There are hundreds of free software applications available available online, some more useful than others, but all are available free of charge if you are willing to put in the work to hunt them down and wade through the installers. Not always a trivial task.
Microsoft has introduced the Windows 7 operating system, and it seems to be a worthy replacement for Windows XP, which is EoL on October 22. Windows 7 has a much greater cost.
Microsoft has ended its low-cost operating system deals - XP could be had for just $3 per license. Now, Microsoft is charging much more per license for OEM's to install Win7 on new PC's. In addition, Microsoft recommends 2GB RAM for optimal performance.
For the last several years, Microsoft has threatened to end the ability of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to install Windows XP on their hardware. Yet the bloat of Windows Vista, the rise of 4P Computing, and the draw of emerging markets has kept XP alive. Now 9 years (!) after it was first introduced, Microsoft has finally ended XP's life.
