This Windows XP registry tweak could extend your software's security

Users of machines running Microsoft's supposedly defunct Windows XP can still squeeze a few more years of security updates - if a registry tweak being claimed by a hacker news site is accurate.

 

The Hacker News said the tweak would allow a PC to get updates for a customized version of XP for point-of-sale (POS) systems such as restaurant or ticket machines using an embedded version of XP.

 

"It makes use of updates for Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 based on Windows XP Service Pack 3, because the security updates which are being released for POSReady 2009 are inevitably the same updates Microsoft would have rolled out for its Windows XP, if it was still supporting XP Operating System," it said.

 

Users can insert a new entry into the Windows registration database - but in the process can risk rendering the entire OS unstable and unusable.

 

If done correctly, however, this will supposedly unlock "lots of pending updates in your Windows Action Center," The Hacker News said.

 

"Because the extended support for Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 systems ends after 5 years, Microsoft will continue to deliver new security updates and patches for this version of its embedded operating system till April 9th, 2019, so users can use this trick to get security updates of Windows XP for another five years," it added.

 

On the other hand, The Hacker News stressed this may still not be enough to secure the complete system.

 

"So we highly recommend all of you to upgrade your operating system to the latest versions, i.e. Windows 7 or 8 or any Linux Distro," it said.

 

Microsoft ended support for Windows XP last April 8, yet many continue to use XP - which at nearly 13 years old remains quite popular.

 

The end of support for XP means XP users can no longer receive security updates, and would be vulnerable to malware attacks.

 

However, some users can still get updates by paying Microsoft for patches and updates. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News