How to Learn About Windows XP on Your Computer Colorado

Steps

1. List the five different editions of Windows XP.
   • Windows XP Home Edition.
   • Windows XP Professional Edition.
   • Windows XP Media Center Edition.
   • Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
   • Windows XP 64-Bit Edition.
2. Determine which edition is on your computer.
   • With your left mouse button, select "Start" at the bottom left corner of your screen and "My Computer".
   • Select "Help" and "About Windows".
   • The "About Windows" window will indicate which of the five editions of Windows XP you have and whether you have the original version, service pack 1 (SP1), or service pack 2 (SP2).
   • Select the "Red X" at the top right corner to close the "About Windows" window.
3. Determine the alphabet letter and capacity of your hard drive.
   • In the "My Computer" window, select "View" on the top left side of the window and select the "Explorer Bar" and "Folders".
   • Under the "Folders" column on the left side of the window, look for the drive letter "(C:)".
   • The drive letter "(D:)" will probably be the "DVD/CD-RW" unless you have more than a single hard drive.
   • To the right of the window, under the "Total Size" column you will see the capacity of the drive.
   • Under the "Free Space" column you will see how much free space is left for that drive.
   • Select the "- (dash)" at the top right corner to minimize the "My Computer" window.
   • The "My Computer" window was minimized (made smaller) to the bottom of the desktop window.
4. Update to SP2 if the edition you have is the original version or SP1.
   • Select "Start", "Control Panel", the "Systems" icon and the "Automatic Updates" tab on the top of the "Systems" window and the "Automatic (Recommended)" button.
   • After a few updates (about a week later), check again to make sure your Windows XP has been updated to SP2.
5. Log on locally to the computer without a password.
   • When you buy the computer and use it for the first time, it will log in automatically.
   • You'll see a "Welcome Screen when it logs in.
   • You won't need to do anything else.
6. Log on locally to the computer with a password.
   • Turn the computer on with a normal log in.
   • Select "Start", "Control Panel", "User Accounts".
   • Select "Change the way users log on or off", select the "classic log on prompt".
   • Under "or pick an account to change", select your user's account.
   • Select "Change my password". Before entering your new password, on the left side of the window under the "Learn about" column, read the information about creating a password.
   • Before entering your new password, on the left side of the window under the "Learn about" column, read the information about creating a password.
   • Key in your new password.
   • Select the "Change Password" button.
7. Learn more about Windows XP by going to the External Link below.

Tips

• When you check to see which version of Windows XP (Home or Professional Edition) your computer has, be sure it is Service Pack 2 (SP2).
• The Windows XP Professional Edition features above are also in the Windows XP Media Center Edition as well as the Windows XP 64-Bit Edition.
• If you have the Windows XP Home Edition and would like to upgrade to the Windows XP Professinal Edition, check the External Links below.

Things You'll Need

• If you have the Windows XP Home Edition and would like to upgrade to the Windows XP Professional Edition, check the External Links below.

Sources and Citations

• Microsoft Window XP - original source of this article. Shared with permission.

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