Windows XP Home Edition SP 2 is the latest edition of Windows XP operating system containing bug fixes and updates of Service Pack 2.
Windows XP Home Edition SP 2 comes with increased security level integrating Microsoft Security Center, personal firewall, Internet Explorer 7 with pop-up window blocking and much more features of a general purpose, modern operating system.
Windows XP Home Edition SP 2 has redesigned menu systems, controls and iconbars for easier navigation and your convenience.
Microsoft Windows Update allows you to keep your Windows OS updated by automatic downloads and installation of security patches, new features and upgrades.
If you own previous version of MS Windows you might be probably better off buying an upgrade version of Windows XP Home Edition. There's no need to purchase Windows XP Home Edition SP 2 simply for having the Service Pack 2 – if you already have Windows XP installed, you can download Service Pack 2 for Windows XP for free from Microsoft's website.
The upgrade edition allows you to do a full install. It just asks you for the CD of a previous version of Windows. Also remember you can download service pack two from the Windows update web site. So no need to buy it integrated with XP.
You can upgrade from earlier versions of Windows including Windows ME or Windows 98.
Windows XP Home Edition SP 2 comes with full support for plug-and-play devices and most of external USB and Firewire devices will be recognized automatically as you plug them to your PC.
Also PCI / AGP / PCI Express extension cars including Video controllers, disk controllers and other devices will be recognized without problems as you insert them into the extension slot. And Windows XP Home Edition SP 2 has a great deal of drivers that are included in the distribution too, so for many devices there's no need to download any additional drivers.
Windows XP Home Edition SP 2 includes multimedia tools and the Service Pack 2 includes security bug fixes and other enhancements. Windows XP is easy to use and navigate and its rounded corners and colorful screens make the operating a cleaner desktop. The new Media Player is included per default and you can use that free tool to rip music from CDs, listen to MP3s or Internet radio and watch videos and DVD movies. Windows XP Home Edition SP 2 also includes the free video manipulation tool called Movie Maker.
Windows XP descends from the NT/2000 product family so previous versions of your software should work on XP without any problems.
Windows XP is also more stable and quick so that the blue screen and system crashes won't bug you that often.
In Windows XP Home Edition SP 2 you can adjust the look and feel according to your preference, changing appearance of Windows desktop quickly. Every registered user can adjust the settings for themselves separately and you can even switch between accounts without logging a user off so that all their current work is saved.
Under Windows XP every user with a registered system account, uses a separate namespace and diskspace, that prevents their files and personal documents from being viewed by other users.
If you haven't used Windows XP yet on your PC, be aware there are high system requirements for this OS (see table below) and there is no SMP support included. There is also a requirement to activate this product before you can use it at Microsoft.