If you're wondering what are the minimum requirements for different operating systems out there, this article will help you out. Inside, we a look at the minimum system requirements for Windows 98, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home or Professional. Remember that meeting the minimum requirements for an operating system, is always important. Running through this list will help you avoid headaches when shifting to a new platform.

Windows 98

Windows 98 is increasing getting outdated but it was once very popular. I'd avoid using it if I had a choice these days. Here are the minimum specs required.

Some folks may argue you need less memory, but to me this is the minimum.
 

Windows 2000 Professional

Windows 2000 Professional is still widely used in offices and its performance is pretty stable. Here are its minimum requirements:

Windows XP Home or Professional

Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional are among the most popular operating systems available today. Read on to find out more about what this operating system requires:

Linux

Linux is an extremely popular and free operating system. It is used very often for web servers spitting loads of web pages. Here are its requirements:

• 32-bit x86 processor (386, 486, Pentium, Pentium MMX, Pentium Pro and Pentium II)
• 16 MB or more of RAM
• 40 MB hard disk space
• VGA compatible video card
• CD-ROM drive
• Keyboard and mouse
   

Conclusion

I do hope this article has helped you understand what are the system requirements for some of the most common operating systems out there. This will help you make better purchase decisions when buy computer hardware and software.

If you're worried that your computer will get filled with virus or malware, the best thing to do is to create a mirror image of your computer after its initial use or directly after a reinstallation. That way, you'll always have a clean copy of Windows with your frequently used programs, set up just the way you want. Among the best mirroring packages is the $50 Acronis True Image, which is simple to use and can be customized to fit your requirements.