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What's new in Windows XP

The first thing you'll notice about Windows XP is an improved user interface that supports skinning. This means that you can use special files, called skins, to change the look of the operating system. Windows XP ships with two skins: the classic Windows 2000 look and the new Windows XP style that comes in blue, olive green, and silver.

Another improvement in the user interface is the Start menu. It is much bigger now and more intelligent. The Start menu will now automatically place the programs you use most often at the top of the so-called dynamic section. The more often you run a program, the higher it is placed on the menu. A completely new feature targeted at home users is integrated CD burning. This engine allows users to burn files directly onto a CD-R/RW from within their programs or by using drag and drop in Windows Explorer.

Beyond the interface improvements, XP includes a host of features designed to ensure that each user is offered a consistent, customized operating environment. The new Welcome Screen interface, which is displayed after boot up, lists all local user accounts on the machine and can additionally display users' pictures. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard can pack your settings and documents into a file that can be later restored on the same or another computer. You can even run this program directly from the CD, which allows you to back up all your settings and documents on your existing operating system (Windows 9x, Windows NT 4, Windows 2000, or Windows XP) and migrate to the new system.

One of the best new XP features, Fast User Switching, allows other users to log on to the machine while your programs continue running. This is a major improvement over the Windows 2000 locking feature, which prevented all other users from using the computer.

Windows XP integrates several applications that were packaged separately in previous versions, including Windows Messenger, which is configured to start automatically when the user logs on, and an integrated Microsoft Passport, which allows users to associate a .NET Passport with their account. Windows XP will then store the information in the Passport sign-in profile so users won't have to retype it when they use Passport enabled services. An even more useful feature is Credential Manager, which can store all your logon information (username and password) for different network locations and Web sites so you won't have to type it manually every time you access a protected resource.

An XP service that will be known to Windows ME users, but not to Windows 2000 users, is System Restore. This utility monitors your system and creates special checkpoints consisting of important system files. If you install an application or otherwise alter your Windows configuration in such a way that causes crashes or improper system behavior, System Restore can return the computer to its previous state. System Restore actually rolls back all changes that happened after you created the original checkpoint.

One of the best new features in Windows XP is Remote Desktop. Based on Terminal Services technology, Remote Desktop allows you to view and control the desktop of a single remote Windows computer via a network or Internet connection. Remote Desktop is available only in Windows XP Professional.

Similar to Remote Desktop is Remote Assistance, which integrates Microsoft technical support directly into the Windows system and allows an assistance expert to connect to your computer. The remote service rep can then walk you through the repair process without the annoying "what does you screen show now" questions or, with your permission, take control of your XP system and effect repairs himself or herself. Remote Assistance uses Terminal Services technology, as well, and is available on Windows XP Home.

For the first time, Microsoft also included a personal firewall in the operating system. The built-in firewall blocks all incoming traffic. If you have some servers on your internal network, you can open the appropriate ports. Note that the firewall doesn't block any outgoing traffic.