The most iconic, some would say best version of Windows was released 23 years ago today

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Windows XP

There’s a chance that, even if you’ve never used the program, you recognize the iconic Bucolic Green Hills of the Windows XP background image. Twenty years ago today, the world got its hands on both the Bliss wallpaper and the classic Windows operating system for the very first time.

It’s a very simplistic OS, that doesn’t try to immediately sell you on One Drive and Xbox Game Pass, like Windows 11.

The final update for this legendary OS was in May, 2019, where it received one last security update. According to the latestSteam Hardware Survey, only 0.10% of Steam’s user base is on a Windows OS before Windows 7. However, Windows XP does seem to still be used as terminals and backends for businesses, especially those that don’t need access to the broader internet.

In fact,almost as many Windows XP machines are still in use as Windows 8.1despite the yawning chasm of time between their respective releases.

Though some ultra-nostalgic few might opt to keep that iconic background and look, a brave Windows explorer earlier this year showedhow vulnerable the OS is to modern-day hacking tools. Within just 10 minutes, a virtual machine with Windows XP was riddled with Malware, thanks, in part, to its lack of firewall and anti-virus software.

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Take even Windows 10—it is losing support in just under a year’s time, which means Microsoft won’t be keeping it up-to-date with the latest security protections. As time goes on, using older software makes you less protected. Today, on Windows XP’s 23-year anniversary, it is both a nostalgic trip and a sorrowful reminder that it’s probably time to update that OS.

Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

Windows 11 reviewHow to install Windows 11Windows 11 TPM requirement

Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

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