Microsoft dropped support for Windows XP in 2014, and major software followed accommodate in the years afterward. If you're i of the few people still using Windows XP, not simply does your operating arrangement no longer receive security updates, only most software don't work on it either.

In instance you lot actually need to utilize Windows XP for some reason, let's accept a look at some major categories and see which software withal works on the archaic Windows XP. Just keep in mind that we do non recommend using Windows XP unless absolutely necessary.

Note: Some of these apps are offered in both 32-chip and 64-bit flavors. In all likelihood, your re-create of Windows XP is 32-flake. Thus, yous should make sure to avoid whatsoever 64-scrap downloads on these sites.

Windows XP Browsers

Google chrome on Windows XP

Let'due south start with one of the most of import categories: browsers. Nosotros've written an entire piece on the almost secure browser to apply with Windows XP, then we'll summarize hither.

Cyberspace Explorer and Google Chrome accept both dropped support for Windows XP, so you should avoid them. Firefox does not back up Windows XP anymore, even in its extended support release version. Opera does non offer updates for Windows XP either---the latest version for XP is 36, while on Windows ten Opera is up to version seventy.

The only notable browser that offers its latest version for Windows XP is Maxthon. At the fourth dimension of writing, Maxthon v.3.8 is available on both Windows XP and Windows 10. While this doesn't make using Windows XP much safer, it's amend than using a browser that hasn't seen updates for years.

Download: Maxthon

Part Suites for Windows XP

Next to browsers, an office suite is probably one of the nigh important programs you lot use.

If you desire to stick with Microsoft Role, you can't use any modern version on Windows XP. Function 2013 and 2016 only work on Windows vii and newer, while Role 2019 and Microsoft 365 simply work on Windows ten.

The latest Microsoft Office version that works with Windows XP is the 32-scrap edition of Office 2010. Support for Office 2010 ends on October 13, 2020, meaning that all Windows XP versions of Part are unsupported afterwards that date.

Part 2007 and earlier are uniform with Windows XP, simply Microsoft no longer supports them so we recommend you avoid those.

Microsoft allows you lot to download Function 2010 if you have a valid product key. If you don't have one, y'all could purchase an Office license online, only nosotros recommend you put that money towards a computer replacement instead.

LibreOffice, the best free alternative to Microsoft Part, doesn't back up Windows XP on its latest versions anymore. You tin download archived versions, but those accept the same problems as running an outdated copy of Office.

As an culling, in a supported browser like Maxthon, yous can give Office Online a try or employ Google Docs for a basic office suite in your browser.

Visit: Office Online | Google Docs

Antivirus for Windows XP

Microsoft'south official antivirus, now integrated into Windows 10 equally Windows Defender, was known equally Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows XP. Unsurprisingly, the visitor no longer supports it, so you'll accept to install a 3rd-political party solution instead.

One of the options that still works with Windows XP is Panda Antivirus. It's a deject antivirus, which means the company'southward servers do virtually of the heavy lifting instead of your PC.

If you don't like Panda, you can besides try Avast Gratis Antivirus, which still offers a version for Windows XP. Avast doesn't offer its newest features in the XP version, but withal updates the antivirus definitions.

As a supplement, you should also download Malwarebytes. As of January 2020, Malwarebytes has confirmed continued support for Windows XP. Like Avast, it won't get new features, merely receives updated anti-malware definitions.

Malwarebytes Windows XP

This features an on-demand scanner to complement the real-time scanning of a dedicated antivirus. Malwarebytes recommends that you avoid outdated operating systems, but it's a proficient backup choice for as long equally y'all're on XP.

Download: Panda Free Antivirus | Avast Free Antivirus | Malwarebytes

Windows XP Backup Software

Nowadays Windows includes solid backup options built-in, but Windows XP's backup solution is pretty bare. You tin can still use it by visiting Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup. If it'south not good enough for you (which is likely), an alternative volition improve protect your data.

I of the best backup tools for beginners is AOMEI Backupper Standard, which nevertheless works on Windows XP. It's free and backs upwardly only to external drives, not cloud locations.

The all-around performer EaseUS Todo Backup Free also works fine on XP. Unfortunately, cloud backup services like Backblaze don't back up Windows XP any longer.

Download: AOMEI Backupper Standard | EaseUS Todo Backup Gratis

Miscellaneous Windows XP Apps

Let's briefly take a look at several other categories of apps that still work on Windows XP.

Audio and Video

For local media, nothing beats VLC Media Player---it plays every kind of audio and video imaginable, and nonetheless works on Windows XP.

If you prefer to stream music, Spotify has dropped support for Windows XP, but you can however use the Web Histrion.

windows xp software still works spotify

About other streaming services, similar Pandora, take a web player that should work in a supported XP browser similar Maxthon.

Download/Access: VLC Media Actor

Visit: Spotify Web Thespian | Pandora

Epitome Editing

One of the best easy-to-use editors, Pigment.Net, no longer supports Windows XP. The latest versions of GIMP, another popular paradigm editor that's open source, don't work on Windows XP either.

windows xp software still works gimp

Instead of downloading an older version of GIMP, y'all can try a browser-based solution like Sumo Paint.

While you're at it, you should install the splendid image viewer IrfanView. It's much improve than Windows Flick and Fax Viewer and offers tons of extra features. And it works on Windows XP, surprisingly.

Download: IrfanView

Visit: Sumo Paint

Cloud Storage

Dropbox, perhaps the biggest cloud storage platform, does non piece of work at all on Windows XP. Microsoft'due south own OneDrive service also no longer works on XP. Unfortunately, Google Bulldoze'due south desktop app (now named Backup and Sync) is a no-go likewise.

Thus, to collaborate with your cloud storage, you'll need to sign into the web portals and utilize them in your browser. Information technology's not ideal, just at least you can still access your files.

Visit: Dropbox | OneDrive | Google Drive

Utilities

Two of the best file pinch and extraction programs, PeaZip and seven-Zip, are all the same going strong on Windows XP. PeaZip is more aesthetically pleasing, while vii-Aught is a Windows classic.

Adobe Reader only offers version 11 (not the newest Acrobat Reader DC) for Windows XP. This is doable, but nearly browsers can open PDFs now as well, and so it'south not a big worry.

Windows XP doesn't have the built-in Snipping Tool to take screenshots, so you lot can install another screenshot tool to take screenshots instead. PicPick nevertheless works on Windows XP.

Download: 7-Zip | PeaZip | PicPick

Few Windows XP Software Still Stand up

As we mentioned throughout this list, the bulk of popular software doesn't work on Windows XP anymore. If y'all're withal running XP, we highly recommend that you migrate to a supported operating system as soon every bit possible.

These programs could drop support for XP at whatever time, and using an unsupported Os still isn't safe, even with compatible software.

Image Credit: undrey/Depositphotos