Windows XP was well received by people with the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality. It was an operating system that could run close to 10 years worth of programs without compatibility issues or costly hardware upgrades.
The program prioritised the user’s needs, unlike newer versions that seemed bloated and tried to do too much for themselves.
Requirements
There are a number of requirements that must be met for windows xp to run properly. These include a 1GHz or faster processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of hard drive space. A graphics card that supports DirectX 9 is also needed.
A new graphical user interface was introduced with XP, called Luna. It features a task-based selection toolbar, a new four-color window logo and other changes. It also added ClearType anti-aliasing for more legible text on LCD-TFT monitors and laptops.
A feature that is still used in modern Windows operating systems is Device Driver Rollback, which allows the reinstallation of an older version of a hardware driver when an update fails. Another feature is a built-in firewall that protects against unauthorized incoming connections and blocks outgoing ones. This is an essential feature for anyone who uses the computer to connect to the internet. Other security features include password protection and support for multiple languages.
Installation
When you insert the Windows XP installation CD or DVD, the program displays an image of the Microsoft Windows logo (see the first picture below). Then, it asks you to choose a language and keyboard configuration.
Next, the program displays a partition map of your hard disk drive. You must select a partition where you want to install Windows XP. If you have more than one partition, you can use the option to repartition your hard disk drive before installing Windows XP. If you do this, any data on existing partitions will be erased.
You must also decide if you want to help protect your computer by activating automatic updates now or later. If you choose later, you must manually activate updates for your Windows XP system. You can also select a user name and password for the computer. This is a security feature that prevents other people from accessing your personal files. In addition, the program allows you to create a roaming profile that lets you log on to other computers with your customized settings.
Upgrades
In addition to preventing viruses, worms and trojan attacks from attacking your computer, upgrading to a new operating system offers superior software integration capabilities. If your business is ready to move beyond Windows XP, contact Network Depot and one of our consultants will help you find the most dynamic, yet cost-effective solution.
When you upgrade to a new operating system, it’s important to perform a software audit and determine which software is and isn’t compatible with the new platform. This will help you avoid any unexpected issues that may arise during the transition process. It is also crucial to back up your data to a secure location prior to the upgrade. A external hard drive, USB or cloud storage service are all good options for storing your data backups. Once you’ve backed up your data, you can begin the migration process. This will ensure that all of your important applications are available to you once the upgrade is complete.
Security
Many security experts say that XP remains a vulnerability, since Microsoft stopped providing security updates for the OS in April of this year. However, they also suggest that a variety of steps can help minimise the risks.
For instance, XP systems can be run on a trusted LAN and logged into by users with only mission-critical privileges. Moreover, modern whitelisting software like that offered by Bit9 can prevent XP systems from running unauthorised applications and may also protect memory to make it more difficult for attackers to execute code.
In addition, it is recommended to disable USB ports and CD drives on the XP machine. This eliminates one of the main routes by which malware can attack a system. Moreover, many anti-virus and firewall vendors continue to provide updates for XP. So, if those tools are kept up to date, they can block most common attacks. And, finally, if an organisation is not tied into a cloud or hosted service and is not running Internet-connected applications then disconnecting the device from the World Wide Web will remove most ways that an attacker can exploit it.