Windows Longhorn/6.0.3683.Lab06 N.020923-1821

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3683.Lab0_N.020923-1821
Longhorn 3683 Desktop.png
Desktop
Status Leaked
Kernel version 6.0
CPU architecture x86
Edition Media Center Edition
Professional
Compile date 23 September 2002
BIOS date 23 September 2002
Timebomb 360 days
Product key CKY24-Q8QRH-X3KMR-C6BCY-T847Y
BA Database Available
BetaWiki Available
TCB Available


Windows "Longhorn" build 3683 (with a build tag of 3683.Lab06_N.020923-1821) is a build of the Microsoft Windows "Longhorn" operating system. Compiled on 23 September 2002, build 3683 became one of the first "Longhorn" builds to leak, on 19 November 2002,[1][2][3][4][5] after some screenshots were published on October 20, 2002.[6][7]

Features

This build contained:

  • date and time on the Welcome screen[8][9]
  • Plex theme,[3][8][9] which Microsoft regarded as a placeholder until they were ready to demonstrate Aero[10]
  • Sidebar, where it was possible to integrate XML-based[3] components called "Tiles", including a clock, a photo slideshow, a multiple desktop manager, a list of most frequently used programs, the Quick Launch toolbar, an Internet search bar, and a user tile, to quickly switch between users.[8] A custom user tile showing the Longhorn version and build number is also available at Longhorn.MS.[11] The sidebar could also be combined with the taskbar.[8] A user could drag open program windows in the desktop thumbnail itself.[12]
  • WinFS, called "Windows Future Storage" in this build. The WinFS services run by default, which slowed down the system.[3] WinFS indexes the complete root drive of the computer.[13] Contrary to a review from the time the build leaked that no WinFS features are integrated in Windows Explorer,[8] WinFS allows Access/SQL style display filters to the columns in the Windows Explorer Details view,[12] search through a box at the Task pane of Explorer windows,[8] grouping folder contents with specific criteria using Pivots (e.g., Documents Grouped by Type),[2] which did not work possibly because properties are not assigned to files.[12] A non-functional[8] "My Contacts" special folder powered by WinFS is included. Virtual folders still lack in functionality.[13]
  • StartUp Applications Monitor under Performance settings in System Properties[13]
  • My Hardware, a Windows Explorer-based Device Manager[8]
  • an XML[12] Display Properties control panel, written with "Avalon" APIs.[3] Most of it was not functional[12] except for Display Connection Settings, which provides information about the display adapter and monitor,[8] and for setting a gradient or collage desktop background[9]
  • new version 6.05 of Internet Explorer, with the new "Media" bar[2]
  • a beta version of DirectX 9[2]
  • Castles, which became HomeGroup in Windows 7[9]
  • Desktop Composition Engine,[13][14] which can be started by adding the registry key below and restarting the computer:[15]
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DesktopComposition]
"StartupOptions"=dword:00000002

Several new features appeared in Windows Explorer:

  • a new big horizontal panel under Windows Explorer toolbars, which can be disabled from "Folder Options", with custom appearance for special folders "My Documents", "My Pictures", "My Music", with animated effects on thumbnails in the case of multiple selections[8][12][9][16]
  • disk size indicator in My Computer[9][8]
  • an enhanced address bar (see Gallery)
  • previews of the folder contents inside their icons in the "Tiles" view mode (see Gallery)
  • new buttons in toolbar: Zoom[13] to changes the icon size[12], Details pane to enable the Avalon details pane, and Pivots to list various sorting modes for the current folder, supported and driven by WinFS[13][17]
  • the possibility to select files and folders through checkboxes[9] (see Gallery)
  • a new interface for "Open",[13] "Save As",[2] and "Confirm File Replace"[13] dialog windows
  • system dialogs are using an all new branding API exported by Kernel32.dll[13]
  • detailed introduction dialog for working with Briefcases[13]
  • Game Definition files, backed by managed code providing extra functionality such as the un/blocking and updating of games, and a games news reader.[13] Data is backed in a local SQL database, similar to WinFS in theory[18]
  • creating albums or playlists, which is not functional[13]
  • rating music files in a virtual folder[13]

