All about Windows XP. Microsoft Windows XP Secrets

Windows XP. (code name when developing - Whistler; Internal version - Windows NT 5.1) - Operating system (OS) of the Microsoft Windows NT family. It was released on October 25, 2001 and is the development of Windows 2000 Professional. The name XP comes from the English. eXPERIENCE (experience).

Unlike previous system Windows 2000, which was supplied both in the server and in client versions, Windows XP is exclusively by the client system. Its server analogue is Windows Server 2003. Although Windows Server 2003 is built on the basis of the same code as Windows XP, almost entirely inheriting its user part interface, Windows Server 2003 still uses a newer and recycled version of NT 5.2 kernel; The same nucleus that appeared later, as the Windows Server 2003, and received the same security updates, as a result of which one could say that their development was equally.

Options

Windows XP was produced in many versions:

Windows XP Professional Edition was designed for enterprises and entrepreneurs and contains features such as remote access To the computer's desktop, file encryption (using Encrypting File System), Central Access Rights and Support Multiprocessor Systems.
Windows XP. Home Edition - System for home use. Released as an inexpensive "trimmed" version of Professional Edition, but is based on the same core.
Windows XP Tablet PC EDITION is based on Professional Edition and contains special applicationsOptimized to enter data stylus on tablet personal computers. The most important property is to understand texts written from hand and adapting the graphical interface to display turns. This version is sold only with the appropriate computer.
Windows XP Media Center Edition is based on Professional Edition and contains special multimedia applications. The computer is usually equipped with a TV card and a remote control. remote control (PD). The most important property is the ability to connect to the TV and computer management through the remote control thanks to the simplified system. windows management. This system also contains functions for receiving VHF radio.
Windows XP Embedded is an embedded component operating system on windows database XP Professional Edition and is intended for use in various embedded systems: industrial automation systems, ATMs, medical devices, cash terminals, slot machines, VoIP components, etc. Windows XP Embedded includes additional functions By embedding, among which recording protection filter (EWF and FBWF), loading from flash memory, CD-ROM, network, using the system's own shell, etc.
Windows Embedded PosReady - a specialized operating system based on Windows XP Embedded, configured for service points and optimized for retail and service sectors. On the basis of this platform, you can create an ATM, payment terminal, gas station, cash register, etc. Additionally, Windows Embedded for Point of Service includes POS for .NET technology to quickly develop trading applications and support for commercial peripheral equipment.
Windows XP Professional X64 Edition is a special 64-bit version designed for processors with AMD64 Opteron and Athlon 64 technology from AMD and processors with EM64T technology from Intel. This system does not support processors of other manufacturers, and also does not work with intel processor Itanium. Although the first 64-digit processors appeared in 2003, Windows XP Professional X64 Edition was published only in April 2005. The main advantage of the system is fast work With large numbers (Long Integer and Double Float). Thus, this system is very effective, for example, when performing calculations using floating points needed in areas such as the creation of special effects for films and three-dimensional animation, as well as the development of technical and scientific applications. This system Supports mixed modeThat is, simultaneous operation of 32- and 64-bit applications, however, all the drivers should be in a 64-bit execution. This means that most 32-bit applications can work in this system. The exception is only those applications that are highly dependent on computer hardware, such as antiviruses and defragmenters.
Windows XP 64-bit Edition is a publication designed specifically for workstations with IA-64 architecture and Itanium microprocessors. This edition of Windows XP is no longer developing since 2005, after it ceased to develop workstations with ITANIUM microprocessors. Support for this architecture remained in server versions operating system Windows.
Windows XP Edition N is a Windows Media Player system and other multimedia-offering. These versions are created under the pressure of the European Antimonopoly Commission, which required "facilitate" Windows XP. Currently, this distribution is designed for developing countries. If desired, the user can download all the missing applications from the Microsoft website. There is both in HOME and in Professional options.
Windows XP Starter Edition is a strongly functionally limited version for developing countries and financially weak regions. In this version, simultaneous work is possible only 3 applications, and each application can create no more than 3 windows. There are no network functions in the system, high resolution is not supported, and the use of more than 512 megabytes of RAM or hard disk with a volume of more than 120 gigabytes is not allowed. The system can operate on Intel Celeron or AMD DURON processors.
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCS - Cut version Microsoft Windows. XP Embedded Service Pack 2, designed for outdated computers.

