The implications of using a computer with an Operating System that is no longer supported

This post most specifically applies to Windows computers. You may have heard or read about the implications of running Windows XP, a well loved version of Windows, once Microsoft ceased support of it in 2014. It was released in 2001, so by 2014 it was pretty long in the tooth, but people loved it and I’ve still seen some computers running it in recent months.

Is that a bad thing?

Let’s discuss the possible ramifications:

 It is not secure, and you could be susceptible to malware, viruses, hacking and identity theft.

(of course it might not happen - just like those life long smokers who live to be 101)

This is especially timely information right now, as Windows 7, another version of Windows well loved by many is set to be “retired” and no longer supported in January 2020

Here is a good post with some excellent info on the subject:

https://www.howtogeek.com/392976/what-it-means-when-microsoft-stops-supporting-your-version-of-windows/

Computer Operating Systems are technically advanced and complicated pieces of software built on billions of lines of code written by very clever, but not perfect, humans.

The more lines of code, the more options for human error. There are always “bugs”, and errors in the code, and nefarious parties will attempt to find and use these to their advantage. While an Operating System is being supported, Microsoft is fast to patch those “holes” as soon as they are discovered. Once it’s out of support though there are no more patches. Some people say the worst of the bugs have already been squashed, and they will take their chances, but for the average user, it’s a much safer bet to move on, unless you plan to completely and permanently disconnect it from the internet.

If your computer is capable of running a newer, supported, Operating System, you may be able to just upgrade. If you keep on top of upgrades as they are offered you might have a chance to upgrade to a newer Operating System when it’s introduced, at a lower price; possibly free. This was true for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users when Windows 10 was released, but that free upgrade is no longer offered.

Just be sure to make a back up of all of your personal files before upgrading to a new Operating System. While many upgrades go smoothly, with all data present and accounted for at the end of it, that’s not always so. Things can, and do, go wrong! Don’t take your chances. Of course, If you don’t know how to upgrade an Operating System have someone in the know do it for you, or work with you.

If your computer hardware is not up to the task of running the latest Operating System, or if the upgrade cost would be better put towards a new computer, you will need to make a decision about your old PC.

It has to be taken to a designated Electronics Recycle Depot and you should make sure there is no personal data left on it that could be retrieved ( especially passwords, which can possibly be found even if you think you never wrote them down, as long as you typed them into a website.

So have the hard drive FULLY and properly wiped; or removed and destroyed. If you don’t know how to do this, bite the bullet and pay someone. I charge around $50 for the service, and it’s much better than running the risks of identity theft, or scammers stealing your passwords and creating headaches that can take months to sort out.

If you want to get a few more useful months before recycling check out my blog post on ways to use a obsolete computer that’s  still actually functional.
Ways to use a computer that has become obsolete