System Requirements

To see if your computer can handle Windows XP, take ZDNet's online test.

Here's What You Need to Use Windows XP Professional

	400 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 266 MHz minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
	If you want the best experience, upgrade to at least 256 MB of RAM. 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
	2 GB hard drive space recommended ; 1.5 gigabytes (GB) required*
	Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
	You will need a graphics card built in at least 1998 to see all of the special effects of the new GUI. If you have a TNT2 based chipset, consider upgrading to a GeForce or an ATI Radeon card for the smoothest interface. You will want at least a 32MB RAM card.
	CD-ROM or DVD drive
	Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Additional Items or Services Required to Use Certain Windows XP Features

For Internet access:

	Some Internet functionality may require Internet access, a Microsoft .NET Passport account, and payment of a separate fee to a service provider; local and/or long-distance telephone toll charges may apply
	14.4 kilobits per second (Kbps) or higher-speed modem

For networking:

Network adapter appropriate for the type of local-area, wide-area, wireless, or home network you wish to connect to, and access to an appropriate network infrastructure; access to third-party networks may require additional charges

For instant messaging, voice and videoconferencing, and application sharing, both parties need:

Microsoft .NET Passport account and Internet access or Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server instant messaging account and network access (some configurations may require download of additional components)

For voice and videoconferencing, both parties also need:

	33.6 Kbps or higher-speed modem, or a network connection
	Microphone and sound card with speakers or headset

For videoconferencing, both parties also need:

	Video conferencing camera
	Windows XP

For application sharing, both parties also need:

	28.8 Kbps or higher-speed modem, or a network connection
	Windows XP

For remote assistance:

Both parties must be running Windows XP and be connected by a network

For remote desktop:

A Windows 95 or later–based computer, and the two machines must be connected by a network

For sound:

Sound card and speakers or headphones

For DVD video playback:

	DVD drive and DVD decoder card or DVD decoder software
	8 MB of video RAM

For Windows Movie Maker:

	Video capture feature requires appropriate digital or analog video capture device
	400 MHz or higher processor for digital video camera capture

* Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and the applications and features you choose to install. Additional available hard disk space may be required if you are installing over a network.