What Does Windows 8 mean to Windows XP users?

In Missouri where we live, we have plenty of Windows 7 users, consisting of mostly professionals, businesses, schools, and the like.
We also still have a considerable population of Windows XP users, many of whom are grandma/grandpas, or simply facebook & email users who haven't taken the Windows 7 leap yet.
According to this web page, there are still nearly half of all users who still run XP on their computer.

http://blog.rocketlawyer.com/microsoft-to-discontinue-support-for-windows-xp-office-2003-time-to-upgrade-your-office-computer-system-94497

Enter Windows 8, which is going to  further muddy the water by adding another choice to potential computer buyers.  

Microsoft has been saying for a while now that support (in the form of product updates, security updates, etc.) will stay until 2014 (I haven't heard an official date yet).  Does this mean that 47% of the population will need to upgrade to a new PC in the next 12-24 months?

Not necessarily, I say. However, there are a few things to consider before making your decision:

• Legacy software: Do you have software that simply won't work in Windows Vista or Win 7?  Many users do, and although Windows 7 has an emulation mode called "XP mode" I have not had complete success using it with incompatible software.

• Out of date software: For example:  Do you have QucikBooks 2007 version (or prior)?  Sorry, You need at least the 2008 version of QB to run Win Vista or 7.  You may need to figure that into your budget since QB Pro costs around $179 per license.

• Security: Do you or a family member spend a lot of time online on Facebook, MySpace, etc.?  Newer Operating Systems like Vista & 7 are more secure, less prone to infection, and more resilient to attacks.

• Browser: Microsoft decided not to upgrade Internet Explorer (IE) past version 8.  I have seen plenty of users still plodding along with version 6 or 7 as well, which are even less secure.  If you insist on using IE, you may want to upgrade; otherwise consider an alternative browser like Firefox or Google Chrome.

• Hardware capable: Some users bought Windows XP even after Vista came out, meaning their CPU, RAM, hard drive may only be a few years old, and could easily be capable of Running Vista or 7 well (or even better with a minor upgrade).  

• You can use the Windows 7 upgrade adviser (a free program from MS that will look at your PC, hardware, and software, and give recommendations about upgrade options, etc.)  In a general sense, I would recommend a dual-core processor of at least 2.0 GHz, 2 GB of ram, and 80 GB hard drive as the minimum.  While you can get by with less, it will be frustratingly slow to use.

• Cost: Windows 7 Runs about $120, perhaps a little less if it's on sale, or if you buy an upgrade version.  If you are a college student, check out money saving offers from MS!

So, should you do it?  These ideas should get you thinking.  If you are leaning towards a new PC, then now is a pretty good time.  School time, Christmas is coming, etc., and stores really would love to sell you one...

If not, here are a few suggestions:

1. Back up your data regularly.  Your hard drive is at least 3 years old, right? Average failure rates for desktop hard drives are about 5 years.  For laptops it's even less than that (they are smaller, more fragile, and take more abuse due to their portability).
2. Keep your installation software handy.  Your Windows OS disc, drivers, programs, and such are probably all available right now online (or you may have them stored).  Once support closes for Windows XP, those things will probably disappear, and will be much harder to find.  The reason for this: Once MS support ends, you will find other vendors like HP, Dell, etc. will also discontinue support, which includes removing "legacy" driver and software downloads.
3. Use a different browser.  Alternative browsers like Firefox or Google Chrome of much more up-to-date, and avoid some of the security risks.
4. Keep checking for updates.  As long as there are updates, keep applying them.  Also, updates for Java, Adobe Reader, and Adobe Flash are safe, and most of them address security concerns.

If you have one of the legacy/outdated software problems, (and have the financial capability) there is another option as well.  Buy a new PC, and move your documents, etc. to the new computer, while keeping your legacy or outdated software running on your XP box.  You still want to follow the above advice (backing up, updates, etc.) but this could save you an otherwise painful transition and learning curve, and you would get the advanced security of a new version of Windows!

Good luck, and as always, feel free to email me with any questions!