Question on XP mode in windows 7.

andrew129260 · 04 Oct 2013

I have a question about XP mode in windows 7.
I am currently running xp mode converted into vmware player.
When xp ends support, I understand xp will no longer get security updates.
My question is when xp stops getting updates will my windows 7 pro be at risk?
I know its a virtual machine, and if any problems arise I could always restore the virtual machines snapshot but I am just wondering if a threat is likely or easily exploited onto the host should the rare chance the xp vm gets infected. (I will not be browsing the internet on it, most likely will disable the vm network adapter after updates are complete in 2014)

Thank you.

robinb9 · 04 Oct 2013

You are better off uninstalling xp virtual when april 14 comes. Yes you vulnerable
because even though it is in virtual it still means you need to install all the ms security updates and have an antivirus program installed otherwise it will compromise Windows 7. Once microsoft stops sending up updates the OS will have holes which can compromise windows 7

robinb9 · 04 Oct 2013

Also yo are always connected, you do not have to browse the internet to get infected or attacked. The only way to keep the xp mode would be to disable adapter, wireless or wired that puts you on the internet
I do not know how to disable it without disabling your windows 7 connection, but someone in here might know that

Alejandro85 · 05 Oct 2013

I would not fear that much really about XP. The end-of-suppport date merely means that MS will not care anymore about XP, and stops sending updates to it (side question, do you really update your VM's OS?).
The specific date means exactly NOTHING for the end user, just that Windows will not update anymore. That means that newly discovered bugs will remain unpatched from then on, while all existing ones will remain patched if you want to. Nothing more. Existing users will not all of sudden become vulnerable to a whole host of new problems, the systems will remain working as they always did (be that good or bad). And given that XP is quite mature by now, I would not think that there are that much left to be patched. In Windows generally viruses sneak in by exploiting the user's lack of technical knowledge more that OS bugs. And in any case, an updated antivirus often will catch most of those who get past the common sense.

In short, there is no reason to fear, XP will remain as good as it always was, regardless of MS marketing.