The Windows XP desktop provides an easy way to customize your computer. Make your desktop feel like your own using icons, wallpaper, and color schemes.
XP came in two editions: Home Edition fit best in unmanaged settings while Professional supported domain integration and advanced security. XP’s technical architecture and dependable performance made it a lifeline for many organizations with legacy software that can’t upgrade.
Features
As the successor to Windows 2000 and a replacement for Windows Me, XP introduced many new features. It supports faster user switching to separate session states on the same physical machine, which helps applications that cannot tolerate more than one instance running on the same machine at the same time or that require exclusive access to hardware. XP also supports mass storage descriptors that can determine what type of device the system is using so that surprise removal of devices does not result in loss of data.
XP has enhanced support for USB devices that allow users to simply plug in a device and immediately use it. Other XP improvements include a redesigned task pane for Windows Explorer, image slideshows and thumbnails, support for FireWire 800, dual-monitor support, and improvements to localization.
XP also supports ClearType, which renders text by computing the necessary sub-pixel adjustments to give it a sharper appearance on color LCD screens. Finally, XP includes direct support for CD burners so that users can create their own CD-ROM disks without the need to buy third-party software.
Compatibility
Windows XP brought enterprise-grade stability to everyday users, merging the best of Windows 2000 with consumer-friendly features from Windows 98/Me. Its success spawned a family of editions including Home, Professional, Embedded, Media Center, Tablet PC and 64-bit flavors. Later service packs from XP SP2 onward unified some of the editions’ feature sets, including the use of blue progress bars for all versions, and the removal of the SKU and copyright years from the boot screen.
When more than one person uses a computer, Windows XP allows each user to log in using an account that tracks unique settings, documents and applications. This is especially helpful for organizations that require specialized software that may not be compatible with newer operating systems. Alternatively, a virtual machine is a great way to run XP in a secure, isolated environment that can be updated as necessary without risking the hardware. Nevertheless, a modern operating system like Windows 10 or 11 requires native support for software and hardware drivers to perform properly.
Security
When it comes to security, XP has some great features. For example, Windows Update can be set to install security patches automatically and it includes a built-in firewall. Plus, if you use a virtual machine to run XP, you can avoid the risk of running random software from untrusted sources that might compromise your main system.
In addition, XP’s product activation helps reduce piracy by requiring that the OS be activated with Microsoft (online or over the phone) if it is moved to a different computer system, unless you have a valid serial number for that specific hardware configuration. XP also requires that users create separate computer accounts, which helps prevent someone from accessing personal information or settings from another user’s account.
As a business, however, you must keep in mind that XP machines haven’t had any security updates since 2014, and are vulnerable to modern malware and attacks. The best way to mitigate this risk is to isolate XP systems, keep them disconnected from the internet and behind a strong firewall, and ensure that any sensitive operations take place on a dedicated server or device.
End of Life
Few operating systems have left as indelible a mark as Windows XP. Its iconic “Bliss” wallpaper, approachable Luna interface, and robust stability set user expectations for years to come. Despite its age, XP is still widely used in industries like garment embroidery, where specialized software can’t run on newer OSes.
XP’s roots reach back to two earlier Microsoft projects, Neptune and Odyssey. Their merging under the codename Whistler was more than just a cosmetic change; it signaled a shift that brought enterprise-grade NT reliability to home computers.
As of April 8, 2014, Microsoft has ended support for Windows XP. This means that any PC running XP will no longer receive security updates to protect it from malicious attacks, and it won’t be able to leverage Microsoft vendor provided technical support. XP users should migrate to a supported version or use virtualization to keep their legacy systems safe and productive. Alternatively, XP can be surrounded with compensating controls such as monitoring, heightened physical security, and application whitelisting.