Windows ME
Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition | |
Codename Preliminary name |
Millennium |
---|---|
Kernel version | 16/32 bit hybrid, ver. 4.90 |
CPU architecture | x86 |
Release date | September 14, 2000 |
Support end | Expired 11 July 2006 |
Preceded by | Windows 98 |
Succeeded by | Windows XP |
Windows Millennium Edition (referred to as Windows ME) was the last 16/32 bit hybrid version of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Windows ME was released to manufacturing on June 19, 2000 and to retail on September 14, 2000.[1] It was criticized due to its instability, and was sold on the market for a total of 402 days, before being superseded by Windows XP on October 25, 2001. Some components of Windows 2000 such as the TCP/IP stack, were ported to Windows ME.
Prior to release, 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 Activity Centers, were included in Windows ME.
Although generally perceived to be a failure, Windows ME introduced several features which would later be deemed beneficial,[2] including Automatic Updates,[3] System Restore,[4] Windows Image Acquisition,[5] and Windows Movie Maker. It is also the first consumer version of Windows to offer native support for USB mass storage devices.
Builds
- No information available
- Existence doubtful
- Information or pictures available
- Leaked or released
Alpha
- Millennium Build 2332.2 - Developer Release 1
- Millennium Build 2348 - Developer Release 2
- Millennium Build 2350.3
- Millennium Build 2358 - Developer Release 3
- Millennium Build 2368
Beta 1
- Millennium Build 2380.2 - official beta 1
- Millennium Build 2394
- Millennium Build 2399
Beta 2
- Millennium Build 2400
- Millennium Build 2402
- Millennium Build 2403
- Millennium Build 2404
- Millennium Build 2419 - official beta 2
- Millennium Build 2428
- Millennium Build 2452 - official beta 2 Refresh
- Millennium Build 2460
- Millennium Build 2466
- Millennium Build 2470
- Millennium Build 2476
- Millennium Build 2481
Beta 3
- Millennium Build 2491
- Millennium Build 2495
- Millennium Build 2499.3
- Millennium Build 2499.7 - official beta 3
- Millennium Build 2500.1
- Millennium Build 2509
- Millennium Build 2513
- Millennium Build 2516
Release Candidate
- Millennium Build 2525.6 - Release Candidate 0
- Millennium Build 2535 - Release Candidate 2
Retail
References
- ↑ Microsoft. (June 19, 2000). "Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition Released to Manufacturing"
- ↑ Zheng, Long. (March 18, 2008). "Why Windows Me deserves more respect"
- ↑ Microsoft. "Description of Automatic Updates in Windows Millennium Edition (Me)"
- ↑ Microsoft. "Description of the System Restore Utility in Windows Millennium Edition"
- ↑ Microsoft Developer Network. "Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)"