Windows History

Windows Overview & History

Published: June 30, 2003 | Updated: May 21, 2008
Overview
Over the past two decades, Microsoft Windows products have evolved from a single, one-size-fits-all
desktop operating system into a diverse family of operating systems and mobile technologies.
Today, Windows products help people worldwide achieve their potential at work, home, and just
about any place in between.
This article summarizes milestones in the development of the following:

• Windows Vista • Windows Server 2008

• Windows XP Professional • Windows Home Server

• Windows XP Home • Windows Server 2003 Family

• Windows XP Media Center Edition • Windows 2000 Server Family

• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition • Windows NT Server

• Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000

• Windows XP Embedded
• Windows 1.0 and later

• Windows CE .NET

• DirectX

• Games for Windows

• Windows Defender

• Windows Embedded

• Windows Internet Explorer

• Windows Live

• Windows Media Center

• Windows Media Player

• Windows Movie Maker

• Windows Mobile

• Windows Search

• Windows SteadyState
Windows History
Windows Desktop Timeline
Published: June 30, 2003
On November 10, 1983, Microsoft announced Microsoft Windows®, an extension of the MS-DOS®
operating system that would provide a graphical operating environment for PC users. With
Windows, the graphical user interface (GUI) era at Microsoft had begun.

The Windows Desktop Today

Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6 are the latest versions of the popular Microsoft desktop
operating system and Web browser technology.
To read more about how the operating system was developed, see the Windows Desktop Products
History. For more information about how Internet Explorer was developed, see Internet Explorer
History. For the latest product information, see the Windows XP and the Internet Explorer Web
sites.
Windows History
Windows Desktop Products History
Published: June 30, 2002 | Updated: March 7, 2006
Many longtime PC users trace the Microsoft Windows® operating system to the 1990 release of
Windows 3.0, the first widely popular version of Windows and the first version of Windows many PC
users ever tried. However, Microsoft initially announced the Windows product seven years earlier
and released the first version in 1983.

The Windows 1.0 product box featured the operating system's new, tiled windows and graphical user
interface (GUI).

1985: Windows 1.0

The first version of Windows provided a new software environment for developing and running
applications that use bitmap displays and mouse pointing devices. Before Windows, PC users relied
on the MS-DOS® method of typing commands at the C prompt (C:\). With Windows, users moved a
mouse to point and click their way through tasks, such as starting applications.
In addition, Windows users could switch among several concurrently running applications. The
product included a set of desktop applications, including the MS-DOS file management program, a
calendar, card file, notepad, calculator, clock, and telecommunications programs, which helped
users manage day-to-day activities.

This early Interface Manager product preceded the Windows 1.0 GUI.
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1987: Windows 2.0
Windows 2.0 took advantage of the improved processing speed of the Intel 286 processor,
expanded memory, and inter-application communication capabilities made possible through
Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). With improved graphics support, users could now overlap windows,
control screen layout, and use keyboard combinations to move rapidly through Windows operations.
Many developers wrote their first Windows–based applications for this release.
The follow-up release, Windows 2.03, took advantage of the protected mode and extended memory
capabilities of the Intel 386 processor. Subsequent Windows releases continued to improve the
speed, reliability, and usability of the PC as well as interface design and capabilities.
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1990: Windows 3.0
The third major release of the Windows platform from Microsoft offered improved performance,
advanced graphics with 16 colors, and full support of the more powerful Intel 386 processor. A new
wave of 386 PCs helped drive the popularity of Windows 3.0, which offered a wide range of useful
features and capabilities, including:

• Program Manager, File Manager, and Print Manager.

• A completely rewritten application development environment.

• An improved set of Windows icons.

The popularity of Windows 3.0 grew with the release of a new Windows software development kit
(SDK), which helped software developers focus more on writing applications and less on writing
device drivers. Widespread acceptance among third-party hardware and software developers helped
fuel the success of Windows 3.0.

The new File Manager in Windows 3.0.

