Windows XP came out in 2001, during a time when Microsoft was making record profits and dominating the computer market. It offered many improvements over its predecessor, including the removal of a notorious error message called the blue screen of death.
As more software and hardware developers optimize for later versions of Windows, XP is gradually falling out of favor. However, many users still use the operating system for various reasons.
Home Edition
Designed for use at home, this edition includes built-in support for peer-to-peer networking and the ability to join a Windows NT domain. It also allows for the use of digital cameras, disk drives, and printers.
The XP version of protected memory, first introduced in NT, keeps unstable programs from crashing other applications or even the operating system itself. This is a significant improvement over earlier versions of Windows, where any program could cause all other programs to crash and the system itself to freeze or reboot.
Unlike previous consumer editions of Windows, XP provides administrative shares (hidden shares accessible to administrators over the network). It also supports the use of a wide variety of hardware equipment, including scanners, printers, and digital cameras. It also provides a better media experience with Windows Movie Maker, NetMeeting and integrated CD burning.
Professional Edition
The Professional Edition adds business- and power-user-oriented features that aren’t available in XP Home. In particular, Pro includes support for dynamic disks (whereas HE does not) and the IIS Web server 5.1 software, which supports up to two microprocessors (whereas HE only supports one).
Microsoft also offers a 64-bit version of Windows XP, marketed as “Windows XP Professional x64 Edition”. This edition runs on Intel Itanium processor hardware and provides advanced features for IT professionals, such as peer-to-peer networking and support for joining a Windows NT domain.
Another version of XP, known as “Windows XP Embedded” or XPe, is componentized so that an original equipment manufacturer can install only the parts that are needed. XPe is used on a wide variety of devices, including point-of-sale terminals, kiosks/ATMs, arcade video games and medical computers. However, licensing restrictions prevent XPe from being deployed on standard PCs. Rather, XPe is typically installed as an option alongside the standard OEM installation on Dell notebooks, for example.
Media Center Edition
While XP Home Edition was for consumers and XP Professional was geared toward office work, windows xp media center edition is strictly intended for use with home theater PCs. It offers a new remote-control interface that unifies digital video recording, music, photos and DVDs into one integrated experience.
This version of XP requires a specific type of computer hardware to operate effectively. The minimum specifications are a Pentium processor with 233 MHz clock speed and 64 MB of RAM. Additionally, it requires a DVD ROM drive and a high-resolution monitor with a VGA connector.
It also supports a wide range of TV devices including DVRs, as well as an Xbox 360 as a media center extender. The first release, in 2004, included a major UI overhaul with the Segoe font and support for HDTV. The software is not available individually to retail customers, but instead is licensed to original equipment manufacturers for inclusion on desktop/laptop computers marketed as media center PCs.
Tablet PC Edition
An all-new PC form factor, a tablet, requires an all-new OS that makes the new hardware easy to use. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is Microsoft’s response, released in November 2002. Essentially, this is the same operating system as Windows XP Professional with extra software for tablet use.
This includes additional utilities like the Ink input panel and the Journal and Sticky Notes applications. It also features a handwriting recognition process that can convert your pen strokes into text for almost any non-full-screen application. You can even modify the recognizer to expect left-handed or cursive writing, and you can add more languages with the install of a language pack.
This control panel also lets you specify the location of right click menus (to avoid covering the menu with your hand), move them to accommodate a left-handed user, and calibrate your pen. It also enables movements called Gestures, which simulate mouse actions like a double-click or the movement of the cursor.