Windows XP- the next, after Windows 2000 and Windows Millennium, version of the Microsoft operating system, released on October 25, 2001. According to users, the most successful and stable operating system in the Windows family.

Windows XP integrates Windows 2000 with Windows 98 and Windows Me. Windows XP was built on improvements to the Windows 2000 code, and various versions have been developed for home users and business users. Unlike Windows 2000, which came in both server and client versions, Windows XP is a client-only system. Its server version is the later released Windows Server 2003 system.

Effective June 30, 2008, Microsoft stopped shipping Windows XP to major PC manufacturers and retailers. The exception is small companies that will receive licenses for XP until the end of January 2009. The same applies to manufacturers of ultra-cheap PCs, which will be able to install the system until mid-2010.

The OS ended its main support cycle in April 2009, since then an extended support cycle has been in place until April 2014. In 2010, Microsoft stated that the ability to downgrade from Windows 7 to Windows XP would be maintained until 2020, explaining this by the high popularity of the system. As of July 2010, this OS was used on 74% of corporate PCs worldwide.

Innovations

• Fast user switching feature. The switch does not require the user who was previously working on the computer to log off while keeping the files they have open. Windows XP uses Terminal Services technologies to start each new user session as a separate Terminal Services session, with each user's data completely separate from each other. Each such session requires an additional 2 MB of RAM (excluding the amount of memory used by applications running in each session).

• New design style. Windows XP has new skins and themes that use 24-bit color icons and colors. Changed the appearance of the start menu. The five most frequently used user programs are displayed at the beginning of the menu, as well as the default e-mail program and web browser.

• Search Companion bar. Windows XP makes searching easier by grouping performance-related search tasks into a dedicated Search Companion

• Grouping files. Windows XP introduces a new way of organizing the taskbar, which consists of grouping multiple documents for the same application. For example, instead of placing several Microsoft Word documents on the taskbar in Windows XP, these documents are combined into a group that can be viewed with the click of a single button on the taskbar. Moreover, only this button with information about the number of open documents of this application will be displayed on the taskbar. Clicking the button displays a vertical list with the names of all documents.

• Support for new multimedia technologies.
  • Windows Media Player 8. Windows XP uses version 8 of Windows Media Player, which consolidates key media-related operations, including playing CDs and DVDs, controlling the Media Player, creating media files and CDs, playing Internet radio, and recording multimedia files on portable devices.
  • Windows Movie Maker. Windows Movie Maker version 1.1 supports the core capabilities of writing and creating Windows Media files, as well as video and audio editing, saving, and publishing Windows Media files. Although the utility you use only provides Windows Media format, it can import files in any format and with any type of compression supported by the DirectShow architecture.
  • Support for digital still images. Windows XP simplifies the use of digital devices and provides advanced image manipulation capabilities, such as publishing them on the Internet, sending photos by e-mail (including compressed ones), including pictures in automatic slide shows, and zooming in on images.

• Improved app and device compatibility. Windows XP includes Plug and Play support for hundreds of devices that were not included in Windows 2000, and improved support for USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, PCI (Peripheral Component Interface), and many other standards and bus types .

• Native CD and DVD support. Windows XP includes native support for reading and writing DVD-RAM optical discs and the ability to read UDF 2.01 (Universal Disk Format). In addition, using the IMAPI (Image Mastering API) interface, a Windows XP user can create CDs in formats that allow for writing once or repeatedly (CD-R or CD-RW), using the usual drag-and-drop method or the corresponding wizards. When you save or copy a file to a CD, the operating system first creates a complete image of the file on your computer's hard drive and then transfers the data to a CD burner for final burning.

• Application compatibility mode. You can use Application Compatibility Mode to use applications that were originally developed for previous versions of Windows and do not run on Windows XP. This mode emulates the environment of previous operating systems, starting with Windows 95.

• Improved network and communication services
  • Support for Universal Plug and Play. The Universal Plug and Play standard allows devices to dynamically connect to a network, obtain an IP address, announce their capabilities, and detect the presence and capabilities of other devices on the network.
  • Home Network Wizard. The Home Network Wizard automates network setup and Internet sharing. Its work is carried out in the bridge mode (bridging mode), which allows you to install a local network without requiring the user to have any knowledge regarding network protocols and the physical features of the network being configured.

• Integrated help and support. Microsoft has merged Help and Support so that Remote Assistance, automatic updates, built-in Help and more can now be accessed from a single Help and Support Center.

