End of Life: MSE on XP and PM4XP

[Corrine]

Although it would be ideal if everyone who is still using Windows XP was able to replace it with a new computer, there are those who are just not in a financial position to purchase a new computer. Then there are those like a friend's father who absolutely refuses to replace his Windows XP computer since it still works for him to check his email. Not everyone is after the latest gadget or is computer security minded, especially when the computer is not something they use day in and day out.

So, for those people stuck with Windows XP for whatever reason:

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MSE:

If you are still using Microsoft Security Essentials on your Windows XP computer, definition updates will end tomorrow, July 14, 2015. From Microsoft antimalware support for Windows XP:

Microsoft has announced the Windows XP end of support date of April 8, 2014. After this date, Windows XP will no longer be a supported operating system*. To help organizations complete their migrations, Microsoft will continue to provide updates to our antimalware signatures and engine for Windows XP users through July 14, 2015.

Following is a selection of some free A/V software programs. I have not used any of them so cannot say how effective they are.

• Avast -- Beware: Download link from Avast website redirects to download.com which is notorious for including unwanted add-ons (PUPs).
• AVG FREE 2015 | Free Antivirus & Malware Protection -- Beware: Download link from AVG website redirects to download.com which is notorious for including unwanted add-ons (PUPs).
• Avira Free Antivirus - Download the best free antivirus software
• Free Antivirus Software - Download Bitdefender Antivirus Free
• Outpost Security Suite FREE

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PM4XP

Also reaching end-of-life tomorrow is the specific XP builds of the main-line version of Pale Moon (PM4XP). As explained by Moonchild in End of support for PM4XP

July 14th, 2015 marks the official end of support for the last retail versions of Windows based on the NT 5 kernel (it is the EoL date for Windows Server 2003).
As such, PM4XP, the specialized XP build of Pale Moon maintained by Binary Outcast, will discontinue, and after the final update that will be served today or tomorrow will no longer be maintained.

However, users of PM4XP can replace it with the Atom/WinXP build of Pale Moon which will continue supporting Windows XP and is available from here: Pale Moon Atom/WinXP builds.

 

[Aura]

Here Corrine. AV-Test have a small table listing pretty much every Antivirus products and their stance on Windows XP (whether they support it or not, and if yes, for how long).

The End Is Nigh for Windows XP: These Anti-Virus Software Products Will Continue to Protect XP after the End of Support | AV-TEST

This could help some decide of what Antivirus they have the choice to go with as well (and for how long).

 

[Corrine]

Thanks, Aura. According to that AV-Test report from 2014, most A/V's will support Windows XP until 2016, with Avira the exception, as indicated at Avira Product Lifecycle:

Microsoft Windows XP (Professional Edition, Professional 64 Bit Edition, Home Edition, Tablet PC Edition). Support until 08.04.2015
Engine and signatures updates for the products running on Windows XP, Support until 08.04.2016

 

[Wrench97]

Would you believe the emission inspection machines(used for automotive inspections here in Pennsylvania) run on OS/2 warp for the old dyno and Windows 2000 for the newer OBD II machine..............................

 

[Jared]

Would you believe the emission inspection machines(used for automotive inspections here in Pennsylvania) run on OS/2 warp for the old dyno and Windows 2000 for the newer OBD II machine..............................

I'll be honest, I'm not surprised.

 

[x BlueRobot]

I'm surprised that avast! has a mirror on download.com, why not use their own servers?

 

[Aura]

AVG does as well. I think there's avast! Free download links around that are from their own servers but they aren't easy to find. And most likely to make money out of it.