• 500MHz (or faster) processor
• 128MB (or larger) system memory
• 10GB (or larger) hard drive space
• ACPI-compliant BIOS
• Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) or Windows 2000 certified/compliant devices such as: graphics and audio cards, modems, printers, scanners and other networking devices.
• 15-inch (or larger) SVGA monitor
• 56K (or faster) Internet connection

These are my recommended requirements. Of course, you can visit the Microsoft's official list of system requirements for the Windows XP Operating Systems page.

• Home Edition system requirements
• Professional Edition system requirements

Know if your hardware devices are certified compliant with Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems. You can also download drivers for your hardware devices.

• The Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs Web site

To know if your current applications are Windows XP compliant, please go to its official website for any documentation regarding Windows XP. Some software vendors may offer free upgrades or low cost upgrades. You may also use the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor Tool.

Not all previous versions of Windows are eligible for an upgrade to Windows XP. Here is the list of previous versions of Windows that is eligible for an upgrade to XP: 

1. XP Home Edition

   • Windows 98

   • Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)

   • Windows Millennium Edition (Me)

2. XP Professional Edition

   • Windows NT 4.0

   • Windows 2000

   • Windows XP Home Edition

If you have any older versions of Windows or your current Windows is not included, your system is not eligible for an upgrade.

This tool checks your PC's hardware and software for any XP-related issues and conflicts that may encounter during XP-installation.

• Advisor Tool for Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade
• Advisor Tool for Windows XP Professional Edition Upgrade