Why do people still use Windows XP?

[Rainbow Dash]

This really confuses me it's over ten years old. I know there's nothing really wrong with it and you can still use it today but what's wrong with Windows 7? My college still uses XP (except for the art corridor, they have Macs) and it really annoys me :|

I just know I wouldn't still be using Mac OS X Lion in ten years time.

[Digilodger]

Windows 8 is rumored to be coming either late 2012 or early 2013, maybe the end of 2013 at the latest. So some people are waiting for that. Actually, here, take a look at a preview of Windows 8: http://youtu.be/p92QfWOw88I

Some companies and corporation refuse to upgrade because of cost. Also, small companies sometimes use ancient software that aren't compatible with later versions of Windows.

Some individuals won't upgrade because they don't have the hardware for it. For example, XP can run fine with 256MB RAM or 512MB RAM, but Windows 7 really need at least 1GB of RAM to operate. (Yes, I know that Windows 7 can operate fine under 512MB of RAM, but that would be running the bare minimum of the OS, which utilizes about 200MB of that 512MB RAM.)

Some people decide that they have no need to pay a few hundreds of US dollars to upgrade because XP still does everything they want it to do.



Did I miss anything?

[michaelxlife]

I hate Vista with a passion, and I only own 64-bit copies of 7, so every one of my 32-bit systems has a copy of XP on it.

Also, I won't install 7 on a system with less than 2 gigs of RAM. It's not worth the slowness that I'll experience.

And I lost my 7 Pro DVD, so that doesn't help.

So only two of my systems have 7 at the moment. A third will once I find my install disc.

[how.we.operate.]

A lot of people still like the layout of XP. Also, some programs require XP and cannot run from a machine running newer versions of Windows.

My boyfriend has a machine running XP, one with Vista, one with 7. Vista sucks, 7 is actually pretty good but takes a bit to adjust, and the XP is mainly his back up/music computer.

Also, OS X/Lion...I get how people don't like Macs, but honestly it takes the trackpad to a whole new level. Of course not for everyone, but it is pretty nice if you take the time to adjust.

[Lugez]

Because XP is still a very good and reliable operating system.

I also don't feel that the money is worth it to upgrade my desktop. Whatever I need to work still works fine so...Yeah. I could probably pirate it, but I don't care enough to do so.

[Rainbow Dash]

Fair enough When I had Vista I didn't see that much wrong with it but after using XP again and Windows 7 I realised that it did suck.

I haven't even got a trackpad I have a magic mouse.

[Maverick.]

Some buildings in my college still use windows 98.

You can always add on harddrives, dvd drives, etc. Things to make the computer more modern. It's just personal choice to not upgrade the O.S.

Some programs like MSDOS do not run on microsoft's current O.S., the positive thing about having an old system like Windows 98, or XP etc.

[Sincerely Yours ♥]

Some people just don't care to upgrade when their computer is already running just fine. My parents didn't get Windows 7 until last year & that was only because they had to.

[L'espoir]

I've got XP. I dont know anything about technology, so reaaaally dont know the difference. I guess I just dont care. "If it ain't broke, dont fix it!"

[JKmadu619]

For Gaming uses some people run their system in XP. Certain games fail to run with later version's "Compatibility mode" and XP runs all XP, 2000, and '98 programs smoothly.

If you custom built a PC with XP and got attached to it, it might be hard to stick in so much money to change to Vista or 7.

I personally am using and loving Vista, but that's just me.

My mom just ditched her XP over summer.

- Justin

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

I use windows xp on my desktop computer because it's so old and has so little memory that it physically can't run anything higher. My family have a laptop that runs vista and it's terribly slow. I use windows 7 on my laptop.

[hedgehog444]

Well everyone in my family except me have Apple Mac's or Macbooks, but I have a Windows 7 Laptop which is excellent, but I also have a notebook running XP (notebook from around 2003) and I take it out and about Works fine to say I left it completely untouched on hibernation between 2006 and 2010.
Takes around 10 minutes Max to start up but once it's up and running it's fine.

[Mendylins]

People use windows xp because its less lagger and smoother.
It takes up less resources and uses less of your CPU usage like you said.
And it is also good for gaming beecause some games yet still have issues with vista.

[Childish Giggle]

because-
-My laptop won't be able to handle Windows 7
-I am not a technology buff and have no idea what mac and all are
I couldn't care less about what windows my laptop has as long as I can operate them.

[Viky]

Windows xp is really good for buisness stuff as well as community sharing such as on a school system. It's just easier for them to connect with the wide server that allows you to log in :P though I suppose they could do that with windows 7 but that could be costly because it may not work properly with all the school computers without them being updated (to a newer year/modle) and could there for cause them to work slower than with Windows XP

[RobbieFox]

Most public schools and colleges just don't have the money. My professor was telling me the other day that it cost over $1 million a year just for microsoft software for the whole school. So some schools/companies just don't have the money to do it. But in other countries like germany, they just use linux and don't even buy microsoft products. With all the free software that is like the expensive stuff, why wouldn't you? :P

[Revolution]

Because some people don't have the money to upgrade as often.

