Windows Me
From Invertopedia, the encyclopedia of how things fail
Windows Me (Millennium Edition) was Microsoft's home operating system, released on September 14, 2000 as an upgrade for Windows 95 and 98 users[1][2]. It was built on Windows 98 SE, still ran on DOS, and was reported to be even less stable than Windows 98[2]. Microsoft replaced it with Windows XP on October 25, 2001, a little over a year later[2][3].
What happened
| Sep 14, 2000 | Microsoft announces the immediate availability of Windows Me, a full retail version and an upgrade for users of Windows 95, 98 and 98 SE.[1] |
|---|---|
| Late 2000 | Reviewers are positive at launch, but most of its worst flaws only show after prolonged use.[3] |
| Oct 25, 2001 | Windows XP, codenamed Whistler, replaces it.[2][3] |
The kill shot
Microsoft shipped a patched-up Windows 98 for home users while its real consumer operating system was already being built.
Forbes noted that Microsoft was already hard at work on a complete revamp of the Windows code base, codenamed Whistler, when Windows Me came out, and that Windows Me "didn't get the developers' full attention"[3]. It also removed real-mode DOS support, making it less compatible with older DOS software, and How-To Geek asked why anyone would spend $209 for the full retail version or $109 for the upgrade[2].
The inversion
Do not ship a stopgap under a new name to customers who will live with it. If the real product is a year away, say so or make the stopgap good.
References
- ^ “Microsoft Announces Immediate Availability Of Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me)”. Microsoft press release, September 14, 2000. Launch date, retail and OEM availability, upgrade from 95 and 98.
- ^ “Windows Me, 20 Years Later: Was It Really That Bad?”. How-To Geek, September 14, 2020. Windows 98 SE base, DOS, instability, prices, XP date, features and DOS removal.
- ^ “20 Years Ago Microsoft Released The Worst Windows Ever: Windows Me”. Forbes, September 5, 2020. Late-showing flaws, Whistler rewrite, XP release.