Count me in as one of the dinosaurs because I still use XP and don't want to change. Hubby says that I can continue to use it, but without updates. And yes, it does run slow. I do get tired of these big companies and their greediness. We don't buy new machines, my hubby builds ours, so we will have to buy the software if it ever becomes affordable. Never probably.

Well PatriceJ, I am also rolling with the dinosaurs. I had Window"98 on my previous computer and had no problems with it after many years after Microsoft pulled the plug. XP is the best operating system Microsoft ever developed. Every new release has had many problem they sweated to get fixed. Maybe with a new CEO, they will realize it is valuable to keep us dinosaurs safe. How else do you think they are going to make any money?? Not from me.

I thought they discontinued support on XP a long time ago. I loved my XP but eventually got a new one with Win7 it is ok, I hate Win8 which my husband has and refuse to learn that. I read the other day that HP is going to offer their computers again with Win7, if you are interested in a HP.

I too used my XP until it was almost on it's last gasp. I had a brand new laptop that was given to me for my BD in 2012 for my 80th. I just let it sit, all that time, but this year, I had to find out how to use 7, whether I wanted to or not. There are many things about it that I am not crazy about and make life more difficult than need be, but I guess 8 is even much worse and even the tech savvy don't like it much. Guess they have to make them obsolete to sell new ones. The PITTS!

The office I work in, just upgraded our computers, I asked why we had to...Large Expense...the computer tech told me when Microsoft quits supporting XP, it will be a free for all for HACKERS, VIRUS's....etc

. Same here with me...and because I just love the system. Powers that be say you can continue with XP if you keep it protected with good security ware...it will be usable for quite a long time. The newer OS's win7 & 8 will run some of the emb softwares if the processor is 32 bit (64 bit you're outta luck)...at least PE Design will still work. I have hoarded laptops with XP and I plan to just use for my embroidery...OFF LINE. I won't have to worry about virus and hacking!

I, too, will continue to use XP. My computer technician tells me that I can still use it without the updates, just keep my anti-virus and malware up to date.

I still have a PC with XP, I did like it a lot, I also have one with Vista and a Lap Top with W7 and now I have a Lap Top with W8, I have had no problems learning about it. There are tutorials that will help you, also just google it and you will find all the answers. If yo use a smart phone it is not much difference. If you don't stay up with the changes it is harder to understand. New PC's are so much faster now. As long as I can do what is necessary for me to do I am ok with it. I think PC's are like life, it just gets more added on and harder to handle sometimes, we just have to keep up with it as we go, lol.....good luck with the changes.

***
*** Ditto here.
*** Have a Dell with XP (bought Sept. 2006) and love it, but
*** Slow, slow, slow.
***
*** Keeping it cause I can't afford any thing else (SS does not stretch any further).
***

Through the years I have had at least a half dozen different Windows. So far the XP has been the best one for me. It was the easiest to learn and navigate and it loaded info before I released the mouse clicker. But these last 3 weeks it has been frustrating as heck. 20 to 30 minutes to be able to open any mail after turning it on in the morning. - it feels like dial-up would be faster. And my son the computer wizard has moved back to Ohio so I have no idea how to reprogram to the next best windows program and keep all the old programs-bookmarks and files etc etc . So now what do I do ? And how do I do it ? I have not found that ''new and improved'' is always an ''improvement''