Windows XP Tablet PC Edition frequently asked questions

This article includes answers to frequently asked questions about Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

Note Unless specifically noted, all references to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition also apply to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005.

Overview

Q1: Where do I get support for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition?

A1: If the version of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition that you are currently running was included with your hardware device or system, the manufacturer provides technical support and help for this software. Your computer manufacturer may have customized the installation with unique components, such as specific device drivers and optional settings. These components are intended to maximize the performance of the hardware. If you want technical help with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, contact your computer manufacturer.

If you upgraded to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 by installing Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), visit the following Microsoft Web site for support information:

Q2: Where can I find more information about Windows XP Tablet PC Edition?

A2: For the most up-to-date information about Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For developer information, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Q3: What does Windows XP Tablet PC Edition include that Microsoft Windows XP Professional does not?

A3: Windows XP Tablet PC Edition includes everything that is available in Windows XP Professional, and the following additional features:

• Pen Input: Tablet PCs include digital pens that you use to control the computer and to write text in your own handwriting.
• Tablet PC Input Panel: Input Panel is an on-screen keyboard and writing pad. With Input Panel, you can type text without your standard keyboard.
• Microsoft Windows Journal: Windows Journal turns your Tablet PC into a writing pad.
• Microsoft Sticky Notes: You can use Sticky Notes to create and manage short handwritten or voice notes in the same manner that you would keep a stack of paper sticky notes.
• Handwriting Recognition and Conversion: You can write in your own handwriting, and then convert it to typed text.
• Speech Recognition: Tablet PCs have built-in speech-recognition capabilities.
• Document Annotation: You can annotate imported documents with a Tablet PC pen.
• Reading: Your Tablet PC uses Microsoft ClearType technology and a high-resolution display.
• Screen Rotation: You can quickly rotate your screen for landscape or portrait viewing.
• Gestures: You can use your Tablet PC pen to make "gestures." "Gestures" are movements with the pen that complete common tasks.

Q4: Will my Windows XP Professional-compatible programs run on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition?

A4: Yes. Because Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is a superset of Windows XP Professional, programs that are compatible with Windows XP Professional also run on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

Q5: What is Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005?

A5: Codenamed “Lonestar,” Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 is currently the latest operating system version that is designed for Tablet PC computers.

Installation, Setup, and Updates

Q1: Where can I purchase a copy of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition?

A1: Because Windows XP Tablet PC Edition has specific hardware requirements, it can only be obtained pre-installed on a Tablet PC computer. You cannot buy Windows XP Tablet PC Edition separately.

Q2: Can I upgrade my portable computer to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition?

A2: No. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is only available pre-installed on Tablet PC hardware. Because there are specific hardware requirements to run Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, upgrading non-Tablet hardware is not supported.

Q3: Can I use Windows Update with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition?

A3: Yes. Because Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is a superset of Windows XP Professional, updates are released and available on the Microsoft Windows Update Web site. This includes both Windows XP and Tablet PC Edition-specific updates.

If you notice problems after you install a Windows Update package, you can always remove a specific download. You can also use Device Driver Roll Back to remove a specific driver, or use System Restore to return all system and program settings back to their previous state.

Always install Critical Updates because they help protect your computer from known security vulnerabilities.

To remove update packages:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.
2. Click Change or Remove Programs.
3. Click the Update that you want to remove, and then click Change/Remove.

To roll back drivers:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Switch to Category View. Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
2. Double-click the device for which you want to restore the driver.
3. Click the Driver tab, and then click Roll Back Driver.

To use System Restore, click Start, click Help and Support, and then click Undo changes to your computer with System Restore.

For more information, click Start, click Help and Support, type roll back driver or system restore, and then press ENTER.

Q4: How can I get Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005?

A4: If you currently have a Tablet PC running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, you can obtain the updated version by installing Windows XP SP2. If you are not currently running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, you can obtain the 2005 Edition by purchasing a Tablet PC with the new version pre-installed. Also, you can obtain the 2005 Edition by using the applicable subscription media if you are an MSDN customer or a Volume License customer.

Note Apply future Windows XP service packs to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition upon release. To keep your Tablet PC up-to-date with the latest services packs and updates, make sure that you regularly visit the Microsoft Windows Update Web site. Configuring Automatic Update to look for Critical Updates regularly is the recommended method to make sure that your Tablet PC is updated with critical update releases. For additional information about Automatic Update, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q5: What’s new in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005?