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1993: Windows NT 3.1
When Microsoft Windows NT® was released to manufacturing on July 27, 1993, Microsoft met an
important milestone: the completion of a project begun in the late 1980s to build an advanced new
operating system from scratch. "Windows NT represents nothing less than a fundamental change in
the way that companies can address their business computing requirements," Microsoft Chairman
Bill Gates said at its release.
That change is represented in the product's name: "NT" stands for new technology. To maintain
consistency with Windows 3.1, a well-established home and business operating system at the time,
the new Windows NT operating system began with version 3.1. Unlike Windows 3.1, however,
Windows NT 3.1 was a 32-bit operating system.
Windows NT was the first Windows operating system to combine support for high-end, client/server
business applications with the industry's leading personal productivity applications. It was initially
available in both a desktop (workstation) version and a server version called Windows NT Advanced
Server. The desktop version was well received by developers because of its security, stability, and
Microsoft Win32® application programming interface (API)—a combination that made it easier to
support powerful programs. The result was a strategic business platform that could also function as
a technical workstation to run high-end engineering and scientific applications.
Windows NT 3.1 contained overlapping windows and other features similar to Windows 3.1.
In addition, the operating system broke new ground in security, operating system power,
performance, desktop scalability, and reliability. New features included a preemptive multitasking
scheduler for Windows–based applications, integrated networking, domain server security, OS/2
and POSIX subsystems, support for multiple processor architectures, and the NTFS file system.
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1993: Windows for Workgroups 3.11
A superset of Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11 added peer-to-peer workgroup and
domain networking support. For the first time, Windows–based PCs were network-aware and
became an integral part of the emerging client/server computing evolution.
Windows for Workgroups was used in local area networks (LANs) and on standalone PCs and laptop
computers. It added features of special interest to corporate users, such as centralized configuration
and security, significantly improved support for Novell NetWare networks, and remote access
service (RAS).
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1994: Windows NT Workstation 3.5
The Windows NT Workstation 3.5 release provided the highest degree of protection yet for critical
business applications and data. With support for the OpenGL graphics standard, this operating
system helped power high-end applications for software development, engineering, financial
analysis, scientific, and business-critical tasks.
The product also offered 32-bit performance improvements and better application support, including
support for NetWare file and print servers. Other improved productivity features included the
capability to use friendlier, long file names of up to 255 characters.
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1995: Windows 95
Windows 95 was the successor to the three existing general-purpose desktop operating systems
from Microsoft—Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups, and MS-DOS. Windows 95 integrated a 32-
bit TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack for built-in Internet support, dial-
up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities that made it easy for users to install hardware
and software.
The 32-bit operating system also offered enhanced multimedia capabilities, more powerful features
for mobile computing, and integrated networking.
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1996: Windows NT Workstation 4.0
 This upgrade to the Microsoft business desktop operating system brought
increased ease of use and simplified management, higher network
throughput, and tools for developing and managing intranets. Windows
NT Workstation 4.0 included the popular Windows 95 user interface yet
provided improved networking support for easier and more secure access
to the Internet and corporate intranets.
In October 1998, Microsoft announced that Windows NT would no longer
carry the initials NT and that the next major version of the business
operating system would be called Windows 2000.
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1998: Windows 98
Windows 98 was the upgrade from Windows 95. Described as an operating system that "Works
Better, Plays Better," Windows 98 was the first version of Windows designed specifically for
consumers.
With Windows 98, users could find information more easily on their PCs as well as the Internet.
Other ease-of-use improvements included the ability to open and close applications more quickly,
support for reading DVD discs, and support for universal serial bus (USB) devices.
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1999: Windows 98 Second Edition
Windows 98 SE, as it was often abbreviated, was an incremental update to Windows 98. It offered
consumers a variety of new and enhanced hardware compatibility and Internet-related features.
Windows 98 SE helped improve users' online experience with the Internet Explorer 5.0 browser
technology and Microsoft Windows NetMeeting® 3.0 conferencing software. It also included
Microsoft DirectX® API 6.1, which provided improved support for Windows multimedia, and offered
home networking capabilities through Internet connection sharing (ICS). Windows 98 SE was also
the first consumer operating system from Microsoft capable of using device drivers that also worked
with the Windows NT business operating system.
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2000: Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me)
Designed for home computer users, Windows Me offered consumers numerous music, video, and
home networking enhancements and reliability improvements.
For example, to help consumers troubleshoot their systems, the System Restore feature let users
roll back their PC software configuration to a date or time before a problem occurred. Windows
Movie Maker provided users with the tools to digitally edit, save, and share home videos. And with
Microsoft Windows Media® Player 7 technologies, users could find, organize, and play digital media
easily.
Windows Me was the last Microsoft operating system to be based on the Windows 95 code base.
Microsoft announced that all future operating system products would be based on the Windows NT
and Windows 2000 kernel.
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2000: Windows 2000 Professional
More than just the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional was also
designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business
desktops and laptops. Built on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows
2000 added major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for
mobile computing.
Among other improvements, Windows 2000 Professional simplified hardware installation by adding
support for a wide variety of new Plug and Play hardware, including advanced networking and
wireless products, USB devices, IEEE 1394 devices, and infrared devices.
 Top of page
2001: Windows XP
With the release of Windows XP in October 2001, Microsoft merged its two
Windows operating system lines for consumers and businesses, uniting
them around the Windows 2000 code base.
The "XP" in Windows XP stands for "experience," symbolizing the
innovative experiences that Windows can offer to personal computer users.
With Windows XP, home users can work with and enjoy music, movies,
messaging, and photos with their computer, while business users can work smarter and faster,
thanks to new technical-support technology, a fresh user interface, and many other improvements
that make it easier to use for a wide range of tasks.
For more information about the experiences made simpler by Windows XP, see the overview and
how-to articles on the Amazing Windows Experience site. For more product information, see the
Windows XP Web site. For more information about new technologies designed for Windows XP, see
the Windows XP Technologies History page.

