I’ve tried to learn if Avast will continue to support XP users after April, 2014, but to date have received only non-commital responses from tech support.
Does anyone have answer to this question?
From what I’ve read, the answer is yes, however I don’t recall for how many years.
I would wager at least till 2015 when I believe ‘extended xp support’ ends.
Just speculation though. 
Well avast doesn’t specifically support OSes but program versions and to run some program versions it has requirements that would include minimum OS version.
Well when you consider avast’s history and currently avast 4.8 is still supported (but very much on life support), virus definitions are still available for it. So that means that even win9.x is supported if you happen to be using avast 4.8 (not that I would recommend that.
From avast 5 the virus definitions and its update method changed, now that we are on avast 9.0 and that too has different virus definitions and update method. Currently avast 9.0 supports from XP SP2 and higher, so until the virus definitions and update method change you are probably OK. As new features are introduced into avast some OSes may be unable to work on older OSes as they don’t have the supporting functionality in the OS.
So even when an avast program version comes along that doesn’t support XP, etc. then if the virus definitions and update method are the same you could probably stick with the previous version of avast.
A thorough and informative explanation of Avast’s “life cycle”, DavidR . Thank you.
I have XP’s, too.
You’re welcome.
David,
Thanks for the detailed response.
Being a non-techie, may I ask if this means that when Avast offers a new program that I should decline to install it so long as I’m still running XP?
My plan was to continue running XP until my old Dell Vostro computer gives up the ghost (which shouldn’t be too far off) and then buy a new computer bundled with Windows 7.
Any suggestions on that?
Thanks,
Rob in Arizona
I run a Dell Vostro and simply changed it over to Windows 8.1.
It runs like a charm and I still expect to keep it for a few more years.
It’s also a lot safer than keeping XP regardless of what other protection you may have installed.
You’re welcome.
Bob gives some valuable advice to perhaps extend the life of your Dell Vostro, I rather doubt it would be as tolerant to an update to Vista (no way) or win7 (possibly, but generally uses more resources than XP).
If you can continue using XP with the obvious security implications after April 2014 (no more security updates) or go down the upgrade to win8.1; this would give you more time to consider what new system and OS to choose.
They are already talking about win8.2 in some of the technical media; I think MS still aren’t happy that people haven’t taken to win8 in the droves they had hoped for. One article I read indicated that win8 and 8.1 combined only had 9% of the OS Market share, whilst win7 had over 50% and the thorn in their side, XP still retained 34% market share. I guess MS are hoping that come April there will be lots more win8 customers for them, me, I think they may be surprised at the numbers still sticking with XP (many corporate users, and some reluctant home users).
By all accounts win8.2 is meant to make it more user friendly for those desktop/non touch screen users reluctant to change/upgrade.
Maybe Microsoft will issue a last-minute reprieve for XP users? For a year or so?
Okay, a guy can dream.
Anyway, my question, which is related to this is: If and when I do change operating systems, will my Avast license (I purchased it–and I assume I have a license, although I’ve never checked) go along with me?
Yes you can transfer your license, just remove it from the other system first.
Note that your license period starts from when you purchased it so even if you haven’t installed it the time is still counting down.
In a Google search today, I found a posting from a guy who says that Avast has pledged to continue supporting XP users after Microsoft cuts off in April.
I not only can’t find anything to verify that claim but when I contacted Avast tech support they reply by telling me that they haven’t yet been informed by higher-up on this question.
Does anyone have any more solid information than this?
So that tells us that Microsoft stop Windows updates for XP then in April 2014
My XP machine still gets updates for an even (erm) older version of Avast ; however, I get the impression that ‘the powers that be’ want all of us on ’ more up- to- date’ machines and antivirus protection but surely as we still get our antivirus updates , until that stops we should be OK?
You are missing the point that Windows XP is the problem and can no longer be protected against some of the current threats.
Updating to a modern OS helps alleviates that problem.
You’re still receiving VPS updates and probably will for some time to come but, the OS itself is still vulnerable.
Bob, thanks very much for this explanation.
If I read it right, what you are telling me is that although I have Avast Internet Security Pro running in tandem with Malwarebytes Pro that neither protects the OS. Is that right?
If it is, then it looks like, as you say, I’ll need to upgrade to either Windows 7 or 8 if I want my OS protected.
Thanks again,
Rob in Arizona
Yup, if you don’t want to worry about being compromised, XP for most will become immediately unsecure!
Upgrade is the reality even though I also run xpSP3 My secured data is on W8.1 after April
@ Rob,
If you attended one of my presentations in AZ in Dec, you would have gotten that message directly from the horses mouth.
After April, XP will make a great off line game machine. The latest OS offers you a much safer environment.
Sorry guys, but after April 2014 XP won’t suddenly become immediately insecure.
Yes, there will be vulnerabilities found which will no longer be patched, which may well lead to exploits. But every exploit doesn’t mean that every XP user will be infected. What proactive measures people have in place and the security applications that they use will still give reasonable protection.
There are some people that are more prone to infection, no matter what OS they may be using because they don’t practice safe hex. They open unsolicited emails, may even open attachments and click links in said emails.
I have espoused having a robust backup and recovery strategy for as long as I have been on these forums (almost 10 years) and that hasn’t changed. I believe every PC owner should have drive imaging software regardless of OS old or new and regularly make regular (weekly) full backup images of their system and daily backup of volatile data (word docs, XLS, emails, media files, etc. etc.) files.
I have used this to recover from many issues over that 10 years and not once has it been because of infection, but that is just one aspect that this could be used, recovery from infection
To the pros on this forum, I am grateful to you all for your sage advice.
Meanwhile, however, I’m still not clear as to whether Avast and/or Malwarebytes (I run both in tandem and they’ve protected me to the nth degree these last five years) offer any protection for the OS or backdoor as some refer to it or if that kind of protection is the solve province of the OS manufacturer, i.e. Microsoft.
I do have an external hard drive, back up to it with a full clone of my hard drive once a week and keep the power on it shut off except when cloning.
I totally agree.