New in comparison with Windows 2000

Some of the most notable improvements in Windows XP compared to Windows 2000 are:

Graphic user interface

Start menu in a new form when using the ROYALE theme

Allocation B. Windows Explorer. carried out by a transparent blue rectangle.
Falling shadow from labels on the desktop.
Sidebar, focused on performing tasks in the Explorer window ("Common Tasks").
Grouping of buttons of one application on the taskbar into one button, when defined quantity different running applicationsThat allows you to often avoid the need for her "scrolling".
There was an opportunity to block the taskbar and auxiliary panels, to avoid their accidental change.
Color selection of elements in the Start menu, belonging to newly added programs.
The shade drop menu (in Windows 2000, the shadow discarded the mouse pointer, but not the menu items).

Windows XP analyzes the performance of the system with certain visual effects and, depending on this, activates them or not, given the possible fall or increase in performance. Users can also change these parameters using the settings dialog boxes, while you can either flexibly select the activity of certain visual effects, or to give it to the system management or choose maximum productivity or best view graphical interface.

Some effects, such as translucency, etc., require the presence of a productive graphics subsystem, on old video cards performance can greatly fall and Microsoft recommends disconnecting these possibilities in this case.

In Windows XP, it is possible to use Visual Styles, allowing you to change the graphical user interface. LUNA - a new graphical interface style that is included in the XP delivery and is the default interface for computers with more than 64 megabytes random access memory. It is possible to use other visual styles, but they must be signed by the Microsoft digital signature (as they are important in the functioning of the system).

To bypass this restriction, some users use special software, such as TGTSoft's StyleXP, and sometimes a modified version of the uxtheme.dll library.

There is also a "classic" style, repeating Windows 2000 interface style (which uses less memory to 4 MB than LUNA), as well as numerous styles created by third-party developers. For the Media Center Microsoft version, I developed a "visual style" Royale, which is included in this version of Windows XP and is available for installation in other versions of XP.

For Windows XP, more than 100 icons were created by The iconfactory, known for its set of free icons for the Mac OS X operating system.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

	Declared as minimal	Recommended
CPU	233 MHz	300 MHz or above
RAM	64 MB (some possibilities may be limited)	128 MB or higher
Video adapter and monitor	Super VGA (800 × 600)
Free Hard Disk	1.5 GB or more
Optical drives	CD-ROM (required for installation)	CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
User interaction devices	Keyboard	Keyboard and mouse
Other devices	Sound card, columns and / or headphones

In addition to these requirements, for installing Service Pack 2, it is necessary on a hard disk at least 1.8 GB free space During installation.

Update and Support Packs

Package of updates 1.

Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows XP was released on September 9, 2002. The most important innovations were supported by USB 2.0, a utility that allows you to select the default program to view the Internet, mail, instant messaging, as well as the various implementation of the Java virtual machine. Starting with SP1 encryption file system EFS has been able to use AES encryption algorithm with a 256-bit key.

Starting with SP1, the default LBA -48 support is enabled, which allows the operating system to work with hard disks with a capacity of more than 137 GB.

1A update package was released on February 3, 2003 and deleted virtual Machine Java from the system. Microsoft did not recommend users already installed SP1 update package, install SP1A package.

Support for Windows XP Service Pack 1 and 1a ended on October 10, 2006.

Update package 2.

