Which Version for You?

Microsoft offers three different versions of Windows XP. Windows XP Home Edition is the version of XP for home and small business users. Windows XP Professional is designed for larger businesses and corporate users, and includes the more robust networking and system administration functions required for that environment. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition is designed for workstation-class applications, such as designing bridges and making professional movies.

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There's one more version of Windows XP, dubbed Windows Media Center. The Media Center is a separate interface that sits on top of the normal XP interface and makes it easier to play DVDs, listen to CDs, and the like. You can only get Windows Media Center when you buy a new Media Center PC; Microsoft won't let you upgrade your current system to the Media Center version. For more information on Windows XP Media Center, see Absolute Beginner's Guide to Windows XP Media Center, by Steve Kovsky, also published by Que.

Windows XP Home Edition includes all the functionality you need for typical home or small business use, including an improved Network Setup Wizard that makes it easy to set up small home networks or shared Internet connections. XP Home Edition is the version pre-installed on most consumer-grade PCs, and the most popular version for upgrades.

Windows XP Professional is somewhat of a superset of XP Home Edition. Everything you can do with XP Home you can do with XP Pro and then some. The additional features include things like administrative tools, group policy settings, a network monitor, Internet Information Services (IIS) Web Server, and support for the Encrypting File System (EFS) nothing you're going to be using on a typical home or small business system.

"Mike Sez"

Unless you're running a large network, stick to Windows XP Home Edition. Most home and small business users will never need the (few) additional features in the Professional version.

With Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, you get support for Intel's new Itanium 64-bit processor. Suffice to say, you won't be running XP 64-Bit Edition unless you're using some sort of high-end professional workstation.