20 years after its release, windows xp remains a favorite among computer users. Its ease of use makes it ideal for home and business computers.
If more than one person uses the computer, XP lets each user have their own computer account. This limits what malware can do on the computer.
1. Easy to use
When windows xp was introduced in 2001, Microsoft made it a point to stress ease of use. Compared to the geeky, server version of Windows NT that preceded it and its consumer-oriented predecessor, Windows 95, it was an easy-to-use operating system.
When you insert a windows xp disk, it prompts you to choose which way to boot your computer. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select the choice for your CD-ROM drive, and then press Enter.
Then, the installation begins. Unlike previous operating systems that looked like DOS, XP’s installation is straightforward and quick. Afterward, the software automatically detects and installs hardware drivers, which enable your computer to communicate with the operating system. XP is also a true “plug and play” operating system.
2. Virus protection
Virus protection is a major concern of many Windows XP users, especially since Microsoft discontinued support in 2014. Despite the fact that they can’t receive regular security updates, it is still possible to keep a computer secure with antivirus software.
There are plenty of programs that work on XP and offer high levels of protection. These include AVG, BitDefender and Panda Protection. These programs have user-friendly interfaces and don’t slow down a computer’s performance.
AV-Test, which evaluates antivirus programs for consumer and business use, recently tested 23 products that are compatible with Windows XP. Their results showed that the best consumer products scored full marks in protection and performance, while business products received top marks for both. They also scored highly in usability. Despite this, users should still make sure they back up their data and upgrade to a supported operating system.
3. Easy to install
After selecting your keyboard and language preferences, the installation program will begin copying files from the CD to your computer. Depending on the size of the drive and the speed of your computer, this can take several minutes.
The next page asks you if you want to format the partition using the FAT or NTFS file system. NTFS is preferred, as it supports larger partition sizes and offers security features at the file system level.
At this point, you will need to agree to the Windows XP Licensing Agreement. You can read it carefully or skip it to continue the installation. This is the last time that future windows installations will resemble the old DOS-lookalike text-based installers of their predecessors. From now on, all future windows installations will be graphical and user-friendly.
4. Easy to customize
A user can customize a number of aspects of windows xp, including desktop icons, screen savers and color schemes. Additionally, a user can change the look of the taskbar and the start menu.
Changing the font size in windows xp is as simple as going to the Appearance tab in the Display Properties window and selecting the new font from the list of available options. The same is true for changing the appearance of a screen saver.
The only drawback to changing the appearance of a computer is that some settings don’t work on all versions of windows. This includes things like the idiotic Passport reminder prompt (see replace Windows/MSN Messenger for instructions). This may drive you crazy so try a bit of software called UxStyle which relaxes Microsoft’s theme signature requirements allowing 3rd party customization.
5. Easy to upgrade
Even though Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP in 2014, it is still easy to upgrade to a new operating system. For example, you can use the Automatic Updates feature in XP to check for and install updates regularly. This helps reduce security risks and keep your computer running smoothly.
XP also added a feature called Compatibility Mode that lets software run as if it were an earlier version of Windows. It also includes a new programming language called C#, which was designed to rival Java.
However, you should not rely on this feature to troubleshoot problems with your system. It is recommended that you update to a supported operating system to get ongoing support and protection from potential vulnerabilities. It is important to backup your files and documents before reinstalling an operating system.