Windows NT
Windows NT (New Technology) was released by Microsoft Corporation in 1993 as a successor to the previous versions of Windows. It was designed to be a powerful, high-level language based processor independent operating system with features compatible to Unix systems. This version of Windows complemented work station versions running on MS-DOS.
A main design goal of Windows NT was hardware and software portability. Versions of this operating system were available for a variety of processor architectures. Broad software compatibility was achieved for various platforms.
Windows NT was the first fully 32-bit version of Windows where its consumer-oriented counterparts Windows 3x and 9x were hybrids of 16-bit and 32-bit technology. Windows NT utilized 32-bit “flat” virtual memory addressing on 32-bit processors. Its companion product, Windows 3.1, used segmented addressing and switches from 16-bit to 32-bit addressing in pages.
Notably in Windows NT were several input/output driver subsystems such as video and printing which were user-mode subsystems. The video, server, and printer spooler subsystems were integrated into the kernel as never before. The first graphical user interface n Windows NT was influenced by and compatible with that from Windows 3.1.
With the next bigger step Windows NT was redesigned to match the user interface of Windows 95. What that means is that the interface moved from the program manager to the start menu/taskbar design that we know even today with newer versions of Windows.
Basically, Windows NT4 as it was called, was designed for professional purposes as a workstation operating system. One of the biggest changes to Windows NT was a new startup screen. No longer would users see the black MS-DOS screen requiring a command prompt to load the operating system. Now, users would see a blue screen with the Windows logo as the OS loaded to the desktop automatically.
The 32-bit capability was designed in anticipation of the release of Windows 95 for personal computer users. This technology made it easier to run various programs including software like Microsoft Office as well as games and applications. This was groundbreaking as previous versions of Windows would not support newer applications thus making computer users update their operating system just to run common programs.
Win2000
In February of 2000, Microsoft Corporation developped NT further to Windows 2000. It was made available in four editions: Professional, Server, Advanced Server, and Data Center Server. Windows 2000 was marketed as “the most secure Windows ever shipped.”
Despite claims that Windows 2000 had advanced security measures, it did become the target of a number of profile virus attacks like Code Red and Nimda. More than seven years after its release, Windows 2000 continues to receive patches for security vulnerabilities.
Even though security is an issue with Windows 2000, many computers still use this version as their main operating system. Even though there have been updates to the Windows product, it still remains a favorite especially with businesses because of its advanced file sharing capabilities.
All editions of Windows 2000 have common functionality including many system utilities such as the Microsoft Management Console and standard system management applications like disk defragmentation utility. Support for people with disabilities was improved with a number of new assistive technologies. Microsoft also included increased support for different languages with Windows 2000.
Windows 2000 also saw the advent of file encryption which could protect sensitive data. It offered personalized menus that could be adapted to the way the user worked adding to its efficiency for individual users.
Because Windows 2000 was primarily developed for business use, it was often referred to as Windows Professional. Its server technology was unlike anything ever seen, as is usually the case with any Windows product. Networking simplification was one of the main goals for Windows 2000 programmers, and it seemed to achieve its objective.
Monitoring other computers on the server became much easier with Windows 2000. For example, if a computer has been disconnected from the server, it shows immediately. Plus, you can easily see when a computer is working on something with a separate dialog box that indicates the computer is working.
When Windows 2000 was released, it had a markedly different look from previous versions of Windows. The graphical user interface was still easy to navigate, but it allowed for things like having multiple windows open at one time and easier navigation between those windows.
It wouldn’t be long before Microsoft released a newer version of Windows, but the advent of Windows 2000 proved to be a great advantage to business operating systems. With the new server technologies, it made securing computers on a network much easier and provided for more behind-the-scenes processing capabilities that made work on the computer much, much more efficient.
