Everyone remembers the beloved Windows XP that operated truly as an OS should.
It was intuitive, streamlined, and not filled with the horrible kinks and problems seen in Vista or Windows 8.
Despite Windows XP officially being made redundant due to the three new operating systems released since there is still a strong following of individuals who continue to download and use this OS.
If you’re one of those hardcore XP supporters, or simply someone curious to learn more about this operating system, then continue reading!
We’ve got twenty facts about the Windows XP operating system that may surprise even the most tech-savvy readers!
500 million copies of XP are still being used!
Thought you were one of the few who stubbornly refused to upgrade?
Well, you’re not alone!
There are over five hundred million copies still in use to this day.
That equates to around 30% of PCs!
Making Windows 8 more like XP is a popular option.
Those who were forced to upgrade, or purchased newer devices with Windows 8 already installed are often found using various apps and tricks to make Windows 8 just like XP.
Tricks such as going straight to the desktop instead of the app screen.
Or altering colors and their intensity, simplifying icons, and even downloading a Windows XP start menu to make the newer versions of Windows just like XP!
The IRS uses Windows XP.
That’s right, even one of the most widely known government agencies is still using XP.
Granted, their failure to upgrade is mostly because their systems are not outfitted to be compatible with newer versions.
But it still is a testament to the reliability and widespread use of XP.
The rolling hills background for XP sold for millions of dollars!
Charles O’Rear is a photographer for National Geographic and was the man who captured the beautiful photo seen on all XP operating systems.
The photo is taken in California and is said to be the second most valuable photo ever!
Most ATMs run on XP.
While individually owned PCs may have been upgraded, it seems as if most corporate and enterprise-level computers are still on the older versions of Windows.
Most ATMs are still currently run on Windows XP!
Windows XP was officially released back in 2001.
Yes, it truly is that old.
The XP operating system was released for retail sale on October 25, 2001, which now makes it 23 years old – and it’s still being used all over the world!
Windows XP features major security flaws.
Despite being widely used by a lot of businesses and corporations, Windows XP is actually pretty vulnerable to threats.
Apparently, your chance of being maliciously targeted is six times higher if you’re using XP.
Recent versions of IE don’t support XP.
Internet Explorer is only supported up to version 8 on the XP operating system.
Unfortunately, a good percentage (somewhere in the range of 20%) of XP users are running IE on their computers.
This means they’re lacking basic security fixes that have been addressed in newer IE releases.
Many people pirate XP nowadays.
You can download just about anything online, including XP.
In China, reports of pirated XP versions state that it’s about two out of three copies are illegally obtained.
It’s impossible to create a folder named CON.
Odd as this sounds, it’s true.
If you’re running XP you cannot name a file CON.
This is because there’s already a file in the system named that, but not one you can readily access.
Slow upgrading for most companies to newer versions of Windows.
According to the polls, the cost and time to upgrade to a newer version of Windows is not nearly as big of an issue as the fact that there are still so many applications that are only compatible with XP.
Companies who are set to upgrade, or are under way, state that it may take a year or more for the migration.
Still other companies report that the migration has not even begun to go underway.
The XP stands for Experience.
A random but little known fact that the XP is for eXPerience.
One of the few Windows OS with a name instead of a number identification.
Support for XP ended in 2014.
As of April 2014, Microsoft officially announced the end of their support for XP which is why many companies are now upgrading, or attempting to upgrade.
You can beautify your folders and icons with images.
A silly little feature, but one that could be fun for those who desire a bit more personalization.
With Windows XP you can use images for the background on your files and open windows, and you can also use custom images on folders and icons as well!
TweakUI is essential for XP.
It was developed by those who developed XP itself and is ideal for making a completely personalized version of XP.
Highly recommended download for a transformed appearance!
You can run XP and a newer version of Windows at the same time.
Not sure why you’d want two versions of an operating system running, but it’s possible.
To have dual versions you need to have separate drives.
There are guides online to explain the step by step instructions.
Your Recycling Bin can only hold 10% of your drive’s capacity.
Your recycling bin in XP can initially only hold 10% of the capacity of your drive.
However if this simply isn’t enough for all of your “about to be deleted forever” files, then you can expand it through customization.
Windows XP was beta version “Whistler”.
Whistler is a location in British Columbia where many of the Microsoft officials and employees would ski.
This became the name of the beta version of Windows which replaced ‘98 and was officially termed XP later.
OEM sales for XP ceased back in ‘08.
Support for XP ended back in 2014.
However sales for licenses on original equipment manufacturers ceased six years prior.
XP features seventy different security vulnerabilities.
While XP may be a lovely OS, one that is still used by a vast number of businesses and individuals to this day, it is truly unsafe.
There are seventy different security vulnerabilities in the OS and there have been many related hacking incidents because of them.
