| Version of theWindows NT operating system | |
.svg){kind=logo} | |
 A screenshot of Windows NT 4.0 | |
| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Source model | Closed source |
| Released to manufacturing | 31 July 1996;29 years ago (1996-07-31)[1] |
| Latest release | 4.0 SP6a (Build 1381) / 24 August 1996;29 years ago (1996-08-24)[2] |
| Platforms | IA-32,Alpha,MIPS,PowerPC |
| Kernel type | Hybrid |
| License | Commercialproprietary software |
| Preceded by | Windows NT 3.51 (1995) |
| Succeeded by | Windows 2000 (1999) |
| Official website | http://www.microsoft.com/ ntworkstation/default.asp (Defunct) |
| Support status | |
| Embedded | Mainstream support ended on 30 June 2003[3] Extended support ended on 11 July 2006[3] |
| Server | Mainstream support ended on 31 December 2002[4] Extended support ended on 31 December 2004[4] |
| Workstation | Mainstream support ended on 30 June 2002[5] Extended support ended on 30 June 2004[5] |
Windows NT 4.0 is apreemptively multitasked[6]graphicaloperating system, designed to work with either a singleprocessor orsymmetric multi-processor computers. It was part ofMicrosoft'sWindows NT family ofoperating systems and wasreleased to manufacturing on 31 July 1996.[1] It is a32-bit operating system available in bothworkstation andserver editions with a graphical environment similar to that ofWindows 95. It was officially released on August 24, 1996, about a year after Windows 95.
The successor toWindows NT 3.51, Windows NT 4.0 introduced the user interface ofWindows 95 to the Windows NT family, including theWindows shell,File Explorer (known as Windows NT Explorer at the time), and the use of "My" nomenclature forshell folders (e.g.My Computer). It also includes most components introduced withWindows 95. Internally, Windows NT 4.0 was known as the Shell Update Release.[7] While many administrative tools, notablyUser Manager for Domains,Server Manager andDomain Name Service Manager still used the old graphical user interfaces, theStart menu in Windows NT 4.0 separated the per-user shortcuts and folders from the shared shortcuts and folders by a separator line.[8] Windows NT 4.0 includes some enhancements fromMicrosoft Plus! for Windows 95 such as theSpace Cadet pinball table,font smoothing, showing window contents while dragging,high-color icons and stretching thewallpaper to fit the screen.Windows Desktop Update could also be installed on Windows NT 4.0 to update the shell version and installTask Scheduler.[9] Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit included the Desktop Themes utility.[10]
Windows NT 4.0 is the last major release of Microsoft Windows to support theAlpha,MIPS orPowerPCCPU architectures. It remained in use by businesses for a number of years, despite Microsoft's many efforts to get customers toupgrade toWindows 2000 and newer versions. It was also the last release in the Windows NT family to be branded asWindows NT although Windows 2000 carried the designation "Built on NT Technology".
Windows NT 4.0 Server was included in versions 4.0 and 4.5 ofBackOffice Small Business Server suite.
| Preceded by Windows 95 | Windows Versions 1996-1998 | Succeeded by Windows 98 |
