Windows XP home users should upgrade to Linux -- not Windows 8.1

Beta News ^ | 30 January 2014 | Brian Fagioli

[ShadowAce]

The Windows XP death clock is ticking away. While Microsoft has extended support for malware protection, do not be fooled -- XP will be officially unsupported on April 8. If Microsoft has its druthers, these XP users will upgrade to Windows 8 and maybe even buy a new computer.

However, there is a problem with this -- the Windows 8 UI is radically different from XP and people do not like change (especially people clinging to an operating system from 2001). Also, they may not need to buy a new computer, because their existing is probably fast enough... for Linux!

Yes, Linux is far less intensive than the arguably bloated Windows. And so, if a user wants a supported operating system that should work well on their existing, but aging hardware, a Linux-based OS may be the best choice. The problem is, what distribution should a user choose? What software is available? No worries, I'm here to help.

Introduction

First things first, what exactly is Linux? Well, technically Linux is a kernel -- not an operating system, but an aspect of one. However, there are operating systems, called distributions, that utilize that kernel. It was invented by a man named Linus Torvalds in 1991. Yes, Linux is hardly new -- it has a long history and a large user and developer base.

It is used in many things such as web servers and even Android phones. Believe it or not, if you own an Android phone, you are already a Linux user and probably didn't even know it -- nice job! Don't confuse this to mean that Linux distributions will run Android apps, they are not exactly compatible.

Why

So, why should you switch from your comfortable Windows XP operating system to a Linux one? Besides Windows XP support ending on April 8, here are some other compelling reasons:

• Linux-based operating systems are less likely to get viruses.
• Software can be easier to find and install.
• Both the operating system and software are free.
• There is a large community on the internet available to help you.
• You get to learn something new.

Backup

Before you do anything, I urge you to backup your files -- pictures, documents and anything that is important to you. You can do this a number of ways, but the easiest is to use a fat-formatted flash drive or external hard drive. You can copy the files back once the new operating system is installed

User Interface / Environment

Before you can pick a distribution, you must decide on an environment. You see, many distributions come in various "flavors", which offer different environments or user interfaces. Let's be honest, if you are still on Windows XP, you probably do not like change. With that said, the ideal environment for an XP user would be KDE, Mate or Cinnamon -- all of which resemble the classic Windows Start button philosophy.

However, my suggestion would be the Mate environment. While KDE and Cinnamon are great, they are likely too intensive for an older XP machine. Mate is a lightweight desktop environment that isn't flashy. It is easy to use and a Windows XP user should feel very comfortable with it.

Distribution

So, which distribution do I suggest? Linux Mint 13 LTS Mate. What is nice about this operating system is that it is LTS, meaning Long Term Release. What does that mean? Well, it will be supported until April 2017. This means you will have access to updates and support for many years. You will not be on the bleeding edge, but you will be very stable.

Most importantly, it is based on the popular Ubuntu distribution, which is a rock-solid foundation with access to a lot of software (packages). It is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit processors as well. You can download the operating system and user guide here. Please follow the guide to install it.

 Software

OK, so let's assume you've successfully installed Linux Mint by following the user guide. Now what? You want to install Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer right? Not so fast there. All of your favorite Windows programs are not here. Don't panic though, there are plenty of fine alternatives that are not only great, they are free. Yes, you will no longer need to purchase software for your super-cool Linux computer. Below are some suggested programs and the Windows equivalent.

• Firefox -- Web browser (use instead of Internet Explorer)
• LibreOffice -- Office suite (use instead of Microsoft Office)
• VLC -- Media player (use instead of Windows Media Player)
• Shotwell -- Photo manager (use instead of Picasa)

That is just a small sampling of what is available. There is a cornucopia of programs available in the Software Center. This is much like the app store that can be found on modern smartphones. You can search for, install and remove software using this one-stop-shop. This is unlike Windows which makes you search all over the internet, at various sites, to get programs. Not only is that time consuming, it can put you at risk of malware too.

Speaking of malware, Linux can be considered, for the most part, free of things like viruses. While some viruses do exist, they are few and far between. Besides, whenever you install something in Linux, you are prompted for your system password. If you do not know what is being installed, do not enter your password.

Conclusion

So, congratulations, your computer is now supported until 2017 and it cost you nothing. You have a powerful operating system that is chock full of useful software and is less likely to get viruses. You should be proud of yourself. While Microsoft may have lost a Windows sale, you now have extra money in your wallet -- take a loved one out to dinner, courtesy of this BetaNews guide.

[angryoldfatman]

Dang, who’s got XP anymore.

LOL! You're funny.

I'd like to see you try and take my wife's XP laptop away.

Say, is your organ donor card signed? How's your pancreas? Just curious.

[Jeff Chandler]

You’re not alone.

[angryoldfatman]

Mint is a pretty good substitute for Windows XP when it comes to the unsophisticated user who has older hardware.

