Windows XP

As of 2005, Windows XP is the current client version of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Codenamed "Whistler" during its development, it was made publicly available on October 25, 2001.

Related Topics:
As of 2005 - Microsoft Windows - Operating system - Codenamed - Whistler - October 25 - 2001

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The most common editions of the operating system are Windows XP Home Edition, which is targeted at home users, and Windows XP Professional, which has additional features and is targeted at power users and business clients. Windows XP Media Center Edition, released soon afterward, consists of Windows XP Professional with a new Media Center application which lets users record TV shows directly from a TV tuner capture card without the need for additional software.

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Windows XP brought to the consumer line of Windows many features previously available only in the server- and workstation-oriented Windows NT and Windows 2000 families, such as greater stability and efficiency due to its pure 32-bit kernel, instead of the hybrid 16-bit/32-bit kernel in prior consumer versions of Windows. It offers more efficient software management to avoid the "DLL hell" that plagued older consumer versions of Windows. Windows XP brings an overhaul of the graphical user interface (GUI) that Microsoft promotes as more user-friendly than previous versions of Windows. Windows XP is also the first consumer version of Windows to use product activation to combat software piracy, and this restriction did not sit well with some users and privacy advocates.

Related Topics:
Windows NT - Windows 2000 - Kernel - Kernel - DLL hell - Graphical user interface - Product activation - Software piracy

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As of July 2005, there have been two service packs released to deliver updates and address problems with Windows XP, particularly the many high profile security issues. Spyware and adware continue to be a problem as Windows XP has matured, although Microsoft has recently released the free Microsoft AntiSpyware tool that offers protection against Trojan horses and other malicious software.

Related Topics:
July 2005 - Service pack - Spyware - Adware - Microsoft AntiSpyware

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Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) is rumored to be in development at the moment, as the Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) currently refers to the service pack in keywords at the bottom of some of the new KB articles.

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The "XP" designation originates from the word "Experience". http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2001/feb01/02-05NamingPR.asp Windows XP is expected to be succeeded by Windows Vista sometime in late 2006.

Related Topics:
Windows Vista - 2006

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