Dell OptiPlex GX150 User Manual
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Microsoft
® Windows® XP Features: Dell OptiPlex™ GX150 System User's Guide
Overview
Based on an enhanced version of the Windows 2000 operating system, Windows XP is available in consumer and business editions: Windows
XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional. The features discussed are available in both editions, but the Professional version, designed for
business environments, includes additional productivity, security, networking, and management features important in business environments.
For home users, Windows XP brings the significantly increased stability and security inherent in the Windows 2000/Windows NT
® operating
systems. It also provides better support for portable computers. Key new Windows XP features include:
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An improved desktop and user interface
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Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
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Application program compatibility enhancements
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System Restore
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Fast User Switching*
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Expanded home and small office networking functions*
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A personal firewall for always-on Internet connections*
*Home and small office features
Help and Support Center
The Help and Support Center, introduced with Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me), replaces Windows Help from earlier operating
systems. The Help and Support Center provides an integrated resource center for information and assistance in using, configuring, and
troubleshooting your computer and installed hardware devices and software. For Windows XP, the Help and Support Center features expanded
search capabilities, including full-text search and the capability to search across multiple remote sites in addition to files resident on the hard drive.
You can use a single print command to print an entire chapter of help content.
To open Help and Support Center, click the Start button, and then click Help and Support. From the home page, you can conduct a search or
select categories of information, leading to task and information topics covering the use of your computer. Click User and System Guides for
information on using your Dell™ computer, including installed hardware devices and software.
New User Interface
Windows XP features a redesigned user interface with a new visual style, a less cluttered desktop, and built-in desktop cleanup features. Window
layout has also been changed for Windows XP and, as in the Control Panel, emphasizes task presentation. The Start menu has been redesigned.
The left half of the new Start menu includes the most frequently used icons. As you use your computer, the icons in this area are changed and
rearranged depending on your computer usage patterns. If you wish to keep one of the icons permanently in its location, right-click the icon and
click Pin to Start menu.
To access all the programs installed on the computer, click All Programs at the bottom of the Start menu. The right half of the new Start menu
contains useful icons for accessing your files, configuring the computer, and finding information and assistance. The Dell Solution Center icon
opens a portal to services and application programs installed on your Dell computer.
Switching to Classic View
If you wish, you may change the appearance of the Start menu, desktop and windows, or Control Panel layout to that of earlier Windows
operating systems. These classic view options are independent of each other.
You can easily switch back and forth between the new Control Panel category view and the classic icon view by clicking Switch to Classic View
or Switch to Category View in the upper left area of the Control Panel window. This can be handy if you would like to take advantage of the
new, task-oriented features of the Windows XP Control Panel, but you are accustomed to performing a particular task with the icon-oriented
classic Control Panel.
User Accounts and Fast User Switching
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Home and Small Office Networking