their machines if they install these updates, as they are not tested against Windows XP.”

Microsoft would prefer that users upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 instead, of course, though various Linux operating system variants are viable options as well. Even if you enable this registry hack, you'll still want to take steps to keep your Windows XP PC as safe as possible and upgrade to a more modern—and officially supported—operating system as soon as possible.

Don't know if this will help you Luddites :lotpot: or not, but I thought you'd want to know about it.

 

[Katzenfreund]

As a hardened Luddite, I knew about this and had posted at the time details of the hack in Tips & Tricks

http://forum.dirtywarez.com/windows-updates-with-simple-registry-trick-t559952.html

But I add that Microsoft advises against using it, because there are some differences between the two systems, which though very small, could cause trouble. Of course, such stance on the part of MS is understandable and can be attributed to commercial interests. I add that once the hack is applied, it's not straight forward to undo it, it requires entering the safe mode.

Personally, I have refrained from applying the hack so far. I believe there's no hurry and prefer to first hear what has happened to those who used it. But if I find that I'm getting too much malware, I'll then proceed to apply it, no reason to do it before.

As to what has happened to me so far, no problems (fingers crossed), the only difference I've notices is that I'm not bothered with potentially dodgy updates all the time. So things are better, not worse.

Coming back to "Luddicism", my motto re XP is:

You only need a new operating system if you need a new operating system. (Katzenfreund)

 

[chrasna]

Windows XP 64 is a buggy load of crap.

 

[kiwi1960]

One man's meat is another's poison...

OR....

Its not the done thing to criticise a man's choice of OS.

Mind you.... I'd rather XP, 7 or hell.... even ME over windows 8 .... what the hell were they thinking?