A version of the Windows NT operating system | |
![]() |
|
![]() A screenshot of Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6, showing the Start menu and Windows Explorer
|
|
Developer | Microsoft |
---|---|
Source model | Closed source |
Released to manufacturing |
31 July 1996 |
Latest release | 4.0 SP6a (Build 1381) / 26 July 2001 |
Platforms | IA-32, Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC |
Kernel type | Hybrid |
License | Commercial proprietary software |
Preceded by | Windows NT 3.51 (1995) |
Succeeded by | Windows 2000 (2000) |
Official website | http://www.microsoft.com/ ntworkstation/default.asp (Defunct) |
Support status | |
Embedded | Mainstream support ended on 30 June 2003 Extended support ended on 11 July 2006 |
Server | Mainstream support ended on 31 December 2002 Extended support ended on 31 December 2004 |
Workstation | Mainstream support ended on 30 June 2002 Extended support ended on 30 June 2004 |
Windows NT 4.0 is a preemptively multitaskedgraphical operating system, designed to work with either uniprocessor or symmetric multi-processor computers. It was part of Microsoft's Windows NT family of operating systems and was released to manufacturing on 31 July 1996. It is a 32-bit operating system available in both workstation and server editions with a graphical environment similar to that of Windows 95.
The successor to Windows NT 3.51, Windows NT 4.0 introduced the user interface of Windows 95 to the Windows NT family, including the Windows shell, File Explorer (known as Windows NT Explorer at the time), and the use of "My" nomenclature for shell folders (e.g. My Computer). It also includes most components introduced with Windows 95. Internally, Windows NT 4.0 was known as the Shell Update Release (SUR). While many administrative tools, notably User Manager for Domains, Server Manager and Domain Name Service Manager still used the old graphical user interfaces, the Start menu in Windows NT 4.0 separated the per-user shortcuts and folders from the shared shortcuts and folders by a separator line. Windows NT 4.0 includes some enhancements from Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95 such as the Space Cadet pinball table, font smoothing, showing window contents while dragging, high-color icons and stretching the wallpaper to fit the screen. Windows Desktop Update could also be installed on Windows NT 4.0 to update the shell version and install Task Scheduler. Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit included the Desktop Themes utility.