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Windows XP Home Edition sets a new standard for performance and reliability. If you demand the most from your operating system, this version of Windows was designed for you. Find out about all the great features and what you can do with them.
Packed with features, Windows XP Home Edition aims to unlock the full potential of your personal computer. Communicate easily with family and friends using instant messaging, voice and video conversations, create a home network with ease or go digital with photo, music, and video multimedia functionality; this is Microsoft's best operating system yet.
The Look of XP
Looking great with rounded window corners, larger and more detailed icons, and a clean-look desktop, which on first installation shows only the taskbar and recycle bin, XP is also more customisable than previous versions, including visual themes that let you change the whole appearance of Windows in an instant.
Easily upgradeable from Windows 98 or ME (see our guide to upgrading) the best thing about Windows XP is that it belongs to the Windows NT/2000 product family, whereas Windows ME and its predecessors are built on an older foundation, which allows direct hardware access. Windows NT was designed from the ground up for reliability, security and networking, and with XP home users get the benefit of this for the first time. The dreaded Windows crash and reboot cycle really is much less common with XP. Provided the hardware is up to scratch, XP performance is better too, and the new fast boot means you can get to work quicker after switching on. Multitasking works better than under the Windows 9x series. The downside is that using a different codebase makes compatibility with old applications less good. Business applications normally run fine, but older games, Midi software and system utilities may well cause problems.
Fast User Switching is a neat feature for computers used by more than one person. It lets another user log on without killing the other user's session. When you switch back, running applications and open documents are there as you left them. This is impressive, but what really counts is that XP properly understands how to deal with multiple users. Each user has their own special folders, like My Documents, which cannot be seen by other users. For those with more than one computer, the Network Setup wizard simplifies setting up a network, and there is built-in support for 802.11, the most common standard for wireless networking, provided that you purchase suitable hardware.
The XP user interface is not a radical departure from earlier versions of Windows, but there are a number of small changes that together add up to a significant improvement. For example, you can add and remove shortcuts from the Start menu by right-clicking the icon and selecting Pin or Unpin from the pop-up menu. Windows online help is integrated into a Help and Support Centre that works like an internal Web site, with searchable help, tutorials and walkthroughs. Laptop or other flat-screen users can set Windows to use ClearType for screen fonts, for a more readable display.
Multimedia
Windows XP also has strong multimedia features. The new Media Player lets you copy music from CD to hard disk, create your own playlist and write your own music CDs if you have a CD Writer (and although there is loss of quality as a result of compression, the process is easy and convenient). Media Player 8.0 can play back DVD video, but only if a hardware or software DVD decoder is already installed. You can also play MP3 audio files and MPEG videos, but sadly not the popular Real Media formats. There is also Windows Movie Maker, a basic tool for capturing and editing videos, which is fun to use although too limited for serious work. Video conferencing, remote assistance and application sharing are other new features of XP.
Internet and Security
For Web browsing, XP comes with Internet Explorer 6.0 and MSN Explorer. The enhancements in IE 6.0 are mainly of interest to Web developers, and in any case Microsoft makes IE freely available for all Windows users. While Java is not installed by default, it is not difficult to download a JVM (Java Virtual Machine). MSN Explorer is a user-friendly shell that simplifies access to IE Web browsing, e-mail and instant messaging with Windows Messenger. This is good for beginners, but the most significant new feature for Internet users is the built-in firewall. A firewall protects against one of the most disturbing security risks, where other users unknown to you might connect to your computer while it is online, reading private files or causing other damage. XP's built-in firewall is a simple affair, but does prevent most types of unauthorised connection.
Extra Functionality of Professional Edition
Business users note: unlike Windows 98 or ME, Windows XP Home Edition cannot join a Windows server domain, so the networking is peer-to-peer only, and there is no multi-processor support. Windows XP Professional Edition includes all the features of the Home Edition, and adds support for dual processors, encryptable file system, offline folders, Remote Desktop functionality and extra administration features that come into play when connected to a Windows server domain. For more information, see our Windows XP Professional Edition buying guide.
System Requirements for Windows XP Home Edition
XP is demanding on hardware, and it would be a mistake to install it on less than Microsoft's recommended minimum. To use Windows XP Home Edition, you need:
- PC with 300 MHz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233 MHz minimum required; Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
- 128 MB of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
- 1.5 GB of available hard disk space
- Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
- CD-ROM or DVD drive
- Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and the applications and features you choose to install. Additional available hard-disk space may be required if you are installing over a network.
What else do I need?
For those wanting to make full use of all that Windows XP offers, listed below are the additional items or services required to use certain Windows XP features.
For Internet access:
- some Internet functionality may require Internet access, a Microsoft .NET Passport account, and payment of a separate fee to a service provider; local and/or long-distance telephone toll charges may apply
- 14.4 Kbps or higher-speed modem
For networking:
- network adapter appropriate for the type of local-area, wide-area, wireless or home network you wish to connect to, and access to an appropriate network infrastructure; access to third-party networks may require additional charges
For instant messaging, voice and video conferencing, and application sharing, both parties need:
- Microsoft .NET Passport account and Internet access
For voice and video conferencing, both parties also need:
- 33.6 Kbps or higher-speed modem, or a network connection
- microphone and sound card with speakers or headset
For video conferencing, both parties also need:
- video conferencing camera
- Windows XP
For application sharing, both parties also need:
- 33.6 Kbps or higher speed modem, or a Network connection
- Windows XP
For remote assistance:
- both parties must be running Windows XP and be connected by a network
For sound:
- sound card and speakers or headphones
For DVD video playback:
- DVD drive and DVD decoder card or DVD decoder software
- 8 MB of video RAM
For Windows Movie Maker:
- video capture feature requires appropriate digital or analog video capture device
- 400 MHz or higher processor for digital video camera capture
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