Analysis on Windows XP
Windows XP is supposed to be one of the most widely used operating systems in today’s world.
Reasons for this include the fact that it meets the requirements of many hardware suppliers and end user both domestic and professional business users. Windows XP was first released on October 25, 2001 (Indiana University). There has been an idea for every new version of Windows, and Windows XP that stands out in all the versions of Windows that have come so far. From stability and networking issues to the user interface, it has shown a great compatibility and strength. Although like all the other releases, it is not flawless but obviously it is overcoming many previous faults and introducing many solutions. In this paper there is an overall analysis on Windows XP functionalities and abilities, the improved stability of Windows XP is also analyzed, its different versions have also been told, and the new features it has are also explained.
Evolution of Windows XPThe evolution of operating system has been advanced phenomenally in the past two decades. The invention of GUI-based Operating System such as Windows was previously acting as a layer over the actual operating system i.e. MS-DOS. Soon enough it got over this wrapper-like status and started behaving like a true operating system, obviously by the efforts of Microsoft (Tanenbaum).
Designing such type of operating system intended to serve every level of users i.e. from laymen to the highly professional genre of users. The earlier versions of Windows in 1980s had fewer features like tiled window and running two applications at a time but their success was amazing because after the challenging use of MS-DOS, its usage was much simpler. In the beginning of 1990s Windows 3.0 emerged with much better graphics options 32-bit and managers for printing, filing and programming.
The next few years were dedicated to networking boost in client-server communication in business and the security features in communications. All these features were applied in the versions of Windows NT. The release of Windows 95 with great many new options for dial-up networking, internet and mobile options, advanced 32-bit work with plug and play. Till the year 2000 Windows NT workstation was embedded into the Windows versions including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows 2000 Professional. Amongst these years, Microsoft improved even more in networking issues, administration quirks, hardware abilities, networking with wireless products and internet utilities.
Windows Me and Windows 2000 both were released in the year 2000. Windows Millennium edition was intended for home use, and Windows 2000 was the successor of NT business operating systems (Windows XP, Microsoft.).Release of Windows XPThe beginning of new millennium brought out startling advancements in the evolution of Windows as well and the dawn appeared with the release of Windows XP, where XP stands for experience. There had always been two classes of Windows, one for domestic use or small offices. The other class was for professional purposes using version NT till 2000.
Release of Windows XP fused both of them together (Indiana University). Its professional and home editions are being used widely and are very popular but its 64-bit version is only restricted to few people due to a highly advanced technology incorporated in it. There are other versions of windows XP as well designed for different sets of people.Windows XP (Professional edition and Home edition)Windows XP was an enhanced package of multimedia features, an interface which is way too friendly to the users. This release then started a series of upgraded versions. Very soon in the next years Windows XP introduced a professional version in 2001 which was solely intended for the use of business professionals.
With the professional edition a home edition was also released that also contained enhanced features. Release of home edition had 64-bit computing facility which was a breakthrough (Windows XP, Microsoft.).Windows XP 64-bit EditionA 64-bit edition of Windows XP was quite advanced, used to work on floating point operations. Technically very sound having an Intel Itanium 64-bit processor.
Workstation users were facilitated with this edition because the design had a large memory amount and performance of floating point on multimedia features such as special effects on movie files, 3D animation, scientific applications, and engineering (Windows XP, Microsoft.).Windows XP Media Center EditionWindows XP was not only restricted to home users and professionals but also released a Media Centre edition solely for advanced home computing and had great multimedia and entertainment features e.g. internet, audio/video communications, live music and digital music library, collection of favorite videos and conversations, DVD playing options and obviously work for home (Windows XP, Microsoft.
).Windows XP Tablet PC EditionAnother version of Windows XP was released especially for tablet PCs. This was a very versatile edition because with advanced hardware that did not comprised of keyboard and mouse input necessarily but with a small keypad or a digital pen a windows version was needed. Thus this edition was intended for notebook computers and tablet PCs (Windows XP, Microsoft.).
New FeaturesThe new features it is offering are remote assistance that provides a chance to grant help to other users by having their desktop shared. The remote desktop provides access to a desktop from any other location. It has got a built-in firewall and an innovative GUI.Remote AssistanceRemote Assistance is for those people for whom Windows XP is not a very vague term and they have got a hands-on on its operation. Thus they can help their pals in operating Windows (Indiana University). Windows XP offers more than one ways of contributing assistance i.
e. by windows messenger which is installed by default in the home edition, by email, or by having a web-based email service. Both the computers sharing resources must be connected on a network, and they must have Windows XP home edition or professional installed in them (Windows XP).Remote DesktopRemote desktop provides access to one’s own desktop even from any other location which looks as if the person is using his own system (Windows XP).Driver SigningWindows XP also features a user-friendly option of driver signing, which comprises of built-in drivers for core-functional devices. For example if a person plugs-in his/her USB device, Windows XP will not be asking for any driver to sign in (Windows XP).
Built-in FirewallIt has also got its own firewall to fight against network threats. A firewall is specially program for illegitimate use of one’s resources. Firewall works both ways it prevents an external interference and it stops a user to access any unauthorized service (Indiana University).GUIIf we come to user interface enhancements Windows XP has an interactive look and a very sharp icons placement. This new interface code name is ‘Luna’ (Indiana University).
For users who are habitual of using old interface, classic view is offered too that has a look of older versions.StabilityWindows XP is also very good on providing stability. In terms of security it is overcoming the ‘dll hell’ (Indiana University) problem that came out to be the biggest shortcoming in previous versions. It has got a protected memory by using NT protocols in it, this helps the system when any executable file is tried being executed by more than one applications resulting system malfunctioning (Indiana University). Therefore, the system is stable to an extent that a single corrupted file cannot crash the whole system.
ConclusionThese days, backbreaking effort for enhancing new version of Windows Vista which is fusing Windows NT and Windows XP both are being carried out. Although Windows Vista is doing very well but its new look is troubling numerous users because the users are used to XP’s interface. Hence, Windows XP is serving at its best. After the emergence of Windows Vista its popularity has not lessen to a greater extent and the users are still using it. Windows XP has seen the peak of its fame, due to its various breaking through features as discussed above, it is still being used and will be remembered as a great achievement in technology. The future of Windows XP is very well explained that Windows Vista is the future of Windows XP.
Microsoft’s most recent operating system Windows Vista, being the successor of Windows XP is for sure the improved version comparatively in terms of productivity, security, privacy, and creativity (Windows XP, Microsoft.).;Works CitedIndiana University. University Information Technology Services. 12 February 2009.
16 February 2009 ;http://kb.iu.
edu/data/akma.html;.Indian University. What is a firewall? 03 December 2008. 17 February 2009 ;