And environmentally, I don't want to buy a new phone every two years or a new computer every five, I want something sustainable. Electronics are expensive to produce, for the environment, and for the slave labor that usually goes into them overseas. I really hope I still have my Windows 7 ten years from now, that would be a good product.

[JKmadu619]

Coffee:A new computer altogether isn't required to upgrade. For like $500 dollars you can upgrade your OS at any time. Another $500 can change your specs like processor, graphics card, sound processors... That's what makes it so silly to use something so old without a real reason.

- Justin

[Jeromak]

Originally Posted by Rainbow Dash

teenforum This really confuses me it's over ten years old. I know there's nothing really wrong with it and you can still use it today but what's wrong with Windows 7? My college still uses XP (except for the art corridor, they have Macs) and it really annoys me :|

I just know I wouldn't still be using Mac OS X Lion in ten years time.

what's annoying you exactly ? office suite don't match new versions ?

[Iridescence]

I'm obligated to use it because we can't afford a new computer or tower. Of course my computer is a box of rice, but there's nothing I can do about it. If I had the option to use Windows 7 or Mac computers, I would.

[Revolution]

Originally Posted by JKmadu619

Coffee:A new computer altogether isn't required to upgrade. For like $500 dollars you can upgrade your OS at any time. Another $500 can change your specs like processor, graphics card, sound processors... That's what makes it so silly to use something so old without a real reason.

- Justin

Am I the only one without $500 sitting around? I feel like you're saying "only" $500. I think you need to take a look at your own prosperity and realize that not everybody is at the income level you or your parents' are at to be able to afford $500 upgrades. I'm in college. I don't have that type of money, and even if I did, it would go to more food, better housing, a new pair of glasses, getting my wisdom teeth out because I currently don't have the money for any of these things. If what I have works, I don't get the point of needing the "newest and greatest."

And correction, I actually meant buying a new computer. That's what I meant by update since the OS said she doesn't see herself with the same computer in 10 years. I would like to see myself with my same computer in 10 years. I'd enjoy that very much. Means the slave labor put into making this computer actually paid off.

[JKmadu619]

Coffee: No, I realize not everyone has $500 dollars to spend every day, but once every ten years a little money could go towards keeping technology recent instead of travelling backwards to cave man. I mean I realize everyone has different priorities but unless you're over 65 or have a legitmate reason, dealing with old technology is silly.

- Justin

[Revolution]

Technology changes faster than every 10 years. I got a phone one year and a half ago, and six months after I got it, part of the case broke off. I went back to the phone store to get a new case, and they told me they no longer sold it because the phone was no longer sold. And I had gotten it when it first came out six months before. Computers really aren't that much different, the technology changes quickly.

Here, I got an idea. I will answer both the OP and your (Justin)'s question in list form.
Reasons to keep your old technology
-Don't have the money to get a new one
-Don't want to just waste environmental resources when the old one still works.
-Don't want to support slave labor in the mines and shops to make the new technology when your old one still works.
-You like the old one, are used to it, and don't really care to learn a new one.
-Don't have time
-As Jen said "If it aint broke, don't fix it." A lot of people liked XP, hated Vista. If you like the program you have...why...change it?

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by Coffee❤

-Don't want to just waste environmental resources when the old one still works.
-Don't want to support slave labor in the mines and shops to make the new technology when your old one still works.

Look at it this way: If things work forever, then many companies would bankrupt and a bunch of people would be out of work. That's worse than cheap wages and wasting some resources.

If people only upgrade once every 10 years, then there wouldn't be much business at all. Companies wouldn't need so many employees; time to fire some. It's a cycle, my friend, a cycle.

And don't forget, those dirt-cheap wages get us cheaper products. It isn't right to take advantage of others, but then again, where there's a demand, there's a market. You said it yourself: You and I are both poor college students; we don't have much money at all. I know that I certainly appreciate these cheaper products. We have a demand for cheaper stuffs, no?


Also look at it from a programmer's perspective: For example, let's say that normally they only have to write program compatible for Windows 7. But because many people still use Windows XP, they also have to make sure that their program works with Windows XP. That's some extra time and work that they could have put in something else, such as fixing bugs, developing new features, etc.

Also, speaking of bugs, arguably the most annoying portion of writing a program or game is bug hunting. It's a never-ending job because it's virtually impossible to have a 100% bug-free program. Plus, whenever they fix a bug, they're risking creating more bugs because of changes in the program's code. Instead of just Windows 7, they have to worry about Windows XP, too. More platforms = more bugs. Did I mention that whenever they fix a bug, they're risking creating more bugs?

[Revolution]

I understand your point, to each their own. I'm just saying, I want my products to last a long time, and I won't be buying another lap top until this one doesn't work, not until a newer edition comes out. I use the product until I need a new product. Programmers want money, they can make sure their products work for the computer I have. I upgrade computers every ten years, sorry for my drastic hurt on the economy, but I'm practical. I have a Windows 7 now, and honestly, I hope to be using it when I graduate.