2001: Windows XP Professional

Windows XP Professional brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to the PC desktop, enhancing
reliability, security, and performance. With a fresh visual design, Windows XP Professional includes
features for business and advanced home computing, including remote desktop support, an
encrypting file system, and system restore and advanced networking features. Key enhancements
for mobile users include wireless 802.1x networking support, Windows Messenger, and Remote
Assistance.
For more information, see the Windows XP Professional Web site.

2001: Windows XP Home Edition

Windows XP Home Edition offers a clean, simplified visual design that makes frequently used
features more accessible. Designed for home users, the product offers such enhancements as the
Network Setup Wizard, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, and enhanced digital photo
capabilities.
For more information, see the Windows XP Home Edition Web site.

2001: Windows XP 64-bit Edition

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition satisfies the needs of power users with workstations that use the Intel
Itanium 64-bit processor. The first 64-bit client operating system from
Microsoft, Windows XP 64-Bit Edition is designed for specialized, technical
workstation users who require large amounts of memory and floating point
performance in areas such as movie special effects, 3D animation,
engineering, and scientific applications.
For more information, see the Windows XP 64-bit Edition Web site.

2002: Windows XP Media Center Edition

For home computing and entertainment, Microsoft released the Windows XP Media Center Edition
operating system in October 2002 for specialized media center PCs.
With all the benefits of Windows XP Professional, Media Center Edition adds fun digital media and
entertainment options, enabling home users to browse the Internet, watch live television,
communicate with friends and family, enjoy digital music and video collections, watch DVDs, and
work from home.
For more information, see the Windows XP Media Center Edition Web site.
 2002: Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

The long-held industry vision of mainstream pen-based computing became

a reality when Microsoft unveiled the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition in
November, 2002. The logical evolution of notebook computers, Tablet PCs
include a digital pen for handwriting recognition capabilities, yet can be
used with a keyboard or mouse, too.
In addition, users can run their existing Windows XP applications. The
result is a computer that is more versatile and mobile than traditional notebook PCs.
For more information, see the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Web site.
Windows Products and Technologies History
Windows Technologies History
Published: June 30, 2003
Microsoft Windows® XP technologies make it easy to enjoy your favorite
games, music, and movies; create home movies; enhance digital photos,
and more.

