Better calculations

Improving the calculator in Windows XP is as simple as clicking on View and choosing the Scientific Calculator instead of the default simple one. That may be all you need.

However, there is a 5000 digit one available if you need greater accuracy. Just flip over to http://www.home52365.fsnet.co.uk/bcalc.htm and download it.

Microsoft's PowerToy Calculator is a very different one, enabling you to type in expressions like "56^2" or "56+24*3^3" and get the answer displayed in the display area which is a sort of simulated paper tape. That's available from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp.

There are also a number of specialist calculators that can be had. Just type "free Windows calculator" into a search engine and you are sure to find a number to choose from.