Microsoft’s venerable Windows XP operating system — the one with the soft, dark blue menus and the big green Start button — recently celebrated its tenth birthday. And believe it or not, it’s still in widespread use; Net Applications reports there are more people worldwide using Windows XP than there are Windows Vista and 7 combined.
As you might expect for an OS designed at the turn of the century, though, Windows XP doesn’t fully support a lot of the things people take for granted in 2011 … like app stores, instant desktop search, or comprehensive malware protection. Here’s how to upgrade from Windows XP to any more modern OS:
Windows 7
Besides being the one Microsoft wants you to upgrade to (largely because it makes them money), it’s also the most similar to Windows XP … and the most likely to run your Windows apps. It’s still vulnerable to spyware and viruses, but you can’t have everything.
The easiest way to upgrade to Windows 7, if not exactly the most budget- or environmentally-friendly, is to buy a new PC. A cheap laptop will run about $299, and comes with a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium (over $100 if bought on its own).
You can try to install it yourself, but the process is not for the faint of heart, and it only works on fairly recent computers anyhow. And while it can theoretically upgrade your existing Windows XP installation to Windows 7, in practice you’ll need to wipe out everything on your computer and do a fresh install. Just make sure to back everything up first.
Mac OS X
Unless you’re into the Hackintosh scene, the only way to get Mac OS X is to get a Mac. Macs may be expensive, but they’re cheaper when you buy them refurbished from Apple’s online store, or a third-party Apple-certified vendor. Refurbished computers don’t last as long, though, and may pose unexpected technical problems — my refurb iBook broke down after a few months.
Ubuntu
This one may be the easiest sell, if you absolutely must keep your old computer. Partly, that’s because it’s free: You can download Ubuntu from ubuntu.com, and either burn it to a CD or put it onto a USB key. You can also install it inside Windows, and keep all your old programs and things on your computer if you still need them.
What does Ubuntu have going for it? How about no viruses, plus a huge app store stocked with thousands of free and pay-for apps and games? A program called WINE lets you use many Windows games and apps on Ubuntu (I use it to play World of Warcraft). And if you must continue to use Windows you can use Chrome or Firefox bookmark sync, plus Ubuntu One file sync, to keep the same projects and documents between them. Ubuntu’s also much simpler and more reliable than Windows, even if it may take a bit of getting used to at first just because it looks different.
The Upshot
Whether you’re upgrading your old computer or getting a new one, good luck, and I hope you have fun with it!