Replacing Windows 7 with Windows XP

[JohnK]

A general question on Microsoft Operating systems.

I do not really like Windows 7 as it has rendered most of my old software useless. I still want to play Civilisation and Diablo and neither of these are likely to have updates to 64-bit operating systems anytime soon. I know some people have been able to play them on Windows 7 but the process sounds really convoluted and you need to have some sort of understanding of how PC operating systems work. I would really love to go back to Windows XP on future laptops/desktops.

Can I still install Windows XP on the new/future laptops/desktops? As I likely to lose anything performance with the new laptops/desktops? I still have a Windows 95 desktop which is not great but at least runs a lot of the old games and software.

I guess the best solution would be to purchase a copy of Windows XP and keep it to use on all future laptops. Is this still possible?

[notzac]

Yes, you're likely to lose performance (and if not that, you'll definitely lose security) -- I'm not a Windows user myself, but am told that "Windows XP mode" works brilliantly for this sort of thing..

Windows XP Mode - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows

[Sifor]

I guess the best solution would be to purchase a copy of Windows XP and keep it to use on all future laptops. Is this still possible?

Possible, yes, wise, no.

You will have no technical support for XP. Microsoft have stopped (or will soon) development for XP so no more Windows Updates. All future software will be designed with 64bit operating systems in mind while dropping all support for XP. XP64 was horrible anyway (my experience anyway).

Performance will take a large hit especially in terms of the graphics ability. DirectX 11 and subsequent editions will be developed only for Win7 and beyond. Also there will be issues with the OS identifying the amount of RAM you have available. IIRC only a maximum of 4GB could be used by XP.. even if you had more installed.

Unfortunately you will have to forget your games and (sorry if this sounds rude, not intended!) "get with the times". Alternatively, you can attempt to get your games working on Windows 7. I often play games and have found no problems with the older titles on Windows 7. Have you tried using the content delivery system called Steam? Most, if not all the games they list work with current software and hardware.

With regards to the game Civilization, they have created "Civilization 5" so that may interest you.

If your heart is set on having XP, I suggest you load it on to one of your computers and keep it as your "old gaming" PC or something while using Windows 7 and subsequent versions for your work/everything else. That way you have the best of both worlds. Since software is no longer being developed for XP, there will be no performance concerns with the old XP PC.

[LiamR]

Yes, you're likely to lose performance (and if not that, you'll definitely lose security) -- I'm not a Windows user myself, but am told that "Windows XP mode" works brilliantly for this sort of thing..

Windows XP Mode - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows

I can endorse this, works great. Basicley designed for people like you, who want to use certain apps that no longer work on Win 7. It's free, so I'd suggest you give it a shot.

With newer laptops, you'll run into driver issues and other problems. As laptop and desktop manufactures don't write the drivers for XP anymore.

[munitalP]

JK, I have just had 2 new Lenovo laptops (today) WIN7 removed and XP reinstalled.

The techs who use these computers have myriad of software that is not WIN7 compatible. We experimented with the XP emulator, but in most cases, we ended up with continuos communication errors, loss of com ports and hardware crashing.

If you like XP, stick with it IMHO.

I have a couple of copies (legal) at home I dont use. Buy me a beer in the QP next time I see you, and one's yours.


munitalP

[JohnK]

Yes, you're likely to lose performance (and if not that, you'll definitely lose security) -- I'm not a Windows user myself, but am told that "Windows XP mode" works brilliantly for this sort of thing..

I don't believe I have tried this method so I will give it a shot.

Unfortunately you will have to forget your games....

Forget my games? Sorry but that is not possible. I still have a Windows 95 machine that will run Civilisation and an old Windows XP laptop that I gave to my brother that will run Diablo that I can get back and give him my current Windows 7 laptop.

.... and (sorry if this sounds rude, not intended!) "get with the times".

Not possible. Ever heard the term "troglodite"?

alternatively, you can attempt to get your games working on Windows 7.

I have tried but I cannot do it.

JK, I have just had 2 new Lenovo laptops (today) WIN7 removed and XP reinstalled.

....

I have a couple of copies (legal) at home I dont use. Buy me a beer in the QP next time I see you, and one's yours.

Now that is what I am talking about!

[serfty]

...

You will have no technical support for XP. Microsoft have stopped (or will soon) development for XP so no more Windows Updates. ...

Microsoft ceased development of XP in 2009. There is still just under 3 years to go before they stop supporting it (April 8, 2014).

I was able to keep using Win98 for several year after MS stopped supporting it in July 2006, only going to XP when drivers started being unavailable about 3 years ago.


Windows XP, Office 2003, IE 6 are 'dead'; support to end in 2014 -- Government Computer News

[anat0l]

If you don't need any high end stuff, then replacing Win 7 with XP is not really a problem.

Sure, you will not get support after a while (i.e. no updates), it's possible that you may become more susceptible to cyber attacks, you may not be able to run some software in the future (not just big and major stuff) and performance might be a bit in the dumps, but if you need it, you need it. Add an old copy of Office (if you need it) and a web browser and you'll probably hold up alright for a while.

That is the easiest solution besides some other more intricate (from slight to quite) solutions, e.g. Windows XP mode (which basically is virtualisation), Virtual PC (ditto, separate package), dual-booting (slightly messy to set up)...

If you never need to carry work and play with you together, you could consider setting up XP on a dedicated machine (viz. isolated from the internet), but if you need to carry work and play with you that could be a real inconvenience.

Note that if you purchased a fairly new laptop pre-installed with Win 7, you may need to do some scouting (or go without) for appropriate hardware drivers if you install XP. For gaming, of particular interest to you will probably just be sound and graphics drivers.