Still running Windows XP? Leaked source code is a red flag

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Updated onSeptember 30, 2020

updated onSeptember 30, 2020

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Reports have constantly emerged during the past few days regarding the source code ofWindows XPand other operating systems. As confirmed by Microsoft, it has indeed leaked online.

Microsoft is aware of the incident and an official statement reveals their plans:

We are investigating the matter.

While the leak does have an impact on certainprivacy-conscioususers, it poses no real threat to software developers.

In fact,while this seems to be a big problem for many, some users aren’t at all affected by the leaked source code. Here’s what one of themsaid:

Much of my equipment is older and the software only supports up to XP. With XP being the best operating system, I don’t really mind.

Which Microsoft Windows source codes have been leaked?

The sources under discussion were initially published last week on afile-sharingsite called Mega (4chan), with the actual OS codes packed in a torrent file that weighs in at just under 43GB.

Then, they got leaked all over the Internet. Besides Windows XP, the pack includes the source code for a variety of older Microsoft operating systems as well:

As you can see, none of the platforms included in the leaked file are modern.

For example, Embedded used to be Microsoft’s connected experiences platform currently replaced by Windows IoT.

Even Windows XP hasn’t been supported by Microsoft since 2014. However, it’s still there and this means one thing.

Vulnerabilities of all kinds do exist on the millions of computers that still run it, even if Windows XP has a tiny market share.

Therefore, are you willing to break the old habit and try something new or do you intend to keep on using Windows XP and risk hackers create new exploits targeting this OS?

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Still running Windows XP? Leaked source code is a red flag

Which Microsoft Windows source codes have been leaked?