Continued Security Updates??

[hlewton]

Probably a silly question but does anyone know of a paid WEB site where one may subscribe in order to continue to receive XP security updates or something similar that will continue protection against vulnerabilities? Just though some enterprising individual or group of computer engineers may use the opportunity to form a business since MS is no longer going to support XP and I’m fairly certain there are still thousands if not millions of computers still using it. I'm sure the code will still remain proprietary so that is why I said it is probably a silly question but stranger things have happened. Just curious.

Thanks

[HansV]

The number of computers still running Windows XP is estimated to be over 400 million.
The French firm Arkoon has announced extended support for Windows XP: ExtendedXP, but it is strictly intended for large corporations, not for home use (I think it starts at 250 licenses).
Upgrading to Windows 7 or 8 is really recommended, but if that is not possible, make sure that all your software, especially security software, is as up-to-date as possible for XP.

[JoeP]

No one has the source code to do that except Microsoft. Debugging an issue and then reverse engineering object code would be extremely time consuming and very problematic. Which also means it would likely be very expensive.

Note: Microsoft has committed to updating MSE signatures until July 14, 2015.
See Microsoft Changes Its Mind about Security Essentials for Windows XP. Also, see Sign of the Times: Latest Security Essentials Not Available for Windows XP for more information.

Joe

[hlewton]

The number of computers still running Windows XP is estimated to be over 400 million.
The French firm Arkoon has announced extended support for Windows XP: ExtendedXP, but it is strictly intended for large corporations, not for home use (I think it starts at 250 licenses).
Upgrading to Windows 7 or 8 is really recommended, but if that is not possible, make sure that all your software, especially security software, is as up-to-date as possible for XP.

Thanks Hans. That is a lot of computers to no longer have support. Too bad it isn't offered for home users as well. A few of my computers would not be able to be upgraded to Win 7 at least as far as I know. I guess I'll just have to try to stay off the Internet with those.

[hlewton]

No one has the source code to do that except Microsoft. Debugging an issue and then reverse engineering object code would be extremely time consuming and very problematic. Which also means it would likely be very expensive.

Note: Microsoft has committed to updating MSE signatures until July 14, 2015.
See Microsoft Changes Its Mind about Security Essentials for Windows XP. Also, see Sign of the Times: Latest Security Essentials Not Available for Windows XP for more information.

Joe

Thanks for the information and links.

[hlewton]

Ran across an article that supposedly will help continue XP updates. It is here Forced XP Update

[HansV]

See this thread, especially the link in D Willett's reply - Microsoft warns against using this "hack", since the updates for the embedded version of Windows XP are not tested on the full version, so there is no guarantee that they will work, and they won't do harm.

[hlewton]

Thanks Hans. I guess I better delete that Registry key.

[hlewton]

Well on one machine I had no problem deleting that PosReady key in the Registry but on others I get a error dialog box and cannot delete it. Any suggestions on how to get around that error message and delete the key?

[HansV]

Can you change the value of the installed entry in that key to 0? That would have the same effect.

[hlewton]

Can you change the value of the installed entry in that key to 0? That would have the same effect.

OK thanks. I even creating a Restore point before creating that key and after I ran the Restore the key was till there. Do you know how I can get rid of the icon in the systray that is telling me there are updates ready?

[HansV]

Can you delete the registry entry if you start Windows in Safe Mode?

To start in Safe Mode:
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 repeatedly before the Windows splash screen appears.
- The Windows Advanced Options menu should appear.
- Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode, then press Enter.
- If prompted to select a Windows installation, press Enter.
- Log in with an account that has admin privileges.
- Confirm that you want to enter Safe Mode.

[hlewton]

Can you delete the registry entry if you start Windows in Safe Mode?

To start in Safe Mode:
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 repeatedly before the Windows splash screen appears.
- The Windows Advanced Options menu should appear.
- Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode, then press Enter.
- If prompted to select a Windows installation, press Enter.
- Log in with an account that has admin privileges.
- Confirm that you want to enter Safe Mode.

Hans I did that even before my first post and it did not work.

I figured out about the icon but when I try to modify that key I type a 0 and get an error message but it still seems to make the change but then when I close the Registry and reopen it is back to the (1) . It says "error writing values new contents." I think I am doing it correctly by choosing the "PosReady" key in the left pane and then right clicking the "Reg_DWORD" in the right pane and choosing modify. I even tried modifying the (Default) key in the right pane that is directly above the "Installed" key I am trying to modify. What am I doing wrong?

[HansV]

I have no idea, sorry.

BTW, there is no point in trying to modify the (Default) entry - it's the PosReady entry that you should modify or remove.

[DaveA]

"What am I doing wrong?"

Nothing, on most machines the "Hack" can not be undone.

Also note, that this hack is for the "Professional" version only. There is no known hack for the Home versions.

[hlewton]

"What am I doing wrong?"

Nothing, on most machines the "Hack" can not be undone.

Also note, that this hack is for the "Professional" version only. There is no known hack for the Home versions.

That explains it then. It must also somehow get around running a Restore because, as I mentioned, I did create a restore point but even after running that the Hack was still there.

Thanks.

[DaveA]

Good reason, that Microsoft has not endorsed this hack and has even warned people in NOT doing it.

The only way that I have seen, is a clean reinstall of XP.

[hlewton]

Ran across another article about this hack. If you read it all it is kind of interesting in that it seems to be calling on Microsoft to provide free operating systems. Can't see that ever happening but who knows.
As Its Windows XP Woes Continue, the Question Microsoft Can No Longer Avoid

[stuck]

...Microsoft to provide free operating systems. Can't see that ever happening but who knows...

No one knows but Woody speculated on this idea back on 23 April:
http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-wi ... s-9-241029

Ken