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Windows Versions Table |
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Date |
Version |
Code Name |
Comments |
|
8/00 |
5.00.2195 Windows2000 |
Win
2000 |
Windows 2000 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is
the irst comprehensive collection of bug fixes for the 32-bit versions of
Professional, Server, and Advanced Server editions of this OS. Datacenter
Server, which became widely available at the same time as SP1, ships with the
SP1 fixes out of the box. |
|
6/00 |
4.90.3000.2
|
Millennium |
Windows Millennium Editon was RTM
6/20/2000. WinME is geared more toward 32bit code, burying DOS even further
than in Win98. There is also a new TCP/IP stack and a System Restore feature.
IE 5.5 is included. These four items help make WinME the most stable Win9x OS
yet. Some minor UI improvements give WinME the look and feel of Win2000.
Retail release 9/14/2000. |
|
5/00 |
4.90.2525.6
|
Millennium
|
WinME Release Candidate 1 was
released to testers 5/24/2000. MS plans RTM in 5 weeks from that date. (Good
luck!) |
|
5/00 |
4.90.2525
|
Millennium RC
0 |
WinME Release Candidate 0 was
released to testers 5/9/2000. ME will feature a new TCP/IP stack, digital
media improvements, home networking and self-healing capabilities. |
|
4/00 |
5.01.2223.1
|
Whistler |
Whistler is based on Win2000 (NT). MS
plans to market all the business and server version as well as a consumer
version. Whistler is not the 64-bit version of Windows 2000. Whistler is
planned to use a new user interface. This version is aka Windows.Net 1.0 |
|
3/00 |
?.??.xxxx
|
Blackcomb |
MS is now developing Blackcomb which
will be the follow up to Whistler and will likely form the foundation of
Microsoft's Next Generation Windows Services (NGWS) initiative. BTW, Whistler
& Blackcomb are ski resorts in British Columbia. This version is aka
Windows.Net 2.0 |
|
2/00 |
5.00.2195
|
Win
2000 |
Windows 2000 retail release, Februray
17, 2000. At this time, I'm recommending this version to experienced/business
users only. It runs perfectly fine, if you're not a gamer. Gamers will likely
experience problems with their hardware drivers and games. |
|
1/00 |
WindowsME
|
Millennium
|
Millennium has been officially
renamed Windows Millennium Edition or WindowsME. It's coming along and is now
stable enough for me to recommend for more experienced users. Projected
release date is May 26, 2000. |
|
12/99 |
5.01.xxxx
|
Whistler |
MS is reportedly developing Whistler
which will the first consumer version of the NT code. Whistler is currently
slated to follow Windows Millennium. One feature, called Fusion, promises to
clear up the "dll hell" of Windows. This version will also be known
as Windows.Net 1.0 |
|
- |
INFO |
. |
MS had 3 Windows consumer version
development lines running. Windows Neptune was the codename for the operating
system to follow WindowsME. Windows Odyssey was yet another OS that would
follow Windows Neptune. Both have since been cancelled in favor of Whistler
which will the first consumer version of the NT code. |
|
11/99 |
Windows
|
Millennium
|
Windows Millennium will be the final
OS based in the 9x series. Microsoft chose this route because of Windows
2000's problems with games and gaming hardware. Currently, Millennium is set
to release in November/December 2000. |
|
- |
INFO |
. |
Because of continuing software, hardware
and gaming compatibility issues, MS has decided to scrap the consumer version
of Windows 2000 and make one more release of the Windows 9x series
(Millennium) to help developers and users slowly migrate toward Cairo (aka
Windows2000/NT5). |
|
11/99 |
5.00.2183
|
NT5
|
Release candidate 3 should be near
final. |
|
8/
99 |
4.10.2222
|
Windows98
|
This is a CD you can order from
Microsoft that will update Win98 4.10.1998 to Win98se. The update installs
the latest features and system enhancements of Win98se to your Win98
installation. Get it here. (The Windows 98 Customer Service
Pack CD just fixes bugs and Y2K issues, here) |
|
4/99 |
5.00.2031
|
NT5
|
Development progress, but if you want
a game machine, stick with Win98. Too many issues for gaming hardware and
games. |
|
4/99 |
4.10.2222 Windows98se |
Win98SE
|
MS names this Windows 98 SE (second
edition). Contains bug fixes, security fixes, IE 5 & DX6.1 Also new
functionality and hardware capabilities added. |
|
1/99 |
4.10.2120 (Windows 98) |
Windows98
|
Contains IE 5 & DX6.1 Delay of
beta 2 caused by bugs in IE5 and a memory leak. Update: MS has discontinued
SP1 in favor a smaller patches. At 41mb, MS thought it too big for
downloading. MS may release an upgrade CD (SP1) which it would sell for a
nominal price from it's website. |
|
10/98 |
5.00.1877
|
Cairo
|
Cairo was the code name attached to
the post NT3 projects and is now a technology goal for future WinNT. Many of
Cairo's components are being released between NT4/5. MS renamed NT5 to
Windows 2000. Four editions will be released, including a planned W98
successor. |
|
5/98 |
4.10.1998.6
|
(Memphis)
|
69 cabs with IE4 version 4.72.3110.
