Windows XP Tour
| Component of Microsoft Windows | |
 | |
 | |
| File name/executable | tourstart.exe |
|---|---|
| Introduced in | Windows XP build 2419 |
| Last included in | Windows Vista build 5001 |
| Replaces | |
Welcome to Windows (WELCOME.EXE) | |
| Replaced by | |
| Welcome Center | |
Windows XP Tour is an application which takes users on a guided tour of Windows XP, showcasing its new features and capabilities, along with the basics of using Windows.
Overview[edit | edit source]
There are two variants of the tour, which goes through the same basic information:
- The multimedia tour based on Adobe Flash 5, featuring narration, animation, and background music composed by Bill Brown, who also composed the default startup and shutdown sounds for Windows XP.[1] This variant is available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.
- A basic HTML tour intended for slower computers.
The tour is split up into four or five sections, depending on the edition of Windows:
- Best for Business (Professional only) – Goes through the business-focused features of Windows XP Professional, including Remote Desktop, network bridging, and the Encrypted File System.
- Safe and Easy Personal Computing – Goes through the end-user features, such as the new visual style, the Help and Support center, and the performance and security benefits over Windows 9x.
- Unlock the World of Digital Media – Goes through the multimedia features, such as Windows Media Player 8, enhanced digital camera support, DirectX, and DVD playback.
- The Connected Home and Office – Goes through the enhanced networking and user features, such as user switching, printer and internet connection sharing, Windows Firewall, and the wizards.
- Windows XP Basics or Start Here – Goes through the basics of using Windows XP, such as using the desktop, the taskbar, and the start menu.
History[edit | edit source]
Adobe Flash-based tour[edit | edit source]
The first available build to contain a prototype for an Adobe Flash-based demo is build 2419, where it includes looping images of flowers and astronauts set to Bathers At Asnierès. The proper tour would be introduced with build 2465, although in an incomplete state with placeholder images and lower quality narration and music. The completed tour would be introduced with build 2481.
HTML-based tour[edit | edit source]
The HTML-based tour was first introduced with build 2474.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Prototype Flash demo in build 2419
Format selection
Animated tour (Flash)[edit | edit source]
Intro
Main menu
Best for Business
Safe and Easy Personal Computing
Unlock the World of Digital Media
The Connected Home and Office
Windows XP Basics
Non-animated tour (HTML)[edit | edit source]
Main menu
Start Here
Safe and Easy Personal Computing
Unlock the World of Digital Media
The Connected Home and Office
Best for Business
