5 tips for running Windows XP relatively safely

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    5 tips for running Windows XP relatively safely


    Posted: 12 Apr 2014
    Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP, an OS still used by approximately 20-25% of Windows customers. That means one in four PC users must upgrade to a more secure, supported version of Windows or risk their un-updated, un-patched version of Windows XP catching a virus or other Internet bug. As a rule of thumb, we always recommend upgrading your OS and then updating it as often as possible to protect your system. If you're switching to a new OS, read how to migrate easily from Windows XP. However, if you're a die-hard who wants to keep a Windows XP machine, here are five tips for keeping it running as safely and smoothly as possible until you upgrade.
    Source

    A Guy
    A Guy's Avatar Posted By: A Guy
    12 Apr 2014



  1. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #1

    Hi there

    I can't believe that article didn't mention running it as a VM although it did mention it's best not to connect it to a network or the Internet.

    Running as a Stand alone machine though should be 100% safe - especially if the machine is dedicated to a single set of tasks - for example connected to lab test gear.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #2

    I can't believe this irresponsible article was even published! What a load! Only the fourth suggestion was even close to being accurate; it should have just said to completely disconnect from the internet instead of suggesting to limit internet use.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 173
    Win7 64
       #3

    The first thing wrong with XP, was that with the standard default builds "loading XP' is that the generic user has admin rights...
    meaning that anything the user does, has no restrictions on what is done or loaded..
    On the generic XP load (O/S) the user can do anything.

    This also means that any web pages visited also gets run with the user rights that the person is logged in as.

    The first rule should be, never surf the net in an admin account, always use a normal user account.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #4
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 568
    Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, OSX El Capitan, Windows 10 (VMware)
       #5

    Iforgot said:
    The first thing wrong with XP, was that with the standard default builds "loading XP' is that the generic user has admin rights...
    meaning that anything the user does, has no restrictions on what is done or loaded..
    On the generic XP load (O/S) the user can do anything.

    This also means that any web pages visited also gets run with the user rights that the person is logged in as.

    The first rule should be, never surf the net in an admin account, always use a normal user account.
    I agree with your "first rule", but...

    All Windows, including 8.x, installs with an account with admin rights, not just XP. Vista and later versions have added UAC to warn users of the pending system changes, even with the account having admin rights. Since Vista, people have been asking how to disable UAC...

    What MS should've done starting with Vista is to run the installation with admin rights, force the installer to create a user account with no admin rights, and prevent logging in with the admin account. You know, more like how Linux does it...
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #6

    Cr00zng said:
    Iforgot said:
    The first thing wrong with XP, was that with the standard default builds "loading XP' is that the generic user has admin rights...
    meaning that anything the user does, has no restrictions on what is done or loaded..
    On the generic XP load (O/S) the user can do anything.

    This also means that any web pages visited also gets run with the user rights that the person is logged in as.

    The first rule should be, never surf the net in an admin account, always use a normal user account.

    What MS should've done starting with Vista is to run the installation with admin rights, force the installer to create a user account with no admin rights, and prevent logging in with the admin account. You know, more like how Linux does it...
    Nothing controversial there
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 415
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32-bit; Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (VM).
       #7

    ThrashZone said:
    Cr00zng said:
    Iforgot said:
    The first thing wrong with XP, was that with the standard default builds "loading XP' is that the generic user has admin rights...
    meaning that anything the user does, has no restrictions on what is done or loaded..
    On the generic XP load (O/S) the user can do anything.

    This also means that any web pages visited also gets run with the user rights that the person is logged in as.

    The first rule should be, never surf the net in an admin account, always use a normal user account.

    What MS should've done starting with Vista is to run the installation with admin rights, force the installer to create a user account with no admin rights, and prevent logging in with the admin account. You know, more like how Linux does it...
    Nothing controversial there

    Really?

    It's certainly not something I'd want.


    Wenda.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #8

    LOL definitely the socialist version

    Not sure it would be all that popular in a free country,
    Possibly Russia or North China....
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #9

    Hi there

    Using XP in the UK wouldn't be a problem --they've BLOCKED so many sites that using a NORTH KOREAN or CHINESE Gov't sponsored proxy would probably grant you more Internet access -- and therefore sites from which you could get a virus would be Non existant.


    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


 
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