Service Pack 2, SP2 (SPRINGBOARD code name) was released on August 6, 2004. SP2 added new features in Windows XP, including improved firewall; Wi-Fi support with the setup and Bluetooth wizard, as well as improvements in Internet Explorer 6 - for example, the ability to block "pop-up" windows. This service pack has made significant changes to Windows XP security. So, the built-in firewall has been subjected to significant changes, which was renamed Windows Firewall and is now activated for all the default connections created. There was advanced memory protection, in particular, from the attacks of buffer overflow both using the NX-bit technology and a number of other techniques. Changes touched and services - services such as Telnet and messaging service are disabled by default, a number of services are launched with reduced rights, etc. Security changes were affected and postal program Outlook Express and Internet Explorer browser. Windows XP Service Pack 2 includes a security center that allows you to facilitate the security monitoring of the system, watching and reminding the user about the need to install or update the antivirus and its databases, activate the built-in or third-party firewall, to update the operating system or change the web browser settings . Third-party antiviruses and firewalls have the ability to interact with it using the API interface. The autorun functions were also improved when inserting a CD or connecting flash cards and similar devices.

When loading the system disappeared the subtitles with the name of the editorial board; The download band in the editors of Home and Embedded changed green and yellow colors on blue, as in the Professional edition.

Support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 ended July 13, 2010.

Update package 3.

In early August 2007, Microsoft began beta testing SP3 among a limited group of beta testers. Despite the fact that the beta version was transferred only to the chosen one, its distribution appeared in peergaging networks. From December 12, 2007, the RC1 SP3 version is available for download and testing to everyone.

The final version of the update package 3 for Windows XP was represented on April 21, 2008, but only for business customers, such as manufacturers of original equipment and MSDN and TechNet subscribers. The rest of the users were able to get the third service pack from the Windows Update online service or through the Microsoft Download Center on May 6, as well as the service automatic update at the beginning of summer.

The package can only be installed on top of the Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Service Pack 2 (SP2) package, and is available only for the 32-bit version.

The package includes all updates released after the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2 in August 2004, as well as a number of other new items. Among them, the protection function network access (Network Access Protection) and a new activation model borrowed from Windows Vista, in addition, an improved function of detecting so-called routers - "black holes" and others appeared.

Since July 1, 2008, Microsoft has stopped selling Windows XP SP2 to their suppliers. Until the mid-2010, Windows XP SP3 was supplied in OEM and BOX supplies for Windows Vista. Business is possible free "Downgrade", as well as on sale is the Get Genuine Kit Windows XP SP3, designed to licensing the installed pirate software, as part of the corporate licensing of the Get Genuine Solution XP package.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 also extends as part of the optional Windows 7 Windows XP MODE component.

Support for Windows XP Service Pack 3 completes April 8, 2014.

Criticism

Despite some benefits before Windows Vista and even Windows 7 in speed, for which it is so appreciated by users, Windows XP (SP1, SP2, SP3) has a characteristic drawback:

When installing the system, the user is invited to create an account with the administrator's rights to work, which leads to the potential vulnerability of the system to viruses. Despite the fact that this problem is solved by the creation and use of a separate account With limited rights, many users do not use this approach for various reasons, including ignorance. In subsequent versions (Vista and older), this problem has been solved by the User Account Control component. Also, statements "On Less Safety Windows XP" were currently less relevant than at the time of Vista's output, due to the development of antiviruses and their heuristic abilities.

The presentation of Windows XP took place in New York in just a month and a half after the attack on the twin towers and began with the fact that the choir of the Evangelical Church sang "America the beautiful".
It is possible to run Windows XP on smartphones or PDAs using BOCHS (Android) and QEMU (Windows Mobile), but the device resources will not be enough to quickly work.
At the time of termination of support (April 8, 2014), Windows XP will be a little less than 13 years. It will be the longest deadline for the history of Windows.

Notes

Literature

Woody Leonard. Microsoft Windows XP SP2 for "Teapots". Full Directory \u003d Windows XP All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies. - 2nd ed. - M.: Dialectics, 2007. - 720 p. - ISBN 0-7645-7463-9
Paul Mc Fedris. Microsoft Windows XP SP2. Full guide \u003d Microsoft Windows XP Unleashed. - M .: Williams, 2006. - 880 p. - ISBN 0-672-32833-x
PROFFIT Bryan. Windows XP. Tutorial. - m.: Kuditz-press, 2006.

