Windows Neptune: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Windows
{{Infobox Windows
|caption = Windows ''Neptune''
|image = Windows Neptune Logo.png
|image = 5111about.png
|imagecaption = Microsoft Windows ''Neptune''
|imagecaption = Desktop
|codename = ''Neptune'', <br/> ''NepTune''
|preliminary = Neptune, NepTune
|kernel = NT 5.50
|kernel = NT 5.5
|arch = x86
|arch = x86
|build = [[/5.5.5111.1|5.5.5111.1]]
|release = Canceled; never released
|previous = [[Windows 98]], [[Windows 2000]], [[Windows ME]]
|support = Canceled; never supported
|next = [[Windows Odyssey]]<br>[[Windows Triton]]
|previous = [[Windows 2000]] / [[Windows ME]]
|next = [[Windows XP]]
}}
}}
'''''Neptune''''' (internally at Microsoft also known as ''NepTune'') was planned to become the successor of the [[Windows 2000|Windows 2000 family]] as well as the first consumer version of [[Windows]] under the [[Windows#NT line OS|NT kernel]]. It was under development in 1999, until it was canceled, along with [[Windows Odyssey|Odyssey]] to give way for [[Windows XP|Whistler]], which would be released as [[Windows XP]] in 2001. XP included a new login screen, help center and user accounts panel originally envisioned for Neptune. However, Activity Centers were eventually dropped. As stated in confidential [[Microsoft]] documents, Neptune was to be released in Q1 2000, planned to have 64-bit edition (referred to as "NT64") for the upcoming Intel Itanium processor, "Solar Coaster" (Unix Services for NT), [[Internet Explorer 6]] (which was also in development at the time) and some Anti-Piracy features. There is evidence that five service packs were planned for Neptune.
'''Microsoft Windows "Neptune"''' (internally at Microsoft also known as ''NepTune'') was planned to become the successor of the [[Windows 2000|Windows 2000 family]] as well as the first consumer version of [[Windows]] under the [[Windows#NT line OS|NT kernel]]. It was under development in 1999, until it was canceled, along with [[Windows Odyssey|Odyssey]] to give way for [[Windows XP|Whistler]], which would be released as [[Windows XP]] in 2001. XP included a new login screen, help center and user accounts panel originally envisioned for Neptune. However, [[Activity Centers]] were eventually dropped. As stated in confidential [[Microsoft]] documents, Neptune was to be released in Q1 2000, planned to have 64-bit edition (referred to as "NT64") for the upcoming Intel Itanium processor, "Solar Coaster" (Unix Services for NT), [[Internet Explorer 6]] (which was also in development at the time) and some Anti-Piracy features. There is evidence that five service packs were planned for Neptune.


A successor called [[Windows Triton]] was mistaken as a service pack, but as shown in Antitrust documents, it was actually a successor to Neptune which would bring minor updates and enhancements.
A successor called [[Windows Triton|"Triton"]] was mistaken as a service pack, but as shown in Antitrust documents, it was actually a successor to Neptune which would bring minor updates and enhancements.


== Original roadmap ==
== Original roadmap ==
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There are also several strings in file ''USETUP.EXE'' from Neptune build 5111.1 that clearly mention "Neptune Server". These references could be leftovers from Windows 2000, if all "2000" strings were simply replaced with "Neptune" during the rebranding process.
There are also several strings in file ''USETUP.EXE'' from Neptune build 5111.1 that clearly mention "Neptune Server". These references could be leftovers from Windows 2000, if all "2000" strings were simply replaced with "Neptune" during the rebranding process.


== Timeline ==
<!-- == Timeline ==
''NOTE: some of the information provided in this timeline is based only on rumours or unconfirmed build numbers. Therefore, this timeline can not be taken as a reliable source of information.''
''NOTE: some of the information provided in this timeline is based only on build numbers that were mentioned from beta builds of Windows ME. Therefore, this timeline can not be taken as a reliable source of information.''


* '''Early July 1999''': Neptune build 5.50.5022.1 is compiled
* '''Early July 1999''': Neptune build 5.50.5022.1 is compiled
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* '''December 27, 1999''': Neptune build 5.50.5111.1 is sent to selected testers
* '''December 27, 1999''': Neptune build 5.50.5111.1 is sent to selected testers
* '''January 21, 2000:''' Paul Thurrott reveals that both Neptune and Odyssey are cancelled and will be replaced by Whistler.
* '''January 21, 2000:''' Paul Thurrott reveals that both Neptune and Odyssey are cancelled and will be replaced by Whistler.
* '''March 20, 2000:''' Windows [[Windows XP/5.0.2211.main.000309-1512|Whistler build 2211.main.000309-1512]] leaks, though it looks a lot like Neptune it's an entirely new project
-->


== Builds ==
== Builds ==
''NOTE: Only Build 5.5.5111.1 was ever leaked, the rest of the builds were mentioned in file versions in various Windows Me builds and Builds 5.5.5118.1, 5.5.5119.1, and 5.5.5120.1 were mentioned in early Windows XP builds.''
{{Builds Legend}}
{{Builds Legend}}
* '''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5022.1|5.5.5022.1]]'''
* '''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5048.1|5.5.5048.1]]'''
* '''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5067.1|5.5.5067.1]]'''
* '''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5067.1|5.5.5067.1]]'''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5082.1|5.5.5082.1]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5086.1|5.5.5086.1]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5094.1|5.5.5094.1]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5095.1|5.5.5095.1]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5096.1|5.5.5096.1]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5099.1|5.5.5099.1]]''
* '''''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5111.1|5.5.5111.1]]''''' - Neptune Developer Release and M2 build
* '''''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5111.1|5.5.5111.1]]''''' - Neptune Developer Release and M2 build
* '''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5111.6|5.5.5111.6]]'''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5116.1|5.5.5116.1]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5117.1|5.5.5117.1]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5117.1|5.5.5117.1]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5118|5.5.5118]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5118|5.5.5118]]''
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* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5120|5.5.5120]]''
* ''[[Windows Neptune/5.5.5120|5.5.5120]]''


