This MS August update disaster is causing issues with Win 7.1, too. I had to do some pretty fancy footwork to get Win Updates to work after deleting 2982791. I finally succeeded by accessing it through "Restore Hidden Updates"...allowing a hidden update to load. Then, MS in its infinite wisdom...automatically installed the replacement for 2982791. I later uninstalled 2970228 and went through the whole ugly procedure again...only this time I had to remove the hidden update that I'd previously installed. Don't ask! GRRRRRR MS finally installed 2993651 from the restore page and life has been back to normal ever since. I should add that no repair tool worked trying to get Win Updates to work/repair itself. The repair tool ran and reported the Update tool was repaired. It wasn't. And I went round and round with that issue for a while until I just finally worked every trick I could think of with the Restore Hidden Updates temporarily repairing the problem. Currently...peace reigns! It's going to be very interesting to see what September brings. Anne

I'm now leaning more towards doing the transfers through external hard drive (gulp) - however, I'm confused on how to hook up the new computer with the old computer still hooked up. Would I just plug it in, and then connect it to our wireless home network? It seems the (old) monitor has only one hook-up spot which the old computer is plugged into. Should I wait for the new monitor to arrive (which is supposed to be about a month from now according to the estimated delivery date)? Or do I need the new computer hooked into a monitor just for transferring data? Now I'm thinking maybe I just need the new computer plugged into the monitor, and the XP computer not plugged in - lol - I'm confused. Maybe I should wait until everything arrives.

I don't think she was considering upgrading her current pc to a newer version of windows but updating by getting a new pc with a newer OS. I would not recommend trying to put one of the newer versions of windows on a very old pc it would have to be checked for compatibility before hand and likely would have a lot of things that would need to be changed and updated if it would work at all. Some other articles and videos that help explain and give you a look at what it is all about. Windows 8: 8 Things You Need to Know Is Windows 8 for you? #8. Getting Started With Windows 8 - Pro's N Con's and the new 8.1 coming out soon MEET WINDOWS 8.1 PREVIEW For those with windows 8 if you want to upgrade to 8.1 Microsoft makes Windows 8.1 more DIY-friendly with full versions Microsoft Windows 8.1 free to Windows 8 users, $119.99 and up for others First look at Windows 8.1 for those that are used to smart phones or tablets will see some similarities with this version of windows and how our phones and tablets work. I think the touch screen options are great, I am so used to them on my phone and tablet when I get back on my desktop I keep trying to pinch my monitor LOL! It does not like that. My thought is don't be afraid of the new technology it gives us a chance to work out those brain cells. But again don't let someone else tell you what you need!

Not on windows 8.1. Defender on windows 8.1 is basically Microsoft Security Essentials, if you were to install avast Defender I think is automatically disabled.