Quote from World Start Newsletter (dated 3/13/13) "Question: At the present time I have Windows XP. I read that I will no longer be able to use XP in 2014. Is this correct? Can I switch to Windows 7 at that time or will I have to go to Windows 7 before that time. If I have to switch how do I switch to Windows 7? Answer: As I pointed out in this article, you are not alone. Estimates say 40% of Windows users are still running XP. A whole lot of people still use Windows XP. Microsoft is ending support for XP in 2014, but that doesnâÂÂt mean your operating system will suddenly stop working. It just means that Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, fixes for bugs or offer any customer support for the program. The troubling issue is the lack of security updates. Upgrading to Windows 7 is pretty simple, you just purchase the program and install it on your computer by putting a disc in the drive or downloading the program. If your computer is older, you will want to make sure you meet the system requirements for Windows 7. As for Windows 8, unless you are upgrading to a touchscreen computer, IâÂÂd suggest sticking with Windows 7. ThereâÂÂs a bit of a learning curve with Windows 8. IâÂÂm adjusting to it now and really canâÂÂt recommend the experience to others. " end of quote from World Start

I sometimes speak up concerning others' suggestions that seem like Chicken Little-type fear mongering. I also think too many people have too many unsupported fears of unlikely risks on the internet and from PC use in general. I'm generally in agreement with Kudzu's comments, but let's be realistic - no one knows what the evil doers will do. Using an XP PC on a network that's unconnected to the internet - I'd say zero risk. Use it in full confidence until the hardware dies. Using an XP PC on the internet? Time will tell. Having capable firewalls, updated security software, etc., is a must for all PCs with all operating systems anyway. I have an XP PC that I use very occasionally that has all the protection reasonably available. I'll be sure to remove any personal info and will use it carefully. If I see any hint of odd activity, I'll just replace it. For most PCs old enough to have XP, spending good money to put a newer Windows on old hardware seems a poor choice to me.

if you took your pc into a repair shop and they returned it with the xp repair infection still on it you need to get your money back and never take anything back there again. You have a serious rogue infection on your pc. Anyone that knows anything would have informed you of that and gone through the cleaning process. You need to go to the forum I am going to link to and register there, start a new thread of your own there in the area I link to. Tell them what you have told here and you can put a link to this thread too. You will be assisted by the team there to go through the clean up procedure to be rid of this infection. It is not one you can do with out assistance. Once you begin there please just stick with the team there and only follow those directions so there is no confusion or conflict. I am there also if you need help getting started. Analysis and Malware Removal do not do anything else to your pc and lets hope they did not clear out any of your temp file folders. do not attempt to follow the directions from bleeping computer alone get the help at LzD to guide you.

I continue to support notification of available updates with the required approval to install, but I continue to disagree with the automatic updates. When there are many updates installed at once there is certain to be a lot of code being moved, replaced or added. If after a bulk blind installation system concerns developed how would a user locate the culprit. Perhaps it is a throw back to the dark ages of the DUN, but I continue to recommend updates be installed in packages of up to three or four maximum depending on size and focus. Following a short period of operational review where it can be determined all is well the next package can be created and installed. DA