Introduction to Windows XP

Introduction to Windows XP

Introduction

The operating system (OS) is the most important program that runs on a computer. It performs basic tasks like recognizing input from the keyboard, sending images to the display, keeping track of files, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drivesand printers. Windows XP is the latest version of Windows. Though there are many new features in Windows XP, the most striking of them is the changed interface. The new interface includes a changed Start Menu which lets you work in Windows much easily.

The Start Menu does this with the help of Personalized Menus, where the programs that you use frequently are listed on top and the programs that are only occasionally used are hidden.

The new version of Windows represents an important change from the previous version. Since Windows95 was released the successive versions had only been an evolution from the original, nevertheless on this occasion a more important change was produced because the very center or Kernel of the operating system has been changed. Although it may seem to the user that no radical changes were made, it could be said that WindowsXP is not just another version of Windows but practically a whole new system

The most common editions of the operating system are Windows XP Home Edition, which is targeted at home users, and Windows XP Professional, which has additional features such as support for Windows server Domain and dual process, and is targeted at power users and business clients. Window XP Media Center Edition has additional multimedia features enhancing the ability to record and watch TV shows, watch DVDs, and listen to music.Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is designed to run the ink-aware Tablet PC platform. Two separate 64 bit versions of Windows XP were also released, Windows XP 64-bit Edition for IA-64(Itanium) processors and Windows XP professional x64 Edition for x84-64 processors.

Until now Microsoft had two different operating systems, Windows 98 for personal or domestic use and Windows NT/2000 for the business and professional environment. With WindowsXP a convergence among both versions is produced; the center of the operating system Windows 2000 was divided to create WindowsXP, and some adjustments were done to differentiate WindowsXP Home Edition and WindowsXP Professional.

Introduction to Windows XP   Description XP   Windows XP comes with a fresh new design and many ways to customize the interface to your liking. There is a new Start Menu that is easy to use and full of new functions; or you can use the classic Start Menu if you prefer. To save space on your task bar you can group running applications according to type. For example, if you have multiple project documents open, you can group them into a pop-up menu instead of all across the task bar. This is a great feature that saves time and task bar space.   Also worth mentioning: • XP can be personalized to allow sharing the same computer with family or associates. Each individual can create their own unique account.   • Misbehaving programs will not necessarily cause a computer to crash - each application runs in a separate, protected memory space.   • A Transfer wizard enables the movement of files, documents and settings from one computer to another.   • The Network Setup Wizard simplifies setting up a local network to share printers, devices, files and an Internet connection.   • A Firewall helps guard against intrusion when connected to the Internet.   • Windows Movie Maker provides the ability to capture, edit, organize and share video camera movies.   • Remote Desktop allows you to use your desktop computer from another computer running Windows 95 or later, giving you access to all of your data and applications.     Windows XP recommended system requirements: • PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor   • 128 megabytes of RAM or higher   • 1.5 gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space   • Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor   • CD-ROM or DVD drive         Introduction to Windows XP   Getting Started with Windows XP   Now you are going to do the practical work with Windows XP. If you have not done so already, turn on your pc now.   The Start All programs have to be started; Windows XP is no exception, but it happens automatically. When you turn on power to the pc, it boots, the pc gets ready, and the operating system and its various programs are read in.   Microsoft has done much to optimize the start-up, so ordinarily Windows XP will be ready run in 30 seconds after you turn on power. That is a substantial improvement – especially when compared to Windows 2000 and NT, which could demonstrate a very slow start-up.   After start-up you usually have to click on a user name, since other users may use the same pc .Once you have logged on; you will get to Windows XP itself. This picture may look slightly different from pc to pc.   Windows XP gives additional users the option of their individual”log-on”.   You can create user account yourself in xp.   You can also specify password in each account like below.       The Start button First we will look at the Start button, which most people are familiar with.   The only change in Windows XP is that the button is now green and got a rounded appearance   To start a program: 1. Click the Start button, located in the lower left corner of your screen.   2. Highlight Programs. The Program menu will appear.   3. Move to the Program menu and highlight the program you want to start. If you see a right pointer next to your selection, a submenu will appear. Refine your choice by highlighting the appropriate selection on the submenu. Continue until you get to the final submenu.   4. Click the program name to start the program.   The start button is your main entry to the pc. A single click on that opens the Start menu, which I will describe here. You can also activate it with the Windows key – I use that often:   You can actually operate the Start button in yet other ways. Try to press Control+Escape. Hold the Control key and press the Escape key simultaneously, then the Start menu opens.     The Start menu The Start menu has a rather new look in Windows XP, but the structure is about the same as before.   You find: . A number of hyperlinks to various programs and functions.   . An item that opens the sub menu All programs.   . Two buttons in the bottom of the menu, which can be used to change user (Log off) and to close the computer respectively.           Introduction to Windows XP   Turn Off , Restart, Stand by Computer     Shut down My Computer   To shut down your computer: 1. Click the Start button. The Start menu will appear.   2. Click Turn off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box will appear.   3. Click the Turn Off icon. Your computer will shut down.     Restart My Computer   You may need to shut down and restart your computer after installing a new program or if your system becomes unstable.   To shut down and immediately restart your computer: 1. Click the Start button. The Start menu will appear.   2. Click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box will appear.   3. Click the Restart icon. Your computer will restart.     Standby mode   When your computer is in the Standby mode, your computer consumes less electricity, but is ready for immediate use. However, if the computer loses electrical power while in theStandby mode, any information you have not saved will be lost.   To put your computer in Standby mode:   1. Click the Start button. The Start menu will appear.   2. Click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box will appear.   3. Click the Stand By icon.   For Animated Presentation (With Voice) Click Here.         Introduction to Windows XP   The Run Window     A left-click on the Run menu item will open the Run Window. If you know the exact path of a program file, you can type that information into the box to the right of Open: and then left-click on OK or simply press Enter.   Entering a program file will start that program. Entering a document file (from a word processor) will open that document within the word processor program.   If you are not certain of the exact path to a file, you can browse for it by left-clicking on the browse button. This generates a dialog box with a directory structure within and allows you to search through a disk for the appropriate file. Once located, you must left-click on the file name and then left-click the Open button. This returns you to the Run window with the file and its associated path properly inserted. You may then left-click on OK or pressEnter.   Clicking on the downward pointing triangle to the right of where you enter the program name will drop down a list of files that you have recently launched from the Run window. Left-clicking on one of those names will insert the program or document name properly in the Run window. You may then left-click on OK or press Enter.