Issues

Build 3683 is incompatible with a number of applications that require Windows XP or earlier. Many of these compatibility issues can be solved by running applications in Windows Compatibility Mode[19]

The user icon cannot be changed after enabling the user tile on the Sidebar.[19]

Virtual desktops accessible through the Sidebar tile causes a massive memory leak in Windows Explorer, using over 100 MB of memory.[19]

Paint and the Control Panel crash on exit.[19]

Internet Explorer crashes when a user tries to download anything,[12] since some bitmaps are missing in this build, such as the download animation in Internet Explorer.[19]

Changing themes changes the "start" button text to "st". Restarting solves this issue.[19]

Non-fatal errors may come up during installation.[19]

Gallery

More screenshots are available here.

References

  1. thunderriver (19 November 2002). World's Exclusive!!! Longhorn Alpha 3683 has being leaked!!!. xBetas. Archived from the original on 17 December 2002. Retrieved on 25 March 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Parker, Steven (19 November 2002). Longhorn no longer a Tall story. Neowin. Archived from the original on 14 December 2002. Retrieved on 25 March 2022.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 eweekdev (19 November 2002). Windows Longhorn Alpha Leaks to the Web. eWeek. Retrieved on 25 March 2022.
  4. Farrell, Nick (20 November 2002). Microsoft plays down Longhorn leak. vnunet.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2002. Retrieved on 25 March 2022.
  5. Longhorn Leak. xBetas (19 November 2002). Archived from the original on 17 December 2002. Retrieved on 25 March 2022.
  6. bLaCKcOmB (20 October 2002). Exclusive New Longhorn Screenshot!. xBetas. Archived from the original on 12 January 2003. Retrieved on 25 March 2022.
  7. A Note on Longhorn Shot Leaks. ZolkNetwork.com (21 October 2002). Archived from the original on 9 February 2005. Retrieved on 25 March 2022.
  8. 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 Thurrott, Paul (13 November 2002). "Longhorn" Alpha Preview. Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Archived from the original on 16 November 2002. Retrieved on 24 March 2002.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Happy Bulldozer (21 December 2009). Microsoft Windows Longhorn. Сборка 6.0.3683. winreview.ru. Archived from the original on 22 December 2010. Retrieved on 24 March 2022.
  10. Thurrott, Paul (2 March 2003). Leaked Longhorn Build Shows Little Progress. ITPro Today. Retrieved on 17 April 2022.
  11. Creating a sidebar tile in build 3683. Longhorn.MS. Retrieved on 31 March 2022.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 Walker, Colin (24 November 2002). Longhorn pre-alpha M3 - a user perspective..... - Page 1. Tech-Critic. Archived from the original on 13 September 2004. Retrieved on 24 March 2022.
  13. 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 3683 Tips & tricks. Longhorn.MS. Retrieved on 28 March 2022.
  14. jagotu (21 December 2014). 3683's DCE. BetaArchive. Retrieved on 27 March 2022.
  15. Desktop Compositing. Longhorn.MS. Retrieved on 26 March 2022.
  16. Winaero (22 December 2009). 3683_rotate.mp4. YouTube. Retrieved on 29 March 2022.
  17. Winaero (22 December 2009). 3683_2.mp4. YouTube. Retrieved on 29 March 2022.
  18. Albacore (@thebookisclosed) (30 October 2020). What's interesting is that the choice of data backing is a local SQL database, similar to WinFS in theory. Twitter. Retrieved on 28 March 2022.
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 nighthawk and Chris123NT (27 January 2003). The Ultimate Longhorn Guide [Rev 2]. www.chris123nt.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2004. Retrieved on 28 March 2022.

External links