Is it always better to upgrade to the current or newer versions of Windows if you have old versions? I know that there are still some computers that are not fast enough to be upgraded to perhaps Windows XP but many of the old versions have no or limited help from Microsoft.

At some point, it becomes necessary to upgrade the hardware in your computer itself and move forward. Sure, you *could* run on the older versions, but as you said, there is less support, and in addition to that new programs, software, applications, etc. will often be incompatible.

It depends what you need to use the computer for really. If you are stand alone-meaning not connected to the internet, and just using it for word processing then an older system is fine. But anything with networking needs to be more up to date because of flaws being found.

I understand about using the computer just for simple uses. What I'm thinking when I posted this topic is that what if you are going to use a public computer and you are used to the old systems? Besides there are programs that will become incompatible if you are still using the old operating systems, just like Hamlet said.

I know we, as humans, hate change. However eventually we all have to give in to it. Our world is changing and we, as well as our computers, have to change it.