Somebody who only does Facebook, Twitter, solitaire, and/or e-mail and has gotten accustomed to nearly 20-year-old icon/desktop Windows interface will take to Mint easily and quickly. ESPECIALLY if they learn they can get it and use it FOR FREE, no strings attached.

[struggle]

I got a laptop without a hard drive and bought a 16 gig flag drive and installed Linux Slax wear. It’s an awesome and very small OS. I’m seriously considering dumping my Windows 7 OS desktop for Linux as well

[NewHampshireDuo]

My XP Pro machine (love it) is now off line. Anything connected is with a separate machine running Mint 16. I also have a Win 7 Pro PC with Mint and my “no Linux equivalent” Windows applications running under Wine.

Except for two ham radio programs that have to have Windows, I can be pretty much Windows free.

[gura]

I like crunchbang:

[libbylu]

So happy to read that. I bought Windows 7 pro 4 years ago, was not compatible with my work although techs had said it would be. Had to go back to XP. Still on IE7 which I only use for work.

[gura]

At some point there was one guy who was the last selling whale oil.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I just had 2 computers built and one upgraded to Win 7.

[freeandfreezing]

Good points about keeping old operating systems running - something necessary for many purposes. Another useful approach is to round up some old Windows XP retail media, and "install" it into a virtual machine running on whatever modern OS and hardware you prefer. Then fetch the updates - before Microsoft shuts off support - and save the virtual machine image.

Once you have that configuration working you can re-create your Windows XP system as needed. You can also control how much network access you allow to the VM installation of Windows XP.

[Dalberg-Acton]

I gave my Mom an Averatec laptop several years ago and I suggested we replace XP with Linux. She only uses it for e-mail, face book and solitaire.

The only 32 bit linux disk I had on hand was Ubuntu 9.10, so I booted to the live cd to test out the hardware. Everything worked, so I ran DBAN on the hard disk and installed Ubuntu 9.10. Once that was done, I found out the repositories had nothing to update it, so I downloaded, burned and tried to install Ubuntu 10.04.4 LTS. The install would not finish, but hung up in the middle of the process. I tried Ubuntu 12.04.3 and got the same thing. Then Xubuntu 13.10, same thing.

I switched gears and tried Fedora LXDE v20 and it installed, but insisted the internal WiFi hardware switch was turned off. Went to the trouble of installing “rfkill”, but that was not able to unblock the hardware (RT2500 pci).

Last attempt was Debian 7.2 and it works. Only idiot-synchrocy is when you log out a user and log in again, the WiFi won’t connect and it has to be rebooted.

Total time spent fooling around with all of this was still less than installing XP and all updates from scratch.

[Jeff Chandler]

The patches will continue for Windows 7 and Windows 8. Both of those operating systems share code with XP. All a hacker has to do is analyze the Windows 7 & 8 patches to find exploits they can use on XP, which will not be patched. Ever.

You are wrong in your assertion that there is no profit in hacking XP. XP machines are all over the place, and in incredibly sensitive uses.

Why you should upgrade Windows XP.

Two of my computers run XP and I have already installed Linux Mint on one of them, with the other to follow. Mint is okay. My other computers/devices run Windows 7 or Android. The Mint machines won't be used for anything critical.

[Dalberg-Acton]

I forgot to mention I tried PC Linux OS also. The laptop has an AMD Sempron 2800 CPU, 80 gig HD and 1 gig of RAM.

[ThunderSleeps]

I like the GNU tool chain along with netbeans as an IDE.

[dalereed]

I’m staying with XP, I just went back to it after dumping 7!!

[AlexW]

“There is no need for anyone to upgrade (?) from XP.”
______________________________________________________
I am with you. I have had XP for years. It is on my 6 yr old Toshiba laptop. If I were still a kid I would be into trying new tricks, but I am now too old to do that.
My wife and kid are using a Dell that I took on hock. It has W7, I think. I do not like trying to use it.
I may soon have to replace the hard drive in my old Tosiba. I do not look forward to doing it, but when I do, I will stay with my XP.

[T Ruth]

Thanks for the helpful post.

[TigersEye]

btrl

[rlmorel]

My entire hospital has Windows XP. Upgrading from XP in the medical community has been a challenge because of the many specialized applications that are wedded to Windows XP. It finally began changing in the last several years as vendors realized that time was running out on them.

There is a huge logistical tail involved. We have been trying for a few years to be able to upgrade to Windows 7 64 bit in my department, simply because the memory benefits were huge to the radiologists...we were hogtied performance-wise due to the memory limitations of XP.

But there is a LOT of money that has to be thrown at it throughout the institution.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

The sane way to do things is to get a second computer, pre-loaded and troubleshot with Linux. Then, you gradually migrate you Windows system off the Internet, as your Linux system takes over just that. Thus you have all the goodness of Windows for non-Internet apps, with little risk.

You might even connect the two together, so that your Windows system acts like a peripheral to your Linux system, happily insulated from the Internet.