• Innovations that improve the mobile experience
  • Power management. Like Windows 2000, power management in Windows XP is based on the ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) specification. Windows XP uses the ACPI specification that was introduced in Windows 2000. This makes available additional features that the operating system uses to manage power for the computer and other hardware.
  • Improvements for mobile users
    • Support for ClearType technology. ClearType is a new text display technology available in software products that triples the horizontal resolution. This greatly improves the display of text on standard digital LCD monitors.
    • Automatic setup for multiple networks. This feature provides easy access to network devices and the Internet, allowing you to connect your laptop to both corporate and home networks.
  • Remote desktop control. The ability to use Remote Desktop is based on Terminal Services technology. Thanks to this feature, the user can run applications on a remote computer running Windows XP Professional from any client running the Microsoft Windows operating system.

• Reliability improvement
  • Driver rollback. When you update a driver, a copy of the previous driver package is automatically saved in a special subdirectory of system files. If the new driver does not work satisfactorily, the user can restore the previous version of the driver.
  • System Restore. The System Restore feature allows you to return your computer to the state it was in before the problem occurred. There is no loss of personal data files, which may contain, for example, documents, images or e-mail messages.
  • System disaster recovery. The Automated System Recovery (ASR) feature allows you to save and restore applications. This feature provides a Plug and Play mechanism that is used to back up the relevant registry keys and restore that information to the registry

• Security improvements
  • Firewall. Windows XP provides Internet security with a built-in feature called a firewall. The firewall is a dynamic packet filter. It provides protection for computers connected directly to the Internet or connected through a computer that is an Internet Connection Sharing (ICS - Internet Connection Sharing) host that hosts a firewall. Enabling the firewall ensures that all connection attempts from the Internet that are not requested by local users are blocked.
  • Controlled network access. Windows XP has a built-in security feature that prevents intruders from gaining access by restricting the privileges granted to a user attempting to access your computer from the network to the privilege set of the Guest account.
  • Encrypted File System. The Encrypting File System (EFS) is based on public key encryption; it uses the CryptoAPI architecture used in the Windows XP operating system. Encryption in the EFS system uses the extended DESX (Data Encryption Standard) algorithm or the 3DES (Triple-DES) algorithm. The encryption procedure can be performed from Windows Explorer.

Editions

• Windows XP Professional Edition- an operating system designed for business users, contains features such as remote access to the computer desktop, file encryption, central access rights management and support for multiprocessor systems.

• Windows XP Home Edition- a system for users of home computers. It is released as an inexpensive "stripped down" version of Professional Editon, but is based on the same kernel and, with the help of some tricks, allows you to upgrade to an almost full-fledged version of Professional Edition.

• Windows XP Starter Edition- a system specially designed for novice users. Distributed only with new entry-level computers. Windows XP Starter Edition includes only the core features of Windows XP.

• Windows XP 64-bit Edition- The 64-bit edition was created to take advantage of the capabilities of the Intel Itanium 64-bit (IA-64) processor. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition supports up to 16 gigabytes of RAM and up to 8 terabytes of virtual memory. The system has not been developed since 2005, as HP stopped developing workstations with Itanium microprocessors.

• Windows XP Media Center Edition- an operating system based on Windows XP Professional with a slightly reduced set of networking features and containing additional multimedia features.

• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition- a special 64-bit version designed for AMD64 Opteron and Athlon 64 processors from AMD and processors with EM64T technology from Intel

• Windows XP Embedded is a componentized version of Microsoft Windows XP Professional with additional embedding capabilities and tools that support the process of developing custom operating system images.

• Windows Embedded for Point of Service- a specialized software platform focused on retail chains and service companies. Based on technologies from Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2, Windows Embedded for Point of Service enables retailers, hospitality companies, and system integrators to simplify the installation, use, and management of terminal systems.

• Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is an operating system for legacy PCs based on Microsoft Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2.

Updates

Service Pack 1

The first service pack for Windows XP - Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released on September 9, 2002. Among the innovations that appeared in it should be noted:

• USB 2.0 support
• Ability to select programs used by default for different operations
• The Encrypting File System (EFS) has received support for AES encryption with a 256-bit key.
• Support for hard drives larger than 137 GB

Service Pack 2

The second Service Pack 2 (SP2) was released on August 6, 2004 and added the following features and capabilities to the operating system:

• The new Windows Security Center component, designed to monitor computer security: view the status of the firewall (firewall), automatic updates and antivirus settings.
• Updated Windows Firewall.
• Pop-up blocker in Internet Explorer.
• Improved Outlook Express, with a new Attachment Manager that isolates attachments when they are opened. This prevents potentially dangerous attachments from being opened that could infect the system with a virus or other dangerous code.
• Improved support for wireless networks
• New drivers and updates
• Improved autorun features and more.

