Support for XP ends next year, and what this means is that there will be no more updates available, INCLUDING security updates.
What this means is that should vulnerabilities be found in the OS (By Hackers for example) they will not be plugged by Microsoft, however providing you have good security software installed then this should not be too much of a problem in the near future. (Unless you regularly frequent dodgy sites)

With Windows 8 Microsoft is moving into providing the same time of update method as Apple provide for their computers. (A BETA version of the first update is already available from Microsoft (Free) with the completed version of it being scheduled for the end of August)

XP is over a decade old so it’s hardly surprising that Microsoft is dropping support for it, (Most other manufactures would have killed off support for it years ago) therefore moving on to a new OS is now a good time. (I would suggest Windows 7 Pro as Windows 8 is still pretty new and quite different OOTB then other Windows OS, plus Win 7 Pro has Virtual XP available for it which means in the unlikely event of something not working after upgrade, you can load in this software that will enable 99% of XP software to work OK on Win 7, however in most cases it will not be needed)

As to the adverts displaying then that has always been a problem, however do a search for Ad-Block software and it will solve most of the problem for you. (I suggest www.download.com as a good source)

Hope this helps

Bill

Thanks for all that Bill - looks like what with Avast software too I'm heading down a slippery slope...
I guess I could update from Windows XP...

Hi Rog,
You certainly could upgrade to a later version but if you go with Windows 7, you would need the Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise editions, to install and use the XP Mode mentioned by Bill above.
The Song Manager supplied with the KN7000, program will not run on 'Bare' Windows 7 or Windows 8 (Euch! I hate Win8) neither will SD Jukebox.
Also, your current XP PC or laptop may not be suitable for installing and running these later OS versions. Nowadays, you will be lucky to find a PC or Laptop with Windows 7 installed - most have the dreaded Windows 8 installed

Why not just keep one of your XP PCs as a dedicated PC for your KN7000, but install the FREE AVG as your virus protection, if that is the only thing causing a problem.

I have Windows 7 on my main laptop, and I really like that OS, but I bought a small ACER 10 inch Netbook with XP installed and it is permanently connected via USB to my KN7000 and has wireless Internet access. It sits nicely on the music stand - since I have no other use for the stand

Good thinking Bill - I'll do that and see where I go from there...many thanks

I certainly agree with Bill Norrie. Windows 8 changes literally everything! It is the future though, and is oriented toward touch screen tablets. I will wait as long as I can before using Windows 8. I'm not all that sure I want my stuff stored in the "clouds". I use Windows 7 Professional, and use the XP mode for a lot of stuff. I also keep a laptop with XP for all the software that needs to interface with the KN7000. It has wireless internet capability but I don't use it. I'm not concerned with loss of support for a computer that doesn't access the Internet.

I had to buy a new PC recently and had no choice but to buy a Windows 8 PC. After some setup I have it looking and working much like my old XP PC. It wasn't that big of a deal to do that.

You're a lot more computer savvy than most of us, Nigel. Maybe I'll buy a cheap laptop and experiment. For my first Windows 8 experience, I helped a friend (computer novice) move from XP to Windows 8 and couldn't get several programs to work properly. Also had to switch her email from Outlook Express to web mail. I decided I didn't want to do all of that for myself. There is no doubt that there was some confusion involved, and maybe I didn't give it enough time . . .

Hi Roger,

According to my grandson who works for Barclays Bank, Linkedin a place where you can "sell yourself/abilities" as he put it. I have to admit, I rarely look at it as I've better things to do than spend hours on the internet/emails. I'd much rather be experimenting and playing my keyboards as I am sure you'll agree.

"Happy playing"

Audrey

I agree with you Audrey - I've just joined a band for the first time in my life (67) and enjoying the new challenge of playing the keyboard as if it were an organ - see www.flyingmonkband.com

Problem solved - now using my laptop instead...Tain't right though is it !!!