What software is compatible with WXP?

Is software made for Windows 2000 and up also compatible with Windows XP Home edition? Or does it have to be listed for XP to be compatible? Can it hurt my computer if I download incompatible software?

Hi, catpurrson.

WinXP is basically "Win2K on steroids", built on the same NT platform as
Win2K (NOT the MS-DOS platform used for Win9x/ME), so practically any
software that runs on Win2K will also run on WinXP. The significant
differences between the Home and Professional editions of WinXP relate
mostly to the limits on the Home Edition's networking capabilities.
Software that was produced before WinXP was introduced won't list WinXP on
the box, of course, but that doesn't mean that it won't run perfectly.
Server software that runs on Server versions of Win2K might have problems on
WinXP, which does not come in a Server version, but that is not what you are
asking about, is it?

Downloading software - compatible or not - won't hurt WinXP. Trying to
install it shouldn't hurt, either; it should just produce an error message
and refuse to install - or install but not run right.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@corridor.net
Microsoft Windows MVP

"catpurrson" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2C901671-B5BC-444E-A042-0BD71969EF92@microsoft.com...

> Is software made for Windows 2000 and up also compatible with Windows XP

Home edition? Or does it have to be listed for XP to be compatible? Can it
hurt my computer if I download incompatible software?

"catpurrson" said in
news:2C901671-B5BC-444E-A042-0BD71969EF92@microsoft.com:

> Is software made for Windows 2000 and up also compatible with Windows
> XP Home edition? Or does it have to be listed for XP to be
> compatible? Can it hurt my computer if I download incompatible
> software?

There is some software that is designed to only run under Windows XP. The
sofware will tell you so. If it says it runs under Windows 2000 then there
it is highly likely that it will run under Windows XP. Of course, it helps
to provide specific answers if the question is also specific. Which
software are you concerned about?

--
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On Thu, 12 Feb 2004 11:06:09 -0800, "catpurrson"
<anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Is software made for Windows 2000 and up also compatible with Windows XP Home edition? Or does it have to be listed for XP to be compatible? Can it hurt my computer if I download incompatible software?

The majority of software that works on 2000 will work on XP. The
exceptions may be those that access the hardware such as CD Burner
software, Norton Utilities and some older AntiVirus Products.

Running the Upgrade Advisor (from the XP CD or as a seperate download)
will confirm if exsiting software is compatible or not.

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/