Service Pack 3

Microsoft changed its decision after a massive epidemic of WannaCry ransomware, which used the EternalBlue exploit to infect computers. This is one of the tools stolen from the cyber group Equation, which is believed to be affiliated with the US National Security Agency. The distribution of these tools - exploits, backdoors, etc. - the group The Shadow Brokers was engaged.

EternalBlue was published by The Shadow Brokers in mid-April 2017. A few days earlier, Microsoft released a number of emergency patches for their developments. As it turned out after the release from Shadow Brokers, these patches just closed the multiple vulnerabilities used by the Equation hackers. Apparently, someone warned Microsoft in advance.

At the same time, Microsoft management refused to release updates for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems, citing the fact that they had long since been withdrawn from technical support.

The new patches fix vulnerabilities attacked by exploits codenamed ENGLISHMANDENTIST (to a vulnerability in Outlook), ESTEEMAUDIT (IIS 6.0) and EXPLODINGCAN (RDP).

Windows XP ranks fourth in the world in terms of prevalence: the share of the operating system is 5.66%. In China, some countries in Asia and Africa, Windows XP is still very widespread. Also, hundreds of thousands of ATMs around the world are still running specialized versions of this operating system. Support for two of them - Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 and Standard 2009 - will continue until 2019.

After the end of support for Windows XP, Microsoft was forced to release an emergency patch for newly discovered vulnerabilities in the Internet Explorer browser (versions 6-11) on all versions of Windows, including XP.

Microsoft initially did not intend to release patches for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 against vulnerabilities exploited by Equation / NSA, citing the fact that these systems were removed from support and that users should switch to newer software products a long time ago. However, shortly after the WannaCry outbreak, Microsoft changed its mind, citing the general state of the "threat landscape."

In reviewing this month's updates, we have identified a number of vulnerabilities that are highly likely to be attacked by government organizations... or their imitators, Microsoft said in a statement. – To mitigate the threat, we are publishing additional security updates on top of those released as part of the regular Update Tuesday program. These updates will be available to all users, including those using older versions of Windows. Due to the increased threat of destructive cyber attacks, we have decided to take this step, as these updates will provide additional protection against possible attacks similar in their characteristics to WannaCry

Microsoft calls this move "rare" and urges not to consider it as a departure from their technical support standards. Experts tend to believe that such "rare steps" will be repeated from time to time.

In this case, the situation could hardly have been resolved in any other way, - says Ksenia Shilak, Sales Director of Sec-Consult. - On the one hand, Windows XP is outdated in all respects, on the other hand, millions of users continue to use it, sometimes forcedly. Choosing whether to leave these users unprotected against a possible new cyber epidemic or to sacrifice some business principles, Microsoft settled on the second option. This is a rather risky move, but from an ethical point of view, it seems to be more correct.

System requirements

Minimum hardware requirements for installing Windows XP:

• 233 MHz Pentium processor or faster (300 MHz minimum recommended)
• At least 64 MB of RAM (at least 128 MB recommended)
• At least 1.5 GB of free hard disk space
• CD or DVD drive
• Keyboard, Microsoft Mouse, or compatible pointing device
• Video card and monitor that support Super VGA mode with a resolution of at least 800x600 pixels
• Sound card, speakers or headphones (optional)

Problems

Installing the third service pack (SP3) for Windows XP, more than once led to problems in the PC. So the press described cases of endless reboots of some PCs after installing SP3. At the same time, safe mode became unavailable, which provides the ability to roll back the operating system to a previous state. On forums dedicated to this topic, users noted that after installing the third service pack, their system rebooted, but could not start Windows, each time sending the computer to reboot again.

Former director of product security at Microsoft, Jesper Johansson, after reviewing forum posts, concluded that there were two independent reasons for this problem. The first thing Johansson noted was that in many cases the problem occurred on Hewlett-Packard (HP) computers. According to the specialist, this could be due to the fact that HP, and possibly other computer manufacturers, used the same image for computers with Intel and AMD processors during the factory installation of the operating system. As a result, the intelppm.sys driver was responsible for power management on all PCs, although systems with AMD processors have their own amdk8.sys driver. According to Johansson, running the intelppm.sys driver on a computer with an AMD processor under normal conditions did not lead to a failure, but with the installation of the third service pack, this led to the inability to boot the operating system, or to restart itself immediately upon startup. Another reason, according to the expert, was related to the BIOS of the Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard and, probably, other motherboards with AMD processors.

The problem was solved by disabling the intelppm.sys driver or connecting a USB flash drive or any other secondary drive to the computer.

