Windows ME: Difference between revisions

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[[image:WinmeBox.png|thumb|Windows ME retail packaging.]]
[[File:WinmeBox.png|thumb|Windows ME retail packaging.]]
'''Windows Millennium Edition''' (referred as '''Windows ME''', codenamed ''Millennium'') was the last 16/32 bit hybrid version of [[Microsoft]] [[Windows]]. Discovered by Paul Thurrott in September 1997, the codename ''Millennium'' initially referred to the next Windows version after [[Windows 2000]], then in development as Windows NT 5.0. Windows NT 6.0 Millennium was originally expected in 2000 and 2001. However, on 7 April 1999, Microsoft announced that Millennium would be the next release in the Windows 9x line, succeeding [[Windows 98]].<ref name = "win2000gold">{{cite web | url = http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/win2k_gold.asp | title = The Road to Gold: The development of Windows 2000 Reviewed | first = Paul | last = Thurrott | publisher = Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows | date = December 1999 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20000816180054/http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/win2k_gold.asp | archivedate = 16 August 2000 | accessdate = 31 October 2023}}</ref>
'''Windows Millennium Edition''' (referred as '''Windows ME''', codenamed ''Millennium'') was the last 16/32 bit hybrid version of [[Microsoft]] [[Windows]]. Discovered by Paul Thurrott in September 1997, the codename ''Millennium'' initially referred to the next Windows version after [[Windows 2000]], then in development as Windows NT 5.0. Windows NT 6.0 Millennium was originally expected in 2000 and 2001. However, on 7 April 1999, Microsoft announced that Millennium would be the next release in the Windows 9x line, succeeding [[Windows 98]].<ref name = "win2000gold">{{cite web | url = http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/win2k_gold.asp | title = The Road to Gold: The development of Windows 2000 Reviewed | first = Paul | last = Thurrott | publisher = Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows | date = December 1999 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20000816180054/http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/win2k_gold.asp | archivedate = 16 August 2000 | accessdate = 31 October 2023}}</ref>


Revision as of 14:58, 7 November 2023

Windows ME
Windows ME Logo.png
Microsoft Windows ME
Codename
Preliminary name		 Millennium
Kernel version 16/32 bit hybrid, ver. 4.90
CPU architecture x86
Release date 14/09/2000
Support end Expired 11/07/2006
Preceded by Windows 98
Succeeded by Neptune / Windows XP
Windows ME retail packaging.

Windows Millennium Edition (referred as Windows ME, codenamed Millennium) was the last 16/32 bit hybrid version of Microsoft Windows. Discovered by Paul Thurrott in September 1997, the codename Millennium initially referred to the next Windows version after Windows 2000, then in development as Windows NT 5.0. Windows NT 6.0 Millennium was originally expected in 2000 and 2001. However, on 7 April 1999, Microsoft announced that Millennium would be the next release in the Windows 9x line, succeeding Windows 98.[1]

ME was released as version 4.9, but Twitter user Albacore (@thebookisclosed) suggests that the kernel version might have been 5.0 initially, citing files from builds 2332 and 2348, with a version number of 5.0 and build numbers pre-2332.[2]

Windows ME was released to manufacturing on June 19, 2000 and to retail on September 14, 2000.[3] It was criticized due to its instability, and was sold on the market for a total of 402 days before being superseded by Windows XP on October 25, 2001.[4] Some components of Windows 2000, such as the TCP/IP stack, were ported to Windows ME.

Prior to the release of Windows ME, Microsoft had planned for Windows Neptune to bridge the gap between the 9x series and Windows NT. However, Microsoft changed its plans in early 1999 and decided to release another 16/32-bit hybrid operating system, postponing the release of Neptune. Later, the Neptune project was scrapped in favor of Windows XP (then codenamed Whistler). Notably, some of the features scheduled for Neptune, such as the Help and Support Activity Center, were included in Windows ME.[5]

Although generally perceived to be a failure, Windows ME introduced several features which would later be deemed beneficial,[4] including Automatic Updates,[6] System Restore,[7] Windows Image Acquisition,[8] and Windows Movie Maker. It is also the first consumer oriented version of Windows to natively offer support for USB mass storage devices.

Builds

  • No information available
  • Existence doubtful
  • Information or pictures available
  • Leaked or released

Developer Release

Beta 1

Beta 1 boot screen

Beta 2

Beta 3

Release Candidate

Release to Manufatcuring

Gallery

Screenshots of unidentified, unlabeled builds from Paul Thurrott.[9]

  • Windows ME 2358 (1).gif
  • Windows ME 2358 (2).gif
  • Windows ME 2358 (3).gif

References

  1. ↑ Thurrott, Paul (December 1999). The Road to Gold: The development of Windows 2000 Reviewed. Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved on 31 October 2023.
  2. ↑ Albacore (@thebookisclosed) (6 April 2021). It looks like Windows ME's kernel version might have been 5.0 initially. (instead of 4.9) Over the past few days I've been downloading Win9X builds, extracting them and harvesting file versions and I noticed that while there are no 4.9 builds preceding 2332, there are 5.0 ones.. Twitter. Retrieved on 17 April 2022.
  3. ↑ Microsoft. (June 19, 2000). "Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition Released to Manufacturing"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Zheng, Long. (March 18, 2008). "Why Windows Me deserves more respect"
  5. ↑ Thurrott, Paul. (April 6, 2013). "SuperSite Flashback: Neptune"
  6. ↑ Microsoft. "Description of Automatic Updates in Windows Millennium Edition (Me)"
  7. ↑ Microsoft. "Description of the System Restore Utility in Windows Millennium Edition"
  8. ↑ Microsoft Developer Network. "Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)"
  9. ↑ Thurrott, Paul (5 July 2000). The Road to Gold: The development of Windows Me. Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved on 8 April 2022.

See also

BetaArchive forums

External links

Microsoft

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows (on the WayBack Machine)

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