# Windows NT 4.0

> pre-emptive, graphical operating system by Microsoft

**Wikidata**: [Q488978](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q488978)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_NT_4.0)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/windows-nt-4-0

## Summary
Windows NT 4.0 is a pre-emptive, graphical operating system developed by Microsoft, released in 1996.

## Key Facts
- Released on July 31, 1996, as announced by Microsoft.  
- Developed by Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation.  
- Preceded Windows NT 3.51 and was succeeded by Windows Server 2000.  
- Classified as proprietary software and an operating system.  
- Distribution formats included 3½-inch floppy disk and CD-ROM.  
- Had the working title "Shell Update Release" before its final naming.  
- Supported 32-bit applications and server components, making it suitable for business environments.  
- Copyrighted, with a freebase ID of /m/03cppl.  

## FAQs
### Q: When was Windows NT 4.0 released?
A: It was released on July 31, 1996, per Microsoft’s official announcement at that time.  

### Q: Who developed Windows NT 4.0?
A: Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation, developed Windows NT 4.0.  

### Q: What operating systems came before or after Windows NT 4.0?
A: It succeeded Windows NT 3.51 and was succeeded by Windows Server 2000.  

### Q: What are the main features of Windows NT 4.0?
A: It is a pre-emptive, graphical operating system with support for 32-bit applications and server components, designed for business and enterprise use.  

### Q: What are the alternatives to Windows NT 4.0?
A: Alternatives included macOS, various Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora), and free software like ReactOS, which aimed to be binary-compatible with Windows NT-based systems.  

## Why It Matters
Windows NT 4.0 played a pivotal role in Microsoft’s enterprise operating system strategy, offering enhanced stability, security, and scalability compared to earlier Windows versions. Released in 1996, it became a cornerstone for business workstations and servers, replacing legacy systems like Windows 95 and setting the foundation for subsequent server operating systems (e.g., Windows Server 2000). Its pre-emptive multitasking and 32-bit architecture addressed the limitations of earlier Windows OSes, making it a preferred choice for organizations requiring reliable, multi-user environments. The release solidified Microsoft’s dominance in the business OS market during the late 1990s and influenced the development of future Windows Server editions.

## Notable For
- First major release of Windows NT with a unified codebase for workstation and server versions, streamlining development and support.  
- Introduced the "Shell Update Release" working title before its final naming, reflecting internal development phases.  
- Supported 32-bit applications and server components, enabling compatibility with business software and hardware.  
- Competed directly with macOS in the desktop market and indirectly with Linux distributions in the server space, shaping the late 1990s OS landscape.  
- Served as a transitional OS for businesses moving from older Windows versions to more robust, enterprise-focused systems.

## Body
### Overview
Windows NT 4.0 is a pre-emptive, graphical operating system developed by Microsoft, released on July 31, 1996. It was part of the Windows NT family, designed to replace earlier Windows versions (e.g., Windows 95) with a more stable, secure, and scalable platform for business and enterprise use.

### Technical Specifications
- **Architecture**: 32-bit, pre-emptive multitasking.  
- **Distribution**: Available on 3½-inch floppy disk and CD-ROM.  
- **Support**: Compatible with 32-bit applications and server components, making it suitable for both workstations and servers.  

### Development and Release
- **Working Title**: "Shell Update Release" (from internal development phases).  
- **Release Date**: July 31, 1996, as confirmed by Microsoft’s announcement.  
- **Developer**: Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, United States.  

### Market Position
Windows NT 4.0 competed directly with macOS in the desktop market and indirectly with Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora) in the server space. It was positioned as a more reliable alternative to consumer-focused Windows versions, targeting organizations requiring multi-user, secure environments.

### Legacy
The release of Windows NT 4.0 marked a shift in Microsoft’s OS strategy, emphasizing enterprise needs over consumer features. It succeeded Windows NT 3.51 and was followed by Windows Server 2000, continuing the evolution of the Windows NT family. The OS remained in use for many years in business environments, contributing to the long-term viability of the Windows Server platform.

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## References

1. [Source](https://news.microsoft.com/1996/07/31/microsoft-announces-the-release-of-windows-nt-workstation-4-0/)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (Operating System) - SteamGridDB](https://www.steamgriddb.com/game/5269181)