Comparison of Microsoft Windows versions Informatics & Computer 479 kategori-antropologi.pts-ptn.net

Desktop market share for November 2012^[1]
Total Windows - 86.32%
Windows 7 - 53.15%
Windows XP - 26.19%
Windows Vista - 6.98%
Non-Windows - 13.68%

Microsoft Windows is the name of several families of computer software operating systems by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUI).

General information

Basic general information about Windows.

DOS-based (MS-DOS/9x-based)

Name	Release date	RTM Build	Current version	Status support	Source model/ License Type	Codename	MS-DOS version	Kernel type	Architecture	Editions	Type	Notes
Windows 1.0	1985-11-20	?	1.04 (1987-04-08)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA		?	?	16-bit		Desktop	First version of Windows
Windows 2.0	1987-12-09	?	2.03 (1987-12-09)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA		?	?	16-bit		Desktop
Windows 2.1x	1988-05-27	?	2.11 (1989-03-13)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA		?	?	16-bit		Desktop
Windows 3.0	1990-05-22	?	3.0a Multimedia Extensions (1991-10-20)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA		DOS 3.1 or higher (not included)	?	16-bit	Windows 3.0, Windows 3.0a, Windows 3.0a with Multimedia Extensions	Desktop
Windows 3.1x	1992-04-06	040	3.11 (1993-12-31)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	3.1: Janus; for Workgroups: Kato, Sparta; 3.11: Snowball (LB)	DOS 3.3 or higher (not included)	?	16-bit (partial 32-bit compatibility with Win32s)	Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.1, Windows 3.11, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows 3.2 (simplified Chinese only)	Desktop	Version number: 3.1.040
Windows 95	1995-08-24	950	4.00.950C OSR2.5 (1997-11-26)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	Chicago	MS-DOS 7.0, MS-DOS 7.1 (OSR2.x)	Monolithic kernel	Hybrid 16/32-bit	Retail, OSR1, OSR2, OSR2.1, OSR2.5	Desktop	Version number: 4.00.950
Windows 98	1998-06-25	1998	4.10.2222A (1999-04-23)	Unsupported (2006-07-11)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	Memphis	MS-DOS 7.1	Monolithic kernel	Hybrid 16/32-bit	First edition, Second Edition	Desktop	Version number: 4.10.1998 (Security Version 4.10.1998A)
Windows Me	2000-06-19	3000	4.90.3000 (2000-09-14)	Unsupported (2006-07-11)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	Millennium	MS-DOS 8.0	Monolithic kernel	Hybrid 16/32-bit		Desktop	Version number: 4.90.3000 (Security Version 4.90.3000A)

