Why Microsoft did the right thing in ditching XP for IE

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    Why Microsoft did the right thing in ditching XP for IE


    Posted: 05 Apr 2010
    I recently expressed a lack of surprise that Internet Explorer 9 will almost certainly not be supported on Windows XP. In Redmond's words, a "modern browser" needs a "modern operating system," and Windows XP doesn't qualify. Much to my surprise (well, not really, I know that XP is still used and, apparently, loved by many), many doubted my characterization of XP as "obsolete," and they questioned my lack of surprise at this decision.

    Simple things first. Windows XP is not a new operating system. Windows XP was released in 2001, and it has been succeeded by not one, but two newer operating systems: Windows Vista, and Windows 7. The other major desktop platform vendor—Apple—doesn't even begin to support anything that old, and the company routinely restricts its software compatibility to only the most recent version or two of its operating system.

    Now, it's true that software is not like physical goods; while the ravages of time may make hardware break down, Windows XP works as well today as it did when it was new. Better, if you consider the extensive capabilities added in Service Packs and free downloads. But the computing world does not stand still; working as well as it did when it was new means that Windows XP hasn't kept up with computing's advances. The next generation of hard disks (or indeed, current generation, for Western Digital users), for example, are at risk of suffering severe performance penalties on XP systems. To get the best from the technology that for many has replaced spinning disks—the solid state drive—requires support for the TRIM command, found natively only in Windows 7. XP similarly lacks any built-in support for Blu-ray discs.
    Source -
    Why Microsoft did the right thing in ditching XP for IE9
    Posted By: JMH
    05 Apr 2010



  1. Posts : 761
    Windows 2000 5.0 Build 2195
       #1

    Really informative. Awesome!

    Of the big five, only two browsers currently use this protection on Windows; Internet Explorer (7 and 8), and Chrome. For this reason alone, I'd be hesitant to use Safari, Opera, or Firefox. Their security track record isn't really any better than Microsoft's, and the consequent exploitability of these browsers is much greater.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,427
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    i loved reading the comments that came after, this one in particular tickled me

    DrPizza ( Contributing Writer / Author ) | about 13 hours ago | permalink
    SanctimoniousApe wrote:
    While I eventually plan to upgrade to Win7, I'm in no rush. Sorry, the abomination that was Vista didn't count as an OS release to a vast majority of people (myself included), so as far as I'm concerned XP *WAS* the most recent OS prior to Win7. XP, when intelligently run in Limited User mode with SuRun escalating privileges when needed under user control, is just fine security-wise - I've yet to have a problem since adopting this setup.

    If Vista is an "abomination" that "didn't count" then Windows 7 doesn't count either.

    Everything that sucks in Vista sucks in Windows 7.
    original comment - Why Microsoft did the right thing in ditching XP for IE9

    would love to hear how he can justify that
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  3. Posts : 554
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1
       #3

    severedsolo said:
    i loved reading the comments that came after, this one in particular tickled me

    DrPizza ( Contributing Writer / Author ) | about 13 hours ago | permalink
    SanctimoniousApe wrote:
    While I eventually plan to upgrade to Win7, I'm in no rush. Sorry, the abomination that was Vista didn't count as an OS release to a vast majority of people (myself included), so as far as I'm concerned XP *WAS* the most recent OS prior to Win7. XP, when intelligently run in Limited User mode with SuRun escalating privileges when needed under user control, is just fine security-wise - I've yet to have a problem since adopting this setup.

    If Vista is an "abomination" that "didn't count" then Windows 7 doesn't count either.

    Everything that sucks in Vista sucks in Windows 7.
    original comment - Why Microsoft did the right thing in ditching XP for IE9

    would love to hear how he can justify that
    More proof that many of the people who hate Vista have no idea why they actually hate it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 328
    W7 Pro 64
       #4

    Good article. I think whoever uses the (unsafer) XP when IE 9 comes out doesn't care about security anyway and likely still uses IE 6 or so. If one still needs to have the newest browser on XP, there still is FF etc.

    It is good to cut off old ties. the resources needed to support XP are needed elsewhere.

    I think once SP1 comes out companies will switch to W7 like mad anyway.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #5

    The biggest problem for most business switching from one OS to another is COST. Cost in terms of the financial terms, plus the cost in manpower hours to, not only rebuild pc's, but to also train users on the new OS, test new roll outs, test networking, test hardware, etc.

    If your in IT in a large company, it will take a very long time. I worked at a large company that took over a year to upgrade to Active Directory. At times you can NOT interrupt an entire department to install new software. People have dead lines to meet. Especially financial departments. See how upset management can get if a days deposit is late (and we're talking under of thousands of dollars, if not millions). Want to lose a job because you caused the company to lose interest??? I don't think so. And I've seen it happen.
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  6. Posts : 169
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #6

    I upgraded from xp to 7, never used Vista on my pc, but I did have a taste of it for an hour on Jonathan's pc, it looked and felt exactly like 7, I don't understand why everybody is bashing it so damn much, yeah it's true that Vista requires double the ram size that 7 asks for but that doesn't necessarily mean Vista is as horrible as what most people seems to be implying..

    I never used Mr. Vista on my pc but If I ever had to downgrade from 7, I wouldn't use anything else but Vista.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 761
    Windows 2000 5.0 Build 2195
       #7

    For the poster above, it's true that people are just biased. I give myself big facepalms when I read comments about XP being immortal, and the ad hoc bashing of vista whilst praising 7. Vista was awesome when I was using it, and I never regret it (except when playing Worms 4, had to go back to XP for this and went back to vista again after). It was running flawlessly on a 768MB RAM, P4 2.26 GHz PC.

    On the side note, Vista and 7 has the EXACT same requirements.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 169
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #8

    arkhi said:
    For the poster above, it's true that people are just biased. I give myself big facepalms when I read comments about XP being immortal, and the ad hoc bashing of vista whilst praising 7. Vista was awesome when I was using it, and I never regret it (except when playing Worms 4, had to go back to XP for this and went back to vista again after). It was running flawlessly on a 768MB RAM, P4 2.26 GHz PC.

    On the side note, Vista and 7 has the EXACT same requirements.
    When I was still using windows xp, I thought it was gonna last forever, I couldn't imagine how life would be like without it. Life turned out just fine without it and I hope I never go back to it ever again..

    As far as I know, the ram requirement for 7 is 1g and 2g for vista.. Every single application recommends vista to have 2g before using that app, while non does that with windows 7...
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #9

    KazeNoKoe23 said:
    More proof that many of the people who hate Vista have no idea why they actually hate it.

    That constituted at least 85% of Vista bashers. ie - those that never even used it, but 'had it it on good authority that'....

    "I heard from someone who knows about computers that Vista is crap" was my 'favorite' argument.


    Even my non-tech minded father ripped this one out to me one day after listening to 'so called experts at work'.

    I took great delight in proving them wrong by wiping XP and installing Vista for him - waited a week or so and then asked, "So how is Vista working out for you? Is it the crap your 'expert workmates' claimed it was?"

    When he replied, "No it isn't" I then asked him to pass on my not so polite sentiments regarding his 'work place experts' validity and credibility regarding technical matters and suggested they leave the hot air blowing to the politicians...
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