Introduction to Windows XP

• Hardware and software support
• Seamless access to resources
• Differences between XP editions
• Purchasing methods
• Licensing and activating Windows XP

Setting up a Windows XP Professional Workstation

Preparing for installation

• Migrating user settings
• Evaluating hardware compatibility
• Choosing between a clean install and an upgrade

Performing a Sysprep installation

• Installing the operating system
• Configuring multilingual internationalisation
• Working with the Setup Wizard

Structuring Windows XP for Multiple Users

Providing personalised user environments

• Creating local users and groups
• Managing user profiles

Implementing local security

• Enabling account security
• Setting file permissions
• Securing data with Encrypting File System (EFS)
• Creating a local EFS Data Recovery Agent

Operating within Domain Environments

Enterprise networking concepts

• Small business vs. corporate networks
• Remotely controlling XP Professional
• Using Windows 2003 Terminal Services

Functioning within an enterprise infrastructure

• Joining a Windows domain
• Locating resources with a directory service

Sharing and Securing Resources

Hosting shared resources

• Sharing files and printers with other Windows users
• Making resources available via the Web with Internet Information Server (IIS)
• Setting permissions on network resources

Building a Windows XP network

• Configuring protocols and clients
• Bridging networks
• Enabling Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
• Protecting Windows XP with the Internet Connection Firewall
• Securing Windows XP resources

Managing the Operating System and its Applications

Installing and configuring devices

• Plug and Play concepts
• Universal Plug and Play
• Devices
• Code signing
• Auto Update options
• Windows File Protection
• USB
• Wizards
• ACPI power management
• Hardware management

Adding and troubleshooting software

• Installing user applications with the Windows Installer Service
• Configuring, installing and rolling back device drivers
• Overcoming compatibility problems
• Creating custom file associations
• Customising compatibility with the Application Compatibility Toolkit

Maintaining and recovering the system

• Editing the Registry
• Recovering with System Restore points
• Restoring the system with Automated System Recovery (ASR)
• Evaluating and installing Service Packs and hotfixes

Evaluating Service Pack features

• Working with the Security Center
• Configuring the Windows Firewall
• Locating and connecting to wireless networks
• Blocking Internet pop-ups
• Selecting and configuring network security options
• Detecting and blocking spyware