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On the surface, Windows Me looks nearly identical to Windows 98, and you have to look closely to spot the subtle changes in the desktop icons, Start menu, and Control Panel (many of which are borrowed from Windows 2000). Scratch beneath the surface, though, and you'll find a few new features and loads of little enhancements that will make Windows Me a compelling upgrade for most users.

These improvements fall into three general categories. First (and perhaps most important), Microsoft has added features that make the OS faster and more reliable. Windows Me should boot up more quickly, prevent you from deleting critical files, and, if your system really gets out of whack, even turn back time to restore your system to working order. Second, Windows Me makes it easier to set up home networks and share Internet connections through new wizards and improved hardware support. Finally, Windows Me has improved support for digital imaging and multimedia, with new applications for grabbing images from digital cameras, making your own movies, and tuning in to streaming audio and video (see our review of the beta version of Windows Media Player 7).