Quick overview:
Windows XP: The system settings for automatic updates
If you use the following little trick, you can continue to update your Windows XP operating system even after the official end of support from Microsoft. This is made possible by a registry hack. Once applied, Windows XP pretends to be Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, for which updates are still available until 2019.
Warning in advance: Microsoft and IT experts warn against using this trick. The subsequent updates are not suitable for private Windows XP computers. On the other hand, many users report that the trick works perfectly. And how does it work?
How the registry trick works
Users who have Windows XP Professional or Home and Service Pack 3 installed on their computer can use the registry hack to access updates until 2019. To do this, you need to create a "PosReady" subkey under the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMWPA" and in turn a DWORD with the title "Installed" and the value 1. Sounds more complicated than it is - anyone can set this up in just three steps.
Here is a guide for the 32-bit versions of Windows XP:
1. create a new editor file
Simply right-click on the desktop and select "New" in the context menu.
2. insert the key code
Enter these lines in the new text document:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMWPAPosReady]
"Installed"=dword:00000001
3. change the file extension to ".reg"
Now save the file first and then rename the file extension from ".txt" to ".reg".
Tip: Depending on the setting, the file extensions may or may not be visible under XP. If not, go to "Extras" > "Folder options" > "View" > "Hide extensions for known file types" in File Explorer and uncheck the box there.
Done!
Now the system is pulling updates that are actually intended for "Windows Embedded POSReady 2009". Although this special version of Windows is based on Windows XP, it is actually used for ATMs and POS systems.
How secure are the embedded updates for XP?
The POSReady updates are generally not tested for the Windows XP version of desktop computers. The available patches are therefore only aimed at a specific field of application that does not include the full range of functions of the XP desktop version. Experts and Microsoft itself warn therefore advise against considering these POSReady updates to be secure. Private computers would not be sufficiently protected against hacker attacks with such an update. In addition, Microsoft objects that the updates can also lead to functionality problems on the domestic Windows XP version.
What should XP users do?
The registry trick should only be used with caution and does not guarantee real security against hacker attacks. Although the POSReady updates can be installed on the XP desktop version, they do not offer one hundred percent protection and functionality may also be impaired. It is also conceivable that Microsoft could close this loophole in the future with a simple security key.
Experts therefore advise Windows XP users to upgrade to the latest operating systems, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8, in order to take advantage of the full range of security updates available from Microsoft.
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