Windows and its versions up through Windows 2000
Question: I am confused. Is Windows 2000 considered an upgrade for Windows NT 4? Is there going to be a Windows NT 5.0 too? I read an article that said that NT 5.0 would be an upgrade for all 32-bit platforms. Does that mean it will be an upgrade for Windows 98? Does that mean it can just be applied without reinstalling anything or drivers, either? I am running Windows 98. I know the move to the NT family is inevitable, maybe, but if NT5 will make it painless, I should wait. Any comments to clarify this issue would be greatly appreciated. – L.P.
Answer: Here’s your handy-dandy guide to Microsoft operating systems – past, present, and future. There are three streams of operating systems at Microsoft.
WINDOWS Vista
Vista is the follow up to XP and comes in 7 versions. The stand home version is Home Premium Edition, there is also a Starter editions for home. There are also Enetrprise, Small Business and Business editions. It’ll be released in 2007.
WINDOWS XP Home and Pro
XP replaced both Windows NT/2000 and Windows 95/98/Me. An XP home version is for homes and an XP Pro version is for businesses, though home users such as gamers can use Pro.
WINDOWS 95/98/Me/
There are four versions of Windows 95, each basically a fix from the previous one. Two were available in retail. Two could only be obtained through the purchase of a new computer. There are two versions of Windows 98. The initial release and the SE or Second Edition version which again is a fix to the first version with some new features. These operating systems are designed with the home consumer in mind.
WINDOWS NT
The business line of operating systems at Microsoft was dubbed NT. Early on, Microsoft said it meant “New Technology”. Now they say it’s just a nameplate and has no meaning. NT was designed to be an office version of Windows and consists of server and workstation versions. For the uninitiated, a server is a computer that is a data traffic cop on a network. When you ask for your e-mail, it comes from a server. When you ask for a web page, it comes from a server. When you print at your office on another person’s printer via the network, a server handles the transaction. NT is currently at version 4.0. NT Server can be used with NT Workstation or Windows 9x (x refers to either 5 or 8 in 95 or 98).
WINDOWS CE
The third variety of OS is Windows CE, which is Microsoft’s handheld operating system for palm-sized devices. Essentially, Windows 2000 is Windows NT 5.0, and so it can be considered an upgrade from Windows NT 4.0.
WINDOWS 2000
Windows 2000 was not be a direct upgrade from 9x-based Windows products. “As far as Windows 98/98 SE are concerned, progressive versions will be released until such time as they converge with Windows 2000,” said Erik Moll, product manager, with Business Windows, at Microsoft Canada. Windows 98/98 SE is built on the older 9x technology, which mixes 16-bit MS-DOS functionality with the more robust 32-bit Windows functionality. The “bit” measurement refers to how big the chunks of data are that move like traffic through the computer’s bus (or internal pathways) when a program is run.
An upgrade from Windows 98/98 SE/Me to Windows 2000 would not be a seamless upgrade as from NT 4.0 to Windows 2000 because the two technologies (9x and NT) are different. Third-party software developers are working on products that will allow the conversion, though. As usual, a clean installation (after reformatting the hard drive) will be the easiest way to migrate to Windows 2000.
To add to the confusion, the follow-up to Windows 9x is called Me or Millenium Edition. A final name for the new consumer OS hasn’t been selected. A beta version to be shipped to 5,000 testers is expected any day now. Microsoft says the software will offer four areas of improvement: PC simplicity, greater digital media and entertainment support, home networking support, and improved online access from the desktop. After the Millennium OS, the Windows 9x line of operating systems will be phased out and will be replaced by Windows 2000 technology.
Of great interest in the OS is a new “System File Protection” tool which is supposed to help stop the corruption, overwriting, or deletion of essential system files. It’s designed to keep new programs from overwriting shared files available to Windows and other software with older file versions. Improved stability, a faster startup, and better use of memory are also promised features.
Microsoft also sent a nearly final version of Windows 2000 (what they call “Release Candidate 2”) to 650,000 beta testers in September. Word on the street is that Windows 2000 will be out the door by the end of the year. Microsoft has also promised a big rollout of the new Windows products at Comdex in Las Vegas this year. That’s where all the big technology guns show off their latest products.
For the list-lovers among us, here’s a quick thumbnail history :
Windows for the home :
— Windows 3.11
— Windows 95 – OSR2.1 was the latest version
— Windows 98
— Windows 98 Second Edition
— Windows Me
–Windows XP Home & Pro
–Windows Vista Home Edition
–Windows Vista Home Premium Edition
–Windows Vista Ultimate
Business versions :
— Windows NT 4 – Workstation
— Windows NT 4 – Server
— Windows NT 4 – Server Enterprise Edition
— Windows 2000 – Professional
— Windows 2000 – Server
— Windows 2000 – Advanced Server
— Windows 2000 – Datacenter
–Windows XP Professional
–Windows Vista Small Business
–Windows Vista Enterprise
–Windows Vista Ultimate
Want to know more? You might find just what you’re looking for in Windows 98 Annoyances..