Microsoft Windows XP Professional [Old Version]

by Microsoft

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00005MOTH
• Item model number: E8500086
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 24, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (157 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,153 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #21 in Software > Operating Systems > Microsoft Windows > Windows XP
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

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. This is not just file access--this technology lets you run applications remotely as if you were sitting at your desk at work. This is mature technology, stable and carefully thought out. So, for example, you can print from a remote word processor to a local printer. A variation on the theme is Remote Assistance, where the user can allow a remote helper to view their desktop, or optionally gain control of the keyboard and mouse, in order to troubleshoot a problem. The feature can also be disabled to ease security concerns.

Laptop users benefit from enhanced power management, with options to extend battery life by reducing CPU speed and display brightness. IrDA support has been fixed so that, unlike Windows 2000, Windows XP can easily use modems in mobile telephones via infrared. A new screen font, ClearType, improves legibility for laptop or other flat screens, and there is built-in support for wireless networking using the popular 802.11 standard. A great feature of XP, also found in Windows 2000, is the ability to synchronize network files with offline copies. Previously, these files could not be stored securely, but now they can be encrypted.

For Web browsing, XP comes with Internet Explorer 6.0. The enhancements in IE 6.0 are mainly of interest to Web developers, and in any case Microsoft makes IE freely available to all Windows users. Although Java is not installed by default, it is not difficult to download a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Windows Messenger, originally a chat client, has evolved into a collaboration tool that allows for video conferencing and application sharing.

The most significant new feature for Internet users is the built-in firewall. A firewall protects against one of the most disturbing security risks, in which other users unknown to you might connect to your computer while it is online, reading private files or causing other damage. XP's built-in firewall is a simple affair, but it does prevent most types of unauthorized connection.

Windows XP has strong multimedia features. The new Media Player lets you copy music from CD to hard disk, create your own playlist, and write your own music CDs if you have a CD writer. Although there is loss of quality as a result of compression, the process is easy and convenient. Media Player 8.0 can play back DVD video, but only if a hardware or software DVD decoder is already installed. You can also play MP3 audio files and MPEG videos, but sadly, not the popular RealMedia formats. In the end, Media Player does nothing that you cannot also do with free alternatives, but it is slick and nicely integrated.

The XP user interface is not a radical departure from earlier versions of Windows, but there are a number of small changes that together add up to a significant improvement. The Start menu now automatically features the most frequently used programs at the top of the list, and you can add and remove shortcuts by right-clicking the icon and selecting Pin or Unpin from the pop-up menu. Windows online help is integrated into a Help and Support Center that works like an internal Web site, with searchable help, tutorials, and walk-throughs.

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 Microsoft's 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.

Overall, it's a big step forward for those coming from Windows 9x or Me, and attractive rather than compelling as an upgrade from 2000. --Tim Anderson

Product Description

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. This is not just file access--this technology lets you run applications remotely as if you were sitting at your desk at work. This is mature technology, stable and carefully thought out. So, for example, you can print from a remote word processor to a local printer. A variation on the theme is Remote Assistance, where the user can allow a remote helper to view their desktop, or optionally gain control of the keyboard and mouse, in order to troubleshoot a problem.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Be aware of Product Activation, September 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Microsoft Windows XP Professional [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

Windows XP is great but there is one thing you need to know: in order to use this product, you will be forced to contact Microsoft (by phone or via internet) in order to get an "activation code" after you have installed the software. If you don't do this, you will no longer be able to use this product after 30 days. In order to get this activation code, you will have to send Microsoft a code made up from the different pieces of hardware on your computer. You have no choice in this matter. They will then give you an this activation or "unlock" code in return. If you change the hardware on your computer beyond a Microsoft-specified amount, Windows XP will suspect that it is now installed on a different machine and will demand that you apply to Microsoft for another activation code before you can continue using it.

If their database shows that you have already "activated" this software before, they will demand a reason why you want another activation code. If they think you are trying to install the software on more than one machine, they can deny you the activation code, thereby rendering the software useless. The aim of this is to make sure that you buy one separate copy of Windows XP for each machine you own.

Be aware that, even after you have bought this software, Microsoft still has the ability to deny you the ability to use what you have paid for.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Things I learned about installing XP, December 27, 2003

By 

tarheel7496 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Windows XP Professional [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

1. Choose which one you want. I chose XP Pro over home. If you EVER think you may network, you should get pro. Plus it is more robust than home.

2. Install the full version not the upgrade. I read reviews that said this and at first I balked at it but you are going to back up your files anyway, you will be much happier (trust me) if you install the full version. For example:

When I first tried to install a full xp over ME, I kept getting an error message. I had to re-install ME, then install XP pro. That goes to show you that you never know what you have picked up over the months on your computer that may hinder installation. If you try to upgrade, you will be scouring the forums late at night trying to find an answer.

3. Buy OEM. If you are knowledgeable about computers why pay double just for the book, pretty packaging and support? Has support ever really helped you? Me neither. If you follow number 1 and 2, you won't need to worry about support.

4. XP runs fine on average computers. I have a toshiba satellite, PIII, 850 mhz with 128 mb of ram. It runs great. I plan to upgrade memory in just a few days but I was planning to anyway.

5. You will be surprised at how few incompatability issues you will have. Don't listen to all the anti-microsoft crowd or apple pushers. I hate microsoft too, but it's a microsoft world and xp pro is a great product.
I have yet to encounter incompatability issues. I didn't even need all the disks/drivers for my hardware. For example, I use a mouse with my laptop, I didn't need to re-install anything. The same with my printer (hp deskjet). I plugged in the cable and it recognized it. I even have an older version of lotus smartsuite that works on it.

My advice, if you think it might not work, try it anyway, you could be surprised. Or possibly find an update online.

Hope this helps. If you have ME, take my word for it. You NEED to upgrade. A $150 OEM version is well worth your trouble. I experienced crashes every day with ME. None so far with XP.

I'm happy. And I don't usually write reviews.

63 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most stable OS I've used., February 4, 2004

By 

J. Miller (NE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Windows XP Professional [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

Here's a note... if you're going ot buy XP, buy the professional version. It's much more stable and supports more software and hardware than the Home version.

I have used XP for two years, and not once have I had to reformat the hard drive. I have dealt with a few errors, but most of them were fixed by putting in the CD. And it did start crashing, but I finally realized it was faulty RAM, not the OS. (Don't blame the OS first, it's probably the hardware.)

Another sidenote--read the hardware requirements. You need at least 128 megs of RAM, and 600 megahertz.