New Features of Windows 2000

Windows 2000, which originally was Windows NT 5, was introduced in Year 1999. It was a brand new operating system in the NT family. With its new design, Windows 2000 has become a popular operating system.

Like its elder brother, Windows NT 4, Windows 2000 is very stable and robust. Unlike Windows NT 4, Windows 2000 has many new features. Windows 2000 has new features that Windows 98 has over Windows 95, and more (which are also included included in the later operating system Windows Me). I will introduce them to you in brief.

• Windows 2000 has a "My Documents" folder on the desktop. This feature lets the user find his/her documents fast.
• The "My Network Places" folder on the desktop is like the original "Network Neighborhood" folder, but has a new feature that allows you to create shortcuts to network places including LAN, FTP and web folders.
• The File Open/Save As dialogs has a new place bar on the left which lets the user goto a common place by a single click. The place bar has a "History" button which contains shortcuts to recently accessed directories and files.
• The new Open With feature allows you to associate a type of files with more than one program. To do that, just right click at a file, and then select "Open With, Choose Program...".
• In the "My Pictures" folder, you can view pictures with many capability.
• Indexing Service is a new service in Windows 2000 (including the Professional version). This service enables fast searches to specific text in files all over the hard disks. To support uncommon text file types, you need to aquire and install new text filters.
• The new search feature is implemented with a Search pane in a folder browsing window. You can turn on the search pane when you are browsing a folder.
• Active Directory is a new feature in Windows 2000 Server Family products. It lets computers connected to the network can easily search for people.
• Personalized Start menu feature allows you to have infrequently used program icons in the Start menu hidden.
• The toolbar on every folder browsing window can be customized. You can add or delete buttons on it.
• Active Desktop allows you to create personalized shortcuts to Web or intranet sites and/or schedule regular updates.
• The Accessibility Wizard helps you to configure Windows for your vision, hearing and mobility needs.
• New Windows 2000 MultiLanguage Technology provides unparalleled multilingual options for end users and IT administrators.
• The Favorites pane helps you organize and manage your Favorites folders.
• With Offline Files you can select network files and folders to be available to offline.
• Reduce your time online by using Offline Web Browsing. This feature lets you view Web pages even when you are offline. You can save a shortcut to a Web page with the "Make available offline" option and select the "Tools, Synchronize..." menu item to synchronize it when you needs to view it offline.
• You can configure all connections to the network with the Network and Dial-up Connections Folder.
• Encrypted File System ensures security of your files.
• Power Management helps you to save power with either a desktop computer or a laptop computer.
• Automatic Infrared Support lets you connect wirelessly to another device by simply pointing it towards your computer.
• The new "Add/Remove Programs " dialog can contain descriptions and support information for installed programs. It also provides additional information such as program use frequency.
• Windows 2000 is easier to troubleshoot and recover with its Safe Mode options and Recover Console .
• USB support provides convenience with USB devices. Simply plug it in and use it.
• Windows 2000 lets applications install more easily, thus fewer restarts are needed during installation and configuration.
• Windows 2000 has a new feature (System File Protection) that heals damaged files automatically. (Note: I was using Hercules GameSurround Fortissimo II audio adaptor on Windows 2000 and every time after a SFC scan, the audio drivers of the adaptor must be reinstalled. This is a thing to remember.)
• Windows 2000 supports FAT32 file system, thus it can coexist with Windows 98 easily.

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