Windows XP is dead and gone and most smart PC users have disconnected their old computers.
Of course, not everybody has disconnected their Windows XP PC. And not everybody wants to throw an old computer into the trash.
With that in mind, there are a number of cool things you can do with your old Windows XP PC without exposing it to vulnerabilities:
5) Use it as an offline computer
There are a number of reasons why you might want to use an offline computer. You can write or work without distractions from the internet, for example, and then transfer your work via USB stick to an internet-connected PC.
Or, if you have a summer cabin without internet access, then your PC might be a good fit out there.
To make sure your Windows XP PC is as clean as possible, perform a clean install and upgrade to the latest patch. Then, disconnect it from the internet and never reconnect it. Windows XP is still a safe operating system to use as long as you’re not regularly browsing the web or downloading software.
You might want to use an offline PC for:
-Media storage and playback (connect it to your TV to play movies, music, etc.)
-Writing a novel without distractions from the internet
-Getting any work done without online distractions
-Playing offline games
-Bringing it to a place without internet, like your summer cabin, a grandparent’s house, etc.
4) Upgrade to a new OS like Windows 7 or Windows 8
Just because Windows XP is dead doesn’t mean your Windows XP PC is dead too. Your PC may be perfectly fine to use.
Instead of letting your expensive PC go to waste, consider installing Windows 7 or Windows 8. Go to this page on the Microsoft website and download the upgrade assistant tool. That will tell you if you can run Windows 8.1. If your PC can run Windows 8.1, then it can also run Windows 7.
Then, buy either of these operating systems and your computer is perfectly fine and safe to use.
3) Upgrade to a free OS like Linux
If you don’t feel like buying a new operating system, then you can switch to a free PC operating system like Linux.
A few years ago, “Linux” was a scary word for average PC users. Linux builds weren’t user friendly and were recommended only for advanced PC users.
Today, things have changed and Linux builds like Ubuntu are extremely user-friendly. Whether you’re a total newbie or a more advanced PC user, Linux isn’t nearly as scary as it used to be.
It’s also extremely lightweight and has low system requirements, which means it should run on your Windows XP machine without issue.
2) Improve your PC building skills
If your Windows XP PC isn’t fast enough to run a new OS and is old, decrepit, and broken, then you can still do one cool thing with it: use it as a testing ground for building PCs.
Try swapping out parts. Take everything apart and try to put it back together again. Overclock your video card and just mess around with all the things you’ve been too afraid to try on a good PC.
This is a great way to prepare yourself for building a better PC in the future.
1) Recycle it
If you’re not going to do any of those things listed above, then recycle your PC responsibly. Take it to a local electronics recycling service. Depending on where you live, you might even get money in return for recycling your electronics.
At the very least, you can be happy that you did a good deed and helped the environment.
