Windows 2000 and Windows XP a brief History

Windows 2000 and Windows XP are closely related in terms of their heritage and it is for this reason that support from Microsoft for Windows 2000 continues whereas Windows Millennium edition released around the same time has had the plug pulled. Both 2000 and XP operating systems were based on Windows NT which was Microsoft's first operating system not based on the DOS Kernel used in the Windows 95, 98 and Millennium Editions. Windows 2000 looks and feels to most users very similar to Windows 98, but is far more stable and a securer platform for internet connected PCs and was primarily designed for corporate deployments. Windows XP with it's Home and Professional versions was first Operating system release bringing together the consumer versions of Windows based on DOS and the corporate versions based on NT and 2000. For home or small business use the one of key difference is that Windows 2000 does not include System Restore which allows an XP user to take all their system settings back to a previous known good working configuration, the 2nd key difference is more cosmetic.  

For Windows XP and 2000 Housekeeping guide and tips Windows XP and Windows 2000 Housekeeping

For Windows XP Security Recommendations Windows XP - Security Recommendations

For Windows 2000 Security Recommendations Windows 2000 Security Recommendations

For Windows XP and Windows 2000 download page Windows XP and Windows 2000 Download Page