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Why Microsoft Shouldn't Patch the XP Internet Explorer Flaw

Posted by Soulskill on from the going-to-take-flak-one-way-or-another dept.

Hugh Pickens DOT Com writes: "Sebastian Anthony argues that Microsoft is setting an awful precedent by caving and issuing a fix for Windows XP. 'Yes, tardy governments and IT administrators can breathe a little easier for a little bit longer,' writes Anthony, 'and yes, your mom and dad are yet again safe to use their old Windows XP beige box. But to what end? It's just delaying the inevitable.' Lance Ulanoff argues that Microsoft can't turn a blind eye the security of XP users, even though the company ended support for the 12-year-old operating system on April 8, a fact that Microsoft has been warning about for, literally, years. But this won't be the only vulnerability found in XP, says Dwight Silverman. 'If Microsoft makes an exception now, what about the flaw found after this one? And the next? And the one after that, ad infinitum?' Even though Microsoft has released a patch for the IE flaw, and Windows XP is included, it's time to move on – really. 'I don't want to hear that tired "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" line. Hey, XP IS broke, and it will just get more so over time. Upgrade to a newer version of Windows, or switch to another modern operating system, such as OS X or Linux.'"

2 of 345 comments (clear)

  1. Microsoft Has These Patches by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Microsoft is already contractually obligated to program these patches for its thousands of paid XP support customers. It has the right to decide whether the bug is critical enough that the situation warrants releasing the patch to the general XP userbase for free.

    Rest assured that Microsoft is not doing an iota of extra work on this front. It already has the patch. It will also have patches for every XP bug discovered for the next few years. It's just a question of how widely it wants to distribute each one.

  2. 1st world problems... by musixman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    'I don't want to hear that tired "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" ... "Upgrade to a newer version of Windows, or switch to another modern operating system, such as OS X or Linux."

    You are obviously very out of touch with the WHO & WHY of why people continue to use XP.

    1) Not everyone can AFFORD to update their computer, buy a new computer or buy a new copy of windows. Let alone get a Mac...
    2) Most of the world is not tech savvy. The idea that you would get them to install Linux is really not practical. People are creatures of habit & that will never change. Look at how many people freaked out when W8 removed the start button.
    3) A large % of users are in 2nd & 3rd world countries. The fact they even HAVE a computer & electricity to power it is a BIG deal. You're being very dismissive of how the majority of the world lives. You should travel more.

    XP is like an old car... sure it eats 5x the amount of gas, but it gets you from point a to b.