In addition, some users complained that after installing Service Pack 3, a large number of corrupted entries appeared in the registry of their system, and network cards disappeared from the network connections folder. Other users have reported the same issues after updating on computers running Norton products. Dave Cole, senior director of product at Symantec, acknowledged that a number of users of the Norton series had problems, but the numbers were low. According to him, Symantec tested its products with Windows XP SP3, but found no errors. Cole blamed Microsoft for all the trouble, saying that it was due to XP SP3, which had already caused problems for users of some computers.

Microsoft reacted to this situation as follows: "Customers having installation problems should contact Microsoft Support, who can provide free help and troubleshooting tips."

Some time later, Symantec nevertheless took some responsibility and released a special free utility SymRegFix, which allows you to clean the registry from damaged entries. In addition, Symantec has advised Norton users who have not yet installed Windows XP Service Pack 3 to disable the SymProtect feature before upgrading the OS to avoid the risk of registry corruption.

News about Windows XP

The appearance on the computer of Vladimir Putin

In mid-December 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin was reported to be using the outdated Microsoft Windows XP operating system both on a computer in his office in the Kremlin and in his official residence Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow. They gave the president photographs published by his press service.

In a photo from a November press release, Putin sits at a computer in his Moscow residence, with a picture of the Kremlin towers on his desktop. The bright blue taskbar at the bottom of the screen indicates that the computer is running Windows XP.

Support for Windows XP

Support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 will continue until 2020

After the announcement of the end of official support for Windows XP Service Pack 2, it was reported that users of certain editions of Windows 7 will retain the ability to use Windows XP for another 10 years. Such a solution is quite rare for Microsoft.

So far, it has been reported that Microsoft plans to set a Windows XP rollback deadline of six months from the launch of Windows 7. A little later, Microsoft extended the deadline to one and a half years, and Windows XP's "x" was the date the first Windows 7 SP1 patch was posted. .

Microsoft can't ignore that Windows XP is still popular. Microsoft management admits that 74% of corporate computers are still running Windows XP. And now the company's managers announced a change in their plans. According to them, owners of Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate will have the opportunity to return to Windows XP Professional as long as the "seven" lives, and it has a deadline until January 2020. Windows XP Ultimate Edition will run until January 2015.

It's worth noting that this decision only applies to OEM copies of Windows 7 installed by PC manufacturers on new machines. "Organizations and individuals buying new PCs will be able to exercise their right to return to Windows XP and Vista until they decide to upgrade to Windows 7," Microsoft manager Brandon LeBlanc said on the company's official blog.

As for the other deadlines set by Microsoft for Windows, they will remain in effect. Hardware manufacturers will complete the installation of Windows XP Home on netbooks by the end of 2010. A year later, the showcases will stop delivering computers with Vista installed.

Microsoft will be forced to continue support for Windows XP for a long time to come

2014: End of technical support for Windows XP and Office 2003

On April 8, 2014 the Microsoft company announced the termination of technical support of the operating system Windows XP and office suite Office 2003.

As of April 8, 2014, Windows XP devices will no longer be able to access security updates, non-security automatic fixes, paid or free support services, and online technical documentation updates. Windows XP End of Support dates are consistent with Microsoft's guaranteed product support policy announced by the company in 2002.

Telecom Daily research confirms the interest of companies in the transition to new versions of the OS. The information-analytical agency interviewed representatives of more than three thousand companies in all federal districts of the Russian Federation. It has been established that Russian companies and organizations are still actively using Windows XP. About 42% of work computers are running this OS. Among the companies surveyed as part of the study, the Windows OS family accounts for more than 95% of the market in the “companies and organizations” segment.

The study also showed that nearly 63% of Windows XP users are aware of the end of support. At the same time, more than 40% of respondents plan to switch to modern licensed operating systems of the Windows family this year, and another 28% are going to do this within the next 2-3 years. It also turned out that the main problem of switching to the current Windows OS is the fear of incompatibility of programs and applications, as well as lack of funds.

“Windows XP was released more than 12 years ago, so today it is three generations behind the new OS versions and can no longer fully protect your data from security threats. In addition, over the years, modern technologies have stepped far forward: they have learned to store data in the cloud, leaving floppy disks and disks in the past. Concepts such as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and . Obviously, when creating Windows XP, all this could not be taken into account, so today the old OS does not allow you to follow current IT trends. It may not be compatible with many modern hardware and applications, said Sergey Martsinkyan, Windows promotion manager for Microsoft Russia. “To meet the new needs and expectations of our customers, we create modern technologies and products.”

