Microsoft: You will still need to activate Windows XP after April 8th with a fresh install

[ShyWriter]

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Microsoft: You will still need to activate Windows XP after April 8th with a fresh install

 

John Callaham  

 

When Windows 7 was released in 2009, some of its SKUs included a feature called "XP mode". In the simpliest terms, the Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate versions of Windows 7 could allow older Windows XP programs to run in a simulated environment; the idea was to help small businesses make the transition from XP to 7 easier.

 

 

With Windows XP now set to lose all security and software update support from Microsoft on April 8th, some Windows 7 users might be wondering about the future of "XP mode" as well. ZDNet reports that, according to a statement from Microsoft, the company has no plans to release a patch for  Windows 7 that does away with "XP mode".

 

Having said that, Microsoft states that people who continue to use that feature to run older programs in Windows 7 could still face security risks because Windows XP won't get any more updates in less than three months. In other words, it's best to simply stop using "XP mode" after April 8th.

 

ZDNet also reports that if, for some reason, you want to install Windows XP on your PC after April 8th, Microsoft will still require that the OS be activated before it can run on your computer. A spokesperson said,

 

"Computers running Windows XP will still work, they just won’t receive any new security updates. Support of Windows XP ends on April 8, 2014, regardless of when you install the OS."

 

Source: ZDNet | Image via Microsoft

 

/Steve

[AdvancedSetup]

Year 2025 - time to connect and activate my Windows XP

[David H. Lipman]

Microsoft has already made some changes to Windows Updates.  If you don't install certain updates manually in a specific order then getting updates is "more than difficult".
 
I recently did a clean XP SP3 installation.  I couldn't get updates.  I had to install IE8 (with no updates) then ¹KB2898785.  Then I could get updates (something like 127 of them).

 

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1.  Credit goes to MS MVP Bruce Hagen for this.

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes, I ran into this issue and it's not unique even though Microsoft claims they've fixed it and brand new install gives the same errors again.  I'm actually working on an automated install that will install all the updates and reboot the computer and then run again to hopefully complete it so that you can build one from scratch and still get all the updates that were available at the time Microsoft cut off further updates.

 

Probably won't need it too much but I'm sure I'll run into at least some machines I'll need to rebuild with XP.

[GT500]

Autopatcher doesn't work?

[AdvancedSetup]

Have not looked at that in years but the last time I did look there was some reason I ended up not using it.   Might be a good idea to at least review the tool again - there are a couple like them as I recall. 

 

Thanks for the memory jog

[David H. Lipman]

I am not aware of said tool so if one could please elaborate upon it, I'd appreciate it.

[Porthos]

I use slip-streamed install disks.  When not using that I use

WSUS Offline Update

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/wsus_offline_update.html

 

 

 

And Ninite for the 3rd party stuff.

[AdvancedSetup]

AutoPatch - Wikipedia

Warning site appears to possibly be attacked or is somehow redirecting.  Using NoScript the information on the site forums still appear to be there (not sure how long or what's really going on there at the moment)

www.autopatcher.com

Not tested but there are some others

Portable Update

www.windowsupdatesdownloader.com

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes but I don't think WSUS or any other alternative is going to work unless you download ALL the files needed and keep a copy of them locally somewhere.

 

Have not used ninite.com

I have actual real installer software for that sort of install - but you need a better method for the 150 or so Windows XP updates.   A chained batch install "should" work - sort of what WSUS does.

[Porthos]

Yes but I don't think WSUS or any other alternative is going to work unless you download ALL the files needed and keep a copy of them locally somewhere.

 

I update my "update" usb each month for the most part. It has xp -8.1 and office 2003-2013. Once you figure it out its great.