Bye Bye XP?

[BOAC]

As that moment approaches, can someone explain to me what will happen to my XP installed programmes which I run under Win7 if I remove the XP OS from my drive? Do I need to re-install all these on Win7?

Does the 'Run as XP' option require the XP OS? I guess it will need the XP registry?

As a 'supplementary', is there an option to continue with XP on my machine but with internet access disabled for it (XP) or will it still be 'vulnerable'?

I have run the virtualisation detection tool but it tells me I do not 'have the necessary permissions to access the item'. As per the M$ page, do I need to download and install Windows XP Mode, and Windows Virtual PC?

[mixture]

can someone explain to me what will happen to my XP installed programmes which I run under Win7 if I remove the XP OS from my drive? Do I need to re-install all these on Win7?

I'm confused, how exactly are you planning to remove XP from your drive and yet not remove your programs or data ?

Does the 'Run as XP' option require the XP OS? I guess it will need the XP registry?

Of course not. Everything that function needs is built into Windows 7/8.

As a 'supplementary', is there an option to continue with XP on my machine but with internet access disabled for it (XP) or will it still be 'vulnerable'?

Only in a truly and permanently disabled form... i.e. it will never, ever be connected to a network cable or WiFi hotspot ever again.

You of course would also need to ensure you don't infect it via indirect vectors (e.g. plugging USB sticks in).

Basically, the only place for XP is the bin.

[henry_crun]

Basically, the only place for XP is the bin.

I've been trying to tell our local library that for the past year. They are still using it. No doubt our local authority is too. Okay until things go wrong...........

[BOAC]

I'm confused, how exactly are you planning to remove XP from your drive and yet not remove your programs or data ?

- you really are an old grump, aren't you?

Answer - by deleting the Windows folder?

[mixture]

- you really are an old grump, aren't you?

Not really, only when it comes to XP clinger-ons.

Answer - by deleting the Windows folder?

Aah... well, you didn't make that bit at all clear. So basically you're turning it into an external hard drive with your old files on it. Which is fine... as long as you don't connect it to an XP machine !

You will of course break your software at the same time as Windows, but you knew that I guess.

But really, if I were you, I'd look at a clean migration to 7 or 8. And then only move accross files you really need, and install software from scratch.

[lomapaseo]

I can safely predict that millions will go on operating XP for years on the internet.

Nothing will be said that can stop this

Are there some browsers in the works that can sense XP and block their internet function.

How about FTP programs as well?

Be afraid

[Lone_Ranger]

Funny how for years now Win versions have gone ..good version-bad, version-good version, bad version etc. win 2000 was good, windows millenium was crap, xp was good, vista was crap win 7 was good, win 8 is crap

[BOAC]

and install software from scratch.

- I don't think you have quite understood the question. I have no intention of using XP after 6 April (unless extended), am happily running W7, but I have several little progs collected over the years without install files any more, and would like to continue to use them. I do not understand enough about the 'install' process, and yes, my 'external drive' as it will become has these progs 'installed' on it - in the registry? Thus I do not comprehend "You will of course break your software at the same time as Windows". Your statement "Of course not. Everything that function needs is built into Windows 7/8." appears totally contradictory.

I have assumed that the XP based progs require dll's and the like to run. If I delete the XP OS, they go too, do they not, so the question is what can I do?

[ExSp33db1rd]

win 8 is crap

Yes, roll on 9.

Win 97 was OK, too. IIABDFI

[vulcanised]

only when it comes to XP clinger-ons.

and it often sounds like an obsession bordering on hysteria.

What if it turns out to be another Y2K, a marketing ploy?

[mixture]

What if it turns out to be another Y2K, a marketing ploy?

(a) Y2K wasn't a marketing ploy, the effort spent resolved issues before they became issues.

(b) XP becoming obsolete is certainly not something to joke about. It is absolutely not a good idea to be running XP after April, that's a fact backed up by much evidence.

[BOAC]

Is there anyone who understands the architecture of running XP programmes in Windows7 please; do I need to retain the Windows (XP) folder, and are there any risks involved in retaining the XP OS on my drive in order to do so if I do not connect to the internet with it?

Is the answer a VM?

[Saab Dastard]

BOAC,

Your question still lacks adequate information. Are you talking about a dual-boot environment?

It depends on whether the applications were installed through / under Win 7 or not. If they were, then the presence or absence of XP is irrelevant (unless you specifically chose to install them into a Windows XP system folder!!).

By install, I mean to create registry entries and / or locate application files in the Windows directory structure.

If they were installed under XP, but accessible to Win 7 using the XP executables / binaries, then removing XP will prevent them from working with Win 7. However, I wouldn't expect many such applications to function properly.

