Note
Early Builds and Beta Testing (2000)
Build 2202 (Feb 2000): Early test version, still resembled Windows 2000.
Build 2250 (July 2000): First public preview at PDC; introduced Visual Styles and the "Watercolor" theme.
Build 2257 (Aug 2000): Debuted the two-column Start menu and early Windows Firewall3.
Beta Phase (Late 2000 – Early 2001)
Beta 1 (Build 2296) – Oct 31, 2000: Introduced simplified Start menu, taskbar grouping, and user switching.
Builds 2410–2419 (Jan 2001): Added Internet Explorer 6, Windows Media Player 8, Movie Maker, and Product Activation.
Feb 5, 2001: Official name announced as Windows XP, where "XP" stands for "eXPerience"1.
Finalization and RC Builds (Spring–Summer 2001)
Beta 2 (Build 2462) – March 2001: Introduced the Luna UI theme.
Builds 2474–2486: Finalized GUI, added Windows Messenger, Remote Assistance, and multi-monitor support for Home Edition.
RC1 (Build 2505) – July 5, 2001
RC2 (Build 2526) – July 27, 20013
Release
RTM (Build 2600) – August 24, 2001
General Availability – October 25, 2001
Marketing campaign: “Yes You Can” (originally “Prepare to Fly,” changed due to 9/11) featuring Madonna’s “Ray of Light”1.