Windows Me

At a glance
Publisher	Microsoft
Web	www.microsoft.com/WindowsMe
Status	Limited availability , no supported
Introduced	14-Sep-2000
Latest	14-Sep-2000 (first edition)
Design	GUI, Multi-threaded
Type	Workstation

Summary News Requirements Compatibility Interface Installation Variants
Versions Downloads Links Publisher Support Alternatives Secrets Pricing

Details

Summary

This Graphical OS is designed for workstations at home. Windows Me is the follow on to Windows 98, but targeted primarily at the home user. Windows Me adds new features such as digital movie editing, improved digital media manipulation and organization, better music player, improved stability and recovery, easy home networking. In addition, Windows Me includes Internet Explorer 5.5 (also available as a free download).

News

13-Jan-2004 - Microsoft extends end of life to Jun-30-2006

31-Dec-2003 - Microsoft Entering extended support phase no support after Dec-2004, no or online self-help after Dec-2005

1-Jan-2001 Volume Licensing to End
In an effort to force corporations to switch to the more expensive Windows 2000, Microsoft announced it is ending volume licensing of Windows Me on March 1, 2001.[Infoworld, Page 15]

14-Sep-2000 Windows Me Available
First retail units available.

1-May-2000 Missing Windows CD
Microsoft has changed the OEM policies for including Windows Me on a new computer. In most cases, to get the OEM pricing, computer manufacturers are not allowed to provide a Windows CD-ROM as has been done in the past. This means if your hard disk is corrupted, you have to buy a new full copy of Windows! Some manufacturers do include a recovery CD-ROM, with some, but not all of Windows files found on a normal Windows install CD. Often these "recovery" CD's will erase everything and start over with an image of the system as it was first shipped. [Infoworld, page 101]

Requirements

Product

Windows Me

Processor

Pentium 150 MHz or better

RAM

32 MB min; 512 MB max

Drive space

295-435 MB (upgrade from Windows 95/98)
535-645 MB (New install, FAT16 partition, 2 GB and under)
480-535 MB (New install, FAT32 partition, over 2 GB)

Drives

Runs from hard disk, Prompt available from boot diskette.

Video

VGA or better

File systems

FAT, FAT32

Compatibility

Windows 16-bit programs (Windows 3.x type programs)
Windows 32-bit programs
Windows VxD device drivers
DOS programs, 100% native, while Windows is not running
DOS programs in a "DOS box" while Windows is running, compatibility excellent
DOS device drivers

Interface

Windows is a GUI interface, but supports both a text-based DOS window, and can boot from a single diskette into a "DOS" prompt. View Desktop

Installation

Must be installed on a primary partition on the first drive. See Secrets section below for complete installations on other than the first drive. About 4 MB of boot up code must reside on the C drive, but all remaining files can be installed in any drive (primary or logical, any physical drive).

For system with more than 512 MB of RAM, to avoid instabilities it is necessary to use run MSCONFIG, select Advanced, and set the option "Limit memory to" on, with a value of 512.

Variants

Upgrade edition - upgrades Windows 95/98 to Windows Me.

Full edition - includes boot diskette and can be installed on a blank drive

OEM edition - installation depends on part on how an OEM configures the installation. In most cases, the OEM edition will install safely on top of a prior installation of Windows Me, but will erase the entire first hard drive and put a fresh install of Windows Me if Windows Me is not detected.

Versions

Windows release timeline
First edition - Released:14-Sep-2000

Downloads

No downloads available

Links

Microsoft
Microsoft Windows Me Solution Center
Developers

Books

Books on Windows Me