If you're reading this page you must be a Windows  user. If not, you might want to skip a couple of pages ahead. Or, if you just want to sit in the back and not ask questions, we're okay with that too.

To create HTML files in XP we're going to use Notepad it ships with every copy of Windows, the price is right, and it's easy to use. If you've got your own favorite editor that runs on XP, that's fine too; just make sure you can create a plain text file with an ".html" extension.

Assuming you're using Notepad, here's how you're going to create your first HTML file.

If you're using another version of Windows you'll find Notepad there as well.

step one:

Open the Start menu and navigate to Notepad

You'll find the Notepad application in Accessories. The easiest way to get there is to click on the "Start" menu, then on "All Programs", then "Accessories". You'll see Notepad listed there.

Step two:

Open Notepad

Once you've located Notepad in the Accessories folder, go ahead and click on it. You'll see a blank window ready for you to start typing HTML.

Step three: Optional but recommended

Don't hide extensions of well known file types.

By default XP's File Explorer hides the file extensions of well known file types. For example, a file named, "Irule.html" will be shown in the Explorer as "Irule" without its ".html" extension.

It's much less confusing if XP shows you these extensions, so let's change your folder options so you can see the file extensions.

First, in any Explorer window select "Folder Options..." from the Tools menu.

Next, in the "View" tab, under "Advanced settings", scroll down until you see "Hide extensions for known file types" and uncheck this option.

That's it. Click on the OK button to save the preference and you'll now see the file extensions in the Explorer.