Windows XP Features

By RAJE S

Windows XP introduced several new features:

Faster start-up and hibernation sequences.

The ability to discard a newer device driver in favor of the previous one (known as driver rollback), should a driver upgrade not produce desirable results.

A new, arguably more user-friendly interface, including the framework for developing themes for the desktop environment. Fast user switching, which allows a user to save the current state and open applications of their desktop and allow another user to log on without losing that information.

Windows XP introduced several new features:

The ClearType font rendering mechanism, which is designed

to improve text readability on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and

similar monitors.

Remote Desktop functionality, which allows users to connect

to a computer running Windows XP from across a network or

the Internet and access their applications, files, printers, and

devices.

It Support most DSL modems and wireless network connections,

as well as networking over FireWire, and Bluetooth.

Windows XP introduced several new features:

Turns Black hole router detection on by default.

Network Access Protection client.

Windows Imaging Component. Credentials Security Service Provider. Descriptive Security options in Group Policy/Local Security Policy user interface. Installing without requiring a product key during setup for retail and OEM versions.

Improved device support Windows XP provides new and/or improved drivers and user interfaces for devices compared to Windows Me and windows 98.

Fast User SwitchingFast User Switching allows another user to log in and use the system without having to log out the previous user and quit his or her applications.

Remote AssistanceRemote Assistance allows a WINXP user to temporarily take over a remote Windows XP computer over a network or the internet to resolve issues.

CD burning Windows XP includes technology from Roxio which allows

users to directly burn files to a Compacr Disk through Windows Explorer. Previously, end users had to install CD burning software, such as Nero Burning ROM. Now, CD and DVD-RAM burning has been directly integrated into the Windows interface

Remote Desktop Users can log into Windows XP Professional remotely through the Remote Desktop service. It is built on Terminal Services technology and is similar to Remote Assistance.

Hibernate modeWhen Windows hibernates it dumps the entire contents of the RAM to disk and powers down the entire machine. On startup it quickly reloads the data back to RAM Hibernation

is enabled by default and can be disabled in order to recover disk space.

Standby (Sleep) modeWhen Windows enters standby mode, it turns off all nonessential hardware, including the monitor, hard drives, and removable drives. This means that the system reactivates itself very quickly when "woken up". The Windows Standby feature conforms to the S1 and S3 Sleep States in the ACPI standard.

Kernel improvements

The Windows XP kernel is completely different from the kernel of the Windows 9x/Me line of operating systems. As an upgrade of the Win2000 kernel, the improvements are major, and transparent to the end user.

They include some enhancements to the scalability and performance of the system.

Windows XP includes Simultaneous Multithreading Support, or the ability to utilize the Hyper-Threading feature of newer Intel pentium4 processors.

Windows File ProtectionProtects core system files from being overwritten by application installations. If a file is overwritten, Windows File Protection will restore the correct version.

Windows InstallerA system service that helps users install, configure, track, upgrade, and remove software programs correctly. It will help minimize user downtime and increase system stability.

Scalable memory and processor supportSupports up to 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and up to two symmetric multiprocessors. Users who need the highest level of performance will be able to work with the latest HW.

IP Security (IPSec)It helps to protect data transmitted across a network. IPSec is an important part of providing security for virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow organizations to transmit data securely over the Internet. IT administrators will be able to build secure VPNs quickly and easily.

Kerberos supportProvides industry-standard and high-strength authentication with fast, single logon to Windows 2000—based enterprise resources. Kerberos is an Internet standard, which makes it especially effective for networks that include different OS such as UNIX.

Smart card supportSmart card capabilities are integrated into the operating system, including support for smart card logon to terminal server sessions hosted on Windows Server 2003 based (the next-generation server platform) terminal servers.

Work with rich media Windows Media Player for Windows XP is the first player to combine all of your common digital media activities into a single, easy-to-use player. The player makes it easy for you to.

SERVICE PACKS

Microsoft occasionally releases service packs for its Windows

operating systems to fix problems and add features.

Each service pack is a superset of all previous service packs

and patches so that only the latest service pack needs to be

installed, and also includes new revisions.

Older patches need not be removed before application of the

most recent one.

SERVICE PACK 1

Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows XP was released on

September 9, 2002. It contains post-RTM security fixes and

hot-fixes, compatibility updates, optional .NET Framework

support, enabling technologies for new devices such as Tablet

PCs, and a new Windows Messenger 4.7 version.

The most notable new features were USB 2.0 support, and a

Set Program Access and Defaults utility that aimed at hiding

various middleware products.

SERVICE PACK 1

This utility was first brought into the older Windows 2000 operating system with its service Pack 3.

The Microsoft Java Virtual Machine, which was not in the RTM version, appeared in this service pack.

On February 3, 2003, Microsoft released Service Pack 1a (SP1a).This release removed Microsoft's Java virtual machine as a result of a lawsuit with Sun Microsystems.

SERVICE PACK 2

Windows Security Center was added in Service Pack 2.

Service Pack 2 (SP2) (codenamed "Springboard") was released

on August 6, 2004 after several delays, with a special emphasis

on security.

including an enhanced firewall, improved Wi-Fi

support, such as WPA encryption compatibility, with a wizard

utility, a pop-up ad blocker for Internet Explorer 6, and Bluetooth

support.

SERVICE PACK 2

The new welcome screen during the kernel boot removes the

subtitles "Professional", and "Home Edition" since Microsoft

introduced new WinXP editions prior to the release of SP2.

The green loading bar in Home Edition was replaced with the

standard blue bar, seen in Professional and other versions of

Windows XP, making the line of operating systems resemble

each other.

Service Pack 2 added new security enhancements, which

include a major revision to the included firewall that was

renamed to Windows Firewall and is enabled by default.

SERVICE PACK 2

Additionally, security-related improvements were made to

e-mail and web browsing.

Windows XP Service Pack 2 includes the Windows Security

Center, which provides a general overview of security on the

system, including the state of anti-virus software, Windows

Update, and the new Windows Firewall.

Third-party anti-virus and firewall applications can interface

with the new Security Center.

SERVICE PACK 2

On August 10, 2007, Microsoft announced a minor update to

Service Pack 2, called Service Pack 2c (SP2c).

The update fixes the issue of diminishing number of available

product keys for Windows XP. This update will only be available

to system builders from their distributors in Windows XP

Professional and XP Professional N operating systems.

SERVICE PACK 3

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) build 5512 was released to manufacturing on April 21, 2008 and to the public via both the Microsoft Download Center and Windows Update on May 6, 2008.

It will be automatically pushed out to Automatic Update users around June-July 2008.

A total of 1,174 fixes have been included in SP3.

Service Pack 3 can be installed on systems with Internet Explorer versions 6 or 7, and Windows Media Player versions 9 and above.

SERVICE PACK 3

Internet Explorer 7 is not included as part of SP3.

Service Pack 3 is only for the 32-bit version of the operating system.

The 64-bit version shares a codebase with Windows Server 2003 and its service packs are also developed and released on the same timeline as the server product.

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