“The confrontation between those who attack and those who defend, operating systems does not stop for a second. It should not be forgotten that since 2001, when Windows XP appeared, cyber-fraud has gone from being the pranks of a few advanced amateur hackers to a multi-billion dollar international business. Attackers make huge profits by exploiting unprotected PCs. By not updating their operating systems and applications, and also thinking about using pirated versions of software, enterprises and private users are at risk of falling victim to cybercriminals, putting their own and corporate data, financial resources and reputation at risk, ”said Andrey Beshkov, Information Security Program Manager at CIS countries Microsoft in Russia.

Using an outdated operating system can also become an obstacle when connecting new or upgrading existing equipment. Windows XP does not support a number of features that are highly requested by users and are available in modern operating systems. For example, when Windows XP was released, features such as support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, high-resolution monitors, and touch screens were not widely available.

“According to our estimates, companies that use Windows XP as a corporate standard are becoming less and less. The transition to new versions of operating systems guarantees organizations regular security updates, reduced costs for IT infrastructure support, work with modern applications and equipment, - said Denis Kuskov, CEO of the information and analytical agency Telecom Daily. "Microsoft's approach to working with customers also contributes to this, the company always remembers its customers: it is an industry leader with a unique and compelling vision for the security, privacy and reliability of your data."

This chapter explains all the requirements that must be met before installing the Windows XP operating system. The minimum and recommended computer configurations are given, as well as the sequence of actions before installing Windows XP.

System requirements

The Windows XP operating system is more demanding on computer resources than previous versions. Therefore, if you have one of the previous versions of Windows installed, be sure to read this section before installing Windows XP, as your computer may not have enough power to comfortably work with this operating system. Table 1 lists the minimum and recommended system requirements announced by Microsoft. 2.1.

In fact, these requirements are underestimated, that is, you can install the system, but the speed of work will be far from ideal. To achieve an acceptable system speed, you will have to configure Windows XP for a long time. Therefore, in Table. 2.2 shows the minimum and recommended requirements necessary for the normal operation of Windows XP without additional settings.

Table 2.2. Real system requirements.

As you can see, the difference is quite significant, but it is the data from Table. 2.2 will allow you to achieve comfortable work in Windows XP without resorting to additional system settings.

Preparing your computer to install Windows XP

Let's get ready to install Windows XP. We will need a bootable CD with the Russian version of the Windows XP operating system, as well as a computer that meets the requirements given in Table. 2.2.

Rice. 2.1. Main BIOS window.

Before starting the installation, you need to make a few changes in the BIOS.

1. Turn on your computer.

2. When the screen with a black background appears, press the Del key (sometimes the F2 key is used instead of the Del key).

3. A screen similar to the one shown in fig. 2.1.

NOTE

The appearance of your BIOS may differ, as there are two most common BIOS versions: Award BIOS and Phoenix BIOS (the latter is shown in Figure 2.1).

4. Now using the keys<– и -> go to the Boot tab.

5. Using the keys 8 and 2, select the CD-Rom Drive item and press the + key until the CD-Rom Drive item is the first in the list (Fig. 2.2).

Rice. 2.2. Selecting a download source.

6. Press the F10 key.

7. In the window that appears, select Yes and press Enter (Fig. 2.3).

NOTE

If your BIOS does not look like the one shown in fig. 2.2 and 2.3, you have an Award BIOS installed. In this case, in paragraphs 4 and 5, use the keys 8 and 2, select the Bios Features item, in paragraph 1-st Boot device, use the Page Up, Page Down keys to select CDROM.

Rice. 2.3. Saving Changes.

You may be wondering, “Why do we need all this?” This is done so that the boot occurs from the CD, which contains the distribution kit of the Windows XP operating system.

This completes the preparation for installing Windows XP. Insert the Windows XP CD and skip to Chapter 3.

Microsoft's Windows XP operating system has become a real sensation in its time. It was a successful combination of ease of use, the possibility of flexible configuration, as well as the reference for the Windows family of stability and performance. Microsoft engineers have managed to create the perfect cocktail of previous versions, taking the kernel from Windows 2000 and the rich software features and hardware compatibility from Windows ME. That is why Windows XP has become the most popular operating system in the history of Microsoft.

