While windows xp is still widely used in the world, Microsoft stopped providing security updates for this operating system in 2014, leaving computers vulnerable to bugs, viruses, and worms. If you want to continue using XP, consider replacing Internet Explorer with a safer browser like Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
What is Windows XP?
Windows XP is an operating system that allows you to work with programs that let you do things like write letters or track your financial information. It uses pictures (called a graphical user interface) to communicate with you and lets you interact with the computer in a way that is logical and easy to understand.
Developed by Microsoft, it is the first version of Windows to use the Windows NT kernel and introduced a number of new features including improved security, better stability than previous versions of Windows, support for digital photography, instant messaging, wireless networking, and a personal firewall. It also added a new graphical version of Internet Explorer and was the first release of Windows to feature product activation to help combat software piracy.
Microsoft officially stopped supporting Windows XP on April 8, 2014, although some non-security updates were released for a short time afterward. It is advised that you upgrade to a modern operating system such as Windows 10 or later.
How to Install Windows XP
Before you begin installing Windows XP, it is important to know that this process will erase any data currently on your computer (most likely the C: drive). It is recommended that you back up any files that you want to keep. This includes files stored in the Desktop, Favorites and My Documents folders. You should also backup any data stored on the other partitions of your hard drive.
Once the XP setup program has loaded, you will be prompted to choose a computer name and administrator password. It is recommended that you use a strong password to protect your system from malicious software and hackers.
You will then be prompted to set your region and language settings. It is important to set these correctly as they will affect how your system operates. You will also be asked for your product key. It is important to have a valid product key as you will not be able to complete the installation without it.
The Installation Process
After pressing a key, the disk checks your computer to see if Windows XP is already installed. If it is, the disk will skip this step and move on to a different screen. If not, the disk will ask you if you want to install XP. Select yes and press Enter.
The next screen will give you a choice of which partition to use for the installation. It is recommended that you select a partition that does not contain any data that you do not want to lose. This is because partition formatting can be very time-consuming.
The program will then format the partition selected. Depending on the size of the partition and your system speed this can take several minutes or even hours. Once it is done, the installer will start copying files to the partition and preparing for installation. It will then ask you if you want to set your region, time zone and other settings.
The Final Words
With support for Windows XP ending on Tuesday, the security sinkhole carved by Microsoft’s decrepit OS is set to widen for hundreds of millions of PCs in homes, businesses, and government agencies. That’s because sticking with XP is an invitation for hackers to gather personal and corporate data they can use at will.
Over time, the longevity of XP helped it make an indelible mark on society. It became a symbol of Microsoft’s shift from prioritising profits to prioritising users. It was also the first version of the operating system to offer a user experience that looked and felt the same regardless of which hardware the computer used.
Despite this, it’s not the most popular version of Windows. Its popularity has been mainly driven by a lack of urgency from many businesses to upgrade, and the fact that many third-party software and devices will not work with newer versions. In short, XP is a viable operating system until its replacements outpace it in terms of performance, ease-of-use and features.