Compare the features in Windows XP Home Edition to those in Windows 95, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium Edition, and see how Windows XP Home Edition will let you do more with your computer.

Key:
 = Feature included   = Feature partly supported/included   = Feature not included

Dependability You Can Count On

Feature	Feature Description	Windows 9x	Windows ME	Windows XP Home Edition
Impressive Reliability
Built on new Windows engine	With Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft has merged the best features of its consumer operating systems with the power, security, and reliability of the Windows 2000 engine to create a new friendlier, more dependable operating system.
Windows File Protection	Prevents you or your applications from accidentally changing the core operating system files. This helps protect your system proactively and automatically.	Windows 98 includes a system file
Protected Kernel Mode Architecture	Your applications do not have access to the software code kernel upon which your operating system is based. This greatly improves the reliability of your system.
Process Separation	Errant applications will not cause your computer to crash. Each application is in a completely separate, protected memory space.
Side by Side DLL's	These provide you with a mechanism for multiple versions of individual Windows components to run "side-by-side." Now you won't have to worry that your applications will conflict with each other and cause application instability.
Superb Performance
System Monitor	Analyzes hundreds of different system metrics, including memory, disk, and network throughput for you.
Task Manager	Provides you with useful computer performance and allows you to terminate inactive programs. You can also opt for a reporting mechanism that best suits your specific requirements.
Enhanced Battery Life	Enables you to improve the battery life of your mobile computer by conserving display power in two ways: Lid Power – When the lid of a mobile computer is closed, the display is powered off. LCD Dimming – When a mobile computer is running on battery power, the display is dimmed. Upon reconnection to AC power, the original brightness is restored.
Keeping your PC secure and private
Internet Connection Firewall	The Internet Connection Firewall protects your computer from intrusion when you are connected to the Internet. Now you can rest assured that Windows XP Home Edition is working to protect you from unwanted attacks over the Internet.
Credential Manager	Credential Manager is a secured store for password information. This feature allows you to input username and passwords for various network resources and applications (such as e-mail) once, and then have the system automatically supply that information for subsequent visits to those resources without your intervention.
Easy to Use
Easy Set-Up Wizard	An easy-to-understand tutorial walks you through the installation process for the operating system, prompting you when necessary to enter information that will customize your PC.
Dynamic Update	Provides you with different application and device compatibility updates, some driver updates, and emergency fixes for setup or security issues at operating system setup to help you keep your operating system current and functioning smoothly.
Personalized Welcome Screen	The welcome screen can be personalized to allow you to share the same computer with your friends and family. Each individual can create his or her own unique account. These accounts are easily created during Setup or from the Control Panel. By default the accounts are not password protected but you have the option to set a password on your specific account if you desire.
Fast User Switching	This allows you and your family or friends the ability to share a single computer without having to close each other’s applications each time you need to access your own account.
Start Menu	Organizes your programs. It is the primary way to access files, folders, and programs on your computer. NEW—Windows XP Home Edition offers an enhanced Start Menu. Access to important and frequently used tasks and applications is made easier with a Frequently Used Programs list and prominent positioning of your most critical folders.
Task-focused Design	Allows you to view your Windows options as associated with your current task. For example, if you are creating a Word document, a dynamic menu appears that list the appropriate tasks such as cut, paste, and copy for the Word document.
Taskbar Grouping	The different files that you have open group according to the type of application they are, keeping your taskbar clean and organized.
Desktop Clean Up Wizard	The Desktop Clean Up Wizard periodically checks your desktop and gives you the opportunity to move your unused shortcuts.
Search Companion	A search companion identifies what kind of help you need and retrieves search information relevant to your task at hand.
File Management	You can quickly find what you need by grouping files and folders and using enhanced thumbnail views and organization that makes sense to you. You can view files in alphabetical groups, by file type, size, or date modified.
Indexed File System	Provides you with the capability of indexing the contents of the file system; this allows you to locate files easily and quickly based on a filename or search string.
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard	Enables the convenient transfer of files, documents, and settings from one computer to another. The wizard walks you through migrating files, documents, or settings from an old computer to a new one.
System Restore	The System Restore feature of Windows XP Home Edition enables you to restore a PC, in the event of a problem, to a previous state without losing personal data files. System Restore actively monitors system file changes to record or store previous versions before the changes occurred. With System Restore, you never have to think about taking system snapshots as it automatically creates easily identifiable restore points, which allow you to restore the system to a previous point in time.
Compatibility Mode	You can enable an application to run within a compatibility mode that helps mimic older versions of Windows using the built-in compatibility technology.
DualView	DualView allows two monitors to host the Windows desktop, while being driven off of a single display adapter. In the case of laptop computers this could be the internal LCD display as well as an external monitor. For desktops there are a variety of high-end display adapters that will support this functionality.
ClearType®	Supports Microsoft ClearType, a text display technology that gives you enhanced screen resolution, making it easier for you to read text on your computer screen.
Uninstall	Uninstall provides you with the ability to restore an upgrade to the previous Windows operating system you were using. This feature only applies if you are upgrading your computer from Windows 98 and Windows Millennium. It provides you with the ability to uninstall at any point during setup.
Help and Support Center	Your "one-stop" shop for any assistance with your Windows experience. NEW—Help has been enhanced for the Windows XP Home Edition. Help now features the ability to search across multiple information sources such as your computer manufacturer's home page, Microsoft Knowledge Base, etc. In addition, you can now print a chapter from the online documentation. Windows XP Home Edition has also integrated the concept of "Favorites" into the Help subsystem, so you can easily find important passages.	Windows 98 includes an HTML-based online help system.
Remote Assistance	Provides you with the ability to invite a trusted friend or support professional who also runs Windows XP to be your remote assistant. Through an Internet connection, your assistant can chat with you, observe your working screen, and, with your permission, remotely control your computer.
Extensible Search	Lets you search across multiple remote and online providers to get the most information for the topic you’re investigating.
Remotely Access Help	Provides a mechanism to easily view server Help content from a desktop computer.
Windows Update	Windows Update can provide new device drivers in addition to application compatibility fixes so you’ll have more support than ever before for your devices and applications. NEW—Updates downloaded from Windows Update can also be applied to all users on a computer at one time. Windows Update is now integrated with the Help and Support Center in Windows XP Home Edition. The Device Manager will also search Windows Update for new drivers when you insert a new device.
Device Driver Rollback	Provides the capability of replacing an unstable device driver (does not include printer drivers) with a previously installed version that you knew was working. This helps you focus on a particular device that is causing you problems rather than dealing with your entire system.
Microsoft Incident Submission	You can automatically submit an electronic support incident to Microsoft, collaborate with support engineers, and manage your submitted incidents.

