Windows xp (code name for development is Whistler; internal version is Windows NT 5.1) is the operating system of the Windows NT family of Microsoft Corporation. Is the development of Windows 2000 Professional. The name XP comes from the English. experience. This operating system is the most popular - at the end of August 2010 its share is 53.1%.
Unlike previous systems Windows 2000, which comes in both the server and the client versions, Windows XP is the only client system. Its analogue server is Windows Server 2003. Although Windows Server 2003 and is based on the same code as Windows XP, almost exclusively inherits its user interface side, Windows Server 2003 still uses a new and revised version of NT 5.2 kernel; appeared later Windows XP Professional x64 Edition had the same kernel as Windows Server 2003 and received the same security updates, so that you could talk about the fact that their development was "in parallel".
Release date - October 25, 2001. Support has been discontinued since April 14, 2009 (paid ended April 8, 2014).
Variants of issues
Windows XP was released in many versions:
Windows XP Professional Edition was designed for businesses and entrepreneurs and includes features such as remote access to a computer’s desktop, file encryption (using the Encrypting File System), central access control and support for multiprocessor systems.
Windows XP Home Edition - a system for home use. Available as an inexpensive “trimmed” version of the Professional Edition, but based on the same core.
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is based on the Professional Edition and contains special applications optimized for stylus data entry on Tablet PCs. The most important feature is the understanding of texts written by hand and the adaptation of the graphical interface to the rotation of the display. This version is sold only with the corresponding computer.
Windows XP Media Center Edition is based on the Professional Edition and contains special multimedia applications. The computer is usually equipped with a TV card and a remote control (RC). The most important feature is the ability to connect to a TV and control a computer through the remote control thanks to a simplified Windows management system. This system also contains functions for receiving VHF radio.
Windows XP Embedded - is embedded component operating system on Windows XP Professional Edition-based and is designed for use in a variety of embedded systems: industrial automation systems, ATMs, medical devices, POS terminals, gaming machines, VoIP-components, etc. Windows XP Embedded.. It includes the incorporation of additional functions, including write protection filter (EWF and FBWF), loading a flash memory, CD-ROM, network use private system shell and m. p.
Windows Embedded for Point of Service is a specialized operating system based on Windows XP Embedded, configured for service points and optimized for retail and service industries. On the basis of this platform, you can create an ATM, payment terminal, gas station, cash register, etc. In addition, Windows Embedded for Point of Service includes POS for .NET technology for rapid development of trade applications and support for commercial peripheral equipment.
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition - a special 64-bit version designed for processors with AMD64 Opteron and Athlon 64 technology firms from AMD and processors with EM64T technology from the company Intel. This system does not support processors from other manufacturers, but also does not work with the Intel Itanium processor. Although the first 64-bit processors appeared in 2003, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition was published in April 2005. The main advantage of the system is fast work with big numbers (Long Integer and Double Float). Thus, this system is very effective, for example, when performing calculations using floating point numbers needed in areas such as the creation of special effects for films and three-dimensional animation, as well as the development of technical and scientific applications. This system supports mixed mode, that is, the simultaneous operation of 32-bit and 64-bit applications, but for that all drivers must be 64-bit version. This means that the majority of 32-bit applications can run in this system. The only exceptions are those applications that are heavily dependent on computer hardware, such as anti-virus software and the defragmenter.
Windows XP 64-bit Edition — This edition was designed specifically for workstations with an IA-64 architecture and Itanium microprocessors. This edition of Windows XP is no longer evolving since 2005, after HP stopped developing workstations with Itanium microprocessors. Support for this architecture remained in the server versions of the Windows operating system.
Windows XP Edition N is a system without Windows Media Player and other multimedia applications. These versions are created under pressure from the European Antimonopoly Commission, which demanded to “ease” Windows XP. Currently, this distribution is designed for developing countries. If desired, the user can download all missing applications from the Microsoft website for free. There is both in Home and Professional versions.
Windows XP Starter Edition - highly functionally limited version for developing countries and financially weak regions. This version can simultaneously work only 3 applications, and each application can create a maximum of 3 windows. The system is completely absent network functionality is not supported by a high resolution, and are not allowed to use more than 512 MB of RAM or a hard disk capacity of more than 120 GB. The system can run on Intel Celeron or AMD Duron level processors.
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs - A stripped-down version of Microsoft Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2 designed for legacy computers.