Anyone who uses their computer on a regular basis comes to rely on favorite features and utilities—software tools—to get their job done. Every new version of Microsoft Windows has introduced new and more powerful special features and utilities. When viewed together, these aspects of Windows XP, whether part of its user interface or stand-alone software utilities, are part of your daily tool kit for getting your work done.
In Windows XP, Microsoft has enhanced Windows in countless ways. Some of these enhancements are behind the scenes or under the covers. To take full advantage of these enhancements, you must be aware of their existence and know how to use them. The first goal of this book is to make you aware of and show you how to use Windows XP tools—including built-in features, powerful techniques, and important utilities—that the most seasoned users of Windows XP—power users—have added to their daily toolkit. Hence, we call this book the Microsoft Windows XP Power Toolkit. Because there are other books on Windows XP available, we don't cover every Windows XP feature; rather, we focus on the features and utilities that help you improve your experience with Windows XP to the greatest possible extent.
Each time Microsoft releases a new version of Windows, its developers must draw the line somewhere on new features and capabilities. Fortunately, Microsoft often makes additional enhancements available through add-in software. This book's second goal is to make you aware of Microsoft utilities that are not shipped "in the box" with Windows XP, but that are designed specifically to add powerful supplementary features to the Windows XP operating system, including enhancements in the areas of networking, digital media, and the user interface.
Third-party software publishers have also continually raised the bar by publishing software that enhances capabilities built into Windows or adds features that are not yet part of the main operating system. The third and final goal of this book is to make you aware of some of the best third-party utilities that you should seriously consider adding to your own daily Windows XP tool kit.
