Software Review of:
Windows Millennium Edition 

Unlike Windows 95 and Windows 98, there are three versions of Windows Millennium Edition: a Promotional version, which upgrades Windows 98 only, and sells for about $50; a standard Upgrade version, which upgrades Windows 95 and Windows 98 and sells for about $89; and a Full version, which requires no previous operating system, and sells for about $180 (all prices are street prices, not Microsoft list prices). The Promotional version will only be available until January 15, 2001. Perhaps the Promotional version was offered as recognition that Windows Millennium Edition offers little more than Windows 98, Second Edition. But there are some differences. 

Windows Millennium Edition requires a 150 MHz Pentium (or faster), at least 32 MB of RAM, 245-435 MB of disk space (which includes backup files), a CD-ROM, and at least a VGA video system. I’ve heard that Windows Millennium Edition actually checks to ensure that those minimum specifications are met, and refuses to install if they are not.

I installed the Windows Millennium Edition Promotional version over Windows 98, Second Edition. I’ve never seen a more automatic installation. I had to answer a few questions, like “Do you want to save the previous operating system files?” Since those files would be required to restore Windows 98 if Windows Millennium Edition somehow bombed, I elected to save them. Then I sat back and watched the installation progress. After the installation was complete, I received a message that Windows Millennium Edition’s System Restore feature conflicted with Powerquest’s Second Chance program (probably with GoBack, also), so after an abortive attempt to restart the computer, I uninstalled Second Chance. After that, Windows Millennium Edition started with no problems. A visit to Powerquest’s web site told me they were working on a compatible version of Second Chance. I later discovered that other software had to be upgraded to work with Windows Millennium Edition, much to my surprise.

Some changes in  Windows Millennium Edition are cosmetic, some are substantive. Some are just changes. After the new splash screen, the first obvious change is in the Windows Desktop, whose standard color has changed to a subdued blue. The standard icons have been modernized to look a bit art deco, with color-coordinated blue trim. My Computer, the Recycle Bin, AOL and MSN installation icons, which fortunately can be deleted. Network Neighborhood has been replaced with My Network Places, which now has a wizard to help set up a home network. Another new icon is for Windows Media Player, which is available separately (and free) from Microsoft. Internet Explorer and Outlook Express are now in versions 5.5, and are also available free from Microsoft. I can’t see any overwhelming advantage in either, but they work OK. A Connect to the Internet icon launches a Wizard that helps you set up an Internet connection, once. Then it’s gone. I’d try making a copy first.

The My Computer icon now opens a window with only shortcuts to the computer’s drives, along with the Control Panel. Most of the other former My Computer icons are now in the Control Panel. 

Aside from the new icon, the Recycle Bin still operates like Windows 98. The My Documents icon has a new subfolder: My Music. The Windows Media Player, separately downloadable from the Microsoft web site, has some major interface changes. You can radically change the way Media Player looks by choosing from a list of “skins”; the name for the different configurations for the program. The functionality is identical, but the appearance is a lot different. One of the Media Player features is the ability to play radio stations which broadcast on the Internet. At least that’s the theory; when I tried it, it failed to connect, and Media Player locked up so badly I had to stop it with the Close Program screen. 

The Start Menu is somewhat different. When you click the Start button, then Programs, at first you will get a display of all the programs installed on your computer. Later, Windows Millennium Edition uses one of Office 2000’s most obnoxious features, and gives you “personalized menus.” That means it hides some of the menu features from you. Windows Millennium Edition watches to see what programs you use most, and then shows you only those programs. A double down arrow at the bottom of the Programs menu gives you a clue that there are more entries than you can immediately see. Fortunately, if you loathe this feature as much as I do, you can turn it off by right-clicking on the Taskbar, then on Properties, then uncheck the box that says “Use personalized menus.” 

The Help and Support screen looks a lot different; more like a Web page. That’s good. The help text is easier to read, and is better organized. The Help and Support screen also provides a connection to online support. New users are entitled to ask two questions of Microsoft technicians about Windows Millennium Edition for free. After that generous number of questions is exhausted, you will be charged a nominal (by Bill Gates’ standards) fee of $195 per question for further help. Such a deal. I have forwarded two questions already to online Support, and have gotten no solutions to my problems. The technician, who was very friendly and tried his best provide help, at least didn’t charge me for the first problem-solving exchange. The second, which is to help me find out why Disk Defragmenter refuses to run, is still open. 

