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Version of Microsoft Windows | |
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OS family | Windows NT |
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Version | 3.51 |
Architecture | x86 (PC/AT, PC-98), DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC |
Latest build | 3.51.1057.6 (Service Pack 5) |
Release date | 1995-05-30 |
Support end | 2002-09-30 |
Replaces | |
Windows NT 3.5 | |
Replaced by | |
Windows NT 4.0 | |
Windows NT 3.51 is a major release of Windows NT released on 30 May 1995, succeeding Windows NT 3.5. Similarly to its predecessor, it is available in Workstation and Server editions. This version ensures compatibility with Windows 95, which would be released three months after Windows NT 3.51, and also introduces a proper PowerPC port. Other new features in this version include PCMCIA support, NTFS file compression, replaceable GINA (exclusive to the Server SKU), 3D acceleration in OpenGL, Windows 95-styled common controls, as well as updated versions of Sound Recorder, Media Player and Windows Help applications.
This is the last version of Windows NT to use the Windows 3.1 user interface with Program Manager. However, an early version of the Windows 95 shell was backported to Windows NT 3.51 via the Shell Technology Preview update, which replaces the shell with the Windows Explorer and updates common control appearance.
This version was eventually succeeded by Windows NT 4.0 in 1996. A total of five Service Packs have been released for Windows NT 3.51 before the Workstation edition was declared obsolete on 31 December 2001, followed by the Server edition on 30 September 2002.
According to Microsoft, the x86 version of Windows NT 3.51 require an 80386 processor, at least 16 MB of RAM, 95 MB of hard drive space, and a VGA or better display.[1] This is the last version of Windows NT to support 386 level processors, as Windows NT 4.0 raises the requirement to an i486.
The faulty processor check during setup, which prevented Windows NT 3.1 and Windows NT 3.5 from installing successfully with processors newer than the original Pentium has been fixed.
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