Windows XP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Certain questions always appear time and again. This is understandable since there are always new users arriving who need the basic information that those who have been around Windows for a few years just take for granted. Not coincidentally, that's exactly why Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) pages were developed. Since this site deals with Windows XP, this FAQ is directed toward the questions I've been asked most frequently about XP. If your question isn't answered here or in another area of The Elder Geek, feel free to send it along and it may well be added to this page to help others who are new to Windows XP.

Q: What is Windows XP?
A: Windows XP is the most recent desktop operating system from Microsoft. Prior to the introduction of Windows XP on October 25, 2001 there were basically two different versions of Windows; consumer and business. The business version was originally designated by the letters NT. In its most recent version, the name was changed to Windows 2000 although it's also known as NT 5.0. The consumer versions prior to XP are most often collectively referred to as Win9x, with Windows 95, 98, and Me being the most recent offerings. Windows NT versions were designed to be more robust than the consumer versions with a heavy emphasis on reliability and security. In contrast, the W9x versions were aimed to be more consumer friendly, concentrating less on security but emphasizing ease of use and tasks that were more likely to interest consumers such as multimedia and compatibility with a wide range of consumer oriented devices. While the user interfaces of both verities may have appeared similar they were very different under the hood. Windows XP is Microsoft's attempt to merge the security and reliability of NT with the ease of use that made Win9x so popular with consumers.

Q: Why are there two different versions of Windows XP?
A: That's a question that seems to stir a bit of debate. Microsoft released Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional, targeted as you might suspect from their Home and Professional designations, toward home users and business users. Both versions are based on the same kernel (operating system guts) that is a variation of the one found in Windows 2000. A lot of press has been generated to the effect that Home has a few more lines of code that disable some of the Professional features so it can be sold for less money. Whether that's true or not, I don't know, but the official line is that Home is targeted toward home users who concentrate on e-mail, music and photo editing, and internet browsing. Professional is designed to allow a secure network business environment.

Q: Is Windows XP more stable than previous versions of Windows?
A: I'm sure I'll take some heat for this answer, but in my opinion it's far more stable. My experience has shown that instability is most often caused by poorly written third party drivers and systems that have been poorly maintained.

Q: What does XP stand for?
A: That's another question that has two answers. The official Microsoft answer is it stands for eXPerience. More than a few detractors have labeled it as meaning eXtra Pricey, eXPensive, and eXtra Profitable.

Q: I have more than one computer at home. Can I install the same copy of Windows XP on all of them?
A: Not legally, and I won't tell you how it can be done. The official policy is that each computer needs its own individual copy of the software.

Q: What's the difference between Upgrade and Clean install?
A: When you upgrade, all the old settings, programs, files, etc are saved and used with the new XP installation. In a clean install, you have the option of reformatting the partition where XP will be installed. Unless circumstances absolutely prohibit a clean install, I never recommend the upgrade install.

Q: I did an Upgrade installation to XP and now my files are missing. Where did they go?
A: If Windows XP was installed using default settings, look in C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents where %username% is the name you entered at login.

Q: Can I connect more than one computer to the internet using Windows XP?
A: Yes. Windows XP has Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) which allows sharing of a single internet connection.

Q: I hate the new look of XP. Can I have the old style Windows interface?
A: Yes. It's called Windows Classic. The settings can be accessed by right clicking on the Desktop and clicking Properties, then using the same procedure by right-clicking on the Taskbar and selecting Properties.

Q: Where are the Personalized Menus?
A: They don't exist in the XP Start Menu. To use Personalized Menus you have to switch to the Classic Start Menu as detailed in the previous question.

Q: Where did all my desktop icons go? I can't see "any" of them?
A: Right click on the Desktop > Arrange Icons By > Show Desktop Icons

Q: What's the easiest way to substitute a different program as the default for a specific file type.
A: Right click on a file of the type you want to associate with the new program. Select [Open With] and select the new default program either from the list or by browsing. Check the box to always use the program to open this type of file.

Q: I have a CD-R or CD-RW installed but Windows XP thinks it's a regular CD ROM device. What now?
A: This is a known issue. Look here.

Q: Each time Windows XP starts you are presented with a dialogue box that says "Windows Has Recovered From A Serious Error".
A: This problem occurs because after a Minidump (or memory dump) file is written, the paging file continues to have a flag set that indicates that a memory dump file needs to be written. See the KB Article Q317277.

Q: After installing SP1 when you try and switch identities in Outlook Express it reloads the default identity.
A: As of the moment there is no permanent solution but this workaround should help. "Remove the tick mark from  the check box on the File . Identities . Manage Identities
(dialog box) marked "Use this identity when starting a program". This causes the switch to pause and generate a UI for you to choose an ID to start OE in again, when you try and Switch Identity".

Q: No matter what you do, you can't reduce the size of the taskbar to one line.
A: Keep moving items around, and look for the little 'dots' or 'hash marks' that are alone on the second line. Once they are removed the taskbar will resize down to one line.