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Operating System Comparison - Detailed

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Here is a more detailed comparison between Microsoft Windows XP Starter Edition and Windows XP Home Edition.

Key:        Feature Fully Available         Feature Partially Available         Feature Not Available   
Feature Feature Description Windows XP
Starter Edition
Windows XP
Home Edition
Compatibility with Windows XP Applications and Peripherals
Familiar Windows user interface Get started quickly with the familiar standard Windows interface.
Ability to run Windows applications Install and run applications that are compatible with Windows XP.
Windows peripherals compatibility Install and run peripherals that are compatible with Windows XP.
Reliability and Security
Built on Windows XP engine Uses the best features of the Microsoft consumer operating systems merged 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.
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 DLLs to prevent conflicts between applications Provides 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.
Security settings configuration Change built-in firewall and other security settings
Security Center
Easy to Use
Easy Setup 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.
Automatic Windows Updates 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.
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 View your Windows options as associated with your current task. For example, if you are creating a Microsoft Word document, a dynamic menu appears that lists the appropriate tasks such as cut, paste, and copy for the Word document.
Desktop Clean-Up Wizard Periodically checks your desktop and gives you the opportunity to move your unused shortcuts.
Search Companion Identifies what kind of help you need and retrieves search information relevant to the task at hand.
File management 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.
Ability to uninstall upgrade 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 Edition (Windows Me). It provides you with the ability to uninstall at any point during Setup.
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Conveniently transfer 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 Restore a PC, in the event of a problem, to a previous state without losing personal data files. It actively monitors system file changes to record or store previous versions before the changes occurred. 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 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 support Text display technology that gives you enhanced screen resolution, making it easier for you to read text on your computer screen.
Font smoothing Fills in the jagged edges of fonts with gray pixels to make them appear smoother.
Personalized Welcome page The welcome page can be personalized to allow you to share the same computer with your friends and family.
Taskbar grouping The different files that you have open group according to the type of application they are-keeping your taskbar clean and organized.
Indexed file system Enables you to index the contents of the file system; this allows you to locate files easily and quickly based on a file name or search string.
Designed to Help You Stay in Touch and Have Fun
Internet Explorer Microsoft Internet Explorer provides the most private, reliable, and flexible Internet browsing experience. It includes many features that can simplify the daily tasks that you perform while helping you to maintain the privacy of your personal information on the Web.
Outlook Express Outlook Express makes it easier than ever for you to send and receive e-mail from anywhere, effectively manage large amounts of e-mail, and create their own personal and dynamic messages.
Windows Media Player Windows Media Player brings together all of your most common digital media activities (music, photos, videos) in a single, easy-to-access place.
My Music folder Quickly view a list of music files in a folder and perform basic management tasks such as retrieving, adding, sorting, and deleting music files.
Automatic Compact Disc recognition If you insert a CD, ZIP, or JAZ disk, or a 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.
Ability to write files to CDs 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 music and dragging it to the CD-R device icon, you can create your own CDs.
Portable music device support Connect with Windows Media Player to your music and devices in a way that best suits your needs.
My Pictures folder Quickly view a list of photos in a folder and perform basic management tasks like adding, sorting, and deleting picture files.
Windows Movie Maker Capture, edit, organize, and share home movies.
Windows Messenger: text messaging The easy way to communicate with text messages with your friends, family, and colleagues in real time. Can keep you updated with your buddies' online status.
Windows Messenger: file transfers, voice and video conversations Conduct a voice or video chat and experience high quality online voice and video quality. Collaborate with your friends, transfer files, and share applications and whiteboard drawings.
Windows games Games for Windows open a wide world of fantasy and adventure-and give you a break from reality and a chance to have fun with friends and family at any age.
Internet-enabled games Play Internet games with others who are also connected to the network.
Scanner and Camera Wizard Scan single images or a collection of images into a simple image file or into separate image files.
Web Publishing Wizard Publishing Wizard Walks you through publishing your pictures to the Web quickly and easily so you can share them with others.
Online Print Ordering Wizard Order your digital pictures directly over the Internet and have them delivered right to your door.
High Performance
System Monitor Analyzes hundreds of different system metrics, including memory, disk and network throughput for you.
Enhanced battery life Improve the battery life of your mobile computer by conserving display power in two ways: (i) Lid Power. When the lid of a mobile computer is closed, the display is powered off, (ii) 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.
Task Manager Provides you with useful computer performance information and allows you to terminate inactive programs. You can also opt for a reporting mechanism that best suits your specific requirements.
Unlimited number of active windows Open an unlimited number of active windows at the same time.
Control over window size at startup Adjust the size of the first window you see when you start up a program.
Quick Launch bar A customizable toolbar that lets you display the Windows desktop or start a program (for example, Internet Explorer) with a single click. You can add buttons to start your favorite programs from the Quick Launch location on the taskbar.
User Interface
Wallpaper selections designed for local markets Provides background images that are specifically designed for your country.
Ability to adjust wallpapers and screensavers Change the background and screensaver images from a list of options.
Ability to add a Language Interface Pack Use an add-in that provides a partially localized user interface for Windows.
Ability to adjust theme and appearance Adjust the look of the various graphic elements of your desktop, such as the theme, color scheme, icon and font size
Ability to adjust display resolution Increase the display resolution above 800 X 600 pixels, to view images in greater detail.
Ability to adjust locale, date, and currency format Adjust the way date, time, currency and numbers are displayed.
User Support Features
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 Automatically submit a report over the Internet on an issue you are encountering so that Microsoft can work on developing a software fix for it. When it's ready, a Microsoft support engineer will contact you.
Tours and tutorials Tours and instructional materials to provide assistance with your Windows experience.
Help content richness Number of available help topics and amount of detail provided on them.
Help content in local language Help content localized in your local language.
Remote assistance Invite a trusted friend or support professional also running 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 Search across multiple remote and online providers to get the most information for the topic you're investigating.
Remote access to Help Easily view server Help content from a desktop computer.
Home Networking
Documents, folders, and printer sharing with family and workgroup members Set up a home network, including physical connections such as for printers or faxes, installing protocols and bridging.
Virtual Private Network and Person-to-Person connections Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Person-to-Person connections provide remote access and routed connections to private networks over the Internet.
Network Places Setup and Web folders usage Use and save a folder on a Web server as opposed to your computer.
Offline files usage and synchronization Offline files allow you to save a copy of network files on the computer, for use when the computer is not connected to the network. You can then synchronize these files when you next connect to the network.
Wireless connection with no configuration Allows for automatic configuration for wireless networks (802.11 adapters), making it easier for you to connect wirelessly.
Bridge networks The network bridge allows users to connect two or more network segments together.
Share Internet connections Share an Internet connection with all computers on a network.
Fast User-Switching and User Account Protection
Multiple user accounts on the same computer Each individual can create his or her own unique account. These accounts are easily created during Setup or from the Control Panel.
Fast user-switching between accounts Share a single computer without having to close each other's applications each time you need to access your own account.
Computer locking protection Protect your system by locking it. While locked, the desktop is hidden and the system cannot be used.
Computer password protection Protect your system by restricting access using a password. By default the user accounts are not password protected but you have the option to set a password on your specific account if you desire.

Important—This list highlights the most popular features included in Windows XP Starter Edition and Windows XP Home Edition. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all features.

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