Microsoft warns users against Windows XP update registry hack

It recently came to light that it was — theoretically — possible to keep Windows XP fuelled with updates until 2019. A registry hack is all that is needed to trick Windows Update into thinking you’re running a copy of the still-supported Windows Embedded POSReady 2009. When we reported about this yesterday we advised against it, and it seems that Microsoft feels the same.

In a statement issued to ZDNet the company warns that the updates that are made accessible using the tweak are not really designed for Windows XP. The advice is to avoid forcing the update process and to instead upgrade to a more recent version of Windows.

The statement reads:

We recently became aware of a hack that purportedly aims to provide security updates to Windows XP customers. 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. The best way for Windows XP customers to protect their systems is to upgrade to a more modern operating system, like Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

Will you heed the warning, or are you willing to take the risk and use the registry tweak to grab yourself a few more updates?