DirectX
Microsoft DirectX® 9.0 technology drives high-speed multimedia and
games on the PC. DirectX provides the exciting graphics, sound, music, and
three-dimensional animation that bring games to life. DirectX is also the
platform that allows software developers to build the type of exciting, high-
speed multimedia required for today's PC-based games.
DirectX debuted in 1995 and quickly became a recognized standard for multimedia application
development on the Windows platform. Today, DirectX 9.0 integrates an advanced suite of
multimedia application programming interfaces (APIs) into Microsoft Windows operating systems so
that software developers can access specialized hardware features without having to write
hardware-specific code.
DirectX 9.0 can be installed on:

• Windows 98

• Windows 98 Second Edition

• Windows Me

• Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2000 Server

• Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional

Direct X technology adds life to game play.

For more information, see the DirectX Web site.
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Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player 9 series, released in 2003, gives users more control of their music with smart
jukebox features, easy CD transfer to computer, CD burning, and compatibility with the widest
range of portable players. Users can also discover more with services that offer premium
entertainment. Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows XP takes full advantage of the built in
digital media features in Windows XP for an optimum experience. There is also a version of Windows
Media Player 9 Series available for Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows 2000.
For more information, see the Windows Media 9 Series site.
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Windows Movie Maker
 When Windows Me arrived in 2000—specifically designed for home
computer users—it featured the first Microsoft version of a consumer video-
editing product, Windows Movie Maker. An easy-to-use video editor, Movie
Maker is used to capture, organize, and edits video clips, and then export
them for PC or Web playback.
Movie Maker 2, released in 2003, adds new movie-making transitions,
jazzy titles, and fun special effects. Based on the Microsoft DirectShow®
and Windows Media technologies, Movie Maker was originally included only with Windows Me. Today
Movie Maker 2 is available for Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional.
For more information, see the Windows Movie Maker Web site.
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Windows Messenger
With the release of Windows XP in 2001 came Windows Messenger, bringing instant messaging to
users across the Internet. With Windows Messenger, users communicate with one another in real
time with text messages. Although real-time communication such as video conferencing has been
available as a technology for some time, Windows Messenger was the first communication tool that
provided an integrated, easy-to-use way of participating in text chat, voice and video
communication, and data collaboration.
The latest edition, Windows Messenger 4.7, improves instant messaging capabilities with new task-
based menus, cool emoticons, and easier ways to organize and group contacts.
For more information, see the Windows Messenger Web site.
Windows History
Internet Explorer History
Published: June 30, 2003

In the early 90s—the dawn of history as far as the World Wide Web is
concerned—relatively few users were communicating across this global
network. They used an assortment of shareware and other software for
Microsoft Windows® operating system.
In 1995, Microsoft hosted an Internet Strategy Day and announced its
commitment to adding Internet capabilities to all its products. In fulfillment
of that announcement, Microsoft Internet Explorer arrived as both a
graphical Web browser and the name for a set of technologies.

