Latest news with #WindowsXP
Engadget
3 days ago
- Engadget
What are my options when Windows 10 support ends on October 14?
Q : I'm hearing that Microsoft is pulling the plug on Windows 10 later this year. What does that mean for my current Windows 10 PC, and what are my options? A: Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, a little over 10 years after the operating system was released. While you can continue to use Windows 10 PCs after that date — and it's understandable why, I gave it a glowing review at launch — you'll no longer receive any customer support, security updates or any other sort of upgrades. Windows 10 will effectively become a zombie operating system, shuffling along until some sort of malware or massive security breach renders it far too insecure. (Think about it this way: Would you actually feel safe running Windows XP, a notoriously malware-prone OS that hasn't received a significant security update since 2019, today? I would hope not!) So what's a Windows 10 user to do? Let's consider your choices. The best option: Upgrade to Windows 11 For most users, the simplest way to move on from Windows 10 is to step up to Microsoft's new OS. Windows 11 is a free upgrade for Windows 10 users running the latest 22HS update and who also meet the minimum hardware specifications. Microsoft isn't asking for much — just a 1 GHz dual-core 64-bit processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage -— but security requirements may be a problem for very old PCs. Those include the ability to launch in Secure Boot mode, as well as having a TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform 2.0) module. Windows 11 relies on the latter for biometric logins, BitLocker data encryption and other security features. If you don't have TPM 2.0, you'll be stuck with Windows 10 until you get a new PC. ) If that all sounds too complicated, Microsoft's PC Health Check app can also let you know if your system is ready for Windows 11. And if you've been bombarded by Windows 11 upgrade notifications over the past few years, that's also a not-so-subtle nudge that your PC is likely ready for the new OS. (There are various hacks that can let you install Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, but they're risky and could make your OS installation vulnerable. If you do choose to upgrade, you can expect a relatively painless process. Gone are the days when a Windows upgrade could easily wipe out your entire system. Assuming you've got enough hard drive space to hold the new OS, now the upgrade process is merely a matter of sitting back and watching your system reboot a few times. I'd still recommend backing up any essential data before upgrading, though, just in case you run into any issues. (Pairing a cloud-based Microsoft OneDrive backup with a local hard disk is a good belt and suspenders solution.) The pricey option: Buy a new PC If your system is too old to support Secure Boot mode and TPM 2.0, it's probably just time for an upgrade. (Expert users can find workarounds on YouTube and elsewhere, but you need to be adventurous enough to handle the likes of Github downloads and security overrides.) Luckily, we've got a slew of buying guides to help you out. Be sure to check out our best laptop guide, which includes some tips on the best specs to seek out, as well as some of our favorite systems like the Dell 14 Premium and MacBook Air (because it's also a good time to consider switching from Windows to Macs). Our best Windows laptops guide also highlights systems like the ASUS ZenBook S14 and the Surface Pro Copilot+ tablet. While the sweetspot for new PCs tends to be in the $750 to $1,200 range, with current back-to-school promos, you can find very capable laptops and desktops for as low as $500, and occasionally less. But if you're looking for something higher end ($1,400 and up), our best gaming laptop guide would be helpful. The risky option: Keep on trucking with Windows 10 Windows 10 won't self-destruct when its support ends, so you could conceivably just use your older PC until it dies. But that's a risky option since you won't be getting any security updates. All it takes is for one intrepid hacker to find a new security flaw and you could easily fall victim to any number of issues. That includes getting malware, which could slow down performance and leak your data to hackers, or falling victim to a ransomware data theft scheme. And every day past October 14 just raises the likelihood of OS-level vulnerabilities that third-party antivirus software would be ill-equipped to fight off. Trust me – you don't want to do this. At the very least, buy yourself another year to figure things out If your hardware can't support the move to Windows 11, you can at least hit the snooze button while you figure things out. For a one-time payment of $30 (or 1,000 Microsoft reward points), you can subscribe to the Windows 10 extended security update (ESU). As its name implies, the ESU will get you Windows 10 security updates, bug fixes and technical support until October 13, 2026. Sure, it's only a year of additional support, but that can at least buy you enough time to do more research on a new PC, or wait for a holiday sale. For what it's worth, this marks the first time Microsoft has offered any sort of ESU to consumers. Typically, they're just a way for corporate IT admins to get additional support without migrating to a new OS. Have a tech question you'd like Engadget to answer? As tech reporters, the Engadget staff is always answering questions from friends and family about electronics, software, gaming, big tech policies and more. So we decided to write down our answers. This question is a composite of ones we've been asked recently. If you've got a tech-related question you'd like us to answer for you, please email ask@ If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Get over the nostalgic Windows Ugly Sweaters, Windows XP crocs are now a thing
A few years after making it onto those nostalgic Windows sweaters, the rolling green hills and puffy white clouds that graced millions of desktops back in the day are now getting the $80 Crocs treatment, because apparently foam shoes seemed like the logical next step. What better way for Microsoft to celebrate its 50 years of existence? That Bliss photograph, snapped in Sonoma County back in 1998, might just be the most viewed image in human history, so why not slap it on some rubber shoes? The $80 limited-edition clogs feature those iconic rolling green hills and puffy white clouds, with the blue sky covering the top while green soles mimic the grassy fields. Each pair comes loaded with six nostalgic Jibbitz charms including the MSN butterfly logo, Internet Explorer icon, a mouse pointer, and yes, everyone's favorite (or most dreaded) digital assistant Clippy. There's even a matching drawstring bag sporting the Bliss design, just in case people couldn't tell you were representing Windows XP hard enough. The Verge says that Microsoft employees will get first dibs on preorders before the worldwide launch hits, continuing the company's tradition of quirky anniversary merchandise. Remember those Windows ugly sweaters? The Minesweeper one? The Clippy holiday special? This is just the natural evolution of Microsoft's commitment to turning operating system nostalgia into wearable art. Whether you lived through the Windows XP era or just appreciate that peak early-2000s aesthetic, these Crocs are either the perfect conversation starter or the ultimate cry for help. Either way, they'll probably sell out faster than you can say "It looks like you're trying to buy shoes."
