Microsoft Windows XP User Resources

Welcome to Steve Thornburg's XP Users page Microsoft Windows™ XP

The purpose of this page is simply to provide references to established sources of information regarding Microsoft Windows™ XP and various components thereof. I will try to update this page as time permits, as well as to verify existing links. This information is not "mine" (not authored by me). In fact, most of it is at or from Microsoft. The links lead to information that I have found useful either directly for myself, or in the process of helping others.
You can subscribe to Windows™ XP Users Page here, if you want email notification when this page is updated.
My site map can be found here, if you want to see some of my other pages.

Recommended security configuration for typical home XP Users
Note that this is for "'typical" XP users, not "advanced" XP users. It is assumed
that advanced users already have their own preferred methods in place.

Basics for Windows XP
Make sure that you have service pack 2 (SP2) applied.
Make sure that you stay updated with the latest critical updates, "hot fixes" and patches.

Anti-Virus
Make sure you have active and up-to-date anti-virus software installed and operating.
See ESET’s Home page for NOD32, the best AV solution available, in my opinion. This
product should be installed on every computer that connects to the internet. It protects
against viruses and against spyware, and has no perceptible impact on system performance.
See Computer Associates eTrust for a more "budget friendly" AV solution, but not as good.
and Security at home: Protect your PC (scroll down the page and click on "Get Antivirus Software")

Anti-Spyware
Make sure you have active and up-to-date anti-spyware software installed and operating.
See SUPERAntiSpyware for excellent spyware/malware protection.
See ewido networks for another solid malware/spyware solution.
See Microsoft Windows Defender for Microsoft's spyware solution.
and Using Microsoft Windows Defender (Beta)

Windows XP Firewall
Make sure it is enabled, and has as few allowed "exceptions" as possible.
See Understanding Windows Firewall
and Manually Configuring Windows Firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 2
and How to manually open ports in Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP
and Working With The Windows XP Firewall
and Using the Firewall for Internet Connections in Windows XP

Browser configuration
Make sure that your browser is configured for secure operation.
See Setting Up Security Zones
and What you can do about spyware and other unwanted software
and Improve the security of ActiveX and browser add-ons while maintaining usability
and Privacy Overviews and Tutorials
and Configure Firefox's settings to strengthen security

Maintain a current HOSTS file

The default HOSTS file with Windows is mostly useless. However, it offers a simple and powerful method to protect your PC, if maintained properly. My Basic Security page has more details about obtaining and installing a maintained HOSTS file. It is easy to install, and it is free!

See Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File
and Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites

Stay current on Security Issues

The constant flood of spyware, virus and worm code that attacks computers connected to the internet demands constant attention. For all the latest information, you should visit some of the news sites that specialize in computer security issues on a regular basis. You do not have to be an expert to use this information. But you can help yourself by staying informed regarding newly discovered flaws, and new threats trying to exploit those flaws.

See Computer Security News
See Microsoft Security Home

See my Computer Security and Software Resources page for additional security information.

Featured Download:

» Windows Media Bonus Pack for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/bonuspack/default.aspx

» Microsoft's "Using XP" main page
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/web/default.mspx
» Microsoft's "Windows XP: Setup and maintenance
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/default.mspx

» What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/sp2install

» Detailed Windows XP Service Pack 2 installation walkthrough
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875364&product=windowsxpsp2

» What to do after installing XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2installed

» Microsoft's "Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2"
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2chngs.mspx

» Microsoft's "Security at Home, Protect Your PC" main page
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

» Microsoft's "Manage Your Computer's Security Settings in One Place"
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wscintro.mspx

» Microsoft's "Order Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD" page
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

» Microsoft's "Temporarily Disabling Delivery of Windows XP Service Pack 2 Through Windows Update and Automatic Updates"
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2aumng.mspx

» Newsgroups for Microsoft Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/newsgroups/desktopos/winxp.mspx
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

» Microsoft's "Learning Center for Windows XP"
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/centers/windowsXP.asp

» Networking with Microsoft Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/hs_networking_web.asp

» Microsoft Windows XP Professional Product Documentation
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/default.mspx

» Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool
Description: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;873374
Download it: http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/9/f/49f511d3-adae-4dd7-aedd-1c7f81f633ec/gdidettool.exe
"How To": http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/200409_jpeg_tool.mspx
See related: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-028.mspx
→ Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028, "Buffer Overrun in JPEG Processing (GDI+) Could Allow Code Execution"

» Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-037
Vulnerability in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution (841356)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-037.mspx

» Microsoft's "Windows XP Resources for IT Professionals" main page
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/default.mspx

» Microsoft Windows XP SP2 Resources for IT Professionals
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx

» Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools (KB 838079)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;838079

» Microsoft Windows XP Expert Zone
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/default.mspx

Microsoft Office

» Microsoft Office Assistance Home page
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/default.aspx

» Microsoft Office Updates Site
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx

Miscellaneous

» Description of the Internet Explorer Information Bar in Windows XP SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=843017&product=windowsxpsp2

» Microsoft Support WebCasts:
How to configure XP SP2 Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker
mms://wm.microsoft.com/ms/seminar/en/smh072604/smh072604-2.wmv
This short video walks you through configuring the new Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker.

» These links are from one of the "Protect Your PC" pages:
Phone number for contacting Microsoft for support with XP SP2 issues...
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.aspx
Link to the Microsoft XP SP2 Support Center (many options available)...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=windowsxpsp2

» Microsoft Windows XP SP2 Commemorative Edition CD-ROM
http://stevethornburg.com/rooms/msxp/xpsp2ce.html

Below are links to various pages that are not directly pertinent to Windows XP, but this page seemed like a reasonable place to include them. The links point to information about/for Microsoft Office, Microsoft MSDN subscriptions, Microsoft TechNet subscriptions, the Microsoft Partner program, the Cisco Channel Partner program, the Intel Developer site, Mindspeed Technologies™, Robotic Weapons of America, and some tutorials that may be helpful. I have named this section "Helpful Things", because this information has proved worthwhile for myself and for others. Enjoy!

Microsoft

» Microsoft Security Home
http://support.microsoft.com/

» Microsoft TechNet Home
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/

» Microsoft TechNet Briefings
http://www.technetbriefings.com/

» Microsoft TechNet Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/default.mspx

» Microsoft MSDN Home
http://msdn.microsoft.com/

» Microsoft Partner Program
http://members.microsoft.com/partner/default.aspx

Cisco

» Cisco Channel Partner program
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partners/pr11/index.shtml

» Ethernet Tutorial (from Cisco)
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/ito_doc/ethernet.htm

Intel

» Intel Developer Site
http://developer.intel.com/