1995: Internet Explorer 1.0

In July 1995, Microsoft released the Windows 95 operating system, which included built-in support
for dial-up networking and TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), key
technologies for connecting to the Internet. In response to the growing public interest in the
Internet, Microsoft created an add-on to the operating system called Internet Explorer 1.0. When
Windows 95 with Internet Explorer debuted, the Internet became much more accessible for many
more people.
Internet Explorer technology originally shipped as the Internet Jumpstart Kit in Microsoft Plus! For
Windows 95. Internet Explorer replaced the need for cumbersome, manual installation steps
required by many of the existing shareware browsers.
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1995: Internet Explorer 2.0
In November 1995, Microsoft released its first cross-platform browser, Internet Explorer 2.0, which
supported both Macintosh and 32-bit Windows users.
With Internet Explorer 2.0 came a new set of fledgling Internet technologies that offered Web
developers and designers the power to design secure, media-rich Web sites with tracking
capabilities. Internet Explorer 2.0 technology introduced Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol as well
as support for HTTP cookies, Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML), and Internet newsgroups.
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1996: Internet Explorer 3.0
In August 1996, Microsoft released its completely rebuilt Internet Explorer technology, which
included features that were revolutionary for the time. Designed for Windows 95, Internet Explorer
3.0 technology offered useful components that immediately appealed to users, including Internet
Mail and News 1.0 and Windows Address Book. Later, Microsoft NetMeeting® and Windows Media
Player were added. Now the Internet Explorer browser could display GIF and JPG files, play MIDI
sound files, and play streaming audio files without the assistance of helper applications.
For Web developers, Internet Explorer 3.0 technology delivered a flexible programming model with
a choice of scripting languages. Web designers also received more predictable results, thanks to
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Moreoever, Internet Explorer 3.0 was designed to allow Web
developers to extend it easily at a time when Internet standards were quickly evolving.
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1997: Internet Explorer 4.0
Designed for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT®, Internet Explorer 4.0 technology was a
significant move forward. For Web developers, the addition of Dynamic HTML (DHTML) heralded the
next step in Web design. DHTML gave Web developers more control over content and style and
created opportunities that previously had been possible only with software applications.
Suddenly Web pages became much more interactive—users could expand menus with a click or
drag images and objects around. The Web started to look more like the applications and games that
people were accustomed to and less like a static series of pages.
With Internet Explorer 4.0, Microsoft Outlook® Express 4.0 was also installed for the first time as
an upgrade to Internet Mail and News. This built-in component improved the way users sent,
received, and organized their e-mail and address book.
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1998: Internet Explorer 5.0
With the September 1998 release of Internet Explorer 5.0 technology, developers gained the ability
to design richer Web applications. DHTML capabilities were expanded, giving Web developers more
flexibility and power to create interactive Web sites.
Now personalization became a key focus as Web applications based on DHTML emerged. Users
encountered rich applications on the Web—for example, an expense report could automatically
configure itself based on a user's personalized settings. With expanded programming capabilities
such as these, Internet Explorer 5.0 technologies helped usher in a new era of e-commerce.
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2001: Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 6 technology was released with Windows XP in 2001 as a more private, reliable,
and flexible technology than previous versions. Because privacy and security had become customer
priorities, Microsoft implemented tools that support Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P), a
technology under development by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
From the home user simply browsing content on the Web, to the IT administrator deploying and
maintaining a rich set of Windows Internet technologies, to the Web developer creating rich Web
content, Internet Explorer 6 technologies provide the freedom to experience the best of the
Internet.
For more information, see the Internet Explorer Web site.
Windows Products and Technologies History
Windows Server Timeline
Published: June 5, 2002 | Updated: June 30, 2003
In 1988, Microsoft formed what would become the development team for the Microsoft Windows
NT® product. The team's goal was to develop a 32-bit, multipurpose operating system in
anticipation of a PC chip architecture that was still a few years away. Microsoft Windows Server™
2003 is the evolution of the server operating system that Microsoft began with the release of the
first version of Windows NT Server in 1993.

Windows Server Products Today

Server products enable enterprises to build an integrated and flexible computing infrastructure.
Microsoft offers several versions of its latest server operating system, Windows Server 2003.
To read more about how Windows Server products were developed, see the Windows Server
Products History page. For the latest product information, see the Windows Server 2003 Web site.
For information about the entire family of server products, see the Windows Server System Web
site.
Windows Products and Technologies History
Windows Server Products History
Published: June 30, 2003
The public caught the first glimpse of a new type of Microsoft Windows®
operating system in August 1991, when Windows Advanced Server for LAN
Manager was demonstrated at a developers conference. By the time it
launched two years later, the product had been renamed Microsoft Windows
NT® and marked the first appearance of the Windows Server operating
system. It quickly became known for its support of high-performance servers,
advanced workstations, and client/server computing.

