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Microsoft Windows XP
A look back at the Windows XP operating system
By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 7, 2022 Tweet Share Email Microsoft Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide Microsoft Windows XP was an extremely successful version of Windows. The operating system, with its greatly improved interface and capabilities, helped fuel phenomenal growth in the PC industry during the early 2000s. Windows XP Release Date
Windows XP was released to manufacturing on August 24, 2001, and to the public on October 25, 2001. Windows XP is preceded by both Windows 2000 and Windows Me. It was succeeded by Windows Vista. The most recent version of Windows is Windows 11, which was released to the public starting on October 5, 2021. April 8, 2014, was the last day Microsoft issued security and non-security updates to Windows XP. With the operating system no longer being supported, Microsoft suggests that users upgrade to the newest version of Windows. Latest Windows Service Packs and Updates (October 2022) Windows XP Editions
Six major editions of Windows XP exist, but only the first two below were ever made widely available for sale directly to the consumer: Windows XP ProfessionalWindows XP HomeWindows XP Media Center Edition (MCE)Windows XP Tablet PC EditionWindows XP Starter EditionWindows XP Home Edition ULCPC Windows XP is no longer produced and sold by Microsoft, but you can occasionally find old copies on Amazon.com or eBay. Starter Edition was a lower cost and somewhat feature-limited, version of Windows XP designed for sale in developing markets. Home Edition ULCPC (Ultra Low-Cost Personal Computer) was a rebranded Home Edition designed for small, lower-spec computers like netbooks and was only available for preinstallation by hardware makers. In 2004 and 2005, as a result of investigations into market abuses, Microsoft was separately ordered by the EU and the Korean Fair Trade Commission to make available editions of Windows XP in those areas that did not include certain bundled features like Windows Media Player and Windows Messenger. In the EU, this resulted in Windows XP Edition N. In South Korea, this resulted in both Windows XP K and Windows XP KN. Several additional editions of Windows XP exist that were designed for installation on embedded devices, like ATMs, POS terminals, video game systems, and more. One of the more popular editions was Windows XP Embedded, often referred to as Windows XPe. Windows XP Professional was the only consumer version of the OS available in a 64-bit version, and is typically referred to as Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. All other versions of XP were available in 32-bit format only. There was a second 64-bit version called Windows XP 64-Bit Edition that's designed for use on Intel's Itanium processors only. Windows XP Minimum Requirements
Windows XP requires the following hardware, at a minimum: CPU: 233 MHz RAM: 64 MB Hard Drive: 1.5 GB free space (5 GB with SP3 installed) Graphics Card: Support for 800x600 or greater resolution While the above hardware will get Windows running, Microsoft actually recommends a 300 MHz or greater CPU, as well as 128 MB of RAM or more, for the best experience. Windows XP Professional x64 Edition requires a 64-bit processor and at least 256 MB of RAM. Additionally, you should have a keyboard and a mouse, as well as a sound card and speakers. You'll also need an optical drive if you plan on installing Windows XP from a CD. Windows XP Hardware Limitations
Windows XP Starter is limited to 512 MB of RAM. All other 32-bit versions of Windows XP are limited to 4 GB of RAM. 64-bit versions of Windows are limited to 128 GB. The physical processor limit is 2 for Windows XP Professional and 1 for Windows XP Home. The logical processor limit is 32 for 32-bit versions and 64 for 64-bit versions. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Windows 7: Editions, Service Packs, Licenses, and More Latest Windows Service Packs and Updates (October 2022) Windows Vista: Release Date, Editions, Licenses, etc. Windows 10: Release Date, Editions, Features, and More Windows 8: Editions, Updates, Licenses, & More Latest Microsoft Office Service Packs (October 2022) How to Tell If You Have Windows 64-Bit or 32-Bit What Version of Windows Do I Have? What's the Difference Between 32-Bit and 64-Bit? Patch Tuesday (Most Recent: October 11, 2022) HWiNFO v7.30 Review (A Free System Information Program) Realtek HD Audio Drivers R2.82 (July 26, 2017) 11 Best Free System Information Tools (October 2022) Snappy Driver Installer Review (Free Driver Updater) Speccy v1.32.803 Review (A Free SysInfo Tool) How to Fix Oci.dll Is Missing or Not Found Errors Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies