Good-Bye to Windows XP

Microsoft's 12 year-young OS was once quite hated by some - with many opponents criticising the visual interface that the new OS offered at the time (see above graphic). With time, our hate has declined and now we are quite attached to what was (perhaps) Microsoft's best attempt at a consumer operating system. To Microsoft, Windows XP is probably the equivalent of some vampiric "Ex," who continues to hide in the darkness, holding onto its prey with a vicious grip.

I don't share anyone's hate for what has amounted to the longest-supported consume operating system in technologies’ history. As the transition has been made over the last year or so to machines running Windows 7, I couldn't help but start to feel nostalgic for the old-timer. For quite a while there, I had become disillusioned with the OS since it was, quite literally, EVERYWHERE.

It all started with Windows Vista's inability to fell the giant, and in 2010, it seemed that Microsoft reluctantly extended what was already an ‘Extended Support’ phase. From that point on, Microsoft would no longer be adding any features to the OS, probably with the intention of drumming up business for Vista and Windows 7 (the latter of which was just released to "fix" Windows Vista).

I had *hoped* pressure from Government's and Big-Business still running the dated OS would push support along for another year - but apparently not, at least not yet.

But, with April the 8^th already here in

Australia

, I really think Microsoft could’ve lifted their game substantially with regards to the end of support for the OS.

The BIGGEST issue that I have is the lack of “final update" to Windows XP. Sure, we're at EOL, but some convenience to those who resist moving on would be nice!
My question: Would it have really hurt the team at Microsoft that much to compile all the updates since Service-Pack 3 and roll them into an Update-Rollup or Service Pack 4? They’d save significant amounts of bandwidth and storage by doing so!

My other issue with Microsoft, is in ALL honesty, they still haven’t managed to produce a streamlined, un-bloated, PRACTICAL replacement for Windows XP. Sure, Windows 7 exists, and I use it and mostly like it. The problem I have is the sheer amount of BLOAT that goes into Windows OS’. I think I’ll save that discussion for another, and keep this topic on the topic of a “fond farewell.”

So today folks, as you farewell April 8^th, 2014, tip your hats to the folk at Microsoft at the turn of the millennium for daring to produce such a long-lived, wonderful OS. And thank them for all the good, bad and disastrous times.

For those reading this who are CONCERNED about their safety online using this now un-supported operating system – You are SAFE, provided you observe the following:

For those with any questions about any of the above points, I would suggest you either put some research into it, or contact the manufacturer of your Modem/Router unit for more information. LEARN how to setup the configuration to guard against attack, and RESTRICT ALL USAGE of the computer to those whom you TRUST – and if it isn’t you – WATCH THE USER INTENTLY.

And now, with the heartfelt music playing, Windows XP and all its derivatives (Gold, SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 {All updates since SP3 – as per the Windows registry} will thus ride into the sunset.

Thank-You Microsoft, for the last 12 years of desktop-computing, and for the real EFFORT you put into Windows NT 5.1./Windows XP.

Ooops. I think this was meant for Windows 8

Observant Viewers will notice that Windows logo is for Windows 7 or 8... Perhaps I shoul've waited another 5 years or so for those OS' to go out of support before I unleashed that one...

With thanks to "http://fc02.deviantart.net/images3/i/2004/10/7/a/3D_Windows_XP_Sunset.jpg" for the sunset image, and ultimately Microsoft for the former images...

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This is It: Windows XP Put to Rest