Smart Buyer
  • Shop On NeweggBusiness
  • Categories
    • Buying Guides
    • Components
    • DIY and How-to
    • Industry Trends
    • NetSec
    • Networking
    • Storage
    • Systems – PC & Laptop
    • Windows
  • About
  • Why NeweggBusiness?
  • Contact Us
Top Posts
PC Cooling: How to Set up Computer Case...
5 Ways to Stream from PC to TV...
How to Choose the Correct RAM Upgrade
How to Troubleshoot a PC Power Supply
Four Apps that Make Your Tablet a Second...
2019 Solid State Drive (SSD) Buying Guide
6 Reasons Your PC is Slow and How...
How-to Guide: Small Office Network Setup
Born in the USA: Computer Hardware Made in...
Computer Monitor Buying Guide 2019

Smart Buyer

  • Shop On NeweggBusiness
  • Categories
    • Buying Guides
    • Components
    • DIY and How-to
    • Industry Trends
    • NetSec
    • Networking
    • Storage
    • Systems – PC & Laptop
    • Windows
  • About
  • Why NeweggBusiness?
  • Contact Us

With support for Windows® XP ended seven months ago for enterprise customers, we must ask. Are you still using Windows XP? If so, your organization will continue to be at risk of security threats such as Heartbleed or Shellshock. Now is the time to migrate over to a newer and faster—but more importantly, still supported—operating system (OS), such as Windows 7. Before you start formatting your hard drive however, we have a few tips that will make upgrading a more streamlined process.

Be sure your system can run the version of Windows you want to use.

Before purchasing a new copy of Windows, you should check if your PC can run it. You may end up discovering that the computer does not meet the minimum system requirements. Thankfully, Microsoft provides free advisor tools that check your PC for compatibility.

There are two different upgrade advisor tools, one for Windows 7 and another for Windows 8. Generally, if your system can run Windows 8 it can run Windows 7. If the program has determined your system can support a newer version of Windows, it’s time to upgrade. If not, perhaps it is time to recycle your old system and purchase a new desktop or laptop.

Make transferring files to a new Windows installation easier with free tools.

Upgrading from Windows XP will unfortunately require a fresh install, so the hard drive will need to be formatted. To avoid permanently losing your documents and settings, you can use the Microsoft Windows Easy Transfer tool or Laplink PCmover Express.

Once you have downloaded the program, follow the onscreen directions to back up your user profiles and documents. At the end of the process, you will be asked if you want to password protect the newly created archive. Once your backup files have been created, you will need to move them onto external storage such as a USB flash drive, hard drive, or optical media.

If you don’t have any external storage options, you can also utilize online cloud storage to transfer your backup data. Just be wary of data limits and understand that backing up and downloading your archives may take a bit longer than if you were using physical media.

Install Windows XP on a virtual machine—just in case.

If you have programs that could not make the transition over to the new Windows due to compatibility issues, you may want to install Windows XP in a virtual machine. Windows 7 includes a Windows XP compatibility mode, but that feature has some limitations. Windows 8 does not have a built-in compatibility mode, but it gives users the ability to create a virtual machine. A virtual machine is a simulated computer that can run as an application within the actual operating system. You will also need a copy of Windows XP as well as a product key for it.

There are several ways you can go about creating a virtual machine, but the two most popular methods are VirtualBox and Client Hyper-V. Please note that Client Hyper-V is available for Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise installations. After you install the virtual machine program of your choice, you will need to insert the Windows XP disc into the optical drive and then install as you normally would.

So why are you still using Windows XP? If cost is part of the reason, be aware that staying on Windows XP can have more financial risk as security updates will no longer be released for it. If you follow the tips above, you will find yourself not missing a beat in your transition away from XP.

If you have migrated away from XP, which operating system are you using now and what do you think of it?

 

Photo by Richard Harrison, taken from Flickr Creative Commons.
Wallace Chu

Wallace Chu

A self-professed tech hipster that loves computers and music. Uses an iPhone ironically.

More Posts - Google Plus

operating systemsoftwareWindows
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +PinterestEmail
Wallace Chu
Wallace Chu

A self-professed tech hipster that loves computers and music. Uses an iPhone ironically.

previous post
The Most Recommended Computer Keyboard for IT Users Goes to…
next post
Meet Sprout From HP: an All-in-One 3-D Printer, Scanner, and Design Station

Related Posts

How to Plan Your Windows 7 to Windows...

January 31, 2019

Should You Disable Windows 10 Telemetry?

October 9, 2018

Tech Talk: Tips for SMBs Purchasing Microsoft Licensing

August 29, 2018

DaaS Boot: Does Microsoft Want to Commandeer Business...

August 23, 2018

Slow Laptop Fix? 3 Windows Configurations to Try...

November 7, 2016

Is It Already Time to Buy Windows Server...

September 27, 2016

Windows 10 Subscription Announcement without the Buzzwords

July 14, 2016

Botched Intro for Windows 10 Anniversary Update is...

June 28, 2016

The Seven Types of Windows 10 Holdouts

June 9, 2016

Microsoft Office through the Years

September 14, 2015

What's your take? Cancel reply

Subscribe

Savings Spotlight
  • 1

    PC Cooling: How to Set up Computer Case Fans

    September 25, 2015
  • 2

    5 Ways to Stream from PC to TV or Digital Display

    May 23, 2016
  • 3

    How to Choose the Correct RAM Upgrade

    April 28, 2015
  • 4

    How to Troubleshoot a PC Power Supply

    July 11, 2018
  • 5

    Four Apps that Make Your Tablet a Second Monitor

    January 9, 2018
  • 6

    2019 Solid State Drive (SSD) Buying Guide

    December 6, 2018
  • 7

    6 Reasons Your PC is Slow and How to Fix It

    February 28, 2019
  • 8

    How-to Guide: Small Office Network Setup

    December 20, 2018
  • 9

    Born in the USA: Computer Hardware Made in America

    September 27, 2018
  • 10

    Computer Monitor Buying Guide 2019

    January 4, 2019

Newegg + Business

How is this different from Newegg.com?

Why NeweggBusiness?
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Email