Windows XP - Technical Information
Windows XP is a operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops and laptops. The name "XP" is short for "experience". Windows XP is the successor to both Windows 2000 Professional and Windows Me, and is the first consumer-oriented operating system produced by Microsoft to be built on the Windows NT kernel and architecture. Windows XP was first released on 25 October 2001, and over 400 million copies were in use in January 2006.
Microsoft continued to sell XP through their System Builder Channel (smaller OEMs who sell assembled computers) until January 31, 2009. XP may continue to be available as these sources run through their inventory or by purchasing Windows Vista Ultimate or Business and then downgrading to Windows XP.
The two major editions are Windows XP Home Edition, designed for home users, and Windows XP Professional, designed for business and power-users. XP Professional contains advanced features that the average home user would not use. However, these features are not necessarily missing from XP Home. They are simply disabled, but are there and can become functional. These releases were made available at retail outlets that sell computer software, and were preinstalled on computers sold by major computer manufacturers.
System requirements for Windows XP Home and Professional editions as follows:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 233 MHz |
300 MHz or higher |
| Memory | 64 MB RAM2 |
128 MB RAM or higher |
| Video adapter and monitor | Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution | |
| Hard drive disk free space | 1.5 GB or higher (additional 1.8 GB in Service Pack 2 and additional 900 MB in Service Pack 3) |
|
| Drives | CD-ROM drive or DVD drive | |
| Input devices | Keyboard. Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device | |
| Sound | Sound card. Speakers or headphones | |
Microsoft occasionally releases service packs for its Windows operating systems to fix problems and add features. Each service pack is a superset of all previous service packs and patches so that only the latest service pack needs to be installed, and also includes new revisions.[38] Older service packs need not be removed before application of the most recent one.
Links for downloading Windows XP Service packs:
Windows XP Service Pack 1a (32 Bit)
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (32 Bit)
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (64 Bit)
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (32 Bit)
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (64 Bit)