Mac OS 9

Mac OS 9 is the ninth and final major release of the <a href="/facts/Classic_Mac_OS/I5fQq44K">classic Mac OS</a> <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating system</a> for <a href="/facts/Mac_(computer)/8GhnXTK0">Macintosh</a> computers, made by <a href="/facts/Apple_Inc./oTJYta3k">Apple Computer</a>. Introduced on October 23, 1999, it was promoted by Apple as "The Best Internet Operating System Ever", highlighting <a href="/facts/Sherlock_(software)/0jPuBdbu">Sherlock 2</a>’s Internet search capabilities, integration with Apple's free online services known as <a href="/facts/MobileMe/esHrHHIS">iTools</a> and improved <a href="/facts/Open_Transport/PvhNGVsV">Open Transport</a> networking.
While Mac OS 9 lacks <a href="/facts/Protected_memory/3zDwN2SG">protected memory</a> and full <a href="/facts/Pre-emptive_multitasking/wjgIbWel">pre-emptive multitasking</a>, lasting improvements include the introduction of an automated <a href="/facts/Apple_Software_Update/7uDAhFUz">Software Update</a> engine and support for <a href="/facts/Multi-user/XeKcRNjA">multiple users</a>. It was succeeded by <a href="/facts/Mac_OS_X_10.0/twuQ9J75">Mac OS X 10.0</a> in 2001, the first version of the <a href="/facts/MacOS/Y93vVpTm">Mac OS X</a> (now macOS) family of operating systems.
Apple discontinued development of Mac OS 9 in late 2001, transitioning all future development to Mac OS X. The final updates to Mac OS 9 addressed compatibility issues with Mac OS X while running in the <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a> and compatibility with <a href="/facts/Carbon_(API)/KAIwFWI2">Carbon</a> applications. At the 2002 <a href="/facts/Worldwide_Developers_Conference/hEjVWkoo">Worldwide Developers Conference</a>, <a href="/facts/Steve_Jobs/fQpja1hx">Steve Jobs</a> began his <a href="/facts/Keynote/kIUawk1Q">keynote</a> address by staging a mock funeral for OS 9.

Mac OS 9 open-in-new

Mac OS 9