1993: Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1 was launched in July 1993 as a dedicated server for a
client/server environment. It provided the power, scalability, enhanced fault tolerance, and
standards-based interoperability required for enterprise computing.
Microsoft promoted Windows NT Advanced Server as an application server for Novell NetWare,
Banyan VINES, and Microsoft networks, capable of providing a platform for sophisticated business
solutions such as financial, accounting, and vertical applications. As an application server,
Windows NT Advanced Server was also a powerful platform for database servers such as Microsoft
SQL Server™, communications servers such as Microsoft SNA Server, and mail servers such as
Microsoft Mail.
For network management, Windows NT Advanced Server provided customers with centralized
security and server management, along with graphical tools to manage multiple systems as well as
a single logon for enterprise users. In addition, it could run all the applications created for desktop
Windows versions.
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1994: Windows NT Server 3.5
The next release of Windows NT Server was built on the stability of version 3.1, but with greatly
enhanced processing speed and improved connectivity to other systems, particularly in Novell
NetWare and UNIX environments.
Enhancements included new administration tools, improved client software configuration, an auto-
reboot and dump facility, better tools for NetWare, and better remote access capabilities.
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1995: Windows NT Server 3.51
This incremental release of Windows NT Server in June 1995, included a tool to help customers
manage Client Access Licenses (CALs) for a suite of server products called the Microsoft
BackOffice® family. This release also featured a utility that enabled over-the-network installation of
Windows 95.
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1996: Windows NT Server 4.0
With this upgrade, Windows NT Server gained the popular look and feel of Windows 95 and added
many advanced features for business and technical users. Enhancements included:

• Higher network throughput.

• Faster file and print services.

• Robust application support.

• Standards-based communications features.

• An integrated Web server, Internet Information Server (IIS) 2.0.

• Support for the Microsoft FrontPage® Web editing and management tool.
• A toolset for developing and managing intranets.
Subsequent service packs and option packs offered additional features, including public-key and
certificate authority functionality, smart card support, improved symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)
scalability, clustering capabilities, and component object model (COM) support.
For more information, see the Windows NT Server Web site.
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1997: Windows NT Server 4.0, Enterprise Edition
Windows NT Server 4.0, Enterprise Edition, built on the strengths of Windows NT Server 4.0 by
adding features and capabilities designed to appeal to large corporate customers. Windows NT
Server 4.0, Enterprise Edition, added greater performance and scalability, higher availability, and
expanded services for developing enterprise applications.
The product also included Microsoft Transaction Server to facilitate the development of Internet and
intranet applications, and Microsoft Message Queue Server (MSMQ), which enabled applications
running at different times to communicate across heterogeneous networks and systems that may be
temporarily offline.
In October 1998, Microsoft announced that it would drop the "NT" suffix in the next major version of
the Windows NT operating system, which would become known as Windows 2000.
For more information, see the Enterprise Edition page on the Windows NT Server 4.0 Web site.
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1998: Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition gave the Windows NT Server operating system the
ability to serve 32-bit Windows operating system–based applications to terminals and terminal
emulators running on PC and non-PC desktops. This technology offered a bridge for organizations
that were transitioning to a pure 32-bit desktop environment by allowing their existing non-
Windows–based computers to connect to a Windows network.
For more information, see the Terminal Server Edition page on the Windows NT Server 4.0 Web
site.
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2000: Windows 2000 Server Family
In February 2000, Bill Gates unveiled the Windows 2000 client and server family. The client side
was represented by Windows 2000 Professional, which went on to become Windows XP Professional.
To support businesses of all sizes, three server versions were offered:
Windows 2000 Server provided a multipurpose network operating system for departmental file,
•
print, Web, and entry-level application servers.
Windows 2000 Advanced Server was designed to support business-critical Web and line-of-
•
business application on a reliable, manageable operating system.
Windows 2000 Datacenter Server delivered the highest levels of operating system scalability and
•
availability for the most demanding server applications.
For IT professionals, the Windows 2000 Server family introduced new, centralized, policy-based
management with Microsoft IntelliMirror® management technologies and the Microsoft Active
Directory® directory service. In addition, a high-performance Web server featuring Active Server
Pages (ASP) was included, as well as COM+ component services,
transaction and message queuing support, and end-to-end XML support.
For more information, see the Windows 2000 family Web site.
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2003: Windows Server 2003

