Windows XP s New Multiuser and Multiple-PC Features

Windows XP's New Multiuser and Multiple-PC Features

NOTE

Learn about Windows XP's user accounts in Chapter 18, "Working with Multiple Users."

Because Windows XP is built on the Windows 2000 engine, and because Windows 2000 was designed to be a multiuser network-enabled operating system, it makes sense that XP would include a bevy of multiuser and networking features. Chief among these features are XP's new user accounts, the new Network Setup Wizard, and the even newer (included with SP2) Wireless Network Setup Wizard.

XP also includes the capability to set up a single network card with two separate network configurations (great for portable PCs used both at home and at work). You can also use XP's "network bridge" capability to connect two separate network segments even if those segments use different networking technologies. (For example, you can use XP to "bridge" a wireless network to a wired Ethernet network.)

User Accounts

Windows XP is designed as a multiuser operating system. To that end, XP makes it very easy to set up multiple user accounts, and to switch from one user to another.

You can establish any number of users within Windows XP. Each user can define his own personalizations, documents, and security settings. You choose a user on initial logon, and can switch users at any time by clicking the Log Off button on the Start menu, and choosing a new user from the Welcome screen.

You can also have multiple users logged on at the same time, thanks to the new Fast User Switching feature. Fast User Switching enables you to log on additional users without shutting down the first user's applications. This is a good way to share a single PC among multiple family members although you need a lot of system memory to make this truly "fast" switching.

Network Setup Wizard

NOTE

Learn about Windows XP's networking features in Chapter 20, "Setting Up a Home or Small Business Network."

Setting up a network is made easy by Windows XP's Network Setup Wizard. Thanks to this feature, you don't have to fiddle with a lot of protocols and configurations. Just answer the questions in the wizard, and you can easily connect two or more computers in a local area network. You can also use this wizard to set up Internet connection sharing, or even simple printer and peripheral sharing.

Wireless Network Setup Wizard

If you're contemplating setting up a wireless network, Windows XP supports the IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g standards (also known as WiFi). Setting up a secure home network is made easier by SP2's Wireless Network Setup Wizard, which lets you configure your wireless network with secure authentication. And if you're using a laptop PC with built-in Wi-Fi, Windows XP enables you to quickly and easily connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots.