I think the point everyone is making is that there's no "reason" to keep using xp64..
Win7 will run everything...
True, but if you come across a FREE disk containing an original XP64 then install the beggar. It still runs with all the latest Video Cards (go figure). Plus you only use a motherboard setup that will utilize all the drivers with this OS; ie., older Asus, Gigabyte and Asrock boards have fully available drivers to work with XP64.
I have installed XP64 on an older P55 motherboard and it's been perfect. Little overhead and with no chiming into Microsoft headquarters without me knowing it and allowing it if need be. You can't stop the idiot 8 from contacting microsoft at all. No matter how you configure the firewall.
There is a reason why older versions of Microsoft Operating Systems still have their legions of devoted followers because it worked with very little memory installed and completes the task(s) perfectly.
Pity Microsoft gave up on the idea of making lean OS's that don't need to contact them daily, on the sly. I always hated on giving up of my privacy to use their latest version of crap, maybe why Linux is now my best choice. Always liked an OS that does it's job with little fanfare and won't need to give up my privacy to dubious corporations.