Windows XP Professional is designed for businesses of all sizes, and for individuals who demand the most from their computing experience. Advanced capabilities optimize productivity using the latest advancements in the digital world.

Features
Many additional features
The Professional Edition provides greater security and privacy, advanced recovery options, improved network connections, and much more.
Superior mobile support
Easily work offline or access your computer remotely with wireless networking support, configuration wizards, improved power management, and more.
Greater security
Encrypt your files and folders with greater levels of protection from hackers and data theft, and connect more securely to Virtual Private Networks.
Integrated and current
Integrate with Windows Servers and management solutions and keep your system current with automatic Windows Update.

What makes SP2 so important?
Providing a comprehensive collection of updates, innovations, and advanced security technologies, SP2 offers:

• Improved Internet Web browsing and communication with new technologies designed to reduce unwanted content and downloads.

• New security tools engineered expressly for Windows XP, so the process of managing security settings and staying up to date is less confusing and time-consuming.

• Support for the latest computing experiences—whether you're a gamer, mobile user, or digital media enthusiast.

Take control with Windows Security Center. When it comes to managing your Windows XP security settings, the new Windows Security Center is your command central. At a glance, you can monitor your current level of PC protection, including: firewall status, automatic update settings, and virus protection.

Help protect your PC with Windows Firewall. Turned on by default, the new, built-in Windows Firewall helps defend your PC against viruses and intruders who try to access your computer over the Internet.

Block distracting pop-ups in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Now you can stop most browser windows that Web sites pop up without your permission, giving you more control and less interruption when you're browsing the Web.

Avoid harmful communications with improvements to Outlook Express. E-mail is a great way to share photos, links to interesting articles, and other attachments. But some attachments contain viruses that wreak havoc on your system. Outlook Express now supports a new Attachment Manager which isolates attachments as you open them. This prevents the opening of unsafe attachments which can infect your system with a virus or worm.

Go wireless more securely. If you have a wireless network, or if you connect to the Internet at coffee shops or airports, the improved wireless support offered in SP2 simplifies the process of discovering and connecting to wireless networks.

In addition to significant security-related enhancements, SP2 also offers Microsoft's latest hardware and software innovations. These new drivers and updates will help you use Windows Media Player, Microsoft DirectX, and emerging standards such as Bluetooth technologies more safely and effectively.