So... after many, many years, I've finally learned the last pieces of information that I need in order to make Win7 not suck. I've learned how to take ownership of the Program Files directory, get animated wallpapers back, and force Win7 to act like XP in almost all other ways. Compatibility with old software is the only thing holding me back now, and for that, I've also been learning Linux, Virtualbox, and VMware.
Fresh installations of Windows XP no longer download and install the updates that were issued from 2001-2014. Hacked and pirated versions of XP (like the Integral Edition) are now the only place to find those updates. Ivy Bridge motherboards and GeForce 700-series graphics cards are getting rarer. Over five years after Microsoft officially pulled the plug, it looks like the sun is finally setting on XP. And I'm f**king depressed and angry about it but at least I've prepared. There's nothing left for me to do now but hope that my current desktop lives as long as possible.
Fresh installations of Windows XP no longer download and install the updates that were issued from 2001-2014. Hacked and pirated versions of XP (like the Integral Edition) are now the only place to find those updates. Ivy Bridge motherboards and GeForce 700-series graphics cards are getting rarer. Over five years after Microsoft officially pulled the plug, it looks like the sun is finally setting on XP. And I'm f**king depressed and angry about it but at least I've prepared. There's nothing left for me to do now but hope that my current desktop lives as long as possible.