Features: Some NT kernal and speedier registry handling. Some trouble
upgrading if you don't have current drivers and bios, upgrade those first! If
you have this version installed, upgrade to Win98se here. |
|
12/97 |
4.00.950c
|
Windows95
|
OEM only release. Mostly identical to
SR2, but adds SR2.1 USB/AGP update along with IE4 and DirectX 5. No longer
relevant. |
|
7/97 |
4.10.1525.3
|
Memphis
|
47cabs with IE4 build 4.71.0913.5. NT
kernal and speedier registry handling. Curiously, the version# lines up with
W96 (4.10.999). New goodies include Winsock2, multiple displays, DVD player,
DirectX5, USB, Memphis specific Tweak UI additions, System Optimizer, System
Troubleshooter and TV listings software (MS CDF). |
|
1/97 |
4.00.950b
|
OSR2
|
500KB 3rd party update for 4.00.950b:
OSR2update.zip. Adds mouse highlights, autoarrange command, etc, ála Memphis.
Changes version# to 4.10.1351. Recommended for 950b users. If you can't find
it, e-mail
me and I'll send it to you as an attachment. |
|
12/96 |
4.03.1115
|
Detroit
|
This development line attemps to give
W95 integrated internet components. Irratic stability. Incompatible with some
software. Planned release was 12/96, MS decides to scrap it. |
|
12/96 |
4.00.950b
|
Windows95
|
1MB supplement for SR2 named
usbsupp.exe. Partial USB support includes host controller and hub drivers,
and the HID and Imaging classes. AGP support. Recommended for SR2 users
wanting USB. |
|
9/96 |
4.00.950b
|
Windows95
|
OEM only release; 28 cabs. Users of
4.00.950/a may have to download some separate posts in order to upgrade to
4.00.950b (no SP2). No longer relevant. |
|
8/96 |
WindowsNT4 |
NT
4 |
Windows NT 4.0 released. It consisted
of over 16 million lines of code. |
|
12/95 |
4.10.999 (Windows96) |
Windows96
|
19cab beta of Win96. Never released.
Superior memory management, smoother operation and more stable. Forebearer of
'Memphis' and contains some of its functionality. Highly recommended. |
|
8/95 |
4.00.950a
|
Windows95
|
Commercial release of Win95 (17cab
upgrade, 28 cab full release). Somewhat unstable and buggy.
|
|
2/94 |
Windows
3.11 |
Windows |
Windows for Workgroups 3.11 released
with improved networking and fixes. |
|
8/93 |
NT
3.1 |
NT
3.1 |
Development began in 10/88. In 10/91,
a Windows NT demo was displayed publicly at COMDEX. Finally, in 8/93, after 5
years of development, Windows NT 3.1 was released. It consisted of over 6
million lines of code. NT 3.1 was followed by 3.5 and 3.51 |
|
6/93 |
4.00.xxx |
Chicago |
Microsoft begins the process of
developing the sucessor to Windows 3x which will eventually be named Windows
95. |
|
4/92 |
Windows
3.1 |
Windows |
TrueType fonts and many other
features added. 10/92 Windows for Workgroups 3.1 released, adding easier,
integrated networking. |
|
5/90 |
Windows
3.0 |
Windows |
Windows 3.0 is the first version to
allow use of memory beyond 640Kb. 10/91 multimedia extensions were released. |
|
4/87 |
Windows
2.0 |
Windows |
Windows 2.0 is the first version with
overlapping windows. |
|
11/85 |
Windows
1.0 |
Windows |
Windows 1.0 is a GUI for MS-DOS 3.1. |