2000 Pro vs. XP Desktop

¶ … Windows Comparison: Windows 2000 Pro and XP Desktop Comparison

OS Availability

According to Douglas Ludens of About.com, with the release of Windows XP Professional and its home-based XP Desktop Comparison, Microsoft finally delivered on its long-given promise of creating a functional system for both home and professional use. However, there still are substantial differences between the two systems that home and professional users must keep in mind. Windows 2000 Professional is still more suitable than the XP Desktop Comparison for professional use, because of the Pro's use of a Remote Installation Service what "automatically" installs "OS, applications across the network." (Ludens, 2004)

System Restore Features

In terms of its File Allocation Table, commonly known as FAT or FAT16, regarding system restoration features, however, this feature is supported not only by the Professional, model but also by all Windows operating systems. There are "advantages" for using the FAT file system on a Windows XP Professional installation, as if the user has "a startup failure, you can start the computer by using a bootable floppy disk to troubleshoot the problem." But overall FAT16 is efficient, in speed and storage, on volumes smaller than 256 MB. (Zandri, 2001) The startup wizard is present in both versions, allowing for easy start up access, and both have additional laptop support. (Ludens, 2004)

Device Driver Handling

Only the professional version allows users to access their computers remotely from other PCs, as well as access offline files and folders.

Memory and Processor Support

The desktop version requires more memory to download, given its additional supportive features regarding security and remote access.

OS Reliability

Although both systems contain support to enhance user reliability, the professional version 'keeps in mind' that the users may be part of a larger network, use more memory and engage in more file system sharing and remote access, and thus requires additional security and support protocols.

File System Protection

The professional version has additional controls protecting the user's rights to limit access to certain files, given the greater ability of the user to participate in an extended part of a network, thus leaving one's files more exposed to additional, potential influences. (Ludens, 2004)

Windows Installer Enhancements

Both computer systems, through the Internet can access the Microsoft website and receive periodic system updates. Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) is a part of both directory services, and is built specifically to address directory-enabled application scenarios. (ADAM, 2004)

OS Security Features

The professional version contains additional security features, as delineated below.

Kerberos Support

Kerberos was originally designed as a network authentication protocol. It is now finding extensive use in operating system security plans," including Microsoft's Windows XP operating system for professional use. "It is designed to provide strong authentication for client/server applications by using secret-key cryptography. Microsoft promoted and subsequently gained traction with in the Windows 2000 Server, the Kerberos authentication protocol is today being developed into and delivered with each version of the Windows XP." (Columbus, 2001) This is yet another example of how the professional operating system contains additional cryptography support.

Encrypted File System (EFS) Support

Only the XP contains an encrypting file system, giving the user the ability to encrypt files stored on NTFS partitions. (Ludens, 2004)

Internet Connection Firewall

Some sites attempt to use firewalls to solve their network security problems. Unfortunately, firewalls assume that people who want to illegally gain access to the system are on the outside, which is often a very bad assumption. Insiders carry out most of the really damaging incidents of computer crime," noted one insider analyst. Also, for professional use, "firewalls also have a significant disadvantage in that they restrict how" a wide range of a system's users can use the Internet. "After all, firewalls are simply a less-extreme example of the dictum that there is nothing more secure then a computer that is not connected to the network -- and powered off!" Thus, in many places, these restrictions are simply unrealistic and unacceptable." This is why the firewall protections provided by the Windows professional version are supplemented with EFS support for these reasons regarding the imperfect nature of the firewall system, and also the occasional need to disarm it for remote or expanded use, unlike the desktop home version of the system. (Columbus, 2001)