Windows XP

**Windows XP**

Microsoft Windows XP
Codename Preliminary name	Whistler
Kernel version	NT 5.1, NT 5.2
CPU architecture	x86 x64
Release date	8/24/2001
Support end	4/8/2014
Preceded by	2000 / Neptune
Succeeded by	Longhorn / Vista

Windows XP (codenamed Whistler) is an operating system developed by Microsoft, and the successor to Windows ME and Windows 2000. It was released to manufacturing on August 24, 2001, while its server countarpart, Windows Server 2003, was released almost two years later. The name, XP, stands for eXPerience.

Windows XP bridged the gap between the Windows 9x and Windows NT series of operating systems; ending the former, while bringing the stability and security of the latter to consumers.

A 64-bit version of the operating system, based on the Windows Server 2003 kernel, was made available on April 25, 2005.

Windows XP support ended on April 8 2014 , while it's server counterpart is scheduled to end about a year later. However , antimalware signatures are still being produced for Windows XP for a year after the End-Of-Life(EOL)

Editions

Starter
Home Edition
Professional
Media Center Edition
Embedded

Improvements

Visual Styles: A theming engine was designed by Microsoft which included the new Luna interface. The previous placeholder theme, Watercolor, was replaced in later versions of the operating system.