Specification and system requirements

This operating system was supplied to the market in two versions - Windows XP Home Edition and everyone's favorite Windows XP Professional. Both configurations are full-fledged software products and are great for running on modern, powerful PCs. Windows XP Home Edition was developed as a replacement for Win 98 and Win ME for home users. Its main purpose is to view multimedia files, work with documents, surf the global network, play games, have fun and much more. Windows XP Professional, as conceived by the developers of Microsoft, should become a replacement for Win 2000 and Win NT as a professional tool for work. Estimated area of ​​use - workstations, corporate computers. This version additionally supports features such as:

1. Remote Desktop- the possibility of remote work on the computer;
2. group policy- the ability to administer user groups;
3. Scalable Processor Support- work with multiprocessor systems;
4. Access control- the ability to restrict access to files;
5. Encrypting File System- which means "file system encryption".

As we can see, these and a number of other features present in Windows XP Professional are unlikely to be useful to home users.

The minimum system requirements for Windows XP are the following PC configuration: 233 MHz CPU, 64 MB of RAM (not used by the video card), 1.5 GB of free HDD space.

New interface

For Windows XP, a new GUI called Luna has been developed. Users liked it because it compares favorably with the graphic design of other Microsoft operating systems. Straight lines and strict forms have been replaced by rounded contours, shadows, animated effects and transparent elements that make the picture more lively and pleasant. In addition, the developers took care of creating a more user-friendly and understandable concept of working with the operating system for an unprepared user.

In Windows XP, the functionality of the Main Menu and the Taskbar has been significantly expanded. In the Main Menu, users can find links to frequently used programs and folders. The taskbar can now hide rarely used shortcuts in the system tray, and links to several windows of one application open at the same time can be placed one above the other, thereby saving screen space.

Security and stability

Windows XP is deservedly considered the most reliable, stable and secure operating system from Microsoft. It contains a number of revolutionary innovations that have allowed it to rise to a qualitatively new level compared to its predecessors. By far the most important security innovation was the introduction of a user administration and access control system. You can now require users to register at login. In this way, you can clearly define the ability of each user to edit and delete files, as well as work with programs.
In addition, there are three types of users in Windows XP: Administrators, Guests, and Limited. Each type has its own, strictly limited capabilities to control the system configuration, which, moreover, can be changed by the Administrator. This flexibility in operation allows you to ensure the safety of data and the security of the system without the need to constantly monitor the work of users.
In addition, Windows XP has a built-in entry-level network firewall that provides an acceptable level of security when browsing the Internet. It is also possible, using group policies, to restrict the rights of certain programs, prohibit the installation of software that does not have a digital certificate, and much more. Among other things, the system restore function makes a big contribution to ensuring overall stability. It is worth noting that the security of the operating system increases with each new release of a major service pack called Service Pack. To date, the most stable and secure is Windows XP SP3.

Programs

Windows XP boasts a large set of built-in software for all occasions. To work with the Internet, users are offered the Internet Explorer 6 browser, which has been significantly improved compared to the previous version. It has support for a number of new web standards such as P3P, a new browser bar and navigation icons. Users who actively communicate online will need the Windows Messenger program, which allows you not only to exchange text messages, but also organize real video conferences.

To work with multimedia, the operating system includes Windows Media Player 8 programs as well as Windows Movie Maker, familiar to us from earlier versions. The latter is a simple video editor with which users can edit home videos, add various effects to them. Windows Media Player lets you view the most popular video formats and also includes the much-requested CD and DVD burning feature.

Summary

Windows XP at the time of its release was an excellent solution for all users whose computers, according to their characteristics, allowed to install this operating system. It brought to home computers a level of reliability, stability and security that has not been available until now. In addition, it has set a new standard for a user-friendly and user-friendly interface designed to make working on a computer a pleasure even for a novice.

Everything that is written in this article will be useful for those who do not believe in the stability of Microsoft. It’s worth saying right away that after reading it and trying the new Windows XP operating system, the opinion is likely to change dramatically. The parable that company operating systems are unstable is common not only among professional system administrators, but also among ordinary users. The developed opinion is not based on an empty place, many remember Windows 95, which was fraught with a lot of problems. In other words, quite serious hopes were placed on the system, but practically none of them came true.

A certain amount of time has passed, certain additions and corrections have been made to improve the work. An example of the effective work of Microsoft employees was the Windows 98 system, which differed very favorably from its predecessors. At this stage, the development of the system did not stop, a lot of systems were created, each of which became a certain prerequisite for the release of Windows XP.

In all respects, this is a new generation system, new compatibility and a completely new design. Those who heard certain information about the system and switched to it were satisfied and the number of such users is gradually increasing.