Android Authority
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
These $80 Windows XP Crocs just made me desperate for Android footwear
Techradar TL;DR Microsoft has created Windows XP Crocs as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The custom footwear features a sky blue design with grassy green soles that mimic the conic Bliss wallpaper from the XP era. All I want is for Google to make Android Crocs a thing! Microsoft just did the unthinkable and made Windows XP cool again after almost 25 years. The software giant has released a pair of Windows XP-inspired Crocs, and now, all I can think of is how cool it would be if Google made some Android Crocs! You can buy Android Croc charms from the Google Store, but a fully custom-designed pair of Crocs would be so cool, just like these Windows XP ones. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Microsoft has gone full nostalgia mode with a limited-edition pair of Windows XP-themed Crocs. The shoes feature a sky blue design with grassy green soles that mimic the iconic Bliss wallpaper from the XP era. If that's not enough, each pair of Windows XP Crocs also comes with a six-pack of Microsoft charms, including the MSN logo, Internet Explorer icon, Clippy, and a good old-fashioned mouse pointer. The Verge first reported on the nostalgic footwear, and TechRadar confirmed that the Crocs are very real. Looks like Microsoft employees are getting first dibs via preorder before the rest of the world can clog a pair. The Windows XP Crocs are $80 and even come with a matching Bliss drawstring backpack. I love Microsoft, but I can't help wanting my own Android pair for obvious reasons. I have a whole collection of Android pins collected painstakingly from Mobile World Congress over the years. I even use some of them as earrings once in a while. But now, all I want is Android Crocs. Picture a bright green shoe with little bugdroids across the strap, charms shaped like old Nexus phones, the original Android robot logo, and maybe even a scannable QR code. Make the Android Crocs happen, Google, for the nostalgia, for the pins, and for my feet. Article body continued Follow
The Verge
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Microsoft's Windows XP Crocs are no joke
Microsoft isn't done celebrating its 50th anniversary just yet. Multiple employees tell me that Microsoft has created limited edition Windows XP-themed Crocs. They even come with a Clippy shoe charm if the Bliss wallpaper on your feet wasn't enough 50-year nostalgia. The anniversary edition Crocs are currently available for preorder for Microsoft employees, who 'get first dibs' ahead of a 'worldwide launch,' I'm told. The $80 pair of Crocs include a six-pack of Microsoft Jibbitz that you can attach to your shoes, with nostalgic options like the original MSN logo, the Internet Explorer icon, Clippy, and a mouse pointer. On top the Crocs feature the iconic blue sky and clouds from the Windows XP wallpaper, with a green sole to mimic the grass. The photograph of the rolling hills and blue skies of California was initially a stock photo before Microsoft acquired the rights and used it as the default wallpaper for millions of Windows XP users. It could be the most viewed photograph in the world, making it an instantly recognizable image for many. You'll also get a Bliss drawstring backpack to wear, just in case onlookers were unclear if your footwear was the Windows XP wallpaper or not. Hopefully each pair won't smell like a dusty beige PC and Internet Explorer doesn't automatically install once you're wearing them. I asked Microsoft about its Windows XP Crocs, but the company refused to comment. I'm expecting to see an official announcement in the coming days. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Tom Warren Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Exclusive Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Features Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Microsoft Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Report Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
The Sun
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Ukraine and Belarus hackers disrupt Aeroflot flights in cyberattack
MOSCOW: Ukrainian and Belarusian hacker groups have claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Russia's national airline Aeroflot, causing significant flight disruptions. The attack, which targeted Aeroflot's IT systems, led to the grounding of at least 64 flights on Monday and the cancellation of 14 more scheduled for Tuesday. Russia's state prosecutor's office confirmed the incident as a 'hacking attack,' launching a criminal investigation. Aeroflot described the issue as a 'breakdown in the IT system,' though passengers reported widespread cancellations. 'We've already arrived at the airport and found out that the flight has been cancelled,' said Mikhail, a stranded traveler at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. 'This is not the first flight cancelled in July for us. It's sad, it's impossible to plan business trips.' The Ukrainian hacking group Silent Crow and Belarusian Cyber Partisans jointly claimed responsibility. 'We announce the successful completion of a long-term and large-scale operation that resulted in the complete compromise and destruction of the internal IT infrastructure of Aeroflot,' they stated. Cyber Partisans highlighted weak security measures, alleging that Aeroflot's CEO Sergei Alexandrovsky had not updated his password since 2022. The group also accused the airline of relying on outdated software, including Windows XP and Windows 2003. The hackers suggested they might release personal data of Aeroflot passengers, though Russia's cybersecurity watchdog Roskomnadzor has not confirmed any breach. Aeroflot assured passengers that it was 'working to restore normal operation as quickly as possible,' noting that most flights remained on schedule. The Kremlin expressed concern, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, 'We will, of course, clarify the information and wait for an appropriate explanation.' The incident adds to growing tensions over cyberwarfare, with Ukraine and its allies accusing Russia of state-backed hacking campaigns. Earlier this month, Europol dismantled a pro-Russian hacking group linked to thousands of attacks against Ukraine and its supporters. - AFP
