A computer’s operating system controls the computer hardware. The operating system enables the user to interact with the computer using small pictures called icons.
The desktop displays the information stored on the computer. The Windows XP operating system supports multiple users. Each user has his own computer account that tracks his personal settings and documents.
What is Windows XP?
Windows XP is an Operating System developed by Microsoft. It has many features that are not found in previous versions of Windows such as system restore, software compatibility and remote desktop assistance.
To navigate the system you use a mouse or trackball to move the pointer (a small cursor that represents your position on the screen) to select objects and invoke menus. You can open multiple Windows and Applications simultaneously. Each window has a title and a button in the Taskbar that allows you to easily switch between them.
If more than one person uses a computer, Windows XP enables each user to have their own separate computer account with its own documents and settings. Windows XP also enables you to switch or log off of the computer so that someone else can log in later.
Windows XP Home
Windows XP Home Edition provides access to the Internet, email and other features that you’re likely to use on a computer at home. It also has improved security, more hardware support and an intuitive user interface.
Unlike previous versions of Windows, the desktop provides a standard set of icons (graphical pictures) that represent applications and files. The Start button and taskbar are the primary tools for controlling the computer, and you’ll learn more about them in upcoming lessons.
Microsoft rolled out a version of XP for embedded systems in 2001, called XP Embedded. This version is componentized so that an original equipment manufacturer can choose just the components it needs, reducing operating system footprint and attack area. It also can run on low-end processors such as Intel’s Celeron and AMD’s Duron.
Windows XP Professional
Designed for businesses of all sizes, Windows XP Professional offers improved reliability, security and performance. It also supports advanced capabilities for business and power users.
Microsoft has also produced two editions of Windows XP intended for hardware manufacturers to use in subscription-based or pay as you go-based models for selling computers. These editions, Windows XP Home Edition for Subscription Computers and Windows XP Pro Edition for Prepaid Computers operate in a special mode (normal, limited access, or locked) based on the amount of time that has been paid for by the user via prepaid cards.
Media Center Edition adds TV and multimedia capabilities, such as support for Media Center Extenders, auto playlist DJ and high end visual screen savers. It is the only consumer oriented edition of Windows XP to be updated with new features on a regular basis over its five-year development life cycle.
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Microsoft’s Media Center Edition (MCE) turned your PC into a media hub, giving you a single unified experience for watching TV, digital music, digital video and pictures. It also offers free remote control access to all of that content.
MCE has evolved since its inception two years ago, but it still functions as a media-focused operating system for your home computer. Like XP, MCE comes with Windows Media Player 10.0 and is supported by most of the same hardware as other XP components.
Unlike previous versions, XP MCE 2005 will be available to white box system builders as well as major PC makers. But existing Media Center users will have to wait for their PC makers to offer a cheap or free upgrade. The new version will require a specialized hardware configuration, including a 1.6 GHz processor and DirectX 9.0 hardware-accelerated graphics.
Minimum Requirements for Windows XP
Many software applications remain compatible with Windows XP. However, as time passes and support for the operating system ends, newer versions of software may not work with it.
Compared with its predecessors, Windows XP was praised for its improved performance and stability, intuitive user interface, enhanced hardware support, and expanded multimedia capabilities. It was also a popular choice among computer gamers.
The minimum system requirements for a Windows XP installation include a hard drive that spins at 7,200rpm, a fast processor (such as 233MHz or higher), and 128MB of RAM. However, to achieve optimum performance, a faster hard drive and more memory are recommended. The operating system also includes a built-in firewall that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic. This helps protect your computer from unauthorized access and malicious software.