A5: There are many new features and improvements with the latest Tablet PC release. For example, Tablet PC Input Panel and the Handwriting Recognition engines have been improved. For more information about what’s new, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Q6: When I start my Tablet PC with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, the start screen displays Windows XP instead of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Why does this behavior occur?

A6: This is by design. The start screen was changed across all versions of Windows XP, starting with the SP2 release.

Q7: Where can I find more information about deploying Tablet PCs in my enterprise?

A7: For a detailed document about deploying Tablet PCs by using unattended installations, Remote Installation Services (RIS), and the System Preparation Tool (Sysprep), visit the following Microsoft Web site: For information about how to deploy a single Windows XP image for desktops, portable computers, and Tablet PCs, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The information in this article supplements the processes outlined in the deployment document.

Security and Administration

Q1: When I tap CTRL+ALT+DEL on the logon screen keyboard, I receive an error message. How do I log on?

A1: One of the requirements of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is that a hardware button on your Tablet PC computer be mapped to the keystroke sequence CTRL+ALT+DEL. To create a CTRL+ALT+DEL keystroke sequence at the logon screen, you have to either press the keyboard shortcut on a hardware keyboard, or press the Tablet PC hardware button that is assigned to this function.

For more information about what button is mapped to this sequence, view your hardware documentation or contact your Tablet PC Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for help.

Q2: Why do some keys on the Tablet PC Login keyboard change color when they are tapped and other keys do not?

A2: The Login keyboard behaves differently based on the keys you tap for security reasons. Any key that qualifies as a valid password character does not change color when you tap it. This security measure prevents someone who is looking at your screen from seeing the keys you tap to enter your password.

Sticky Notes

Q1: How can I share my notes with other Tablet PC users?

A1: With Sticky Notes, you have several options for sharing your note content. You can share them by dragging a single note, copying and pasting a single note, or exporting the whole stack of notes.

You can drag a sticky note on to other programs or to the desktop. The note appears as either an icon or an image, depending on the target location. If the note is an icon, you can double-tap the icon to open the image. To drag a sticky note:

1. Tap the Drag and Drop icon.
2. Drag the note to the desktop, folder, or destination program.

When you copy a sticky note to another program, it appears as an icon or an image. If the note is an icon, you can double-tap the icon to open the image. To copy a sticky note to another program:

1. Near the upper-right corner, tap the Copy icon.
2. Tap in the destination program.
3. Use the command in that program to paste the sticky note.

When you export your stack of notes, they are saved into a single file in the specified location. You can then share this file with others. To export your stack of notes:

1. Tap Tools, and then tap Export.
2. Select a location and file name for your exported notes.
3. Tap Save.

Q2: Is it possible to move my stack of Sticky Notes from one Tablet PC to another?

A2: Yes. The easiest method for moving your notes is to use the Export/Import functionality that Sticky Notes provides. To export your current stack of notes out to a file that will be accessible on another Tablet PC (floppy disk, network share):

1. Tap Tools, and then tap Export.
2. Select a location and file name for your exported notes.
3. Tap Save. On another Tablet PC, open Sticky Notes, and then import the stack:
   1. Tap Tools, and then tap Import.
   2. Tap the location where you saved your exported stack of notes.
   3. Tap Merge if you have existing sticky notes that you do not want to erase, or tap Replace if you want the saved notes to overwrite the existing stack.
   4. Tap Open.

Notes

• When you drag a sticky note, copy and paste a sticky note, or export your stack of sticky notes, the notes remain in your current stack.
• If the destination program does not support dropping sticky notes, a "no-drop" icon appears. The icon looks similar to the capital letter "O" with a diagonal line running through it.
• You cannot drag a voice note. You must copy and paste a voice note.
• If you decide to share your stack of notes with another Tablet PC user by exporting to a file, remember that this exports the whole stack of notes, and not just single notes. The recipient can view all notes in your exported stack.

Windows Journal

Q1: I am having trouble getting the scratch-out gesture to successfully erase the target ink. What can I do to get better results?

A1: When you try to erase ink in Journal by using the scratch-out gesture, you must consider the following when you issue the gesture:

• You must cross out at least 60 percent of the original ink for this gesture to work correctly.
• The scratch-out gesture must be drawn in a horizontally, instead of vertically or diagonally. See the Windows Journal Help file for an illustration.
• You can use the scratch-out gesture only when you are working in Pen mode with a Tablet PC pen. This gesture does not work when you are using a mouse.
• The scratch-out gesture does not erase typed text, text boxes, flags, or pictures.
• Verify that the scratch-out gesture is enabled in the Windows Journal settings:
  1. On the Tools menu, tap Options.
  2. On the Other tab, tap to select the Enable scratch-out gesture check box under Gestures. For more information, tap Help.
  3. Tap OK.

