Windows XP

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Windows XP
Windows XP Logo.png
Codename
Preliminary name
Whistler
Kernel version NT 5.1
CPU architecture x86, x64
Release date 2001-08-24
Support end 2014-04-08
Preceded by Windows 2000
Windows Neptune
Succeeded by Windows Vista

Windows XP (codenamed Whistler) is an operating system developed by Microsoft, and the successor to Windows ME and Windows 2000. It was released to manufacturing on August 24, 2001, while its server countarpart, Windows Server 2003, was released almost two years later. The name, XP, stands for eXPerience.

Windows XP bridged the gap between the Windows 9x and Windows NT series of operating systems; ending the former, while bringing the stability and security of the latter to consumers.

A 64-bit version of the operating system, based on the Windows Server 2003 kernel, was made available on April 25, 2005.

Windows XP support ended on April 8, 2014, while its server counterpart ended a year later. However, antimalware signatures were still being produced for Windows XP for a year after the End-Of-Life (EOL).

Changes

Note that this changelog includes only beta versions of Windows XP for now. It does not describe changes happening after RTM (eg - SP1 betas).

Build 2211 (Early stages)

  1. Gains few features and appearances of Windows XP.
  2. Has no watermark, unlike the SD (Source Depot) Windows 2000 Post-RTM build.

Build 2223

  1. Refers to Windows Whistler Professional in the watermark on the desktop.
  2. Adds Neptune-style Welcome screen.

Build 2250

  1. First known Whistler build to include the new Watercolour (then known as Professional) theme.
  2. Start menu was redesigned in this build, and now forms the Start menu of Windows XP and later Windows versions. However, this feature is disabled by default.
  3. Internet Explorer identifies itself as version 5.6.

Build 2257

  1. Improves on the then-new Professional theme, renames it to Watercolour.
  2. Replaces many 'Windows 2000' references with 'Whistler', with some exceptions.
  3. Has the new Start menu enabled by default, not disabled as it was in Build 2250. The Start menu was also redesigned.
  4. Minor change on boot screen, mainly focusing on reference changes.

Build 2267

  1. Introduces a new bootscreen.
  2. The look of the Start menu is updated.

Build 2296 (Beta 1)

Appears to be identical to the previous builds.

Build 2410 (Pre-Beta 2)

  1. Gains a number of new features.
  2. Has a number of higher resolution icons.
  3. IE is now 6.0 beta instead of 5.6.

Build 2419

  1. Windows Setup redesigned.
  2. Windows Tour prototype present.

Build 2428

  1. First leaked build with the Luna theme, which went on to be the major theme for Windows XP.
  2. Animations are present in the taskbar and the Start menu.

Build 2446

  1. Windows flag was replaced in setup.
  2. Windows Media Player was updated.

Build 2462 (Beta 2)

  1. Main Beta 2 build of Windows Whistler.

Build 2465

  1. First build to start calling itself Windows XP in most places.
  2. The 'shine' was removed from the Start Menu.
  3. Luna theme was updated.

Build 2475 (Pre-RC1)

  1. Most Whistler references were replaced.
  2. Includes an animated windows flag at the login screen.

Build 2481

  1. Official Pre-RC1.
  2. All the remaining Whistler references were replaced.
  3. New Homestead and Metallic (Olive green and Silver) Luna theme colours.
  4. Animating Windows flag was removed.
  5. New XP sounds were added.

Build 2486

  1. Mostly bug fixes, otherwise almost identical to RTM.

Editions

  • Starter: This version was intended for emerging markets. Cannot launch more than 3 programs at a time and can utilize only up to a maximum of 512MB RAM. This version is meant for low-cost PC's.
  • Home Edition: This edition is for low to mid end PCs and can address up to 4 GB RAM. This version was included in ULPC(Ultra Low PC's)
  • Professional: This is the mainstream high end version.
  • Media Center Edition: This version is specially for Media Center based PC. System requirements are significantly higher than other editions. This version includes Media Center and new themes.
  • Embedded: This version is intended for the embedded sector.
  • Tablet PC Edition: This version was included in tablets from 2002-2006. This is the tablet-optimized version of Windows XP.
  • 64-bit Edition: This version was intended for 64-bit PC's and thus could address far more RAM amounts. One such edition was for Itanium as well.

Improvements

  • Visual Styles: A theming engine was designed by Microsoft which included the new Luna interface. The previous placeholder theme, Watercolor, was replaced in later versions of the operating system.

Builds

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

Pre-Beta

Technical Beta

Beta 1

Pre-Beta 2

Beta 2

Pre-RC1

RC1

Pre-RC2

RC2

Pre-RTM

RTM

Service Pack 1 Beta

  • Windows XP Build 2600.1024.xpsp1.020419-1808
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1029.xpsp1.020426-1800
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1037.xpsp1.020508-1936
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1038.xpsp1.020509-1840
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1039.xpsp1.020511-1800
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1040.xpsp1.020513-1816
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1041.xpsp1.020514-1800
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1043.xpsp1.020516-1800
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1044.xpsp1.020517-2330
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1045.xpsp1.020520-1900
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1046.xpsp1.020521-2015
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1047.xpsp1.020522-2100
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1048.xpsp1.020523-1700
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1050.xpsp1.020529-1810
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1060.xpsp1.020618-1800
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1065.xpsp1.020625-1800
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1079.xpsp1.020717-1800
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1081.xpsp1.020719-1845
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1089.xpsp1.020801-1815
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1097.xpsp1.020813-2140
  • Windows XP Build 2600.1102.xpsp1.020819-1930

Service Pack 1

Service Pack 2 Beta

Service Pack 2

Service Pack 3 Beta

Service Pack 3

Post-Service Pack 3