XP certainly looks different, with rounded window corners, larger and more detailed icons, and a clean-look desktop that on first installation shows only the taskbar and Recycle Bin. XP is also more customizable than earlier versions of Windows, and includes visual themes that let you change the whole appearance of Windows in an instant. That is the window-dressing, but underneath are some significant improvements. One of the most interesting is Remote Desktop. A standard XP feature, this uses technology from Microsoft Terminal Server to enable users to access their computer over any connection; for example, by dialing into the office from home. This is not just file access--this technology lets you run applications remotely as if you were sitting at your desk at work. This is mature technology, stable and carefully thought out. So, for example, you can print from a remote word processor to a local printer. A variation on the theme is Remote Assistance, where the user can allow a remote helper to view their desktop, or optionally gain control of the keyboard and mouse, in order to troubleshoot a problem. The feature can also be disabled to ease security concerns.

Laptop users benefit from enhanced power management, with options to extend battery life by reducing CPU speed and display brightness. IrDA support has been fixed so that, unlike Windows 2000, Windows XP can easily use modems in mobile telephones via infrared. A new screen font, ClearType, improves legibility for laptop or other flat screens, and there is built-in support for wireless networking using the popular 802.11 standard. A great feature of XP, also found in Windows 2000, is the ability to synchronize network files with offline copies. Previously, these files could not be stored securely, but now they can be encrypted.

For Web browsing, XP comes with Internet Explorer 6.0. The enhancements in IE 6.0 are mainly of interest to Web developers, and in any case Microsoft makes IE freely available to all Windows users. Although Java is not installed by default, it is not difficult to download a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Windows Messenger, originally a chat client, has evolved into a collaboration tool that allows for video conferencing and application sharing.

The most significant new feature for Internet users is the built-in firewall. A firewall protects against one of the most disturbing security risks, in which 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 it does prevent most types of unauthorized connection.

Windows XP 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. 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 RealMedia formats. In the end, Media Player does nothing that you cannot also do with free alternatives, but it is slick and nicely integrated.

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. The Start menu now automatically features the most frequently used programs at the top of the list, and you can add and remove shortcuts 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 Center that works like an internal Web site, with searchable help, tutorials, and walk-throughs.

Windows XP Professional includes all the features of Windows XP Home, and adds support for dual processors, encryptable file systems, offline folders, the Remote Desktop as described above, and extra administration features that come into play when connected to a Windows server domain. XP is demanding on hardware, and it would be a mistake to install it on less than Microsoft's recommended minimum requirements. There is also activation to consider, a mildly annoying anti-piracy measure that requires you to obtain a code from Microsoft for full installation, and in the future if you reinstall or make major system changes.

Overall, it's a big step forward for those coming from Windows 9x or Me, and attractive rather than compelling as an upgrade from 2000. --Tim Anderson

Amazon.com Product Description
Designed for reliability, security and privacy, high performance, and ease of use, the Windows XP operating system provides a host of benefits forbusiness and home users. A clean and simple desktop, rock-solidreliability, and easy-to-use features that take advantage of the digitalage all contribute to the value of Windows XP.

Enhancements in real-time voice, video, and data communications will allowthe PC to become a center of communications and creativity beyond juste-mail and instant messaging. Windows XP will also allow the user toconnect back to the desktop from any location, and support for new wirelessnetworks will be built in. Windows XP will unify the user's supportexperience by enabling the user to provide temporary and secure control oftheir PC over the Internet to whomever can best help them.

Windows XP takes an end-to-end approach to how people transfer videos andpictures onto their computer, how they use them on their PC and otherdevices, and how they share them, whether in person or through e-mail, over the Web, or through removable media like DVDs and CDs. It extends this experience through applications that help users buy music and videos, mobile devices, services for saving your music on the Internet, and more. Windows XP will make it easier for households to share a single PC and share pictures, music, files,printers, and other resources.

2. Install the full version not the upgrade. I read reviews that said this and at first I balked at it but you are going to back up your files anyway, you will be much happier (trust me) if you install the full version. For example:

When I first tried to install a full xp over ME, I kept getting an error message. I had to re-install ME, then install XP pro. That goes to show you that you never know what you have picked up over the months on your computer that may hinder installation. If you try to upgrade, you will be scouring the forums late at night trying to find an answer.

3. Buy OEM. If you are knowledgeable about computers why pay double just for the book, pretty packaging and support? Has support ever really helped you? Me neither. If you follow number 1 and 2, you won't need to worry about support.

4. XP runs fine on average computers. I have a toshiba satellite, PIII, 850 mhz with 128 mb of ram. It runs great. I plan to upgrade memory in just a few days but I was planning to anyway.

