Microsoft's new Windows XP operating system is full of new features for both home and business users

By Jon Byous

Windows XP, Microsoft's latest and most efficient operating system, is so powerful that it is designed to replace all previous version of Windows. From a general user perspective, it's an important upgrade, and the initial Beta reviews have been very positive. You can read articles elsewhere on this site that explain why Windows XP is important to you as a developer. If you're like most techies, however, sooner or later those close to you will start asking whether they should be interested in Windows XP or not—and if so, why. Here's a summary of the key end-user aspects of Windows XP, so you'll be prepared when the questions start coming.

Windows XP enables an expanded world of PC usability, especially in two areas:

• Multiple Devices—such as digital cameras, video, music players, PDAs and scanners;
• Web Services—including publishing, storing and sharing information such as pictures, documents and video on the web.

At Home, at Work
Windows XP comes in two editions—Windows XP Home Edition for home use and Windows XP Professional for business and power users.

This new operating system is designed to give you better connections to other users over the Internet, for communications and gaming, for example, and makes the task of setting up a home network much easier than before.

Because Windows XP is powered by the new Windows Engine, it gives you the most dependable Windows performance ever. This is also the first time home users get the power and reliability that business users have enjoyed with Windows 2000, extending the role of your home PC in creative and entertainment activities.

Windows XP Professional includes all the capabilities of Windows XP Home Edition, plus important features to meet the demanding needs of business and power users in areas such as mobile computing, networking, security, and management.

In fact, Windows XP Professional's enhancements make it the clear choice for mobile users, businesses of all sizes, and power users. It includes enhanced networking, security, management, and support capabilities. Windows XP Professional's advanced features in these areas include:

• Networking—Allows you to belong to a domain and be centrally managed.
• Corporate security—Includes domain authentication, Encrypting File System, auditing tools.
• Corporate management—Group policy support, IntelliMirror^® software management technology, improved scripting support and management interfaces.
• Mobile Computing—Offline Folders and Encrypting File System
• Advanced/power user features—Multi-monitor support, back-up utility, 2-processor support, built-in administrative tools.

Hardware Requirements
As a more powerful operating system, Windows XP does require new levels of power and memory in the hardware configuration. The hardware requirements are a Pentium III processor with a minimum of 64 MB of RAM (128 MB of RAM is preferable).

Empowering the User
Whether you choose the Home or Professional edition, in both cases Windows XP has been designed to make each user experience with the operating system simpler, yet more meaningful and more powerful than before, emphasizing new levels of both enjoyment and productivity.

For example, the Microsoft development team obviously worked hard to push the capabilities in several areas:

• Photos and Home Videos—Windows XP expands your ability to share media with your friends and family by making it easy for all PC users to enjoy digital memories to save, share and publish online.
• Music and Entertainment—Windows XP makes it much easier for home users to organize music and videos, enjoy them on the PC and use them on new devices.
• Help and Support—Windows XP unifies the support experience for many people by offering a variety of online and integrated self-help and assisted support features.
• Mobility—Windows XP enables you to connect back to your desktop from almost anywhere.
• Connected Home—Windows XP makes it easier to network home PCs and devices, and it allows you to make your PC resources and information accessible to others.

Windows XP was built to exceed all earlier Windows reliability standards. It is based on the strength of the Windows 2000 Professional business operating system. Plus, it includes vast improvements in intuitive ease-of-use, online capabilities, and security.

What's New in Windows XP?
Here are some highlights of the key enhancements Windows XP brings to consumers, businesses and power users.

A Design for New and Experienced Users
Windows XP sports a new visual look along with a functional, task-oriented design and streamlined navigation. Microsoft's goal was to create an operating environment that was elegant, simple, intuitive and inviting.

In fact, much of the new task-oriented functionality is designed to help new users become productive fast, and at the same time, allow experienced users to benefit from the new features and customize them to their preferences.

Ease of Set Up and Use
Microsoft spent a lot of development time to get all users up and running faster, and with less effort. Here are some of the features that help:

• New Windows XP PCs work quickly right out of the box with less setup effort.
• A new friendly Welcome Screen gives you easy navigation.
• Multiple user support with Fast User Switching makes it easy for multiple people to share a PC and quickly switch between users.
• Fast Internet connection support is included for Cable or DSL connections.
• A Migration Wizard helps you move documents and settings from your existing PC to your new Windows XP-based PC, letting you easily transfer your information across PCs or operating systems.
• A Home Networking Wizard offers faster setup with other PCs and hardware.
• Dynamic Setup allows you to download the latest in hardware and application support to your PC when you run setup.

A Better Online Experience
Windows XP maximizes your online experience with improved features that make the Web more simple, secure, and convenient to use:

• Enhanced ease-of-use with the latest Microsoft Internet Explorer technologies, such as fast and stable browsing and new, enhanced toolbars that improve usability.
• New support for online privacy standards.
• Internet Connection Firewall for improved network security and protection.
• New Search Companion for more intelligent searching.
• Streamlined security via Microsoft Passport integration.
• Tools for publishing pictures, video, and more to the web quicker and easier.

Entertainment Enhancements
Superior capabilities in Windows XP make it the most versatile Windows operating system for entertainment:

• Scan, view and organize photographs like a professional—including automated acquisition from digital cameras.
• Attach images to e-mail or post to the Web in an instant; it's even easier to send video through e-mail because of advanced data compression.
• Discover and play back audio and video content, including music, movies and more.
• Use the new version of Windows Media™ Player for better digital media capabilities.
• Enjoy better gaming with lifelike graphics, full-featured audio and the ability to support high performance multi-player games in your home and across the net with the latest integrated DirectX^® technologies.
• Copy, manage and record music, photos and other content onto devices, including the ability to record your own CDs.

Dependability and Support Improvements
Microsoft says that Windows XP is the most reliable Windows operating system ever for several reasons:

• It's based on the industry-proven Windows 2000 foundation.
• It has improved compatibility with more applications and broader hardware support.
• It supports the latest devices, such as digital cameras, printers, joysticks, music players, PDAs, and keyboards.
• It offers enhanced Internet security features to protect your privacy and valuable data.
• It contains personalized login features with added levels of security.

Windows XP also offers comprehensive help and support services with many improvements over past systems:

• Windows XP Help and Support Center serves as the central point of assistance for your help needs.
• Convenient system updates with Windows Update and Automatic Update.
• Driver Referral Server for new hardware where there is no available driver.
• Automatic information service for hardware and software compatibility.
• Microsoft Online Assisted Support connects you to a Microsoft support professional who is able to upload rich system data for faster resolution of your problem.
• Remote Assistance lets you receive online help from friends, colleagues or a support professional.
• Search Assistant helps you find information, files, and folders.
• Improved troubleshooting and diagnostic tools guide you through the process.
• Error-message extensions link you to online solutions to help you at the time the problem occurs.
• System Restore automatically monitors and records system changes and can revert back to previous state.

Shedding Old Code
Windows XP is a significant upgrade from all previous versions of Microsoft Windows. It standardizes the Windows code base to that of Windows NT, finally eliminating all Windows 3.x and Windows 95/98 code from the operating system. That fact alone would make it attractive to most users. But the all-new capabilities it brings should be a considerable benefit to both beginning and experienced users.