Windows XP Professional Features ©Richard L. Goldman February 5, 2003

Windows XP Pro Major Enhancements Areas Reliability Performance Security User Features Remote Networking Deployment Tools Management Tools Expanded Capabilities Help and Support

Win XP Pro Reliability Features Built on NT Kernel Fewer OS problems Windows File Protection Automatically restores corrupted OS files Improved OS code protection OS Kernel files marked as read-only Improved software restriction policies Limits virus activity Improved Windows Installer Programs install, update, and uninstall better Fewer reboots Redesign reduces the necessity to reboot as often

Win XP Pro Performance Features Supports up to 4GB of memory Supports up to 2 processors Runs preemptive multitasking architecture

Win XP Pro Security Features NTFS (Ver. 5) Controls access to files and folders EFS (Encrypting File System) XP allows multi-user access to EFS files (2000 only allows the owner access to EFS files) IPSec (IP Security) Protects file transfers through VPN (Virtual Private Network) Kerberos Provides secure logon (Greek mythology – Three-headed dog – Guarded Hades) Smartcard support (Credit Card with a Brain) May be used in conjunction with software to improve security

Win XP Pro User Features New User Interface Consolidate & simplifies tasks (Classic interface still available) Adaptive User Environment Task Bar Buttons Groups similar objects under same button Start Menu Lists frequently used applications first CD R & RW Ability to burn CDs built into Window Explorer Rich Media Support Improved Windows Media Player DualView Can run two monitors from same video card Improved Troubleshooters Reduces Help Desk calls

Win XP Pro Remote Features Remote Desktop Allows the control of remote computer using RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) Wireless Network Support Credential Manager Stores User names & Passwords Access requests are automatically processed Offline File and Folders Work with network files while offline Automatically resynchronized when reconnected to network Offline Web Page Viewing Clear Type Improved LCD display software Improved Power Management ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) System BIOS must support ACPI Hot Docking Support

Win XP Pro Networking Features Windows Messenger Real time conferencing and collaboration Internet Firewall Provides protection from Internet attacks Improved Network Setup Wizard ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) Multiple users connect through single Internet connection Provides NAT, DNS, & DHCP type functions for small networks Improved Peer-to-peer Networking Easley interoperates with earlier versions of Windows

Win XP Pro Deployment Tools Improved Unattended Installation Easier to create installation scripts Can include encrypted passwords in answer files Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Move data and applications from older computer to a new XP computer For single computer – For single user upgrades User State Migration Tool Move data and applications from older computers to new XP computers For enterprise level upgrades – An administrator tool Dynamic Update Check for OS updates during install Internet Explorer 6 Administration Kit Administrators can customize and deploy IE6

Win XP Pro Management Tools Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Centralized management administration Safe Mode Start computer at a basic level to troubleshoot and configure Group Policy Manage user’s settings, security, and management option Hundreds of new policies added in XP Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) View the effect of a Group Policy before it is implemented Windows Update Continuous automatic background updates Includes updates for OS security, application compatibility, and drivers

Win XP Pro Expanded Capabilities Application Compatibility More application supported on XP than 2000 OS Support for more Hardware DVDs (UDF 2.01) – Can format DVDs with FAT32 Infrared Data Association (IrDA) IEEE 1394 USB Multilingual Support Change user interface to different languages Create multilingual documents within local Window version

Win XP Pro Help and Support Device Driver Roll Back Revert back to a previously installed driver System Restore Restores computer to its state at a previous time Recovery Console Start a system that will not boot and operate from the command line. Remote Assistance Administrator can access a remote computer to troubleshoot and service it. Help and Support Center Centralized collection of local and on line information and tools