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Windows 2000 FAQ

We solve 20 of the most vexing problems with Windows 2000.

Gregg Keizer, special to PCWorld.com

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Should I Upgrade to Win 2000 or XP?

Q: Should I upgrade to Windows 2000 or Windows XP?

A: Although both Windows 2000 and XP are built on the same rock-solid operating system kernel, there are differences.

First, and most importantly, Windows 2000 has been around long enough to have generated a pair of service pack releases that crushed the biggest bugs and patched the most troublesome flaws. Windows XP will, like all operating systems, undoubtedly have its share of out-of-the-box troubles. This is one reason why some users refuse to upgrade to a new OS until it's been in the real world for months, or even a year.

Second, the new product-activation utility in Windows XP makes many of our readers nervous. Because of the way the new OS ties codes inside the PC hardware to its own activation key, you may have to nag Microsoft for another product activation key if you change one hardware component too many.

In the end, this question is one that you have to answer yourself.

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