5. You will be surprised at how few incompatability issues you will have. Don't listen to all the anti-microsoft crowd or apple pushers. I hate microsoft too, but it's a microsoft world and xp pro is a great product.
I have yet to encounter incompatability issues. I didn't even need all the disks/drivers for my hardware. For example, I use a mouse with my laptop, I didn't need to re-install anything. The same with my printer (hp deskjet). I plugged in the cable and it recognized it. I even have an older version of lotus smartsuite that works on it.

My advice, if you think it might not work, try it anyway, you could be surprised. Or possibly find an update online.

Hope this helps. If you have ME, take my word for it. You NEED to upgrade. A $150 OEM version is well worth your trouble. I experienced crashes every day with ME. None so far with XP.

I'm happy. And I don't usually write reviews.


Most stable OS I've used.   February 4, 2004
J. Miller (NE)
63 out of 77 found this review helpful

Here's a note... if you're going ot buy XP, buy the professional version. It's much more stable and supports more software and hardware than the Home version.

I have used XP for two years, and not once have I had to reformat the hard drive. I have dealt with a few errors, but most of them were fixed by putting in the CD. And it did start crashing, but I finally realized it was faulty RAM, not the OS. (Don't blame the OS first, it's probably the hardware.)

Another sidenote--read the hardware requirements. You need at least 128 megs of RAM, and 600 megahertz.


The best Windows yet. Really, really fast.   May 30, 2002
sir_isaac_newton (UK)
20 out of 24 found this review helpful

A major improvement in Windows. System performance improved significantly, compared to WindowsNT4 and Windows2000 Professional. I installed this on my old Pentium II 233MHz machine(128M RAM 20G hard drive) -- even though it is below the recommended minimum configuration. Not only did it work fine but it is now practical (not just possible!) to run separate concurrent user accounts for various family members (who can also stay logged in at the same time that I am using it). This is the feature we use the most.

There are *tons* of new improvements, and you just keep finding them. Some that spring to mind are:
- the optional automatic download of service packs to speed up updates
- much improved wizards for network connectivity, particularly for RAS connections.
- much improved recovery from installation of bad drivers and software (e.g. the flakey, uncertified Best Data WinModem driver!)
- prettier UI
- built in fire-wall (a must for all computer connected to the internet)
- built in defragmenter (this really needs a scheduler though and it does not defrag. very quickly or very well :^( -- probably the licensor is still marketing a full featured version!).
- IE 6 (great protection against snooping cookies, etc.)

It is not perfect but it is darn good. The media player is a little over blown and obtrusive (not as bad as the horrible alternative from Real Player though -- which is very obtrusive, and unreliable).

Be careful when upgrading -- use the website provided by Microsoft to evaluate your PC first and heed well any warnings.


Biggest Technological Breakthrough Since Win95   October 1, 2002
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

If you think that going from Windows 3x to Windows 95 was the best thing since slice bread, then you must try upgrading to Win XP Pro! .

Biggest Reasons to upgrade:

1. Fast boot up time
2. More stable (virtually no Blue Screens, none that I've experienced)
3. More secure - you can limit what a user can do by setting up proper permission.
4. Remote control access
5. Support for wide range of devices - If it's been manufactured before 2002, there is a 90% chance that the OS will recognize the device.

Downside to upgrading:

Not much, I had trouble with my easy CD creator, which I knew about... !

In conclusion I give Windows *****. I am very happy with it's performance and you will be too.

Tips: After installation, make sure you download all the patches and updates especially the service packs to ensure all the "Known" risk are eliminated.

Also, if you are connected to a dedicated internet connection, make sure you install a virus scanner and a fire wall if you are not connected into a Cable/DSL router with a Network Address Translation (NAT).


Windows XP Pro Is the Way To Go!!!   August 17, 2004
A. MENENDEZ (Iowa, USA)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

Ok- I know that a lot of people say that they have a lot of problems installing Windows XP. First of all- the way that XP Handles Drivers is very different from 95,98,ME, and 2000. Many drivers do not work with XP, so it is important to contact your hadware manufacturer(s) to make sure that it is compatible. Older hardeware (ESPECIALLY LAPTOPS) may not have drivers that are compatible with XP. However, if you are building a new PC... I highly reccomend Windows XP Professional. Home edition is okay for a lot of things. But when you get into home networking and other advanced tasks, XP Pro is the way to go. I have had 2000 on my computer before this... and I always had problems. As soon as I upgraded to XP Pro, all problems went away. I also just built another computer... and XP Professional Works seamlessly with it. I am 100% satisfied with XP Pro.