Windows XP, the most iconic and some would even say best version of Windows, was released 23 years back today.

Even if you have never used Windows XP, there's a good chance you'll recognize the iconic Bucolic Green Hills background image. It was twenty years ago that the Bliss wallpaper, as well as the classic Windows operating systems were released to the public for the first time.

Windows XP was officially launched on October 25, 2001, as @DayTechHistory pointed out. XP is the successor to Windows 2000, a software that is almost as iconic. Windows XP has been praised for its stability and performance. It is also known for its chunky icons and the popular violin-driven startup sounds. This wallpaper is one of the best Windows has ever seen (see where it ranks in our list).

It's a very simple OS that doesn't try and sell you One Drive or Xbox Game Pass immediately, like Windows 11.

This legendary OS received its final security update in May 2019. According to the most recent Steam Hardware Survey only 0.10% Steam users are using a Windows OS prior to Windows 7. Windows XP is still used by businesses as terminals or backends, especially for those who don't require internet access.

Despite the vast time gap between Windows 8.1 and Windows XP, there are almost as many Windows XP computers still in use today as Windows 8.1.

While some may choose to keep the iconic background and look of Windows, a brave Windows Explorer showed earlier this year how vulnerable it is to modern hacking tools. A virtual machine running Windows XP became infected with Malware within 10 minutes due to the lack of anti-virus and firewall software.

Windows XP requires you to manually add these features. This can make it vulnerable. You can use older versions of Windows if you are a tech-savvy person, but they become more dangerous with age.

Windows 10 is one example. Microsoft will no longer support it in less than a year, so Microsoft won't keep it up to date with the latest security measures. Using older software will make you less secure as time goes by. Windows XP is celebrating its 23rd anniversary today. It's both a nostalgic journey and a sad reminder that it's time to upgrade that OS.