(Windows New Technology) A 32-bit operating system from Microsoft for Intel x86 CPUs. Available in separate client and server versions, it included built-in networking and preemptive multitasking. Windows NT was introduced in 1993 as Version 3.1 with the same user interface as Windows 3.1. In 1996, Version 4.0 was changed to the Windows 95 desktop (see table below).
A New Lineage
Unlike Windows 95/98, NT supported multiprocessing (see SMP), added security and administrative features and offered a dual boot capability. Designed for enterprise use, each application could access 2GB of virtual memory. NT did not support Plug and Play. It was later added in Windows 2000 and XP, which were also based on the NT core technology. NT 4 Server, Enterprise Edition supported clustering and failover.
For x86 Machines Only
NT ran 16-bit DOS and Windows applications in its own emulation mode (see Windows on Windows) and also provided a command processor that executed DOS commands. Support for the PowerPC and MIPS platforms was planned and later dropped. Support for Alpha servers reached the beta stage, but was also dropped. See Windows.
Name of Name of
NT Year NT Client NT Server
Version Intro GUI Versions Versions
NT 3.1 1993 3.x NT NT Advanced Server
NT 3.5 1994 3.x NT NT Advanced Server
NT 3.51 1995 3.x NT NT Advanced Server
NT 4.0 1996 95 NT Workstation NT Server
3.x = Windows 3.x "Program Manager" interface
95 = Windows 95 interface
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