Windows ME User Interface
Windows Millennium Edition, shortened to Windows Me (codenamed Millennium), is an operating system developed by Microsoft, which was released in 2000-09-14[1]. It was based on the Windows 9x/DOS architecture and was often called the "home edition" of Windows 2000. It is the third and final major release in the Windows 9x operating system line and succeeds both releases of Windows 98, and was itself replaced by its NT-based successor, Windows XP. This is the last version of Windows to be built on top of MS-DOS.
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.[2]
Although generally perceived to be a failure, Windows ME introduced several features which would later be deemed beneficial,[3] including Automatic Updates,[4] System Restore,[5] Windows Image Acquisition,[6] and Windows Movie Maker. It is also the first consumer oriented version of Windows to natively offer support for USB mass storage devices.
It was criticized for being unstable and the fact that Windows 2000, which came earlier that year, was considered much superior. One of the many factors causing instability was the 9x kernel, and the way it works: apps run all in the same memory layer, so if one crashes, the others crash too. Therefore, it is one of the most hated Windows versions, resulting in nicknames like "Mistake edition".
Development
Windows Me was an interim release, which sprang into being during the development of NT 5.0. It was created as a stopgap release, to keep consumers happy while a consumer NT release was finalized. It was developed by a small team and rushed to market, in order to coincide more or less with the release of Windows 2000. It was essentially designed to look and feel very similar to Windows 2000, while also using the old 9x kernel. The result was a buggy and unstable system, let down by the 9x kernel, which was increasingly showing its age.
Features
- System Restore - The System Restore allows you Undo the Settings and Programs, The Documents and email will not affected.
- This Feature includes for Windows XP.
Builds
Developer Release
4.90.2363 4.90.2374 Beta 1
Beta 2
4.90.2460 4.90.2481 Beta 3
4.90.2499.3 4.90.2499.7 4.90.2519 RC0
RC2
RTM
References
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20001017115151/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2000/sept00/09-14winme.asp
- ↑ Thurrott, Paul. (2013-04-06). "SuperSite Flashback: Neptune"
- ↑ 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)"
