Claim: The development of Windows 95 includes the Build 57s, Build 225 and Build 485.
Evidence: Build 58s introduced a Start menu prototype. It divided the functions of the Windows 95 Start menu up into three buttons. Future Chicago builds combined these three into the Start button still recognized today.
Build 58s included a new File Manager, Chicago Explorer, which remained relatively unchanged in the initial version of Windows 95 and in Windows NT 4.0. Build 58s still included Program Manager as found in Windows 3.1, although this application was supplemented by the new desktop and taskbar/Start menu designs.
It has a date of August 10, 1993.
This build also introduced (Chicago referred to them as Links) and native right click functionality, which Windows 3.1 lacked. It also introduced long file name support. Build 73g is the next leaked build of Windows Chicago with a date of December 2, 1993. It is mostly the same as Build 58s, with a few UI tweaks and a network logon box at startup. Build 81 follows build 73g. The date stamp says it is from January 1994. The three start buttons are combined into one. However, the makes the Start Menu item "Accessories" read "access~1". Programs running are only displayed on the taskbar. The briefcase UI was improved. The My Computer item is displayed when opened as :drives, Network as :network, and Control Panel as CONTROLS. Build 122 was the first version of Chicago to define itself as a Beta edition. There is a date stamp of June 9, 1994. This build includes a few minor improvements such as a different type of "Under Construction" background, the arrow being removed from the Start button, and the removal of some Control Panel items. There were also other interface updates: e.g. title of the My Computer, Control Panel, and Network windows are correct. The tips that would appear in the windows actually slide from right to left on the taskbar, starting from the clock and bouncing against the start button a few times. These get reset when opening-then-closing a window. Build 189 is the first version to call itself Windows 95. The date stamp is marked September 21, 1994. The UI has been completely revamped to the final version look&feel, except for few left-overs from Chicago. Start menu also slightly differs from newer builds of Windows 95, as there is actually color along the side.
The background picture shown continued to live on in the final Windows 95 installer. Build 224 is Windows 95 beta 2. Only a date stamp of November 8, 1994, can be found as information on this build. Build 347 is the Windows 95 "Final Beta Release". The build number refers to a German release, but seems to install in English. This version has a date stamp of March 17, 1995. Build 468 is the May Test Release version of Windows 95, with a date stamp of May 11, 1995. Final startup – dubbed The Microsoft Sound – and shutdown sound made their first appearance. Build 480 is the May Test Release. It was released in two languages: English and German. Build 490 is the first June Test Release dated on June 8, 1995. The build number seems to indicate that this is a pre Release Candidate 1. Build 501 is dated at June 21, 1995. It seems to be the final Release Candidate 1.