Unlock the Possibilities of Your PC

Feature	Feature Description	Windows 9x	Windows ME	Windows XP Home Edition
Staying in touch and keeping connected
Windows Messenger	The easy way to communicate with your friends, family, and colleagues in real time. Can keep you updated with your buddies' online status. Choose text, voice, or video, and experience the best online voice and video experience. Collaborate with your buddies, transfer files, and share applications and whiteboard drawings.
Home Networking	Allows you: To set up a home network, including physical connections such as for printers or faxes, installing protocols and bridging. To share an Internet connection with all computers on a network. To share resources on a computer. NEW—Home networking is enhanced with the Internet Connection Firewall to help protect your home network from unauthorized access while you’re connected to the Internet.
Network Bridge	Simplifies the configuration and setup of home networks that use mixed connections by linking the different types of networks together.		Can only bridge 2 segments
Internet Connection Sharing	Allows multiple computers in your home to access the Internet at the same time via the same broadband or dial-up connection. NEW—Windows XP Home Edition is now available with the option to remotely disconnect your dial-up connection to use your phone line and easily resume the connection again.			Windows XP Home Edition provides more built-in support for cameras and scanners.
Internet Explorer	Internet Explorer 6 is the next major update to the award-winning Internet Explorer technologies and provides the most private, reliable, and flexible Internet browsing experience. Internet Explorer 6 includes many new and enhanced features that can simplify the daily tasks that you perform while helping you to maintain the privacy of your personal information on the Web. The latest version of Internet Explorer has also taken steps to improve Web browser reliability with the option of fault collection services. With the new innovative browser capabilities, including media playback, automatic picture resizing, and more, you can experience the Web exactly the way that you want.	Can be downloaded from the Internet	Windows Me includes Internet Explorer 5.5
Internet-enabled games	Using the Internet, you can be matched with players from around the world on games like Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers, Internet Hearts, Internet Reversi, Internet Spades or you can invite your friends to play against you in other Internet-based games.
Windows Media Player for Windows XP	Windows Media Player for Windows XP brings together in a single, easy-to-use place, all of your most common digital media activities. NEW—Windows Media Player for Windows XP provides you with new features such as: DVD playback, native CD burning, and the ability to export video to portable devices. Also included are new and improved video controls, offline metadata support (for enhanced DVD viewing), and a more streamlined and flexible user interface.	Download MP7	MP7
My Music	Enables you to quickly view a list of music files in a folder and perform basic management tasks such as retrieving, adding, sorting, and deleting music files. NEW—It is now task-based to help you work more efficiently.
Auto-Recognition	If you insert a CD, ZIP, or JAZ disk, or compact flash card, Windows will automatically recognize it and launch the corresponding application. For example, your CDs will begin playing on Windows Media Player for Windows XP.
CD Burning	Saving critical information to a CD is as easy as saving to a floppy disk or hard disk. By selecting a folder of software, photos, or even your music, and dragging it to the CD-R device icon, you can create your own CDs.
Portable Music Devices	Windows Media Player for Windows XP provides you with the ability to connect to your music and devices in a way that best suits your needs.		With Windows Media Player 7	With Windows Media Player for Windows XP
My Pictures	Enables you to quickly view a list of photos in a folder and perform basic management tasks like adding, sorting, and deleting picture files. NEW—Now you have the ability to: Order prints directly from the Internet Link to Camera & Scanner Wizard for fast access View images in slideshow Publish pictures to the Internet Compress pictures for easier e-mail distribution Optimize printing your pictures to make the best use of high-quality photo paper
Scanner and Camera Wizard	Provides you with the ability: To scan a single image from a flatbed scanner. To scan images from a scanner based on a scanner event. To scan a collection of images. To scan multi-page documents or images from a scanner into a single image file. To scan multi-page documents or images from a scanner into separate image files.
Web Publishing Wizard	The Web Publishing Wizard walks you through publishing your pictures to the Web quickly and easily so you can share them with others.
Order Photo Prints from the Internet	With My Pictures, you can order your digital pictures directly over the Internet and have them delivered right to your door. Note   Subject to local vendor availability.
Have fun with your home videos
Windows Movie Maker	Provides the ability to easily capture, edit, organize, and share home movies. Just plug your analog or digital cameras into your PC to get started. Add music, narration, and title cards. Once you’re done, e-mail or post your video to a Web site to share with friends and family.