Why This Book?

We all know this book will make an effective doorstop in a few years. You probably have a few already. (We've even written a few!) If you think it contains more information than you need, just remember how helpful a good reference can be when you need it at the 11th hour. And we all know that computer technology changes so fast that it's sometimes easier just to blink and ignore a phase than to study up on it. Windows XP definitely is a significant upgrade in Windows technologyone you're going to need to understand. Microsoft has folded all of its operating systems into the Windows XP product line, so rest assured it will be around for some time.

On the surface, Windows XP might provide much of the same functionality as Windows 98 and Windows Me, but it's a completely different animal, and the differences are more than skin deep. From the way users sign on, to the new Start menu, to its day-to-day management tools, XP bears little resemblance to its predecessors. Don't let that worry you: In all ways, it's superior to any operating system Microsoft has ever produced.

Is Windows XP so easy to use that books are unnecessary? Unfortunately, no. True, as with other releases of Windows, online help is available. As has been the case ever since Windows 95, however, no printed documentation is available (to save Microsoft the cost), and the Help files are written by the Microsoft cronies. You won't find criticisms, complaints, workarounds, or talk of third-party programs there, let alone explanations of why you have to do things a certain way. For that, you need this book!

You might know that Windows XP comes in two versions: Home Edition and Professional. Other publishers have produced single volumes to cover both operating systems, but we think that will only end up confusing readers. Instead, we've produced two books, because we wanted you to have a book that addresses your specific needs. This book covers Windows XP Professional's more advanced management and networking features, and, while it anticipates that some home users will choose the Professional version, it also addresses the business and/or power user. Still, we assume you probably are not an engineer, and we'll do our best to speak in plain English and not snow you with unexplained jargon.

In this book's many pages, we focus not just on the gee-whiz side of the technology, but why you should care, what you can get from it, and what you can forget about. The lead author on this book has previously written 15 books about Windows, all in plain English (several bestsellers), designed for everyone from rank beginners to full-on system administrators deploying NT Server domains. The co-author has designed software and networks for more than 25 years. We work with and write about various versions of Windows year in and year out. We have a clear understanding of what confuses users and system administrators about installing, configuring, or using Windows, as well as (we hope) how to best convey the solutions to our readers.

This book is now in its third edition, and builds on the experience we gained over the years since XP's initial release. We spent many months adding coverage of new Windows features, testing Windows XP service pack betas through numerous builds, participating in the Microsoft beta newsgroups, documenting and working through bugs, and installing and reinstalling Windows XP on a variety of networks and computers. The result is what you hold in your hands.

While writing this book, we tried to stay vigilant of four cardinal rules:

• Keep it practical.

• Keep it accurate.

• Keep it concise.

• Keep it interesting, and even crack a joke or two.

We believe that you will find this to be the best book available on Windows XP Professional for the intermediate to advanced user. While writing it, we targeted an audience ranging from the power user at home or the office to the support guru in a major corporation. Whether you use a Windows XP PC or support others who do, we firmly believe this book will address your questions and needs.

We're also willing to tell you what we don't cover. No book can do it all. As the title implies, this book is about Windows XP Professional. We don't cover setting up the various Windows Server operating systems called Windows Server 2003, Advanced Server, and Datacenter. However, we do tell you how to connect to and interact with these servers, and even other operating systems, including Mac OS, Linux, and older variants of Windows, over a local area network. And, due to space limitations, there is only passing coverage of Windows XP's command-line utilities, batch file language, and Windows Script Host. For that (in spades!), pick up a copy of Brian's book Windows XP Under the Hood: Hardcore Scripting and Command Line Power, also published by Que. Finally, if you feel you've earned a graduation from the knowledge found in this book, be sure to check out our Platinum Edition Using Microsoft Windows XP (published by Que, of course).

We worked hard not to assume too much knowledge on your part, yet we didn't want to assume you aren't already experienced with Windows. The working assumption here is that you are already conversant at least with some form of Windows. However, we provide a primer on the Windows XP interface (including video of it on the CD-ROM) because the look and feel of Windows XP is significantly different from its predecessors. Even when you've become a Windows XP pro, we think you'll find this book to be a valuable source of reference information in the future. Both the table of contents and the very complete index will provide easy means for locating information when you need it quickly.