While most of us have long since consigned Windows XP to the Recycle Bin of history, there are still plenty of PCs out there running Microsoft's long-since-defunct operating system. But if the recent swathe of ransomware attacks which have brought the NHS and companies across the globe to a standstill tell us anything, it's that Windows XP has become something of a liability. As many companies have found to their cost, installing security updates can be the difference between a working PC and a desk-sized paperweight. Thankfully, although Microsoft has long since abandoned support for the operating system, Microsoft is still continuing to develop updates, even if they aren't strictly intended for Windows XP users. Rather, Microsoft is continuing to support Windows Embedded Industry for another five years until April 2019. Previously called Windows Embedded POSReady, this OS is a special version of Windows XP designed for use in industrial systems, such as cash registers and ATMs. The beauty of the two systems being so interlinked is that updates designed for one system should work on the other.

As discovered on, tricking your home edition of XP into thinking its Windows Embedded POSReady means you get updates for the next five years. We'll show you how to do that in this article, but first a couple of words of warning.

First, there's no guarantee that this trick will keep working and the loophole could be shut down. Seconly, Microsoft has stated that using this trick may not work as expected, and updates could in fact break the home edition of XP. Of course, the company has a vested interest in that, but that doesn't mean you should ignore what it's saying. For safety, then, we recommend that you back-up your computer, so you can restore data in the event of a problem. How to get new Windows XP updates for free Before you start following any of the instructions here, or perform an update using this trick, back-up the Registry. Go to Start, All programs, System tools and run System Restore. Click Create a restore point, click Next, enter a description and click Create.

Important system files and the Registry will be backed up. System Restore will back up important system files and the Windows Registry You can restore them by restoring the Restore Point you created either in the normal Windows version of System Restore or by starting your computer in Safe Mode if it won't boot into normal Windows. To start in Safe Mode restart your computer and hit F8 during the initial Power On Self Test (POST) screens. Select Safe Mode from the menu and your computer will boot into a cut-down version of the OS. Select your username from the boot screen and you'll boot into Windows, where you can run System Restore from the Start Menu as normal.

With that done you're ready to install the Registry hack and get installing the new updates. If you can't boot into regular Windows, you can run System Restore using Safe Mode Step 1: Create registry file To enable the hack you need to create a Registry file. These are special files that, when you double-click them, create Registry entries. To create the file, you'll need to be able to view file extensions, so open Windows Explorer (the file browser) click Tools, Folder Options.

Click the View tab and remove the tick from the 'Hide extensions for known file types' box. Next, right-click the Desktop and select New, Text Document. Enter the name of the file as xp.reg. If you've got the right file extension, the icon image will change from one of a document to one with a blue cube.

Download add ons, extensions, service packs, and other tools to use with your Windows software. Latest Itunes Software Free Download For Windows 7 here. Security Update for Windows XP SP3 (KB4012598). Download windows xp - Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3): The latest major update for Windows XP, and much more programs.

7 The Windows Updates Downloader is a free tool for meticulous Windows users who are careful about which updates they download. Instead of having your computer search out download and install your updates you may turn off automatic updates and choose the updates you want to download and install. Control Over Your Windows Updates With An Update List The Windows Updates Downloader uses an update list. With the update list you may see which updates are available and isolate the ones you want before you download. The downloader not only allows you to pick which updates you download and install but it also gives you greater control over how they are installed. People who use the WUD program are able to avoid the accidental bugs that Windows update creates such as the time the Windows update made IE unable to view images with active scripting or the time a Windows update disabled Norton Antivirus's active protection. Control Which Updates You Install Installing your updates may require a further tool such as nLite which is one of the reasons why Windows Updates Downloader is not a convenience tool it is a tool for people who wish to gain greater control over their computer and how it is updated and changed.

The tool is best suited to people who are very confident with their PC/computer and/or people who have IT qualifications.