Microsoft Xp

FLORIDA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

MICROSOFT WIDNOWS XP

A TERM PAPER SUBMITTED TO PROFESSOR RICHARD MATIAS

FOR THE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS OF A

COMPUTER WETWORKING WITH WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

BY

TERRELL MOORE

FEBRUARY 24, 2006

CONTENTS

Fast User Switching for Multiple Users of a Computer 3

New Visual Style 4

Redesigned Start Menu 4

Search Companion 5

My Documents 6

Webview 6

File grouping 7

User Interface Enhances Productivity 8

Universal Plug and Play 8

Internet Connection Sharing 9

Home Networking Wizard 9

Network Bridging 9

Getting Help with Remote Assistance 11

Searching for Help content 13

Accessing system information 13

Support URL for Software Deployment 13

Troubleshooting Tool 14

Driver Rollback 14

System Restore 15

Automated System Recovery 15

Dynamic Update 15

AutoUpdate 16

Windows Update 16

BIBLIOGRAPHY 18

Abstract

This paper provides a technical overview of what's new in the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system. It shows how new technologies and features make it easier to get work done, share information, manage your desktop, stay productive while traveling with a mobile computer, obtain help and support, and perform many other computing tasks. Because this paper is an overview, it does not address any area in detail but provides a broad look at the many new technologies and features in Windows XP.

INTRODUCTION

Windows XP is the next version of Microsoft Windows beyond Windows 2000 and Windows Millennium. Windows XP brings the convergence of Windows operating systems by integrating the strengths of Windows 2000--standards-based security, manageability and reliability with the best features of Windows 98 and Windows Me--Plug and Play, easy-to-use user interface, and innovative support services to create the best Windows yet.

This paper provides a broad technical overview of what's new in Windows XP. It shows how new technologies and features make it easier to get work done, share information, manage your desktop, stay productive while traveling with a mobile computer, obtain help and support, and perform many other computing tasks.

Windows XP is built on an enhanced Windows 2000 code base, with different versions aimed at home users and business users: Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional. Unless otherwise noted, this paper addresses technologies and features common to both versions of the operating system.

Intelligent User Interface

While maintaining the core of Windows 2000, Windows XP features a fresh new visual design. Common tasks have been consolidated, and simplified, and new visual cues have been added to help you navigate your computer more easily. This section introduces the innovations in the user interface that make it easier to use your computer at work or at home.

Fast User Switching for Multiple Users of a Computer

Designed for the home, Fast User Switching lets everyone use a single computer as if it were their own. There is no need to log someone else off and have to decide whether to save another user's files. Instead Windows XP takes advantage of Terminal Services technology and runs each user session as a unique Terminal Services session, enabling each user's data to be entirely separated. (The additional memory overhead for each session is approximately 2 megabytes (MB) of RAM; however, this size does not account for any applications that may be running in the sessions. In order to run reliable multi-user sessions, a total of at least 128 MB of RAM is recommended.)

Enabled by default if you're using Windows XP Home Edition, Fast User Switching is also available on Windows XP Professional if you install it on a stand alone or workgroup-connected computer. If you join a domain with a computer running Windows XP Professional, you will not be able to use Fast User Switching.

Fast user switching makes it easier for families to share a single computer. For example, if a mother uses the computer to work on finances and has to leave for a short period of time, her son can switch to his own account and play a game. The financial application is left running and open in the mother's account. All of this is done without logging off. Switching users is easy with the new Welcome screen easily customizable with pictures for each user who logs on to the computer, as shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 Welcome Screen in Windows XP

New Visual Style

Windows XP has new visual styles and themes that use sharp 24-bit color icons and unique colors that can be easily related to specific tasks. For example, green represents tasks that enable you do something or go somewhere, such as the Start menu.

Redesigned Start Menu

The Start menu was designed to adapt to the way you work. Your five favorite programs display first, and your default e-mail and Web browser are always