The minimum system requirements for Windows XP are 233 MHz processor, 64 MB of RAM, 1.5 GB free hard drive space, and SVGA-capable video card. However, a recent UITS survey found that a number of computers with minimum requirements do not run Windows XP smoothly. For this reason, 256 MB of RAM and a faster CPU is recommended. In addition, you should ensure that all users have the same group “Owners.”
The Starter Edition of Windows XP also comes with some unique limitations. It only supports three applications at a time and three windows per application. It is not licensed for high-end processors, and its disk space limit of 80 GB is not clear. Furthermore, there are few options to customize the desktop and taskbar in this edition. As a result, it may be less suitable for users with less-powerful computers.
The first version of Windows XP had the marketing tagline “Prepare to Fly.” However, after the September 11 attacks, Microsoft decided to change it to “Yes You Can!”. This change helped Microsoft avoid negative reactions to the software. However, despite the initial setbacks, the XP launch proved to be a huge success. Later, a 64-bit version of Windows XP was released, and the system was also enhanced to run on tablets and ink-aware Tablet PC devices.
Microsoft has a long-standing history of supporting the Windows XP operating system. It is the most popular desktop OS in the world. Despite being twenty years old, Windows XP has still maintained its market share in comparison to Windows Vista. As of April 2009, 75% of Windows computers still ran on XP. By 2014, however, only 19% of users were using Windows XP. Microsoft has extended security support for XP until 2019.
Microsoft has recently faced some controversy over Windows XP. The company has faced legal proceedings regarding monopoly rights in the operating system. In the United States v. Microsoft case, the company was found guilty of abusing its dominance of the operating system. Additionally, Windows XP’s tight integration with user applications has drawn criticism. For example, a computer user may use Windows Messenger to sign in to their email account or check their Facebook status.
Another feature that Windows XP has is its Notification Area. This area shows various icons, depending on the installed software. If a document is being printed, the printer icon will appear on the right of the screen. In addition, Microsoft uses the Notification Area to remind users about software updates. Other icons include rectangular buttons that show the name of the application.
In April 2009, Microsoft discontinued mainstream support for Windows XP, but extended support continued. Windows XP users can still receive security updates and make warranty claims if necessary. However, the Microsoft Support Center will not register Windows XP devices on the IU network. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that Windows XP users upgrade their computers to Windows 7 or higher.
Windows XP users should be careful to protect their computer from unauthorized installation. Unauthorized installations can lead to the system’s refusal to run. Microsoft is trying to prevent this from happening by preventing the distribution of Windows XP without proper registration. In addition, unauthorized installation may result in problems with Windows XP’s license.
Another option is to use a virtual machine to run Windows XP. A virtual machine allows users to use Windows XP on a Windows 7 machine without the need for a licensed copy of the operating system. The virtual machine has the same security risks as a traditional one, so there is no reason to use Windows XP on your primary system.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 released on August 6, 2004 with a strong focus on security. It added new functionality to Windows XP and included a new firewall and pop-up ad blocker in Internet Explorer. It also introduced Bluetooth support. The Windows Firewall was renamed to Windows Firewall in SP2. Other security improvements included advanced memory protection and a new “NX” bit to prevent buffer overflow attacks.
Windows XP was released in 2001, and was designed to address the shortcomings of its predecessor, Windows 2000. It was a massive hit, and became the best selling product by Microsoft. It remains one of the most popular operating systems to date. One notable feature of Windows XP is that it is based on the same kernel as Windows 2000.