The MS-DOS 5.0 project started in December 1989. Codenamed "Lifeboat", it is based on MS-DOS 4.00 code. It was the first version of MS-DOS to use beta builds.[1][2][3]
Several MS-DOS 5.00 betas were released before the final launch:
Builds
Description
Desktop Screenshot
Build 70
Build 70 is MS-DOS 5.00 Pre-Beta 1 Build.
Build 112
Build 112 is MS-DOS 5.00 Pre-Beta 1 Build.
Build 223
Build 223 is MS-DOS 5.00 Beta 1 Build.
Build 224
Build 224 is MS-DOS 5.00 Beta 1 Build dated to 06-07-1990. DOSShell is split into three parts: Color Manager, File Manager and Program Manager.
Build 225
Build 225 is MS-DOS 5.00 Beta 1 Build.
Build 226
Build 226 is MS-DOS 5.00 Beta 1 Build.
Build 227
Build 227 is MS-DOS 5.00 Beta 1 Build.
Build 333
Build 333 is MS-DOS 5.00 Beta 2 Build dated to 08-15-1990. It is the first MS-DOS 5.00 build to have Task Swapper.
Build 392b
Build 392b is MS-DOS 5.00 Beta 2 Build.
Build 409c
Build 409c is a December 1990 build of MS-DOS 5.00.
MS-DOS 5 Beta Command.com
Build 432
Build 432 is a January 1991 build of MS-DOS 5.00.
Build 460
Build 460 is a late January 1991 build of MS-DOS 5.00 dated January 30, 1991.
Build 490
Build 490 is an early February 1991 build of MS-DOS 5.00 dated February 7, 1991.
MS-DOS 5.00.490 Beta Command
Build RC1
Build RC1 is the first Release Candidate build dated on Feb 28, 1991.
Build RC3
Build RC3 is the first third Release Candidate build.
Build RC3A
Build RC3A is the Release Candidate dated on March 8, 1991.
Build RC10
Build RC10 is dated March 22, 1991. It seems to be the final Release Candidate.