Microsoft warns against registry hack to update Windows XP

Current Microsoft Windows XP users making tweaks to the registry to receive support for XP until April 9, 2019 was quickly discovered by Microsoft. A registry hack is available for both the 32-bit and 64-bit copies of XP, though Microsoft and security experts still recommend migrating to Windows 7 or 8/8.1.

The registry hack tricks traditional desktop versions of Windows XP into thinking it's really a copy of Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, a version of Windows designed for point-of-sale machines. However, Microsoft warns the security update won't make XP fully secure, and it's still advisable to upgrade to a newer OS.

"We recently became aware of a hack that purportedly aims to provide security updates to Windows XP customers," a Microsoft statement said. " The security updates that could be installed are intended for Windows Embedded and Windows Server 2003 customers and do not fully protect Windows XP customers. Windows XP customers also run a significant risk of functionality issues with their machines if they install these updates, as they are not tested against Windows XP."