Links

The Windows XP operating system has become a real breakthrough in the OS family from Microsoft. It has a huge number of functions and system settings, to learn which you can leave for more than one month. Nevertheless, we offer you a description of the most interesting, in our opinion, moments that will be interested in any Windows user.

Checking work time without loading.

In Windows XP, an interesting feature is implemented that allows the user to view information about how long the OS is running without rebooting. To do this, go to the command line, call which you can combine the Win + R keys, and enter the SystemInfo command. In the displayed window you will find a large volume. useful information, as well as his time smooth operation. If you want to save this information in a text file, type SystemInfo\u003e info.txt command.

Complete the process from the command line.

In Windows XP, users have the opportunity to complete the processes directly from command line. To do this, just enter the Taskkill / Pid command and the task identifier. In order to find out the task number - enter the Tasklist command. So you can not only find out the numbers of all processes, but also get a lot of information about what is happening in your system.

How to launch programs on behalf of another user?

Excellent feature that allows you to run programs on behalf of any other user without leaving the current profile. This is especially convenient if you work in a limited rights profile and you have the need to establish any program. To do this, there is no need to complete the work and go under the admin profile. It is enough just to click on the program shortcut right key and select the "Run on behalf" item. Next, select the username and enter the password.

LAN Indicator.

If yours system unit standing under the table and you don't see led indicator Network by network card - no problem. In Windows XP, there is a function that will always monitor the presence of network traffic. To activate it, go to the "Network Circle" menu, right-click on your connection icon local network and click on the "Properties" button. Check the "When connecting to display an icon in the notifications panel." Now, with network activity, you will always see the flashing icon in the system tray.

Changing the opening time menu "Start".

In Windows XP, the default "Start" menu appears with a certain delay, which often does not like users. In order to correct this annoying lack of developers, we need to go to the registry. You can do this if you open the command line and enter the REGEDIT command in it. After that, we find the key in the registry with the title of HKEY_CURRENT_USER / CONTROL PANEL / DESKTOP / MENUSHOWDELAY and set to it value 0.

Deleting files, bypassing the basket.

By default, all files deleted in the operating room windows system XP placed in the basket. This is done allegedly for user security so that they do not delete important files by ignorance and have always had the opportunity to restore them. Nevertheless, being sent to the basket, the files do not disappear anywhere and continue to occupy the hard disk space. To solve this problem and immediately delete files forever - go to the command prompt and type the gpedit.msc command. In the new window, select "User Configuration", then "Administrative Templates", then "Windows Components", then "Windows Explorer Properties" and check the item "Do not move remote files In garbage". On the menu " Group Policy"You have opened with the GPedit.msc command, you can find a lot of useful system settings. But change them carefully, because incorrect editing can lead to unstable operation of the system. We draw your attention to the fact that these settings are available only in windows version XP Professional Edition.

Correct deletion of system utilities.

Windows XP implements a mechanism for protection against user deletion of a number of system utilities, such as Windows Messenger. If you firmly decided that you don't need this program and want to correctly remove it, anyone will help you text editor, for example, notepad. Find the SYSOC.INF system file, which is located in the Windows / Info folder, and open it using a text editor. In it you need to find the string with the program you want to uninstall, and remove the word Hide from it. After that, go to the control panel - install and delete programs and select Add / remove Windows components. There you will find the program you need and can correctly remove it.

Blocking a computer.

In Windows XP, the user has the opportunity to instantly block its computer in the case, for example, it took urgently to exit. To do this, you can create a shortcut and in the field " Work folder"Enter the string" rundll32.exe user32.dll, lockworkstation ". Name this shortcut any name and place in a convenient place for you - for example, on the desktop. Double-clicking on this shortcut and on the screen, the welcome window appears where you want to enter a user and password to enter Windows. At the same time, all programs that have been launched will continue their work. The same function performs the combination of the Win + L keys.

