Microsoft releases Windows XP

25th October 2001
Microsoft releases Windows XP

Windows XP is the family of 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers. The name "XP" stands for "Experience.” The successor to both Windows 2000 Professional and Windows ME, Windows XP was the first consumer-oriented operating system Microsoft built on the Windows NT kernel and architecture.

Over 400 million copies were in use by January 2006, according to an International Data Corporation analyst.

Related information:

• Centre for Computing History: Microsoft
• Centre for Computing History: Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Image:

• Bliss, the default Windows XP wallpaper
  Credit: Microsoft. Images remain the copyright of the original copyright holder. Used under fair use policy for educational purposes only.

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