Yesterday ZDNet reported a registry hack that allowed Windows XP users to gain an additional 5 years of support. The hack tricked Windows into thinking it was Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, which will continue to receive updates until 2019.
Photo credit: ZDNet/CBS Interactive
While the hack works, Microsoft says it may cause instability in Windows XP since the updates for POSReady 2009 have not been tested with XP. Here’s Microsoft’s full statement:
“We recently became aware of a hack that purportedly aims to provide security updates to Windows XP customers. The security updates that could be installed are intended for Windows Embedded and Windows Server 2003 customers and do not fully protect Windows XP customers. Windows XP customers also run a significant risk of functionality issues with their machines if they install these updates, as they are not tested against Windows XP. The best way for Windows XP customers to protect their systems is to upgrade to a more modern operating system, like Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.”
If you don’t have the means to upgrade to Windows 7 or 8.1, we have a guide about how to keep using XP even after the end of its support. But using an unsupported operating system poses many risks and upgrading to a modern OS will help you stay safe.
Source: ZDNet
Follow Lewis on Twitter @lewisleong
