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Windows NT 4.0
| Version of Microsoft Windows | |
 | |
 | |
| OS family | Windows NT |
|---|---|
| Version | 4.0 |
| Codename | Shell Update Release |
| Architecture | x86, Alpha, MIPS, PC98, PowerPC |
| Latest build | 4.0.1381.7097 (Service Pack 6a Security Rollup update) |
| Release date | 1996-08-24 |
| Support end | 2004-06-30 2006-12-31 (with Extended Security Updates) |
Server Server, Enterprise Edition Server, Terminal Server Edition Embedded | |
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 last version of Windows NT to include NT in its product name. It is also the last public release of Windows for the Alpha, MIPS, and PowerPC architectures. It was succeeded by Windows 2000.
The Windows Desktop Update further enhances the shell by incorporating features from Windows 98.
Debug versions of Windows NT 4.0 have the Start button text changed to "Unicode Debug".
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. 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]
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".
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]
Post-RTM[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 1[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 2[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 3 Beta[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 3[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 4 Beta[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 4[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 5[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 6 Beta[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 6[edit | edit source]
Service Pack 6a[edit | edit source]
Post-Service Pack 6a Security Rollup[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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