Microsoft Windows XP

The new system is characterized by such properties and qualities as:

• new external design controls that make it easier and more efficient to perform some common tasks;
• it became possible to work with digital images, receive high-quality photographs and exchange them;
• there is a multifunctional tool designed to work with various musical materials that are able to provide search, storage, playback and download of music files, and of the highest quality;
• there are all the necessary tools to create and view various video materials on a PC;
• the availability of ease of sharing a PC, as well as to create a home network;
• there are means to solve some problems, as well as the possibility of obtaining the help of specialists;
• effective means of communication for the transmission of various instant messages;
• the system is safe and stable, which ensures efficient and stable operation;
• security lies in the ability to encrypt files, which is important when storing corporate information;
• the ability to support mobile devices is provided for the ability to work autonomously or connect remotely;
• there is multilingual support, which makes it possible to effectively interact with users from all over the world.

As you can see, there are a lot of advantages, all this contributes to the rapid growth of the popularity of this system in the information world.

System requirements for Windows XP

In order to install Windows XP on a PC, it is necessary that the device complies with certain rules and regulations. These are certain system requirements that are quite rigid. First of all, it is worth noting that the system is not as demanding on the processor as it is on the memory of a personal computer. This circumstance is evidenced by the result with which the processor is overclocked.

Now, as for the requirements themselves. Microsoft Corporation officially declares that for the effective operation of Windows XP, you must have hardware whose characteristics will meet such points as the minimum system requirements:

• a computer with a processor with a clock frequency of at least 300 MHz; there is some allowable minimum - 233 MHz (system with one or two processors), and also processors of the Intel Pentium / Celeron, AMD K6 / Athlon / Duron families or other, but necessarily compatible processors can be used;
• at least 128 MB of RAM is recommended, there may also be some allowable minimum of 64 MB, it is important to know that speed and some features of the operating system may be limited;
• requires at least 1.5 GB of free disk space;
• Video card and monitor Super VGA, the resolution of which must be at least 800 by 600 pixels;
• DVD drive;
• Microsoft Mouse keyboard and mouse, but other compatible input devices will also work.

All of the above minimum system requirements for Windows XP may vary depending on the system configuration, some installed applications and features present. For example, if you are installing over a network, you may need additional free disk space. There is still some equipment that is required for high-quality and efficient work with the Windows XP system. This is a sound card, modem, DVD drive, which is currently supported by hardware.

Important Points

Microsoft Corporation, simultaneously with the development of the Windows XP system, with the fact that certain system requirements were established, declared a real war on pirates, and in a rather peculiar way. The essence of such a process is that a specific key is generated for each personal computer, while its features and configurations are carefully taken into account. In the process of activating Windows XP, the user sends the received key along with the key that was on the installation disk to the corporation, which after some time registers a new user. Only after that it will be possible to start installation.

The process of installing Windows XP, if the system requirements are fully met, is simple. At the very beginning, the PC is scanned for the presence or absence of the necessary drivers. Things like a reboot will be made, some questions will be asked, after which the system will never bother its user with these questions.

If the system requirements are fully met, you can immediately make sure that the operating system is able to amaze with its speed. As a rule, from the first press to full loading takes about 7 seconds.

Conclusion

Many are attracted to the system not by the affordable installation requirements, but to some extent by the attractive design. Immediately after installing the system, the desktop looks perfectly clean. The harmony of colors and various forms is at the highest level.

It is worth noting the presence of some innovations, but they all become familiar after a few days of normal work with the system. System compatibility is at an ideal level, all necessary applications are installed and work without any problems and complications, unless, of course, all system installation requirements are met.

Personal computers belonging to a family with roots that go back to the IBM PC system and today use various operating systems, mainly released by Microsoft. One line of operating systems is based on the MS-DOS system (MS-DOS > Windows 3 > Windows 98 * Windows Me), the principles of the other originally appeared in Windows NT (Windows NT > Windows 2000 > Windows XP). Outwardly, all systems of the Windows families are similar to each other and are largely compatible with each other. There are other operating systems designed for personal computers (such as Linux), but they are less common.

What operating system should be preferred today?

With the advent of each new operating system, the requirements for computer power and performance increase, but new features and additional conveniences in work appear. For new computers, the Windows XP operating system provides maximum efficiency, which also allows you to work with the most modern programs and, most likely, will remain relevant for several more years.
If your computer does not have enough power to run Windows XP, or if you need to run older applications (such as MS-DOS programs) for which there is no adequate replacement, you can use the Windows 98 SE operating system, the most stable of the previous operating systems. generation and having the maximum
software compatibility.

From which operating system can I upgrade to Windows XP?

