Build list legend
Available build 
Confirmed build 
Unconfirmed build 
Fake build Existing page
Non-existent page
Non-existent page
Windows NT 4.0
| Version of Microsoft Windows | |
.svg){kind=logo} | |
 | |
| OS family | Windows NT |
|---|---|
| Version | 4.0 |
| Codename | Shell Update Release |
| Architecture | x86 (IBM PC/AT, NEC PC-98), DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC |
| Latest build | 4.0.1381.7097 (Service Pack 6a Security Rollup update) |
| Release date | 1996-08-24 |
| Support end | 2004-06-30 (Workstation) 2004-12-31 (Server) 2006-07-11 (Embedded) 2006-12-31 (with Extended Security Updates) |
| Replaces | |
| Windows NT 3.5x | |
| Replaced by | |
| Windows 2000 | |
Windows NT 4.0 (codenamed Shell Update Release) is a major release of Windows NT, the successor to Windows NT 3.51, released a year prior, and the first version of Windows NT to feature the Windows Explorer interface introduced in Windows 95. It is the second version of Windows NT to support upgrade paths to Windows 2000, as well as the first version of Windows NT to support upgrade paths to Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, and thus the last version of Windows NT to include NT in its product name and also the last version to support upgrade paths from Windows NT 3.1 and Windows NT 3.5. It is the final version of Windows which supports the Alpha, MIPS, and PowerPC architectures as well; its successor, Windows 2000 does not support these architectures.
The Windows Desktop Update further enhances the shell by incorporating features from Windows 98, which requires installing Internet Explorer 4.
Editions[edit | edit source]
There are several editions of Windows NT 4.0:
- Workstation
- Server
- Server, Enterprise Edition
- Server, Terminal Server Edition
- Embedded
Service Packs[edit | edit source]
There were 6 service packs released for Windows NT 4.0. Only Service Pack 1 was made available for the MIPS architecture, and Service Pack 2 was the final release for the PowerPC architecture. The last had been pulled by Microsoft due to a severe bug, which results in the revised Service Pack 6a. There was a 7th Service Pack planned, but it was canceled and an Update Rollup was released instead in 2001.[1][2]
Option Pack[edit | edit source]
Microsoft released an option pack for Windows NT 4.0 in 1997. It includes server solutions and clients for Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Server and Windows 95, including Personal Web Server, Transaction Server, Message Queue Client, FrontPage 98 Server Extensions, Management Console, Script Debugger, Windows Scripting Host and Data Access Components. Unlike the Service Packs, it is not mandatory, but it requires Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 to be installed. Installing it on Service Pack 4 and later will cause setup to show an information that the option pack was not tested on Service Pack 4 yet, but lets the user to continue. This is the only option pack to be released, as most of the components became part of Windows 2000.
System requirements[edit | edit source]
The x86 version of Windows NT 4.0 requires a 486 processor, at least 16 MB of RAM, 110 MB of hard drive space (varies depending on components being installed), and a VGA or better display.[3] Windows NT 4.0 drops support for 80386 processors. Windows NT 4.0 allows installation to be possible without a floppy drive via CD-ROM media, although a floppy drive is required if one wants to make an Emergency Repair Disk or if not booting directly from the CD.
Hardware compatibility[edit | edit source]
Earlier versions of Windows NT 4.0 does not support processors with a CPUID higher than 3.[4] Windows NT 4.0 will crash during setup or boot if run without limiting the CPUID to less than 3. Service Pack 6 fixes this kernel issue.
Product Team credits Easter egg[edit | edit source]
Windows NT 4.0 contains the Product Team credits Easter egg from Windows 95. Like in Windows 95, it is implemented in SHELL32.DLL, and the steps to show it are much the same as in Windows 95; create a new folder and renaming it to each of the following names in order:
- and now, the moment you've all been waiting for
- we proudly present for your viewing pleasure
- The Microsoft Windows NT Product Team!
The only main difference from the one in Windows 95 is that any references to "95" are replaced with "NT".
The text is in SHELL32.DLL's resource BIN and XORed with 0x95 as an obfuscation measure. For similar reasons, the Easter egg folder names are stored in the .text section of SHELL32.DLL as custom hashes of the old folder name concatenated with the new folder name. This was implemented by build 1175 and there shows the "SUR Shell Team" and "SUR Shell Test Team"; at some point after that the text was replaced by a message informing that "you won't find the credits here".
Source code leak[edit | edit source]
On 12 February 2004, over 30000 source files, partly for Windows NT 4.0, were leaked onto the internet.[5] This would later be pinpointed to Mainsoft.
List of known builds[edit | edit source]
Available build Confirmed build Unconfirmed build Fake build Beta 1[edit | edit source]
Beta 2[edit | edit source]
Release Candidate 1[edit | edit source]
Release Candidate 2[edit | edit source]
Pre-RTM[edit | edit source]
RTM[edit | edit source]
International Beta[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 1[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 2[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 3[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 4[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 5[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 6[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 6a[edit | edit source]
Security Rollup[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Update on Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 7, Windows NT Server (via Wayback Machine). 19 April 2001.
- ↑ Kerr, Rob. MS ditches Service Packs for Windows NT 4.0, The Register. 18 April 2001.
- ↑ ARCHIVED: What is Microsoft Windows NT?, University Information Technology Services. 18 January 2018.
- ↑ CPU Identification by the 32-Bit Windows Kernel, Geoff Chappell - Software Analyst. 22 January 2008.
- ↑ Wolfe, Alexander. Mainsoft Eyed as Windows Source Code Leak, InternetNews. 13 February 2004.
.svg){kind=logo}