Q2: When I try to convert handwritten notes to typed text, the results are sometimes inaccurate. What can I do to get better results?

A2: Use the following tips to help you improve the handwriting recognition results in Windows Journal:

• Hold the Tablet PC pen just as you hold a pen or pencil when you write on paper. Hold the pen near the tip, and then rest the palm of your hand on the screen.
• Try to write by using cursive letters in a straight line. Avoid printing all uppercase letters.
• Try to write legibly and consistently at a constant speed with even spacing between letters and words.
• Write uppercase letters larger than lowercase letters.
• Try not to leave empty spaces in words.
• Try not to add more words, diagrams, or drawings in handwriting that you have already written. If you have to insert new handwriting, first use the Insert/Remove Space command on the Insert menu.
• Try recalibrating the screen to better match how you are holding the pen by using the Tablet and Pen Settings tool in Control Panel.
• Make sure that your Tablet PC pen is functioning correctly and drawing ink in Windows Journal.

Q3: How do I share my Windows Journal notes with people who do not have a Tablet PC?

A3: There are several options for sharing notes with users of non-Tablet PC computers. In Windows Journal, you can export your note to either a Web Archive file (.mht, .mhtml) or a Tagged Image File Format (.tif, .tiff).

A Web archive file contains both HTML and images, and you can view it in Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 and later versions. You can view a TIFF file in most graphics programs in most operating systems. TIFF files and are typically smaller than Web archive files because they are saved as black and white images of the note pages.

To export a note in Windows Journal:

1. On the File menu, tap Export As.
2. Select a location where you want to save the exported note.
3. Tap the Save as type list to select either Web Archive or Tagged Image File Format.
4. Tap Export to finish.

You can also share your original Journal note files with users of Microsoft Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2 and later versions) and Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition by having them install the Windows Journal Viewer. The Windows Journal Viewer is a program that non-Tablet PC users can install and use to view Windows Journal notes in their original file format. For more information about Windows Journal Viewer, visit the following Microsoft Web site: NOTE: When you export notes, the destination file cannot be re-opened in Windows Journal for editing. Only Windows Journal notes (.jnt) and Windows Journal templates (.jtp) can be edited in Windows Journal. However, you can import the exported Web Archive and TIFF files back to a Journal note, and then edit them like any other imported document image. For more information about document images, see Windows Journal Help.

Tablet PC Input Panel

Q1: When I change the input language or keyboard type in Control Panel, the Tablet PC Input Panel on-screen keyboard does not reflect the new settings when I use the original Windows XP Tablet PC Edition release. How do I change the Input Panel on-screen keyboard to display the corresponding key layout to match the changes I've made?

For example, the keyboard layout on the Input Panel does not reflect the actual character output when I do the following:

• Change the Text Services and Input Languages settings from English (United States) to English (United Kingdom). (This applies to any additional installed language and not just English.)
• Change the system Keyboard layout from US to United States - Dvorak.

A1: When Windows XP Tablet PC Edition was released, dynamic change to the Input Panel keyboard layout was not supported. This problem has been fixed in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. Installing Windows XP SP2 upgrades your system to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and resolves the dynamic keyboard issue.

Microsoft Office XP Pack for Tablet PC (Tablet Pack)

Q1: I have Microsoft Office XP installed, and I want to use the Microsoft Office XP Pack for Tablet PC (Tablet Pack). Where can I get it?

A1: If the Tablet Pack was not pre-installed on your Tablet PC with Office XP, you can obtain it. To do this, visit one of the following Microsoft Web sites: The Tablet Pack is also available through the MSDN Select Subscription License.

Q2: Where can I find a list of the known issues that relate to the Tablet Pack?

A2: When the Tablet Pack was released, there were known issues documented in the Release Notes and in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. For additional information about known Tablet Pack-issues, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q3: I have Microsoft Office System 2003 installed. Do I have to install the Tablet Pack?

A3: You do not have to install the Tablet Pack. Microsoft Office System 2003 includes native support for Tablet PCs. Therefore, you can link directly within Word Documents, PowerPoint Presentations, and Excel Spreadsheets. For more information about Office System 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site: