Windows XP is an operating system that was released in 2002. It has many features that make it unique. One of these is Remote Desktop, which allows you to control a computer from another location.
It has very low system requirements by today’s standards. It only needs a 300 megahertz processor and 128 megabytes of memory. It also requires 1.5 gigabytes of hard disk space.
Features
A redesigned Start menu and taskbar simplify navigation and access to applications. Windows XP also offers a left-side task pane that lets you view and manage tasks without interrupting the current program. The operating system can start up or wake up faster, and it’s easier to save work to disk and reopen applications after powering down. It can also be put into hibernation when the battery is drained, and it can automatically restart the computer after a certain period of time.
A new version of Microsoft’s graphical display engine, known as GDI+, offers improved drawing capabilities and better performance. However, a new mechanism for rendering text may cause problems for users of screen readers and screen magnifiers.
A redesigned version of Windows Explorer is designed to help you manage the growing number of files and folders on your computer. It now supports CD burning and publishing files to Web services. It also provides better support for USB, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) and high-speed serial bus technology, such as IEEE 1394.
Hardware requirements
Although Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, there are still many systems running it. To get the most out of it, a fast hard drive and generous amounts of RAM are needed. A newer processor with 64-bit capability is also recommended. XP also includes DirectX 10, which gives the computer additional graphics capabilities.
Compared to previous versions, the operating system improved support for gaming, digital photography, instant messaging and wireless networking. It includes a personal firewall and can function as both client and server in peer-to-peer networks.
Unlike previous consumer editions of the OS, XP uses protected memory, which prevents unstable programs from crashing other applications or causing a system crash. This technology, which was first introduced in Windows 2000, has been incorporated into later versions of the OS, including Windows Vista and Windows 7. XP is compatible with most PC hardware and software, but some newer applications may not work on older machines.
Installation
The installation process starts with turning on the computer and entering the BIOS setup. This is usually done by pressing the key needed to enter it (it varies from PC to PC). You need to set the system BIOS and prepare disks for Intel AHCI mode (see Chapter 3, Preparing Disks for the Operating System).
After you press the Start button, Windows XP checks your hard drive for previous versions of Windows. If you don’t find any, the program deletes the old partition on your hard drive and creates a new one.
Then the program asks you to select a language and keyboard style for your install. After you do this the installer continues. It may take a few minutes for the installer to load files, so sit back and relax. XP allows multiple users to use the same computer with individual computer accounts. Each account tracks settings, documents, and email messages. XP Professional also supports business applications and provides additional security options.
Security
Its default firewall and no-execute memory protection features reduce the risk of malware infections by stopping many common exploit techniques. IT administrators can also use the free EMET software to “backport” security measures from later versions of Windows, such as Structured Exception Handler Overwrite Prevention (SEHOP) designed to prevent buffer overflow exploits, and add more advanced measures such as Data Execution Prevention.
For environments where multiple people share a single computer, Windows XP allows each person to have their own unique computer account. This prevents one person from compromising another user’s files or settings. It also makes it easy for users to log off the computer and let someone else take over.
As of April 8, 2014, Microsoft no longer provides new security updates for Windows XP. CTU researchers expect continued discovery and disclosure of vulnerabilities linked to Windows XP well past its end-of-support date, but will likely come from non-authoritative third parties rather than through official channels.