Chapter 1. You’ve Got Microsoft Windows XP... Now What?

Every day, several hundred million people use Microsoft Windows. You’re probably one of them. After all, a personal computer isn’t a techie toy anymore—it’s an essential tool for gathering information about the world we live in, doing business, and staying in touch with friends and family. If you’ve already learned how to work with your current version of Windows, upgrading to Windows XP should be easy, right? How different can it be?

If you’re just getting started with Windows XP, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised—and perhaps just a little bit overwhelmed. At first glance, Windows XP may look a lot like your old familiar Windows, but the more you work with it, the more differences you’ll discover. Mysterious lockups and crashes, for instance, are dramatically reduced, and many of your everyday tasks are simpler and less complicated. Best of all, some chores that used to stump even certified rocket scientists—like setting up a home network or connecting a digital camera—are completely automated.