NEWSWEEK – Microsoft officially released Windows XP, the latest version of its desktop operating system, and what may be the company’s most significant product in years. Yet, can XP effectively pull the technology industry out of a long slump? (Read complete coverage.) This quick look at Windows XP technology highlights several of the new technological advances that are emerging with Windows XP.
Personalization is one of the biggest advantages of Windows XP. You are now able to customize virtually every aspect of your desktop environment, including how you view your desktop background and how you add and remove programs. For example, you can set a unique wallpaper or screen saver to grace your computer screen. The new Windows operating system also lets you control your computer with customizable hotkeys, which make it easier to perform common tasks.
One of the most important advances in Windows XP was the inclusion of Microsoft Office software. Now, in addition to being able to create, view and edit Word and Excel documents, Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft PowerPoint, have been completely overhauled for improved functionality. The new Microsoft Office applications include new file formats and new Word and Excel workbooks that are easier to manipulate than ever before. The new technology updates are part of the company’s plan to compete with Adobe Acrobat and other software applications.
Windows XP also includes a new technology called Windows Media Player. This player can automatically play audio and video files from internet sources such as CD-ROMs and DVDs. This feature provides a means for Windows users to access music and videos that they would not be able to view or play on previous operating systems. In addition, Windows Media Player is capable of playing video and audio files on the Windows sidebar, making it easier to access media files. Windows XP also includes the Windows Media Player software and hardware driver updates that are required for playback.
Windows XP also includes Windows Search, which is similar to the search engines found on Macs and PCs. Windows Search offers a search facility that is integrated directly into the Windows desktop. Unlike the Mac version, Windows Search is more customizable and allows the user to organize their searches by date, category or occurrence. Windows XP has many new and updated security features that are necessary for an operating system to remain functional and secure. Windows XP also includes some new and upgraded security applications that allow the user to control and manage their computer network more effectively.
One of the most recent technology upgrades to Windows XP is the Windows Server. Windows Server is the central database server of Windows XP and Windows Vista. Many of the new technology upgrades to Windows XP integrate directly with the Windows Server. One example is Windows Information Protection, which serves as the backend for several common antivirus applications. Windows Server provides the storage and servers for email, information technology infrastructure, and Windows XP support for Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Office 2021, Windows Server 2021, Microsoft Sharepoint, Microsoft Windows XP Media Player, Windows XP Home Server, and Windows XP Tablet Station.