Selecting Cleartype fonts.

The built-in smoothing technology of Cleartype fonts significantly improves text perception from a computer monitor. By default, in Windows XP, this feature is disabled. To enable it, you must click on the mouse, or rather its right key on the desktop, select the item "Properties". In a new window, open the "Design" tab, then the "Effects" menu. In the second drop-down menu, select "Cleartype" and allow the use of this feature.

Deleting internet temporary files.

Built in Windows XP internet Browser Explorer 6 when working creates a large number of temporary files that eventually begin to take too much space. To solve this problem, you need to delete these files after the browser is closed. To Internet Explorer. Performed in automatic mode, go to the browser in the "Tools / Internet Tools" menu, select "Advanced" and in the Security section, enable the "Clean directory with temporary Internet temporary files when the browser is completed."

Group rename files.

You can rename a group of files directly in Windows Explorer. To do this, select a group of files, click on one of these mouse clicks (right) and select "Rename". Set the name for this fileAfter which all the files that were highlighted will be called the same name with the individual number in brackets.

Login to the system privileges.

This vulnerability was fixed only with the SERVICE PACK 3 output for Windows XP. This update is still far from all computers running this operating system, and therefore it can be successfully applied. To begin with, we need to enter Windows under any account with any rights, most often this access is for the guest "Guest". After that, go to the C: \\ Windows \\ System32 folder. In this directory we find Logon.Scr and cmd.exe files. Just in case we do backup Logon.SCR file to another directory, and the file cmd.exe is renamed to logon.scr. After that, we carry out a reboot and wait for the window appear to enter the username and password. Do not do anything and expect the appearance of the screen keeper. When Windows, after a certain time, will try to run Screensaver, the cmd.exe file renamed us will start and we will see the command line. If you enter the Explorer command now, it will start Windows Explorer with administrator rights. If something went wrong and the conductor did not start - enter the REGEDIT command. Having access to the registry, you can make manipulations that give the administrator rights of any user.

Acceleration of the interface.

If you have a not too productive computer, it makes sense to disable visual windows effects XP and, thus, increase the speed of the OS. To do this, click the right mouse button on the My Computer icon, then select from the "Properties" menu. In the dialog box that appears, proceed to the "Advanced" tab and select the "Parameters" item in the "Speed" section. In the "Performance Options" window, open the " Visual effects"And we note the item" Provide the best speed ". After the OK button is pressed, the appearance of the operating system will change to a simpler and ascetic, but, at the same time, it will free part of precious system resources for your tasks.

Reducing Windows XP Places.

In the event that you have an urgent need to free up the hard disk space, you can slightly reduce the place occupied by the operating system. First, you can delete the Windows \\ DRIVERCACHE \\ i386 \\ folder, which contains a set of drivers for Windows. If you do not plan to change your computer hardware in the near future - feel free to remove this folder, because everyone required drivers You have already installed. If the urgent need to reinstall any drivers - it will simply be easy to insert the installation disk with Windows into the computer drive. Secondly, the operating system has a protected cache where the copies of important copies store system files In case of damage to the originals. To set the size of this cache to zero, it is necessary to register "SFC cacheSize \u003d 0" on the command prompt. After that, you can delete the cache. Thirdly, in Windows XP, there is a system recovery function that allows you to roll back to a stable state after failure. At the same time, up to 20% of the place on each logical disk can be reserved below the needs of this function. This place is discharged under the storage of the system recovery points. You can free this volume by full shutdown System restore functions. To do this, in the "My Computer" properties. In a new window, go to the "Restore System" tab and check the "Disable System Restore on All Disks" item, and then click OK.

Automatic completion of hanging tasks.

