Critical updates still being sent for old Windows versions

[Magnum]

I find it pretty neat that Microsoft is still sending out critical updates for Win 98.

It makes sense when I think about this.

If M.S. finds some exploit in Win 7 or 8, it's probably in earlier versions as well.

Andy

> http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9238049/Windows_XP_decline_stalls_as_users_hold_onto_aged_OS_flout_2014_deadline
>
> Windows XP will not suddenly stop working 53 weeks from
> now; it will boot, run applications and connect to the
> Internet as it did before. But it will not be served with
> security updates. Minus patches, and knowing how
> frequently cyber criminals uncover vulnerabilities,
> security experts expect hackers to exploit XP bugs that
> users will have no way of quashing.
> ----------

That's not precisely true: Critical Updates will continue to be sent, especially when it's one that affects multiple or even all versions of windows. Hell, I've even gotten critical updates for my Win 98 machine which is little used.

What one should do however is go to the MS site and download SP3 and ALL of the following updates, just in case you have to reinstall someday. Then keep up with it until the don't appear anymore on the site. It still seems true that there will be no SP4 for XP.

BTW, support has already stopped for all versions of XP Pro (Home, etc.) except XP with SP3, the last one left. So if you're not at SP3 it's time to think about it or the list of downloads you need will be monstrous.

-- Regards,

Tom`

[dedndave]

there are varying degrees of support at different parts of the life cycle
XP has already passed it's "mainstream support"
we are in the "extended support" part of the cycle, which ends in about a year
that more or less means that only critical updates are released - generally, that means security updates
in a year, very few updates, if any

which is a real bummer
i have XP Media Center Edition 2005
they know there is a bug that makes .NET 4 incompatible with XP MCE, but won't do anything to fix it
it's probably an easy fix, too - aholes

i figured out a clumsy work-around, if i really want to use .NET 4
i can disable media center altogether
so - it's a multi-boot thing - boot up on one image for .NET 4, boot up on another for media center - lol
i might be able to figure a way to enable/disable .NET 4, if i wanted to put the effort into it
so far, only one thing that interests me requires it, VS2010

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?ln=en-gb&c2=1173

[Magnum]

That is  bummer. There are a lot of good programs that require .net 4.

Andy

[Gunther]

Hi Andy,

is it a wonder? We're speaking about MicroSoft.

Gunther

[Magnum]

Dave,

What is different about the media center version ?

[dedndave]

well - i have a "tv tuner" card
and - media center supports it to watch and record television (like tivo, i can skip over commercials)
it also provides organization of libraries for pictures, music, videos
and it has a tv guide sort of thing that shows cable/terrestrial tv schedules
Media Center Edition also has a few little extras in the way of desktop themes, etc

it seems to be the tv guide data download that .NET 4 interferes with

i have a second identical machine
i am thinking of hooking one up to the TV set/stereo and using it for media
and using this one for programming
so - i can solve it a little easier than most   :P

[dedndave]

i should mention.....

if it were just a tv guide, i can get that elsewhere online
but - the tv guide part works in conjunction with recording a show for later viewing

[dedndave]

i almost forgot about the IR remote control...

[Vortex]

Hi Magnum,

Not much hope for Windows 7 SP2.

[Magnum]

What makes you say that ?

Win 8 has like 5% of the market and XP around 45%.

Andy

[Vortex]

Hi Magnum,

In july, Windows 7 will be a four years old operation system. MS would probably declare a new service pack for this OS but I don't think that this will happen. Creating a new service pack is a lot of efforts.

[Magnum]

I have used Win 7 a little.

Do you think it needs a service pack ?

I have not read of many exploits being found.

[Vortex]

Hi Magnum,

There are a lot of hotfixes released after SP1. Having a SP2 would simplify the maintenance of Win7. Installing all those updates is taking time especially in work environment.