Windows XP build 2257

Windows XP build 2257 is a build of Windows XP. This build was released in late 2000-08 as a 'final preview' before Beta 1, which was due in October at that time. This build was released in Personal and Professional SKUs, just like build 2250.

If setup is started from MS-DOS (via ), the setup will refer to itself as "Windows Whistler Server" in the top left, even though this is the client build of 2257.

New features and changes

 * A new boot screen and safe to shutdown screen is introduced in this build. However, the only changes from the Windows 2000 boot screen are the "Microsoft Codename Whistler" name replacing "Windows 2000 Professional" and the removal of the "Built on NT Technology" tag.
 * Setup now includes billboards during the last portion of GUI setup that resembles the one used in Windows 98 and Windows ME. Alongside, if this build is upgraded from a previous build or Windows version, an out-of-the-box experience will run after the GUI portion of setup and before the first boot to the desktop.
 * The login screen received minor updates, such as a "Please wait..." message while shutting down and the user logging in is shown during the login process.
 * The Professional theme has been given a makeover, and would largely remain unchanged up to build 2419. The theme was renamed "Watercolor" in build 2410.
 * Along with the Professional theme, the Start Panel (now called the Personal Start Menu) has been given a makeover, and it is now enabled by default in the Personal SKU. The Professional SKU does not have it enabled by default, but it can now be enabled or disabled in the Taskbar and Start Menu properties.
 * ClearType, which was seen since build 2223 now has a user interface to enable it in this build. It can be enabled or disabled in the Desktop Properties.