Overview

With Windows XP Professional Edition with Service Pack 2, you get safer browsing and communication, powerful security tools, and improved experiences. Windows XP is the operating system release that unifies the Microsoft range, with all the desktop versions now built on the NT/2000 code base rather than the shakier foundation of Windows 95, 98, and Me. That makes XP a great upgrade for users of the now-obsolete 9x and Me line, but for those already on Windows 2000 Professional it is a closer call. Despite the similar name, there is no special synergy between Windows XP and Office XP, which works fine on Windows 2000.

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. 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 Microsofts 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.

Main Features

• Automatically keep your PC up-to-date with the latest security enhancements including the Windows Security Center, Windows Firewall
• Windows XP Professional provides rich, wireless network support, helping you simply and easily connect to wireless networks whether in your home, office, or out on the road
• Quickly set up and connect all the computers, printers, devices, and an Internet connection in your home with the all new Network Setup Wizard
• Encrypting File System provides an additional level of file protection from hackers and data theft by transparently encrypting files with a randomly generated key
• Clean, simple design of Windows XP Professional puts the features you use most often at your fingertips, helping you find them quickly
• Communications: Ultimate communications and collaboration tool - instant messaging, voice, video, and application sharing. Windows XP Professional with Windows Messenger lets you communicate with customers and colleagues in real-time using text, audio, video, and other collaborative tools.
• You can make voice calls to your colleagues computers or phones, or send text messages to their cell phones and pagers.
• You can send files and documents using Windows Messenger. With a button click, you can start a video session to see who you e talking with, and to share a whiteboard or application. Face-to-face communication makes business calls more effective and improves relationships with your customers and partners. And you can be more efficient and more productive by working with others on documents in real-time.
• Access your office computer from anywhere: When you e away from the office and need a file or application that only exists on your office computers hard disk, there should be an easy way to get it. With the Remote Desktop feature in Windows XP Professional, you can connect to your office computer from anywhere. You control your office PC while using your home computer, your laptop, or any other computer running Windows 95 or later.
• While connected, you can use most of your business applications, documents, and network resources on your office computer. Performance is excellent because there is no need to transfer files and applications over the network. Remote Desktop transfers only the screen data, keyboard input, and mouse clicks over your network connection.

System Requirements

• Hard Disk
  

  1.5 GB of available hard-disk space required
  
  

• Memory
  128 MB of RAM
  
  
• Processor
  

  PC with a 233-MHz or faster processor required; 300-MHz Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended

  
  
• Platform
  Windows XP Professional
  
  
• Other
  

  CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

  Super VGA monitor and video adapter supporting 800 x 600 or greater resolution.

  Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.