Windows Neptune

Microsoft Neptune
	File:WindowsNeptunelogo.png
	File:Windows Neptune Desktop.png Screenshot of Windows Neptune Build 5111
Developer	Microsoft
OS family	Microsoft Windows
Source model	Shared source
Latest preview	5.50.5111 / December 27, 1999
Kernel type	Windows NT
License	Microsoft EULA
Official website	www.Microsoft.com
Support status
	Not supported

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. 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]

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.

File:Microsoft Windows Neptune Build 5111 Logon Screen.PNG

Windows Neptune Logon Screen

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.

Expandability

Windows Neptune build 5111 included all of the same components of Windows 2000, this includes DirectX 7 and Internet Explorer 5.01.

References

^ Christopher Jones (2002). "Written Direct Testimony of Christopher Jones". State of New York v. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2006-01-07. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
^ Paul Thurrott. "Windows Millennium Edition ("Windows Me") FAQ". Windows SuperSite. Retrieved 2006-01-07.

External links

German page about Neptune
Windows Neptune Screenshot Gallery at NeoSmart Technologies
Neptune: The Windows that wasn't on Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows.

[1] Christopher Jones (2002). "Written Direct Testimony of Christopher Jones". State of New York v. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2006-01-07. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

[2] Paul Thurrott. "Windows Millennium Edition ("Windows Me") FAQ". Windows SuperSite. Retrieved 2006-01-07.

[1]

[2]