Launched in April 2003, the Windows Server™ 2003 family takes the best of Windows 2000 Server
technology and makes it easier and more cost-effective to deploy, manage, and use. The result is a
highly productive infrastructure that helps organizations "do more with less."
The first server operating system to feature built-in Microsoft .NET functionality, Windows Server
2003 delivers significantly greater dependability, security, and scalability compared to earlier
versions. Four versions are tailored to the varying needs of organizations:
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, provides a solution for departmental and standard
•
workloads and supports file and printer sharing, helps secure Internet connectivity, centralizes
deployment of desktop applications, and enhances collaboration among employees, partners, and
customers.
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, is the platform for mission-critical server workloads. By
•
delivering high reliability, scalability, and performance, it offers a superior value to businesses of
all sizes.
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, is designed to support the highest levels of scalability
•
and reliability. Windows 2003, Datacenter Edition, is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions
through original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners.
Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, a new offering, is a single-purpose operating system for
•
dedicated Web serving and hosting. It provides a platform for rapidly developing and deploying
Web services and applications.
For more information, see the Windows Server 2003 family Web site.
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2003: 64-Bit Operating Systems
A new generation of scalable 64-bit server applications demanded a new platform with additional
scalability and reliability. Originally launched as Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition,
Microsoft now features 64-bit versions of the Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, and
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, operating systems.
Designed specifically for 64-bit Intel Itanium hardware, these server operating systems break the 4-
gigabyte (GB), 64-GB memory limit and support memory-intensive applications, such as those for
data warehousing, business intelligence, and Web hosting.
For more information, see the product overviews for Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, or
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition.
Windows History
Other Windows Products
Published: June 30, 2003
Today, the reliable and familiar Microsoft
Windows® platform extends beyond the office
desktop, helping make "any time, any place"
computing a reality. Embedded technology is the
means by which computing power is placed in
more places than ever, from handheld devices to
automobiles.
Many of the rapidly evolving embedded products
rely on special versions of the Windows operating system. Now software developers and hardware
manufacturers can use Windows technology to build intelligent, 32-bit Windows–based devices that
connect people to information in innovative ways.

Windows CE .NET

Microsoft Windows CE .NET, the successor to Windows CE 3.0, combines a real-time, embedded
operating system with the powerful tools for rapidly creating the next generation of smart,
connected, and small-footprint devices. With a complete operating system feature set and
comprehensive development tools, Windows CE .NET contains the features developers need to
build, debug, and deploy customized Windows CE .NET–based devices.
Built on its own code base from the ground up, this operating system debuted in September 1996.
Windows CE originally ran on the Handheld PC but now is used in devices of different shapes, sizes,
and degrees of ruggedness, such as mobile handhelds, industrial controllers, gateways, and
advanced consumer electronics.
Windows CE .NET has been optimized for the next generation of smart, connected devices requiring
reliable networking, real-time operations, and rich multimedia and Web browsing. With support for
multiple CPU architectures, its scalable, open foundation has become a popular choice for hardware
manufacturers in building a wide variety of embedded products.
For more information, see the Windows CE .NET Web site.
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Windows XP Embedded

Windows XP Embedded is an operating system and development platform that delivers the power of
Windows in componentized form for the rapid development of reliable and advanced embedded
devices.
Based on the same code base as Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Embedded offers more than
10,000 individual feature components from which embedded developers can choose to achieve
optimum functionality in a reduced footprint. Developers receive the added advantage of a familiar
programming model along with the latest multimedia, Web browsing, power management, and
device support.