The Windows XP operating system can be installed on any computer, whether brand new or already running some kind of operating system. For Windows 98, Windows Me and Windows 2000 systems, it is possible to upgrade - converting the old operating system to a new one with the ability to continue using previously installed
applications without reinstallation. If your computer was running operating systems from other manufacturers, install Windows XP in the same way as you would for a brand new computer.

What are the main differences between Windows XP and previous operating systems in the Windows family?

Windows XP is the first operating system of the NT line, designed for the average user. It uses a completely redesigned internal kernel that provides significantly higher reliability than previous operating systems in the Windows family. In particular, an error in the operation of a single application practically cannot lead to an exit
failure of other applications or the operating system as a whole. Significant changes have been made to the user interface. In the new operating system, windows look more "alive" - ​​it becomes more pleasant to work. There are a number of new features for working with files and folders. Windows XP supports the NTFS file system, which is especially effective for computers with large amounts of RAM and large, high-speed disks. In addition, it is possible to work with Z/P archives as with regular folders. Windows XP provides full support for multiple users on the same computer. Each user can have completely independent settings and even have dedicated files available to others. Enhanced support for small networks (for example, home).

I am using MS-DOS operating system (Windows 3.1x, Windows 95). Should I switch to using the Windows XP operating system?

The operating systems listed in the question should be considered obsolete. Major software vendors have not released applications for use on these systems for several years, and have largely stopped maintaining older applications. Computers capable of running these operating systems are hopelessly outdated by today's standards. The ability to install the Windows XP operating system on such a computer and
effective work in it is practically excluded. Such a computer is doomed to the role of a moderately intelligent typewriter or to perform other tasks that do not require high performance.

I am using Windows 98 (Windows Me) operating system. Should I switch to using the Windows XP operating system?

The answer to this question depends on the performance of the computer and the park of programs used. The Windows 98 operating system today has maximum compatibility with old and new programs. If such compatibility is of great importance to you, you should not refuse it. If your computer is powerful enough for Windows XP and you mainly use the latest programs, it is wise to move to a new operating system, especially since sooner or later you will have to do this anyway.

When should you refrain from installing the Windows XP operating system?

The main reason for abandoning Windows XP is that the computer does not meet the rather high technical requirements of this operating system. In some cases, there may also be problems with applications that were previously used. If this would become an unacceptable threat to your work, you will have to abandon the installation of Windows XP.

What are the minimum technical requirements for Windows XP?

The minimum requirements for using the Windows XP operating system are about physical capability, not convenience or efficiency. If the computer barely meets these requirements, working with the system is difficult, tedious and inefficient.

What determines the practical requirements of Windows XP for a computer?

The practical requirements for using Windows XP define, for most users, Comfort Mode. Depending on the purpose of the computer, further enhancement of its capabilities may be required. Thus, many applications require a further increase in the amount of RAM, and when working at a computer for a long time, a screen resolution of at least 1024x768 with True Color color mode is preferable.

What if the computer does not meet the minimum technical requirements?

If your computer does not meet the minimum technical requirements, you cannot install the Windows XP operating system on it. If you do try this, the installer detects that the specifications are not met and stops running. To ensure that the prerequisites are met, the hardware components of the computer must be upgraded or completely replaced.

What happens if the computer does not meet practical technical requirements?

Installing and operating the Windows XP operating system on such a computer is possible, but the work will be inefficient. Most of the computer's resources will be spent on maintaining the operating system itself. The inefficiency is manifested by the excessive duration of the boot and shutdown of the system, in slow start
programs and opening documents, in slow screen operations and poor quality of the screen image, in frequent, long and unproductive interaction of the system with the hard drive, as well as problems with installing applications, in new and: - different frequency of failures, and so on.
In this case, it is better to immediately refrain from installing Windows XP, limiting yourself to the Windows 98 SE operating system, which is noticeably less demanding on hardware resources.

How should Windows XP specifications be considered when purchasing a new computer?

It doesn't make sense to buy a new computer to use an outdated operating system. The Windows XP operating system was released in 2002, and the technical requirements at that time did not exceed the average level of new technology. Since then, the power of new computers has only grown, and thus it is not so difficult to meet these requirements with sufficient margin. At the same time, when updating the hardware components of an old computer, there may be some problems. You need to make sure that there are no bottlenecks in the modified system that prevent the operation of Windows XP.

What versions of Windows XP are there?

There are two versions of Windows XP designed for the average user: Note Edition and Professional. There are no fundamental differences between them, except for the difference in the price of the licensed version. The Note Edition lacks a number of features that are not essential for a stand-alone home computer or a small peer-to-peer office network. In general, ceteris paribus, installing the Professional version is preferable, but by installing the Note Edition version, you
you lose practically nothing.