m Windows XP is an operating system that was

produced by Microsoft for use onpersonal

computers, including home and business
desktops, laptops, and media centers. It was
first released to computer manufacturers on
August 24, 2001, and is the most popular
version of Windows, based on installed user
base. The name "XP" is short for "eXPerience."
m uring development, the project was
codenamed "Whistler", after Whistler, British
Columbia, as many Microsoft employees
skied at the Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort.
m According to web analytics data generated
by W3Schools, as of January 2011, Windows
XP is the most widely used operating system
for accessing the Internet in the world with a
45.3% market share, having peaked at 76.1%
in January 2007.
Windows XP featured a new task-based graphical user
interface. The Start menu and Taskbar were updated
and many visual effects were added, including:
m A translucent blue selection rectangle in Explorer
m rop shadows for icon labels on the desktop
m Task-based sidebars in Explorer windows ("common
tasks")
m The ability to group the taskbar buttons of the
windows of one application into one button
m The ability to lock the taskbar and other toolbars to
prevent accidental changes
m The highlighting of recently added programs on the
Start menu
m Shadows under menus (Windows 2000 had
shadows under mouse pointers, but not menus)
vew and updated features
Windows XP introduced several new features to the
Windows line, including:
m GI+ graphics subsystem
m Start Menu and Taskbar improvements
m A number of new features in Windows Explorer
m Faster start-up, logon and logoff
and hibernation sequences.
m The ability to discard a newer device driver in favor
of the previous one (known as driver rollback),
should a driver upgrade not produce desirable
results.
m A new, arguably more user-friendly interface,
including the framework for developing themes for
the desktop environment
m Fast user switching, which allows a user to save the
current state and open applications of their desktop
and allow another user to log on without losing that
information
m The Clear Type font rendering mechanism, which is
designed to improve text readability on liquid crystal
display (LC) and similar monitors
m Remote esktop functionality, which allows users to
connect to a computer running Windows XP Pro
from across a network or the Internet and access
their applications, files, printers, and devices.
m Support for most SL modems and IEEE
802.11 connections, as well as networking
over FireWire, and Bluetooth.
m Improved application compatibility compared to
Windows 2000
Service packs
m Microsoft occasionally releases service
packs for its Windows operating systems
to fix problems and add features. Each
service pack is a superset of all previous
service packs and patches so that only
the latest service pack needs to be
installed, and also includes new
revisions.
Service Pack 1

m Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows XP was

released on September 9, 2002. It contains
post-RTMsecurity fixes and hot-fixes,
compatibility updates, optional .vET
Framework support, enabling technologies
for new devices such as Tablet PCs, and a
new Windows Messenger 4.7 version. The
most notable new features were USB
2.0 support and a Set Program Access and
efaultsutility that aimed at hiding various
middleware products.
Service Pack 2

m Service Pack 2 (SP2) was released on

August 25, 2004,with an emphasis on
security. Unlike the previous service
pack, SP2 added new functionality to
Windows XP, such as WPA encryption
compatibility and improved Wi-
Fi support (with a wizard utility), a pop-
up ad blocker for Internet Explorer 6,
and Bluetooth support.
Security issues
m Windows XP has been criticized for its
susceptibility to malware, computer
viruses, Trojan horses, and computer
worms. Security issues are compounded by
the fact that users, by default, receive an
administrator account that provides
unrestricted access to the underpinnings of
the system. If the administrator's account is
broken into, there is no limit to the control
that can be asserted over the compromised
PC.
Search
m Microsoft introduced animated
´Search Companionsµ in an
attempt to make searching more
engaging and friendly; the default
character is a puppy named
Rover, with three other characters
(Merlin the magician, Earl the
surfer, and Courtney) also
available. These search
companions powered
by Microsoft Agent technology,
bear a great deal of similarity
to Microsoft Office·s Office
Assistants, even incorporating
´tricksµ and sound effects.
Editions
m The two major editions are Windows XP
Home Edition, designed for home users, and
Windows XP Professional, designed for
business and power-users. XP Professional
contains advanced features that the average
home user would not use. However, these
features are not necessarily missing from XP
Home. They are simply disabled, but are
there and can become functional.
m . These releases were made available at retail
outlets that sell computer software, and were
preinstalled on computers sold by major
computer manufacturers. As of mid-2008, both
editions continue to be sold. A third edition,
called Windows XP Media Center Edition was
introduced in 2002 and was updated every year
until 2006 to incorporate new digital media,
broadcast television and Media Center
Extender capabilities. Unlike the Home and
Professional edition, it was never made available
for retail purchase, and was typically either sold
through OEM channels, or was preinstalled on
computers that were typically marketed as
"media center PCs".






   
 




  


 


 
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