Any application whose installation process is simply to place an executable file (and ancillary files) elsewhere on the disk (without modifying the registry or the Windows directory) will be accessible to any Windows OS with access to that disk (16 / 32 / 64-bit compatibility allowing).

SD

[BOAC]

If they were installed under XP, but accessible to Win 7 using the XP executables / binaries,

- yes, as per post 1? I thought that was clear - "my XP installed programmes which I run under Win7". Yes it is dual-boot but will not be post 6/4.

wouldn't expect many such applications to function properly.

- all so far do. I have yet to have a 'failure'. All sorts of useful little utilities culled even from W2000 days and probably earlier.

Any application whose installation process is simply to place an executable file (and ancillary files) elsewhere on the disk (without modifying the registry or the Windows directory) will be accessible to any Windows OS with access to that disk (16 / 32 / 64-bit compatibility allowing).

- I cannot see I have a snowball's chance in hell of finding that out over all the years. So, I would appreciate answers from someone to

and are there any risks involved in retaining the XP OS on my drive in order to do so if I do not connect to the internet with it?

Is the answer a VM?

(without frightening mixture, of course.

[le Pingouin]

The point is if you can run them from within Win7 now then the presence or absence of WinXP is immaterial as they're self contained and running without reference to the OS they were installed under. They weren't installed under Win7 so Win7 can have no "knowledge" of file locations and settings. The programs themselves are providing that information when they run.

For starters look at the directory they're installed in (as in where does the shortcut you run them with point) - they most likely have their own directory that contains all the files needed. It's much like the current day "portable" installations where you can run software "installed" on a flash drive.

I doubt leaving WinXP intact but unused will pose much of a danger because trying to run anything from it under Win7 will fail (wrong registry, wrong files and everything in the wrong place).

[mixture]

do I need to retain the Windows (XP) folder, and are there any risks involved in retaining the XP OS on my drive in order to do so if I do not connect to the internet with it?

The issue only arises when you boot XP and connect it to the internet.

Preferably you should be looking to achieve both, since in its disconnected state XP will soon start to show signs of obsolescence (bugs etc.).

As mentioned above, if you effectively turn the XP drive into "just another" external/internal hard drive by killing off its ability to boot (e.g. removing CWindows as you previously mentioned), then you can just adopt the security posture as you would any other filesystem under your Windows 7/8 machine.

I think the confusion from me (and it seems others here) was your mention of
"XP installed programmes "...... kill your ability to boot XP and you'll kill those programs too.

If on the other hand you're talking about "Run as XP" in 7/8 then just install them in 7/8 and use them there.

[BOAC]

They weren't installed under Win7 so Win7 can have no "knowledge" of file locations and settings. The programs themselves are providing that information when they run.

- thanks Ping - therein lies the problem - does Win7 call on the XP OS to track down the dlls via the registry and so on?

Leaving the OS in place may well be the choice (poor Mixture....) but I would have thought a VM would be a better and safer option. Otherwise how to ENSURE that no internet access reaches any part of XP?

[le Pingouin]

It's dual boot. Neither OS knows anything about the other. You have it configured so Win7 can access the filesystem that WinXP is installed on but all it sees is a collection of files, not an OS. WinXP isn't running in any way shape or form and the WinXP registry isn't accessed as Win7 doesn't even know it exists.

You can't run WinXP inside Win7 like that. With dual boot it's one or the other. If you never boot into WinXP again there is no risk.

[Saab Dastard]

does Win7 call on the XP OS to track down the dlls via the registry and so on?

Absolutely not.

If - as you claim - all these applications installed under XP still work under 7, why do you need to run XP at all (in the sense of being able to boot into it)?

Why do you need to even contemplate running XP "in a VM"?

There is zero threat if you have old XP executable, system files etc. hanging around wasting disk space if you don't boot into it.

Easiest way to see if all your old gubbins still work is to rename the XP Windows directory to something else - from within Win 7, obviously. If everything works, then the applications don't need anything in the Windows directory and you can just delete it, lock stock and barrel.

SD

[BOAC]

If - as you claim - all these applications installed under XP still work under 7, why do you need to run XP at all (in the sense of being able to boot into it)?

- aha! Back to my original question! No, I did not suggest 'booting into it' by the way.

Why do you need to even contemplate running XP "in a VM"?

- seemed like an option? (Thinking of Mixture's ulcer.....)

There is zero threat if you have old XP executable, system files etc. hanging around wasting disk space if you don't boot into it.

- good stuff

Easiest way to see if all your old gubbins still work is to rename the XP Windows directory to something else - from within Win 7, obviously. If everything works, then the applications don't need anything in the Windows directory and you can just delete it, lock stock and barrel.

- yup, a simple solution indeed. Will try.