Windows XP was produced by Microsoft and released on August 24th, 2001 (Wikipedia, 2012). Wikipedia (2012) stated, Windows XP “was the first consumer-oriented operating system produced by Microsoft to be built on the Windows NT kernel.” Windows XP offers functions other previous versions do not, making it a popular operating system. It is the first version with product activation to diminish copying the software illegally. Microsoft XP was named “Whistler”, in its conception, after Whistler, British Columbia because many of the employees frequently visited the Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort (Wikipedia, 2012).
Windows XP Functionalities The minimum hardware requirements for Windows XP Home Edition According to the Microsoft Support Page (2012) are:
• Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster (300 MHz is recommended)
• At least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM (128 MB is recommended)
• At least 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available space on the hard disk
• CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
• Keyboard and a Microsoft Mouse or some other compatible pointing device
• Video adapter and monitor with Super VGA (800 x 600)or higher resolution
• Sound card
• Speakers or headphones
According to Microsoft (2012) Windows XP offers several new features when transitioning from the previous Windows 98 operating system to include:
• The New Windows XP Environment
• Working Offline
• Internet Explorer 6.0
• Instant messaging
• Media Player
• Movie Maker
• Network Setup Wizard
• Remote desktop support
• Encrypting file system
• System restore and advanced networking features
• Windows messenger
• Remote Assistance
The control panel in Windows XP has the Control Panel functions split into categories. If he or she is uncomfortable using the new category view with Windows XP he or she can change it to the classic view by Switching Views and using the Control Panel. Windows XP offers the computer user the ability to open multiple files from the My
References: Microsoft (2012), A History of Windows; Highlights from the first 25 years. Fast Facts retrieved from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/history Microsoft (2012), Microsoft Support; System requirements for Windows XP operating systems. Fast Facts retrieved from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314865 Wikipedia (2012), The Free Encyclopedia; Windows XP. Fast Facts retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP#Editions