Windows Neptune

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Microsoft Neptune
Part of the Microsoft Windows family
Screenshot of Windows Neptune Build 5111
Developer
Microsoft
Website http://www.microsoft.com
Releases
Preview version 5.00.5000,5.00.5111 (December 27, 1999)[citation needed]
Source model Shared source
License Microsoft EULA
Kernel type Windows NT
Support status
Not supported

Windows Neptune was a test version of Microsoft Windows that was in development from early 1999 to early 2000. The goal was to create a home user-friendly operating system from the same sources as the NT-based Windows 2000 that was developed for business users, replacing the older DOS-based Windows 9x home user operating systems. After the release of Windows 2000, the Neptune team was combined with the Windows 2000 team to work on Whistler, later released in the fourth quarter of 2001 as Windows XP,[1] and Microsoft released another home user DOS-based operating system called Windows Me.[2]

There are two known builds of Windows Neptune - Build 5000 that was tested internally at Microsoft and released to a few testers outside of Microsoft and Build 5111 which was available publicly for a short period of time.[3] Build 5111 still exists on the Internet today.

[edit] Features

Windows Neptune Logon Screen

Some of the changes introduced in the Neptune build, such as the firewall, were later integrated into Windows XP as the Windows Firewall. It experimented with an UI called the Activity Center for task centered operation. However, in Build 5111, it is not automatically shown.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Christopher Jones (April 2002). "Written Direct Testimony of Christopher Jones". State of New York v. Microsoft Corporation. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/legal/jones.mspx. Retrieved on 2006-01-07. 
  2. ^ Paul Thurrott. "Windows Millennium Edition ("Windows Me") FAQ". Windows SuperSite. http://www.winsupersite.com/faq/millennium.asp. Retrieved on 2006-01-07. 
  3. ^ http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_gold.asp

[edit] External links

Personal tools