Technology Decades-old Windows systems are still running trains, printers, and hospitals

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https://www.techspot.com/news/107960-decades-old-windows-systems-running-trains-printers-hospitals.html

The big picture: There have been 15 Windows versions released over the last three decades, but even today, some of Microsoft's oldest works continue to hum away in the background. All over the world, ancient versions of Windows are still keeping elevators moving, trains running, and even government systems functioning.

A new BBC report uncovers some of the strangest real-world cases where outdated versions of Windows are still powering critical systems. One example is a hospital elevator in New York City, spotted this year, which still runs on Windows XP; the final version of that OS lost extended support from Microsoft in April 2019. Some ATMs run even older versions, powered not just by Windows XP but also Windows NT, which launched way back in 1993.

As it turns out, XP's stability and deep integration with proprietary control systems make it ideal for setups that haven't changed in years. Moreover, an ATM technician in New Jersey told the BBC that the cost of upgrading these systems is steep, with new hardware, regulatory hurdles, and custom software rewriting all adding up.

Decades-old Windows systems are still running trains, printers, and hospitals

A new BBC report uncovers some of the strangest real-world cases where outdated versions of Windows are still powering critical systems. One example is a hospital elevator...

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