On September 14, 2000, Microsoft unveiled Windows ME, marking the final chapter of the Windows operating system’s reliance on the venerable MS-DOS. The anticipation surrounding this release was palpable, yet the reception was decidedly mixed.
Windows ME, or Millennium Edition, found itself in a unique position within the Windows lineage. It was intended as a direct successor to the popular Windows 95, 98, and 98 SE, offering users a seamless transition with discounted updates and compatibility with existing software and drivers. However, despite Microsoft’s good intentions, Windows ME became somewhat of a pariah among users.
DOS, or not DOS?
One of the most contentious changes introduced with Windows ME was the deliberate obscuring of DOS. While DOS remained a critical component for booting the system, Microsoft made it less accessible to users. Gone were the days of easily entering MS-DOS mode for tasks like BIOS updates or utilizing DOS imaging tools. Although enthusiasts shared tips for reviving DOS functionality, the reality was stark: formatting a floppy disk no longer produced a bootable DOS copy.
Interestingly, those who sought to restore DOS were often advised to leverage the new System Restore feature. This function aimed to save the system’s state and facilitate recovery in case of a mishap—a welcome addition for users familiar with the Windows 9x family. However, caution was warranted; failing to create a checkpoint could result in the deactivation of the very DOS functionality users had just restored.
In a bid to mitigate the common issues that arose after fresh installations, Microsoft introduced system file protection in Windows ME. This feature was designed to combat the notorious “DLL hell,” where application software frequently replaced system libraries, rendering other programs inoperable. By maintaining a copy of the original libraries, the system could restore them when necessary, providing a safety net for users.
DLL and update hell
While the system file protection was not exclusive to Windows ME, it was derived from the parallel development of Windows 2000. At the time, Windows 95 and its successors were seen as consumer-friendly, while Windows 2000 catered to professional environments. Windows ME was intended to bridge the gap between the second edition of Windows 98 and the forthcoming Windows XP.
Reflecting on the challenges of updates and upgrades that persist today, Windows ME was a pivotal moment. It offered users the option to back up files during upgrades, ostensibly allowing for a rollback in case of failure. Unfortunately, this process often overwrote backup files if the upgrade did not go as planned, leading to further frustration.
Moreover, users transitioning to Windows ME encountered compatibility issues with programs that were not designed to recognize the new version specification. Even Microsoft’s own software faced hurdles; reports indicated that Service Release 1 for Office 97 could only be installed prior to upgrading to Windows ME.
Internet intermezzo
As Windows ME emerged, the lines between intranet and internet began to blur. The control panel adopted a web-like appearance, while documentation and help files transitioned to HTML format, integrating online assistance. Critics noted that while the form had changed, the quality of content remained questionable, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities.
Windows ME’s legacy was short-lived; just a year later, Windows XP made its debut in Germany, signaling the end of DOS as a relevant component of Microsoft’s operating systems. Behind XP lay a completely new architecture based on Windows NT, which continues to underpin Windows today. This evolution, many argue, should have occurred much earlier for end users.
Looking back at the system requirements for Windows ME, they now seem almost quaint: a mere 150 MHz Pentium and 32 MB of RAM were deemed sufficient. In comparative tests, c’t utilized a 450 MHz Pentium III with 128 MB of RAM, revealing negligible performance differences between Windows ME and Windows 2000. The concept of multi-core processors was still a distant dream, with only Windows 2000 capable of harnessing such technology, leaving Windows ME far behind.
