Windows XP is a true multiuser OS system with built-in privacy and security measures.
Windows XP makes it easymuch easier than in previous versionsto set up your own Ethernet or wireless network or to join an existing one. The Network Setup Wizard walks you through the steps that configure your internet connection and local network settings automatically. See Chapter 17.
Welcome screen. The Welcome screen lists the account of each authorized user. Each user can click his or her name, type a password, and start a session with a personalized desktop and access to private files. See "Logging On and Logging Off" in Chapter 1.
Fast User Switching. You can switch to another user account without actually logging off yourselfto, say, let someone check emailand then get back on quickly. See "Logging On and Logging Off" in Chapter 1.
Security features. Password-protected user accounts and file and folder permissions let you share your computer while you protect your personal files and prevent unwelcome software installation or viral infection. (And you can't press Esc to bypass logon, the way you could in Windows 95/98/Me.) See Chapter 16.
Forgotten-password recovery. Setting up User Accounts" in Chapter 16.
Remote Desktop. Use your home computer to control your office computer (or vice versa) over a network or the internet. You can control the remote computer as though you were sitting at it (Figure i.10 ).