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End of Support for IE on Windows XP

10 years ago

The support and hot fixes for Internet Explorer on Windows XP ends on April 8, 2014. The obvious question is - what happens next?

Does downloading another browser fix the problem? I don't know what to do. Microsoft says computers will be vulnerable to viruses that the patches protect against.

Microsoft suggests a newer computer. I've updated IE as much as my machine allows. It is 5 or 6 years old; but, I still have at least 50% of the hard drive available, if not more. I don't feel I have any need for a new computer.

I'm nearly 70 and only use the computer as a social outlet. Don't do any banking or things like that. I shop a bit online and go to a few forums and craft groups. Nothing critical. I'm the only person who uses this machine.

I do have virus protection and keep it updated. Any suggestions as to what to do before the April deadline?

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Comments (6)

owbist
10 years ago
Just keep right on using the computer is my suggestion. You need to have something besides your anti virus program unless it is a 'cure all' type program covering virii and malware. Something like the free Malwarebytes will do you proud. Be very sure to watch as you install to stay with the free version - unless you would like the pro version of course.

After April just pay a little more attention to running a virus scan and a malware scan periodically and you'll do fine.

The browser you use has nothing to do with XP. Your XP is the operating system.
burnchar
10 years ago
Google Chrome is the most popular browser outside of the U.S. and is widely considered faster and more refined than IE (though IE has improved considerably in recent years). You might try it out:

Here is a link that might be useful: Chrome
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Thanks, I try to be "just a user" then the machines (XP, W7, W8) grind to a grinding stop... now the XP. Working with guidance from zip516 the W8 machine is opeating near new - albeit I have "flash" off unless I specifically want it loaded to view a video. The XP machine now has to be turned on (yes I turn if off at night less exposure to the Internet during the others the otherside of the word is mostly awake and doing their dirty work - can a computer be breached buy just being "on", on the Internet but otherwise in a "sleep" statte?) . So I turn the XP machine on when I get up and my wife doesn't try to use Thunderbird or Firefox until the computer is on for at least 15 minutes Then there's the "script problem" on all machines, get a earning Script can not load.or similar, I usually just click skip. I'm not sure what that is used for but the computer seems to work following the "skip". AS I think you have already suggested, snidley, GET A MAC. That may be some help, after my wife gets over learning whatever is new and needed to know that is different than PC. I know when I run malwarebytes and somethime "house call" and a couple adware removers, the computer runs better. Maybe a commercial security package would help, we've used nothing but the free stuff (Avira now) for years... yes and MS Firewall. I may yet try a reload of XP, but I need to find out first if MS will still provide the update package to get a reload (from a 10 year old version of XP) up to the last security patches. The days of having an "IT Person" come by my office to tune-up my pc are long gone, I've been retired for several years.
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Elmer J Fudd
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I agree with owbist. Be sure to have a highly rated antivirus/anti malware system on duty.

If in later years you find erratic behavior with Internet Explorer, try something like Firefox or Opera.

You should be fine.

(edited for typo)

This post was edited by snidely on Fri, Dec 20, 13 at 14:14
DA_Mccoy
10 years ago
Keep on using your IE, but why wait for trying out other browsers? Move forward now at your own learning pace rather than when you are in desperate need You might even find something you like and want to use right away.

DA
shaddy101
10 years ago
I agree with DA on the trying something new before you HAVE to, I HAD to move to win7, and was surprised at the small changes from XP, and threw me for a loop sometimes. Some things are minor, and didn't upset me, but others did make me nervous, and I am a nervous nellie when it comes to computer trouble, I like you use it for keeping touch with the outside world, and can't imagine being without it. Life is too short tho to fret about those things, take charge now, and take it slowly.
Dash2
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for the suggestions. I don't do change readily or very well, at all. Just ask the husband I've been hanging on to for 49 years. As soon as I adjust to him....well, who knows what could happen. :)

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