Windows XP Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Which version of Linux should I replace Windows XP with?

Posted on March 1, 2021

Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter

Question from Carlos: I have an older laptop that’s still running Windows XP and I have question about it.

I read your post about replacing Windows with Linux, and since XP has been orphaned by Microsoft I’d like to do that so I can keep using this machine.

My laptop is a Dell Latitude D620 that has been upgraded to 4GB of RAM and 320GB hard drive. I’m not sure about the video card if that matters.

Can you recommend the best version of Linux to install on this computer? There are so many Linux versions to choose from and I have no idea which one to pick.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Still using Windows XP or Vista? If so, you won’t be able to update Avast Antivirus when the next version is released.

Posted on November 20, 2018

Avast has announced that the current version of Avast Antivirus (version 18.8) is the last version that can be installed on PCs running either Windows XP or Windows Vista.

That means if your PC is still running either XP or Vista you won’t be able to update to the next version of Avast when it gets released next year.

[Read more…]

Apple to halt iTunes support for Windows XP and Windows Vista

Posted on February 27, 2018

As you probably know by now, Microsoft has officially stopped supporting both Windows XP and Windows Vista, leaving users pretty much on their own when it comes to system security and malware protection.

As expected, many of the most popular online services quickly started ending XP and Vista support as well, and the stream of companies taking that action is expanding month by month.

Apple is the latest company to jump on the “Dump XP and Vista” bandwagon. [Read more…]

Google to end support for Google Drive on older Windows platforms

Posted on November 1, 2016

If you use the Google Drive desktop app on a PC running either Windows Vista or Windows XP, I have some important news for you.

Google is planning to stop supporting Google Drive on those older, no longer supported versions of Windows on January 1, 2017.

According to this post on Google’s blog, the app will continue to work after that date, but there will be no further security updates or support available to users who choose to keep using Google Drive on those abandoned Windows versions. [Read more…]

How to prepare a PC running Windows XP for an upgrade to Windows 8.1

Posted on April 8, 2015

xp-to-8-1 Microsoft effectively killed off Windows XP in about a year ago, and many XP users are trying decide whether to upgrade their PCs to Windows 8.1, dump Windows altogether and switch to Linux, or simply replace their old PC with a new one.

Personally, I think switching to Ubuntu Linux is a great way to go if the PC is used primarily for email and Internet access, but as long as the hardware is new enough to support Windows 8.1, that’s a great choice as well.

If you decide to upgrade Win XP to 8.1, it’s a good idea to prepare for the upgrade before jumping into it. Here are my recommendations: [Read more…]