We all know that Windows XP was the best Microsoft OS ever; it was stable and worked well. There was very little in comparison to its predecessors in the way of functionality, security and the overall usefulness. However since its death Microsoft has replaced it three fold with Vista, Windows 7 and now Windows 8 (and even this is going to be replaced with Windows 8.1), so why this article…?
If you’re reading this post then take a look at your PC, tablet, laptop or netbook; is it up to the job, can it handle the latest technologies that are out there, would you be struggling to find replacement parts for it? All very good questions I think but customers are not thinking about these things when they approach us for advice, instead they become sentimental about their wonderful and sometimes working XP machine, and no matter how we deliver the news the simple answer is you are going to have to upgrade and move on.
The computing market is like no other (except maybe the car industry); it is constantly growing, changing and evolving. Last time I checked a burger was just a burger and a washing machine was just a washing machine. However the PC market changes and when it does we can both embrace and move on, or simply sit back and let it pass us by.
The key point is Microsoft no longer support Windows XP and therefore it makes it difficult for us in the industry to support something that no longer exists.
“It’s like someone calling out the AA because their horse and cart has broken-down or taking it into a car repair centre and asking for the horse to have new shoes fitted”
The solution is simple, if your PC is not too old and has the ability to take the latest Windows then upgrade it. We would have to test to see if it can take it, but that’s a matter of fact. If it can’t, then a new PC it is and we will make sure that your software can still run or we will organise replacements and we will transfer all your data across to your new one.
There is nothing wrong with a little nostalgia, however if you hang on to the past it is only going to make the pain heavier.
For more on the life cycle of Microsoft Windows please visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/products/lifecycle
Rob Lucas MSc MBCS