Currently, Windows XP is still used by more than 1% of computers across the globe, and millions of people are still using the 19-year-old operating system. On Thursday, Sept. 24, some users on 4chan claimed that they had acquired the source code of the old computer system and leaked it on the internet.

[RUMOR] Windows XP's Source Code Has Been Leaked-- Experts Claim This Could Allow Anyone Create Own Variations of the System
(Photo : Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO - MARCH 22: A customer looks at a display of computers running the Microsoft Windows XP software at a CompUSA store March 22, 2006 in San Francisco, California. Microsoft, the world's largest software company, announced today that it will delay the much anticipated launch of its Vista operating system scheduled to be released to consumers mid year. Vista is expected to release January 2007 to consumers and November 2006 to business customers.

One of the users even posted a screenshot of the source code. A Reddit user helped spread the source code, uploading it as a torrent. However, there are no confirmations yet that it is Windows XP's source code.

On the other hand, a Twitter user under the name Greg Linares retweeted @RoninDey's post containing an image of the source code.

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"The Windows XP SP1 source code leak looks pretty legit. Thanks to @RoninDey for confirming," captioned the user.

"There is a lot of legacy in Windows 10, this leak will have a direct effect on security on current windows platforms," added Greg.

What is the source code?

Gizmodo's report explained that source code is like a recipe. For example, when people buy a cake, they only purchase the food product and not the recipe. This is comparable with Windows computers since people could only buy the device and not the source code.  

[RUMOR] Windows XP's Source Code Has Been Leaked-- Experts Claim This Could Allow Anyone Create Own Variations of the System
(Photo : Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO - MARCH 22: A customer looks at a laptop that is using Microsoft Windows XP operating system software at a CompUSA store March 22, 2006 in San Francisco, California. Microsoft, the world's largest software company, announced today that it will delay the much anticipated launch of its Vista operating system scheduled to be released to consumers mid year. Vista is expected to release January 2007 to consumers and November 2006 to business customers.

What would happen if the source code is leaked? 

Some people want to acquire the Windows XP source code because of numerous reasons. One of them is that the code could allow them to create their own variations of Windows XP. Once the users get their hands on the source code, they could change how they like it. 

However, some people would like to use it to find hack computers or cause other mischiefs. If the leak is true, then Windows users should upgrade their system to its latest version.  

For more news updates about Windows XP's source code leak, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. 

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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.

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