When first installing windows xp, be sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements. You will also need a valid product key to complete installation.
Upon completing the initial setup, Windows XP will begin copying files to your computer. The process can take a while and it is normal for the screen to flicker or turn on/off during this time.
Features
Windows XP is the first version of Windows to focus on making the computer more of a digital hub, and it also added many features aimed at supporting multimedia use. These included a media player that supports MP3, WMA and OGG formats, Windows Photo Gallery, and a slideshow screensaver for the desktop. It also allows for a user-defined search scope, and searches can be based on file types or perceived type (such as documents, pictures, music and videos). Windows Explorer includes the ability to lock toolbars and enables users to view files in a grid format that shows the icon of each file, its description and other information (such as the size of a data file or the name of the publisher of an application) beside each item. It also adds support for displaying Exif properties and object tree metadata in file listings, and it enables debugging of applications by attaching to the non-crashing user mode process, dumping its memory space and reattaching without terminating the application.
Installation
The installation process for windows xp can be a bit tricky for first time users. This is mainly due to the fact that the setup program formats the hard drive and erases all data. It is therefore recommended to back up all files before proceeding with the install. Once the installation starts it will detect your system hardware and ask you which partition you wish to install on. If you do not have partitions on your HDD then it is advisable to full format and choose the NTFS file system (this may take some time).
The next dialog window asks for your 25-character product code which can be found either on the Certificate of Authenticity sticker or on the Windows XP packaging. It will also ask you if you would like to register your installation with Microsoft.
The final dialog window allows you to select Regional settings such as language, date and time formats. The screen will then show you a list of tasks that are left to complete and estimate the amount of time it will take to finish them.
Compatibility
XP is one of the most stable operating systems that Microsoft has ever released. It is also easy to run and requires low-demand hardware standards from 10 years ago, making it a good choice for people with limited resources and older computers.
Several problems can arise from running older programs under XP, including choppy sound and timing issues with music applications. This can usually be resolved by updating the program, although in some cases there is not much that can be done.
It is also recommended that the XP system be used from a limited account rather than an administrator account, which allows all users to do whatever they want. This prevents malware from hijacking an admin account and doing things that could compromise the security of the computer. This is a key reason why many organizations have not yet migrated to a newer version of windows, especially government agencies that rely on critical software like CAD.
Security
There are still around a billion devices running Windows XP, and Microsoft stopped issuing security updates for the system on April 8, 2014. This leaves XP computers at risk of attack until they’re upgraded to a more modern operating system.
To mitigate some of the risks, businesses should consider installing a firewall and updating third-party software. Other precautions include requiring users to log in to standard, non-administrator accounts and using privilege management software. This helps to mitigate the majority of vulnerabilities reported by Microsoft.
Many cyber criminals target XP systems to steal personal information and maintain a low profile. A common way they spread malware is by using USB drives, which are frequently passed around colleges and cybercafes. Keeping the passwords on your computer unique is another key to protecting against attacks. XP supports the AuthZ API, which limits the privileges of services and reduces the surface area of possible attack by limiting the scope of credentials used for authentication.