Windows XP Updates 2014: New Download Will Provide Unofficial Service Pack 4

Those looking for Windows XP updates in 2014 are out of luck if they are searching for a new download from Microsoft. But WinXP continues to have a diehard fanbase, and some of them are creating an unofficial Windows XP Service Pack 4 download that pulls together all the official Windows XP updates into one installation.

In a related report by The Inquisitr, it’s believed that Windows 9 will be the first true unified operating system that may allow developers to create a seamless experience across multiple devices, from desktops to laptops to tablets and smartphones. Check out the article if you want to see what that could mean for your average day on the computer.

According to NetMarkShare, Windows XP still clings onto an amazing 24 percent of all the market share among the various Windows OS installations. Windows 7 is the most popular, with 51 percent, but Windows XP still retains a user base that is more than double the number of users using Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 combined.

Perhaps because of this continued popularity, a Greece-based developer called harkaz started the “Unofficial Service Pack 4” project back in September of 2013. Harkaz has already released a third beta of Win XP SP4 and they’re currently readying a Release Candidate just like Microsoft would have done.

“Many users – including me – who won’t be able to upgrade their old machines to a newer OS would like to easily install all Windows updates in one convenient package. For this reason, I started working on a Service Pack 4 package,” said harkaz on the RyanVM discussion boards. “Windows XP Unofficial SP4 ENU is a cumulative update rollup for Windows XP (x86) English. It can be applied to a live Windows XP system which has SP1, at minimum, installed or it can be slipstreamed (integrated) in any Windows XP installation media.”

But just how necessary are continued Windows XP updates? CNET looked into whether or not using WinXP was still considered “safe” in regards to security issues and they found that third party support has kept the operating system alive as a legit platform.

“AV-Test found that the majority of security vendors have been able to defend against most of the known or recently discovered exploits. Vulnerabilities and other issues no longer being fixed by Windows updates are the best way to test if security suites are able to patch the problem…. The major Internet security players are making good on their promise to keep supporting users beyond the life of Windows XP. Vendors continue to encourage their customers to update software like Java and Flash as soon as new versions are available, and to migrate to a newer OS when feasible.”

Would you install these Windows XP updates even if though they are completely unofficial and untested by Microsoft?