Windows ME

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.

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]

Windows Me

Pentium 150 MHz or better

32 MB min; 512 MB max

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)

Runs from hard disk, Prompt available from boot diskette.

VGA or better

FAT, FAT32

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

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

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.

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.

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

No downloads available

Microsoft
Microsoft Windows Me Solution Center
Developers

Books on Windows Me

Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052 USA

Phone 1-206-635-7000 (support)
Web: www.microsoft.com

No longer supported.

Windows 2000/XP, Windows 98, Linux, and Solaris

Setup Switches
Easter Eggs
Installation Not on the First Drive
Uncommon Keyboard Shortcuts

Retail price: $209.00

Upgrade price: $109.00 (upgrade from Windows 95/98)