Furthermore - with a reported 25% of all PCs still running Windows XP - this is a risk which is only going to get worse.Īll of this is a potential PR disaster for Microsoft. I would also add that in installing any Windows patch not verified by Microsoft is a risk, though in this case the lack of future security patches for Windows XP means running the OS is already a big risk in itself.

The official Microsoft Windows XP countdown clock has expired The main one of which is to obtain the downloads from the developer’s posts on RyanVM as there are numerous malware and virus infected fake SP4 patches floating around. Needless to say caveats apply if you are going to consider installing Unofficial SP4, many of which are stated by harkaz. Read more: Simple Hack Gives Windows XP Users 5 More Years Of Support The hack was fairly simple, but automating it within a wider update will appeal to many.

Rightfully critics have noted that the two OSes are not identical which could cause problems, but it has proved a fruitful route so far. How it works is the POSReady hack tricks Microsoft servers into thinking consumer versions of Windows XP are in fact Embedded Industry and therefore supplying them with security updates. Emdedded Industry is a b2b-focused variant of Windows XP running Service Pack 3. The POSReady security hack was announced in May and it takes advantage of a Microsoft loophole that provides security support for ‘Windows Embedded POSReady’ (now called ‘Windows Embedded Industry’) which will last until 2019. NET Frameworks 4.0, 3.5, 1.1 and 1.0 (Tablet PC only)Ī detailed list of fixes can be found here, but of particular interest is POSReady.

Win xp sp 4