OP here. I like to read "finge" writeups like this. Hobbyist-level question to the community here, though: what do you think about the ideas and approaches of the author (and of actually using XP for casual tasks or work these days)?
I'm not sure what to think of a guide that "highly recommends" to install "QuickVerse Bible 4.0" AND "PC-Study Bible 2.1" ...?
Also, disabling the task scheduler, NTP and windows file sharing? Disabling Windows updates without suggesting an offline update package? yeah, no, thanks.
To me at least half of this guide sounds like snake oil or cargo cult.
But yeah, some things might be useful for some people. The trick is finding the needle in the haystack
Actually, this guide is not bad really. Well written. There are few questionable things like installing some specific software that can be skipped. Also, Firewall is a must. Even if you harden your XP, there are still few ports left open like 135 and 445. They seem to be inactive (wrapper?) when you disable services and uninstall Microsoft Networking, but I would not trust that. Also, antivirus is useless indeed. Better solution is sandboxing or even VM.
I use Win2003 daily on more powerfull PC (i5-2400, 16GB RAM) and its indeed blazing fast. When cache is warm, everything starts pretty much instantly, so SSD is not really needed. Cache FTW!
The web browsers he recommends are 100% useless for the modern web. I just got a MacBook that won't update past 2020 and I can tell you, 4 year old web browsers are dead, never mind 10 year old ones o_O
Do any of his instructions fix all the TLS updates that break old software?
Surely there must be someone compiling a modern browser for XP?
When I need to use those devices, I can just fire it up and go.
Risks are low too. Keep online use by the book, focused and there just us not that much to worry about
Also, disabling the task scheduler, NTP and windows file sharing? Disabling Windows updates without suggesting an offline update package? yeah, no, thanks.
To me at least half of this guide sounds like snake oil or cargo cult.
But yeah, some things might be useful for some people. The trick is finding the needle in the haystack
I use Win2003 daily on more powerfull PC (i5-2400, 16GB RAM) and its indeed blazing fast. When cache is warm, everything starts pretty much instantly, so SSD is not really needed. Cache FTW!
Do any of his instructions fix all the TLS updates that break old software?
Surely there must be someone compiling a modern browser for XP?
From a semi regular XP user, this writeup is exemplary. Well done.