Windows ME: Is It for You?

Microsoft has released Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows ME, the first version of the Windows operating system designed specifically for home users.

Rather than revamping the underpinnings of the OS, the company focused on putting a better face on Windows 98

Windows ME does include an excellent system repair and recovery application called "PC Health" that will be particularly useful to novice computer users.

But one outstanding application doesn't compensate for the system crashes and slow performance exhibited on our test machines.

We found that, overall, the gold code copy of Window's ME we tested was less stable than its predecessor, Windows 98. Crashes were more common on the machines loaded with ME when performing the same tasks.

Some of these crashes were simple application failures, but complete system lockups and the "Blue Screen Of Death" -- which necessitated restarting the system -- also appeared with uncomfortable frequency.

"Windows ME has problematic device support. All these crashes are symptomatic of bad device driver handling," said Kerry O'Conner, a self-employed computer technician who has tested the final code.

"I wouldn't expect to see any problems with the pre-installed copies that will come loaded on new machines this fall, but you could experience glitches when you install it over a Windows 98 or 95 system." O'Conner said he is recommending that users wait until the first service pack becomes available before upgrading a system.

Windows ME also tested slower than Windows 98. Benchmarking (performed with System Restore disabled, as the application's auto-caching routine could interfere with the test results) showed that Windows 98 performed better with common routines such as Web page loading (98 was 4.2 percent faster), number crunching (98 was 3.6 percent faster) and graphics rendering (98 was 5.4 percent faster).

But the "PC Health" feature that prevents overwriting required files could be Windows ME's saving grace.

The System Restore component makes copies of all the important system and program files (such as DLLs and EXEs) automatically or at user-defined intervals. These copies can then be accessed and restored at a later date via the System Restore wizard.

The "System File Protection" feature prevents applications from overwriting crucial DLL files with older or questionable versions of these files, which has been a major cause of computer glitch hell since Windows 1.0.

Since computer problems are often user instigated, caused by people installing new software or mindlessly removing vital files, PC Health is an excellent feature that takes some of the worry out of reconfiguring or adding new software to a PC.

To test the abilities of PC Health, we attempted to break some computers by screwing up required system files and overwriting drivers. Taking two Dell Inspiron 5000 laptops, one running Windows Me and the other running Windows 98, but with otherwise identical setups, we deleted a slew of randomly chosen system files, ignoring the warning dialogs that suggested we were courting disaster.

We then changed some peripheral settings, and tossed out a few device drivers.

We noticed that on the ME machine, System Restore was carefully compressed and stashing away files and settings for safekeeping as we attempted to delete them.

After we were done torturing the machines, the Dell that was running system 98 was able to boot up, but only in Safe Mode. The operating system and device drivers had to be manually reinstalled before the machine was able to function normally again.

But the machine running ME was easily restored to its original settings. After running the System Restore Wizard and selecting a "system snapshot" created before the damage was done, all the removed or altered system files and settings were quickly replaced or overwritten with working copies.

Other features of Windows ME aren't as compelling. The "Home Networking" wizard helps users set up file, printer, and Internet-based sharing over a peer-to-peer network, a worthy feature but one that has been a basic part of the Macintosh operating system for years.

Windows ME's enhanced power-management feature is essentially the same hibernation mode that's in Windows 2000. Assuming your hardware supports it (and don't assume that it will unless it's a new machine purchased within the last year or so), Windows ME will store system and application information in memory before it powers down the computer.

When awakened from hibernation, the system returns to the exact same state as it was in before it powered down.

The Multimedia Center includes Windows Movie Maker, a new application that allows users to easily edit captured clips with technologies similar to those found on high-end video software. It can only save edited movies in the Windows Media Format, but can import any video format with the exception of RealMedia.

You can also enlist the help of a Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) wizard to assist in scanning and editing still images from cameras and scanners. Those with WIA-compatible cameras can edit images without having to transfer them to their hard drives.

And despite Microsoft's ongoing litigation with the Department Of Justice, Internet Explorer 5.5 is tightly integrated into Windows ME

Windows Media Player 7, which was also released as a free download earlier this year, includes a Web radio tuner, a jukebox and a file-transfer program that moves stored MP3 files or streaming media to portable music players and Windows CE devices.

Unfortunately, the Media Player was exceptionally prone to crashing. In Wired's week of testing the program, it crashed during four file transfers to external devices and while playing three separate streaming media feeds.

Microsoft is promoting Windows ME by offering the system for four months at a special price, $59.95, instead of the standard $109 it typically charges for system upgrades.

Some analysts think that ME is correctly targeted at less savvy consumers and does not offer much for experienced computer users.

"Windows ME is clearly aimed at home users. It doesn't have the sort of cutting-edge benefits and features a sophisticated user would want or need," said Victor Pagano, an analyst with Andersen Consulting.

"But the vast majority of users who rush to upgrade operating systems are hardcore techies. The average user adheres to the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" rule of thumb. So I suspect we won't see a lot of people running off to buy Windows ME."

Pagano believes that most of the "highly upgrade-prone" users will wait for the next version of Windows, code-named Whistler, which debuts in beta form this October. Whistler is built around the Windows NT kernel, and Microsoft has said the product will be the first to include the company's new .Net features.

Windows ME does have some features to appeal to users who are looking for fun over performance, Pagano said. But one Microsoft applications developer, who requested his name be withheld, tested the final beta build and said that Windows ME appeared to be "nothing but Internet Explorer 5.5 with some tasty frosting spread on top."

"Frankly, I would suggest that people buy a system restore application like Norton SystemWorks 2001," commented O'Conner. "It gives you all the great features of Windows ME's PC Health, but doesn't slow performance," he said.

"You can always download IE 5.5 and the Windows Media Player if you really want them."