Windows XP build 2474 (main)

Windows XP build 2474 (main) is a pre-RC1 build of Windows XP. It was released to testers on 17 May 2001 and later scene-leaked by warez group DFFiSO on 21 May 2001.

NFO file
This NFO below is republished here for archival purposes only. NFO contents

New features and changes

 * Most Whistler references have been replaced with Windows XP.
 * Added an animated Windows flag on the login screen, which would later be removed in build 2481.
 * The graphical part of setup now identifies itself as "Windows XP RC1" and now contains a progress bar when the computer is about to be restarted during the upgrade section.
 * The safe to shutdown screen was updated to now include Windows XP-style branding. It replaces the version that was previously in use since build 2257.
 * The icons in classic Start menu have been shrunken in size and the banner received its final appearance.
 * Dynamic Update in setup received a new icon, unique for this and the next build.
 * Added five new sample pictures that are not present in previous builds. The Winter sample picture is introduced for the first time starting with this build, albeit with slight visual differences and a different name, Winter forest.
 * Updated the throbber that is used in Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer and Outlook Express to the Windows XP logo, replacing the one in use since Windows 98.
 * This is one of the first builds to use the modern Windows XP Logo Testing implementation. This can easily be seen when upgrading to this build as almost all hardware will result in the warning that such hardware may not work and cause instability.
 * Some of the icons were updated and changed.
 * The kernel font was changed to Lucida Console, replacing the font used in Windows 2000.
 * Quick Launch in the taskbar is disabled by default.
 * The illustration images for the new and classic Start menu in the taskbar properties have been updated to their final appearance.
 * The taskbar is now locked by default.
 * The Windows XP animation at the start of the Out-of-box experience was introduced.

Boot screen
A new boot screen was added to replace the Whistler version in use since build 2428. The only differences from the RTM boot screen are the following:
 * There is a breathing "loading..." string instead of the animated blue bar seen in build 2481.
 * A "version 2002" label is present in the bottom right corner of the screen, which was removed in build 2485.

Installation

 * When upgrading to this build, setup may complain that the network driver cannot be found. Pointing to  and then pressing OK will typically resolve this error.