There are several templates for viewing folders. When a folder is displayed, you can right-click on it and get a menu which includes a Customize this folder option. That launches a Wizard that helps you set up some display options for the folder. You can display HTML (Web) content, set individual pictures as backgrounds and add comments that remind you what the folder was to be used for. 

The Views capability for the contents of a folder have also been changed. A new view, Thumbnails, has been added. If you have graphics files in the folder, it creates icons that display small versions of what the files look like, which could really speed up hunting for a particular picture. If you don’t have graphics, Windows Millennium Edition just creates another type of large icon, taking longer to display.

The Search feature looks different. The file or folder search screen is easier to read. Search results are displayed more clearly. Other search features let you search the Internet. 

New features
The Control Panel now contains more controls for Windows Millennium Edition. The Automatic Updates icon automates the process of updating Windows Millennium Edition files when new patches or features are posted on the Microsoft Web site. The update process used to be manual, although you could tell Microsoft to notify you when updates were available. Lots of people never thought to perform the updates, which fixed many serious bugs and security weaknesses. The Automatic Updates feature will automatically download the updates for you, if you wish. Note that you still have to approve the installation of the updates.

Games
The Gaming Options icon lets you set up online game-playing parameters, including chat for those programs so enabled. The Games folder has been relocated from the Accessories folder to a separate Games folder. Several new online games are provided, including Backgammon.

A Scanners and Cameras icon provides a new interface for these digital imaging devices. Similar to the TWAIN interface, but not the same, you can click on the Add Device icon within this folder to install your camera or scanner under the Microsoft interface. However, I discovered that my year-old UMAX scanner was not on the list of supported items, so couldn’t see how well the new system worked. The old TWAIN still works fine, so there’s no degradation of support.

Video
Windows Millennium Edition adds a video editor to its list of applets. I don’t even have a video camera, so I can’t tell you if the feature is good. I’ve read it’s like other applets: not very sophisticated. You will probably want a more capable program if you are serious about video editing.

System file Protection
This feature checks the important Windows system files to be sure they are not corrupted, which, for example, might happen when you install a new program. System File Protection runs in the background, so you don’t actually have to do anything to make it work. If it detects that a system file has been changed, it puts the original file back.

System Restore
Every 10 hours, Windows Millennium Edition takes a snapshot, or system restore point, of the system files. If something screws the system files up, you can restore the system back to the last good point it was working fine. You can manually record a system restore point; so if you are about to make some major changes to your computer, like adding or removing software, it’s a good idea to set a system restore point. System Restore only works with system (Windows) files, so document files are unprotected by System Restore. Third-party programs like GoBack and Second Chance protect all files; however, like many other utilities, they don’t work with Windows Millennium Edition. Swell. I thought System Restore’s ten-hour interval between restore points was too long; but I couldn’t find a control to set a shorter interval. I’m looking forward to an upgraded version of Second Chance, which protects all files, not just system files.

Drawbacks
Many utility programs must be updated to work with Windows Millennium Edition. I had to update Norton SystemWorks to the 2001 version to get the utility and virus protection support I needed. Symantec required me to buy a new version of the suite, rather than update the 2000 version. Fie on Symantec. Fortunately, Norton SystemWorks’ defragmenter works (unlike Microsoft’s), further justifying the upgrade. Black Ice Defender needed a patch, but it was a free download.

I sense that Windows Millennium Edition is slightly slower than Windows 98, Second Edition. The difference is not great, and on the new, blindingly fast computers available today, it won’t make much difference at all. Startup and turnoff are faster, since Windows Millennium Edition doesn’t load the DOS files of earlier versions. If you have a favorite DOS game, you may be out of luck.

There is a learning curve for Windows Millennium Edition, not just to familiarize yourself with the new features, but to find the old ones that have moved. Oddly, the publishing industry hasn’t rushed new Windows Millennium Edition books to the market to help overcome the improved but still inadequate Help system. I went to Borders to buy a book, which had only three books on Windows Millennium Edition. As expected, the booklet included in the Windows Millennium Edition box is designed to help you install and get started, not learn how to use the software features.

Bottom Line
Windows Millennium Edition is OK, but it offers few new features beyond Windows 98. I recommend sticking with Windows 98 until you buy your next PC, which is almost sure to have Windows Millennium Edition installed.