# Windows NT 3.1

> 32-bit cross-platform operating system developed by Microsoft and the first member of the Windows NT family that was released on July 27, 1993

**Wikidata**: [Q748319](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q748319)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_NT_3.1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/windows-nt-3-1

## Summary
Windows NT 3.1 is a 32-bit cross-platform operating system developed by Microsoft and the first member of the Windows NT family. Released on July 27, 1993, it served as a successor to the Windows 3.1x series and established the foundation for Microsoft's modern NT-based architecture.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Microsoft
- **Release Date:** July 27, 1993
- **Architecture:** 32-bit cross-platform
- **Family:** First member of the Windows NT family
- **Preceded by:** Windows 3.1x
- **Succeeded by:** Windows NT 3.5
- **Final Stable Version:** Service Pack 3 (3.1.528), released October 29, 1994
- **Working Title:** Razzle
- **Distribution Formats:** 3½-inch floppy disk and CD-ROM
- **License:** Proprietary (Microsoft end-user license agreement)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the significance of Windows NT 3.1 in the Windows timeline?
A: Windows NT 3.1 was the inaugural version of the Windows NT family. It marked Microsoft's transition into 32-bit cross-platform operating systems, following the Windows 3.1x line.

### Q: What was the development codename for Windows NT 3.1?
A: During its development, the operating system was known by the working title "Razzle."

### Q: How was Windows NT 3.1 distributed to customers?
A: The software was made available through physical media, specifically 3½-inch floppy disks and CD-ROMs.

### Q: When did Windows NT 3.1 receive its final stable update?
A: The final stable version, Service Pack 3 (3.1.528), was released on October 29, 1994.

## Why It Matters
Windows NT 3.1 represents a critical milestone in the history of computing as Microsoft's first 32-bit cross-platform operating system. By launching the NT (New Technology) family in 1993, Microsoft moved beyond the limitations of its previous 16-bit environments to create a more robust system for managing hardware resources. 

This release was essential for enterprise and professional environments that required higher stability and cross-platform compatibility. It introduced a new architecture that would eventually become the standard for all future consumer and professional versions of Windows. Its development under the codename "Razzle" and its subsequent support through Service Pack 3 demonstrated a commitment to a long-term, stable software lineage that succeeded the Windows 3.1x era and paved the way for Windows NT 3.5 and the modern Windows ecosystem.

## Notable For
- **First of its Kind:** The inaugural member of the Windows NT family of operating systems.
- **32-Bit Architecture:** Microsoft's first operating system to feature a 32-bit cross-platform design.
- **Multi-Language Support:** Developed to support multiple languages for a global market.
- **Flexible Distribution:** One of the early major operating systems to be distributed on CD-ROM in addition to standard 3½-inch floppy disks.

## Body
### Development and Release
Windows NT 3.1 was developed by Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation. During its creation, the project utilized the working title "Razzle." The operating system was officially released to the public on July 27, 1993. It is classified as a subclass of operating system software designed to manage computer hardware resources.

### Technical Profile
As a 32-bit cross-platform system, Windows NT 3.1 was built to operate across different hardware architectures. It is proprietary software protected by copyright and licensed under the Microsoft end-user license agreement. The system's technical identifiers include:
- **PRONOM ID:** x-sfw/32
- **GND ID:** 4341513-1
- **Freebase ID:** /m/03wqdk

### Version History and Succession
Windows NT 3.1 is considered an edition of the broader Microsoft Windows product line. It follows the Windows 3.1x series in the Microsoft release chronology. 
- **Stable Version:** The most advanced stable version of the system was Service Pack 3, designated as version 3.1.528, which reached the market on October 29, 1994.
- **Successor:** The system was succeeded by Windows NT 3.5, which was released on September 21, 1994.

### Distribution and Localization
Microsoft distributed Windows NT 3.1 in multiple languages to accommodate a diverse user base. The software was packaged in two primary formats:
- 3½-inch floppy disks
- CD-ROMs

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013