What do you suggest to replace Windows XP? [ASK MR. NOOBIE]
QUESTION: I have XP on two different computers. What do you suggest I go to to replace XP? – Wayne O. from Whiteland, Indiana
ANSWER: There’s no perfect answer to your question but I’ll try to give you enough information to help you decide which path is the best one for you to follow.
Buy new computers
My first suggestion is to buy two new computers. Now that you have your breath back, let me explain why. The fact that your computers are running Windows XP tells me that they are probably at least 5 years old. This means older hardware, slower processors and less memory. It also means you probably have a 32-bit architecture and the whole world has gone to a 64-bit architecture.
So while this option definitely hits your wallet the hardest, it’s also the easiest to pull off. The only thing you’ll need to worry about is the time it takes to transfer your files from the old computers to the new computers. Once that is complete, you’ll have two brand-new (and much-faster) computers.
If you choose this option, you should probably visit www.amirunningxp.com from each computer. You might qualify for some discounts on a new computer and on Laplink’s PC Mover software which helps you transfers files from one computer to another.
Besides cost, the only other potential downside to this is that your new computers will most likely be running Windows 8. Some love it. Some hate it. As long as you’re not on the hate it side of the fence, you should be alright.
Upgrade to Windows 7
My next suggestion would be to upgrade each computer to Windows 7. I would skip Windows Vista only because Windows 7 is far superior than Windows Vista. Notice I didn’t say upgrade to Windows 8. This has more to do with the processing power of your computer (or lack of) than it does with whether or not I like Windows 8 (which I don’t by the way).
Here’s the trick with Windows 7. It’s getting harder and harder to find. And even when you do find it, it’s often an OEM copy or it’s not an upgrade. The OEM copies are really designed for people who build computers and resell them and the fact that it’s not an upgrade means you’ll have to wipe your computer clean and do a fresh install of Windows 7.
Ironically, this means that you’ll have to spend time copying all of your important files to an external drive so you can put them back when the fresh Windows 7 installation is complete. You’ll also have to re-install any software you had running on the old computer like Microsoft Office or others. See why I think it’s less hassle to just buy new computers?
Tiger Direct has a page specifically set up for people upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 but I wouldn’t buy a single thing on this site until you talk to a human to make sure you are getting the right version and to make sure you completely understand their return policy.
If you choose this path there are several things you need to do before you start the upgrade. First, click this link for the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and make sure your computer has enough horsepower to handle Windows 7.
The second thing you’ll need to do is to make sure you get the right version of Windows 7. I’m referring again to 32-bit vs. 64-bit. If you have a 32-bit computer (the more likely scenario), you can’t put the 64-bit version of Windows 7 on it. And if you have a 64-bit computer (not as likely), you can’t put the 32-bit version of Windows 7 on it.
Microsoft put together a web page titled, How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system which will automatically tell you which architecture you are running. Just look for the section labeled “Automatic version detection results”.
Status quo
I don’t recommend this last option but it is still an option nonetheless. That is, to do nothing. Just keep on chugging along with Windows XP and hope for the best. Just know that if a new security hole is discovered, your computer could be vulnerable to attack and Microsoft won’t be providing any security fixes to plug the security hole.
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