Windows Neptune

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Microsoft Neptune
(Part of the Microsoft Windows family)
Screenshot

Screenshot of Windows Neptune 5111
Developer
Microsoft
Web site: none
Release information
Preview version:  5.50.5111 (December 27, 1999) [citation needed]
Source model: Shared source
License: Microsoft EULA
Kernel type: NT Kernel
Support status
Not supported
Windows Neptune Logon Screen
Windows Neptune Logon Screen

Windows Neptune is an experimental version of Microsoft Windows that was in development from early 1999 to early 2000. The goal was to preview ideas for a home user 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. However after the release of Windows 2000, the Neptune team was combined with the Windows 2000 team to work on the "Whistler" project that was released in late 2001 as Windows XP,[1] and Microsoft released another home user DOS-based operating system called Windows Me.[2]

Contents

[edit] Features

Some of the changes introduced in the Neptune build, such as a rudimentary firewall for Internet and network connections, were later integrated into Windows XP as the Internet Connection Firewall, later renamed the Windows Firewall. It experimented with a UI called the Activity Center for task centered operation.

Two circulated builds of Neptune are known to exist - build 5000 (leaked to very few people), and build 5111, which, although it makes up most of the existing Neptune copies, still is not very common.

[edit] Expandability

Windows Neptune build 5111 included all of the same components of Windows 2000, this includes DirectX 7 and Internet Explorer 5.01. DirectX is able to be upgraded to 9.0c without problems. Internet Explorer 5.01 can be upgraded to Internet Explorer 6 SP1.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Christopher Jones (April 2002). Written Direct Testimony of Christopher Jones. State of New York v. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved on 2006-01-07.
  2. ^ Paul Thurrott. Windows Millennium Edition ("Windows Me") FAQ. Windows SuperSite. Retrieved on 2006-01-07.

[edit] External links