Ask Leo: How long can I keep running my copy of Windows?
By Leo Notenboom
How long can I keep running my copy of Windows?
My OS is Vista and Microsoft intends to stop support on 10-Apr-2012. I know that thousands (if not many more) people throughout the world are very concerned about this. I personally am now very pleased with Vista. I have tested it against other computers running XP and Windows 7 and found that in all cases, it compared more than favorably. This is in no small way due to your newsletters as by using image backups, I have been able to modify Vista considerably. Your advice in this matter would I know be gratefully received by many people, especially those on tight budgets.
While I’ve rarely heard of this concern about Windows Vista, the sentiment actually applies across all versions of Windows.
How long can you keep using it?
Well, the glib answer is: as long as you want, as long as you understand the risks.
The more practical answer is: a lot longer than you may think.
Just ask the millions still using Windows XP.
The Product Lifecycle
Windows versions go through various stages over time, referred to as the product lifecycle.
From initial sales through end of sales through a couple of different stages of end of support, every version of Windows lives, and dies, through a fairly well-defined series of stages.
Let’s look at each of the end-of-life stages individually.
Article Continued Here:
This post is excerpted with Leo’s permission from his blog.
About Leo Notenboom
Leo A. Notenboom is the owner of Puget Sound Software, LLC and the Leo in Ask Leo!. Leo has been in the personal computer and software industry since 1979, as a software engineer, a manager of software engineers, and as a consultant. In 1983 Leo joined what was then a medium sized local company called Microsoft and spent the next 18 years in a wide variety of groups working on a wide variety of software. If you're running Microsoft Windows, if you've used a Microsoft development tool or Microsoft Money, or if you've ever purchased a ticket through Expedia, there's a good chance you've been touched by some of his work. And of course, since 2003, Leo has been answering your tech questions on Ask Leo!
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Terry Stockdale
when will windows 8 be out?
Windows is out.t
I have got windows 8……
I see no need of throwing away XP PRO. I have worked on other peoples computers with other operating systems. Some of these operating systems have some nice features, but a pain to re-learn. My problems is you have to reload all of your outdated programs that you LOVE and can't find the product codes for. My self I have almost a million files in my computer. My home built computer is top of the line and fast.
I agree with you. I have a horse and see no reason to upgrade to a car. I am not going to give up all the things I have like my saddle and horse blankets and all sorts of elaborate tack. All my files are in my saddle bags and I see no reason to put them in the trunk of a car. This moving on and keeping up with all the great new innovations is not for me. Oh yes, I however was not smart enough to build my horse.
John Grover
John you have away with words, Thank You
I wouldn't change xp for anything else.
I LOVE my XP!
I’m hoping Vista dies out, all of my friends who owned it, dumped it and went back to XP or moved onto a newer OS. I on the other hand miss 98SE and 2000. I’ve had XP only for a few years when the mother board died out and was forced to move onto Win 7 which seems good for now (I miss the TRS 80 I learn’ed on lol) showing my age here.
I hope that I can keep running XP until my hardware dies. I was happy with 98SE until I was forced to use XP on my newest computer.
Question concerning Windows various “updates”: I have Windows Vista Home Premium and Internet Explorer 9, 32 bit. No problems with this setup. After Microsoft updates whatever they’re going to update, will my setup still be OK?