| Windows XP comes in two versions: Home and | | | | |
| Professional. Both versions use the same | | | | If you switch off all the annoying special |
| system code, and Professional adds features | | | | effects - XP chugs along at a reasonable |
| such as better power management for mobile | | | | speed. For everyday tasks it isn't faster |
| users and file encryption, for protecting | | | | than either 2000 or Millennium, but demanding |
| confidential data. | | | | tasks such as audio or video rendering are |
| | | | quicker. |
| After installation, you have to use the | | | | |
| controversial Product Activation system. This | | | | To address any problems, Microsoft has |
| requires you to register online or by phone | | | | included three new features, two of which |
| to unlock Windows. Activation is a breeze but | | | | will be familiar to Windows Millennium users: |
| rather annoying. | | | | System Restore, System File Protection and |
| | | | Device Driver Rollback. System Restore |
| XP boots more quickly than previous versions | | | | enables you to take a snapshot of your hard |
| of Windows, but takes longer to shut down. | | | | disk - if things go wrong, you can simply |
| It's much easier on the eye than previous | | | | restore your system from the snapshot. |
| versions of Windows. XP can be skinned. | | | | |
| ClearType technology uses anti-aliasing to | | | | File Protection prevents the accidental |
| smooth the appearance of fonts if you're | | | | deletion of important system files, and |
| using a LCD monitor, and you can customize | | | | Device Driver Rollback is designed to help |
| almost anything. It's a big improvement over | | | | you deal with device driver problems by |
| previous versions. The overall look is much | | | | giving you the option to return to an older |
| friendlier than before. | | | | driver if an updated one causes problems. |
| | | | However, XP also includes a feature called |
| Many of the enhancements are designed to make | | | | Driver Blocking that may prevent you from |
| Windows easier to use. When you click on a | | | | using older software such as firewalls or |
| file in My Computer, a panel in the left of | | | | anti-virus software that isn't designed for |
| the window gives you options such as printing | | | | XP. |
| the file, copying it to CD and so on. The CD | | | | |
| copying uses technology from Roxio and | | | | Because both XP Home and Professional use the |
| enables you to use CD-R and CD-RW discs as if | | | | same system code, the same hardware drivers |
| they were giant floppy disks. The system also | | | | will work on both systems. The included |
| supports DVD-RAM drives. | | | | Internet Explorer 6.0 is prettier than on |
| | | | non-XP systems and can be upgraded to Version |
| Windows XP also includes a new version of | | | | 7 when installing updates. An integrated |
| Media Player, which will play DVD movies if | | | | Media Bar enables you to use Windows Media |
| you buy the additional Decoder Pack, and the | | | | Player without leaving the browser windows. |
| useless Windows Movie Maker returns with a | | | | |
| slightly better interface. | | | | XP includes a firewall that can protect your |
| | | | computer from online threats and two new |
| Performance and Stability | | | | features - Remote Assistance and Remote |
| | | | Desktop - make it easier for tech support to |
| Every time Microsoft updates Windows it | | | | access your machine over a network. Multiple |
| promises better performance, but with Windows | | | | computers can share an Internet connection. |
| XP they are actually telling the truth. The | | | | |
| system is based on the rock-solid code of | | | | Other changes are more subtle, and beyond the |
| Windows 2000 rather than the unreliable | | | | scope of this article. Windows XP is the best |
| Windows 9x, crashes are rare - and if one | | | | Windows yet and out performs its successor, |
| program does pack up, it won't take your | | | | Windows Vista. |
| entire system down with it. | | | | |