Windows XP does not implement the function of automatic completion of the hung processes. If any program has stopped responding to user actions, it will still be in RAM, until the user fulfills its forced termination using the task manager. However, it is possible to force the system forced to complete the processes that are not responding to user requests within a certain time. To do this, go to the registry and find the HKEY_CURRENT_ User \\ Control Panel \\ Desktop branch. It contains several keys, working with which will be useful for us. The HUNGAPPTimeout parameter is responsible for the time after which the program is considered dependent in the event that it does not respond to requests. By default, it is equal to 5,000 milliseconds or 5 seconds, set it to the desired value. The WaittokillappTimeout parameter sets the time that the system expects before closing the hung application. By default, it is equal to 20,000 milliseconds, it can also be changed to the desired value. The last AutoEndTasks key allows the system to automatically end the hindered processes, for this you need to assign a value of equal to it 1. To avoid setting too small delays for key data, since even the correctly working program may not respond to requests for a large loading of the computer. If you set a small value of the delay, then Windows may begin to forcefully complement quite stable processes, which will lead to unpredictable consequences.

Each computer user remembers all the favorite Windows XP, which was the ideal example of which the real operating system should be. Comfortable, intuitive, fast, not overloaded with superfluous and absolutely unnecessary functions. Unfortunately, today Microsoft has ceased support for this version of the OS, since after another three more versions have already been released, but XP still has an impressive army of fans - this is an indisputable fact. Like the fact that this operator will enter the story as one of the best.

Using XP.

You may be surprised, but today in active use there are 500 million copies of this OS - and these are only official licensed copies. Pirate versions, quite likely, even more.

Just like XP.

Those users who had to upgrade the system to the eighth version, or who have already bought a device with pre-installed OS, are now actively looking for ways to make this OPERATION externally as much as possible on XP. To do this, you can even download a special program.

US Tax Department

Many managerial structures, such as US Tax Administration, still use Windows XP - In most cases, this is due to the incompatibility of the software used with other versions, but also this is the reliability mark of this OS.

Photo

Everyone knows the original Windows XP screensaver on which the hills are depicted. This photo was sold more than a million dollars and is considered the second in the cost of photography in history.

ATMs

PC users could easily change the operating system, but the majority of ATMs still use Windows XP.

Age

Windows XP is an incredibly old operating system. You will not believe it, but it was released back in 2001.

Error protection

Despite the fact that Windows XP is one of the most favorite operating systems, it has very serious dishes in protection. If you use this OS, then the likelihood that you are hacked, increases by about six times compared to modern systems.

IE version

The Popular Internet Explorer browser is simply not started on XP - this operating system supports only IE 8 and below.

Piracy

To date, the support and sale of Windows XP is discontinued, however, people continue to actively download and install pirated versions of this operating system.

Folder or CON file

This is rather strange, but in Windows XP you will not be able to create a folder or file called CON - such a file already exists in the system, it is extremely important, and it is impossible to access it.

The speed of the upgrade

Many companies that still use Windows XP report that they do not update the system to the new version not due to cost, but because of the time it will be necessary to transfer all the software to the new operating system.

XP is an experience

Windows XP is one of the last systems that used to designate the version of the letter, and not the serial number. And behind the letters XP is the English word Experience, which is translated as "experience".

End of support

As mentioned earlier, support and selling this OS ended, and reported this was in 2014, that is, more recently, Windows XP lived for many 13 years.

Decoration

If you wish, you can decorate the folders and replace the icons by other pictures - it is useless, but an extremely pleasant function.

Tweakui.

Use TWEAKUI - this device was designed specifically to personalize your version of the operating system.

Two versions

If you have two hard drive, you can simultaneously install two versions of the operating system - there are detailed online on the Internet. step by step instructions, how to do it.

Limited basket

In this operating system "Basket" is limited in size - it can accommodate only 10% of the volume hard diskwhich is installed system.

Beta version

Beta version of the operating system, which was supposed to replace Windows 98, had name windows Whistler - in honor of the ski resort in British Columbia, where many of the leading Microsoft employees went to rest.

Fall Sales

The XP support ended in 2014, but sales of this OS have fallen significantly and no longer rose back in 2008.

Number of security shash

The number of problems with the protection of the privacy of this operating system was calculated exactly total number exceeded the indicator seventy pieces.