Chapter 2. The Desktop and Start Menu

When you turn on a Windows XP Pro computer for the first time, you may think that you're simply seeing the traditional Windows startup process as redesigned by a West Coast graphic designer. If it's a new computer, you may also receive a big hello from the company that sold it to you.

If you've just performed a clean installation of Windows XP (Section A.5.2), or if it's a brand-new PC, you may now be treated to a series of blue "Welcome to Microsoft Windows" setup screens. This Setup Wizard guides you through setting up an Internet account, activating your copy of Windows (Section 1.5.1), setting up accounts for different people who will be sharing this computer (Section 17.1), and so on. Appendix A has a complete description of this process.