[[Category:Operating Systems]]
== See also ==
[[Category:Cancelled Projects]]
 
===BetaArchive forums===
* [[forum:2734|neptune and 2k]]
* [[forum:16196|About ME, Neptune Betas]]
* [[forum:16829|Neptune, Odyssey, and... Asteroid???]]
* [[forum:35260|Windows Neptune Build Leaks]]
 
== External links ==
* [https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-78/wininfo-short-takes-week-december-13 WinInfo Short Takes: Week of December 13], "SOMEONE SENT AROUND a rumor that Microsoft had sent out non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for Neptune, the Windows 2000-based Consumer Windows that will follow Millennium. Based on what I've been able to verify personally, this is not true."
* [https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-78/wininfo-short-takes-week-january-24-0 WinInfo Short Takes: Week of January 24], "MICROSOFT HAS CANCELLED the previously separate "Neptune" and "Odyssey" projects, melding the two into a cohesive strategy for the future of Windows 2000."
* [https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-78/depth-analysis-future-windows-still-flux In-depth analysis: Future of Windows still in flux], "I received a lot of feedback from my mention in 'Short Takes' about the cancellation of Neptune and Odyssey in lieu of a combined project dubbed "Whistler.""
* [https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-78/wininfo-short-takes-week-january-31 WinInfo Short Takes: Week of January 31], "THE INTERNET EXPLORER-related "Mars" project has been postponed by Microsoft Corporation for reasons unknown, but insiders suggest that this is related to the recent merging of "Neptune" and "Odyssey" into "Whistler," the next version of Windows 2000."
* [https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-server/supersite-flashback-neptune SuperSite Flashback: Neptune]
* [https://benslivka.com/2020/11/20/before-slack-and-teams-the-windows-service-1998/ Before Slack and Teams: The Windows Service (1998)], ''"In 1998, I was working on the “RedShark” project to create a new user interface, along with Joe Belfiore, Steve Capps, and a team of ~15 other Microsoft employees. We imagined this could become a “software as a service” called “Neptune” that would supersede Windows. [Obviously, that did not happen…]"'' - Contains a presentation on "The Windows Service" with a Startpage. (Referenced on {{cite web | author = Brad Silverberg 🇺🇦 (@bradsilverberg) | title = Ben Slivka @BenSlivka posted his Neptune presentation from August 1998.  It’s brilliant but just too far ahead of its time for Microsoft then. Ben has a series of brilliant memos from the mid 90’s. | url = https://twitter.com/bradsilverberg/status/1376265401668042753 | publisher = Twitter | date = 29 March 2021 | accessdate = 17 April 2022}}</ref>
 
[[Category:Canceled Projects]]
[[Category:Microsoft Windows]]

Revision as of 08:37, 21 April 2022

Windows Neptune
Windows Neptune Logo.png
Microsoft Windows Neptune
Codename
Preliminary name
Neptune,
NepTune
Kernel version NT 5.50
CPU architecture x86
Release date Canceled; never released
Support end Canceled; never supported
Preceded by Windows 2000 / Windows ME
Succeeded by Windows XP

Microsoft Windows "Neptune" (internally at Microsoft also known as NepTune) was planned to become the successor of the Windows 2000 family as well as the first consumer version of Windows under the NT kernel. It was under development in 1999, until it was canceled, along with Odyssey to give way for Whistler, which would be released as Windows XP in 2001. XP included a new login screen, help center and user accounts panel originally envisioned for Neptune. However, Activity Centers were eventually dropped. As stated in confidential Microsoft documents, Neptune was to be released in Q1 2000, planned to have 64-bit edition (referred to as "NT64") for the upcoming Intel Itanium processor, "Solar Coaster" (Unix Services for NT), Internet Explorer 6 (which was also in development at the time) and some Anti-Piracy features. There is evidence that five service packs were planned for Neptune.

A successor called "Triton" was mistaken as a service pack, but as shown in Antitrust documents, it was actually a successor to Neptune which would bring minor updates and enhancements.

Original roadmap

The following planned release dates come from PX07297.

  • RTM: March 2000
  • SP1: May 2000
  • SP2: September 2000
  • SP3: January 2001
  • SP4: July 2001
  • SP5: March 2002

Other Neptune SKUs

Microsoft Anti-trust documents from Neptune era indicate that Neptune was to have not only one, but several editions, namely "Entry-Level", "Standard" and "High-End", which could translate into these modern SKUs: "Starter", "Home" and "Professional / Server". It is unknown what these editions would actually become, if Neptune was ever released.

There are also several strings in file USETUP.EXE from Neptune build 5111.1 that clearly mention "Neptune Server". These references could be leftovers from Windows 2000, if all "2000" strings were simply replaced with "Neptune" during the rebranding process.


Builds

NOTE: Only Build 5.5.5111.1 was ever leaked, the rest of the builds were mentioned in file versions in various Windows Me builds and Builds 5.5.5118.1, 5.5.5119.1, and 5.5.5120.1 were mentioned in early Windows XP builds.

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

See also

BetaArchive forums

External links