NT Kernel-based

Name	Release date	RTM Build	Current version	Status support	License/Source model	Codename, working name	Based on (kernel)	Supported architectures	Editions	OS type
Windows NT 3.1	1993-07-27	528	3.10.528 SP3 (1994-11-10)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	?	NT 3.1	x86-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS	Workstation, Advanced Server	Workstation, Server
Windows NT 3.5	1994-09-21	807	3.50.807 SP3 (1995-06-21)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	Daytona	NT 3.5	x86-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS	Workstation, Server	Workstation, Server
Windows NT 3.51	1995-05-30	1057	3.51.1057 SP5 (1996-09-19)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	?	NT 3.51	x86-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC	Workstation, Server	Workstation, Server
Windows NT 4.0	1996-08-24	1381	4.00.1381 SP6a (1999-11-30)	Unsupported (2004-12-31)	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	Cairo Hydra (Terminal Server)	NT 4.0	x86-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC	Workstation, Server, Server Enterprise Edition, Terminal Server, Embedded	Workstation, Server, Embedded PCs
Windows 2000	2000-02-17	2195	5.0 SP4 Rollup 1 v2 (2005-09-13)	Unsupported (2010-07-13)	Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Memphis NT	NT 5.0	x86-32, IA-64	Professional, Server, Advanced Server, Datacenter Server, Powered (Embedded)	Desktop, Workstation, Server, Embedded PCs
Windows XP	2001-10-25	2600	5.1.2600 SP3 (2008-04-21)	Extended Support Period (2014-04-08)	Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Whistler	NT 5.1; NT 5.2 (64-bit 2003 and x64)	x86-32, IA-64, x86-64	Starter Edition, Home, Professional, Media Center, Tablet PC, Starter, Embedded, Home N, Home K, Home KN, Professional N, Professional K, Professional KN, Professional x64	Desktop, Workstation, Embedded PCs
Windows Server 2003	2003-04-24	3790	5.2.3790 SP2 (2007-03-13)	Supported	Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Whistler Server, Windows .NET Server	NT 5.2	x86-32, IA-64, x86-64	Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, Storage, Small Business Server, Compute Cluster	Server, Network Appliance, Embedded PCs, HPC
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs	2006-07-08	2600	RTM (2006-07-08)	Supported	Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Eiger, Monch	NT 5.1	x86-32	Fundamentals for Legacy PCs	Desktop
Windows Vista	2006-11-08	6000 (SP2: 6002)	6.0 SP2 (2009-04-28)	Supported	Closed source, Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Longhorn	NT 6.0	x86-32, x86-64	Starter, Home Basic,Home Basic N, Home Basic K, Home Basic KN, Home Premium, Home Premium K, Home Premium KN, Business, Business N, Business K, Business KN, Enterprise, Enterprise K, Enterprise KN, Ultimate, Ultimate K, Ultimate KN	Desktop, Workstation
Windows Server 2008	2008-02-27	6001 (SP2: 6002)	6.0 SP2 (2008-02-27)	Supported	Closed source, Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Longhorn Server	NT 6.0	x86-32, IA-64, x86-64	Web, Standard, Enterprise, Small Business Server, Datacenter, Web Core, Standard Core, Enterprise Core, Datacenter Core, Standard without HyperV, Enterprise without HyperV, Datacenter without HyperV, Standard Core without HyperV, Enterprise Core without HyperV, Datacenter Core without HyperV, HPC, HyperV Core, Foundation, Storage	Server
Windows Home Server	2007-06-16	3790	5.2	Supported	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	Q, Quattro	NT 5.2	x86-32, x86-64	Home Server	Server
Windows 7	2009-10-22^[2]	7600 (SP1: 7601)	6.1	Supported	Closed source, Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	"7", Vienna	NT 6.1	x86-32, x86-64	Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, Enterprise, Starter N, Home Basic N, Home Premium N, Professional N, Ultimate N, Enterprise N, Starter K, Home Basic K, Home Premium K, Professional K, Ultimate K, Enterprise K, Starter KN, Home Basic KN, Home Premium KN, Professional KN, Ultimate KN, Enterprise KN, Starter E, Home Basic E, Home Premium E, Professional E, Ultimate E, Enterprise E	Desktop, Workstation, Multi-Touch
Windows Server 2008 R2	2009-10-22	7600 (SP1: 7601)	6.1	Supported	Closed source, Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	"7" Server	NT 6.1	IA-64, x86-64	Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, Standard Core, Enterprise Core, Datacenter Core, Web Core	Server
Windows Home Server 2011	2011-04-05	8400	6.1	Supported	Closed source/ Microsoft EULA	Vail	NT 6.1	x86-64	Home Server	Server
Windows Server 2012	2012-9-4	9200	6.2	Supported	Closed source, Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	"8" Server	NT 6.2	x86-64	Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, Standard Core, Enterprise Core, Datacenter Core, Web Core	Server
Windows 8	2012-10-26	9200	6.2	Supported	Closed source, Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	"8"	NT 6.2	x86-32, x86-64, ARM Architecture	Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows RT, Windows 8 N, Windows 8 Pro N, Windows 8 Enterprise N	Desktop, Workstation, Multitouch
Windows Phone 8	2012-10-29	10211	6.2	Supported	Closed source, Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Apollo, Portico	NT 6.2	ARM Architecture	Windows Phone 8	Smartphone, Multitouch

CE-based

Windows CE (sometimes abbreviated WinCE) is a variation of Microsoft's Windows operating system for minimalistic computers and embedded systems. Windows CE is a distinctly different kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows. It is supported on Intel x86 and compatibles, MIPS, ARM, and Hitachi SuperH processors.

	Release date	Current version	Status support	License/Source model	Codename	Based on (kernel)	Kernel type	Editions	Purpose	Short description
Windows CE 1.0	November 1996				Pegasus, Alder	CE 1.0			Embedded	first release of Microsoft's Windows CE line for minimalistic computers and embedded systems
Windows CE 2.0	November 1997				Mercury, Apollo	CE 2.0		2.1, 2.11	Embedded
Windows CE 3.0	April 2000		Unsupported (10/9/2007)	Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Cedar, Galileo, Rapier, Merlin, Stinger	CE 3.0	Embedded kernel		Embedded
Windows Pocket PC 2002						CE 3.0
Windows CE 4.0	7 January 2002				Talisker	CE 4.0		4.1, 4.2	Embedded
Windows Mobile 2003	23 June 2003				Ozone	CE 4.20
Windows CE 5.0	9 July 2004	5.0 (9 July 2004)	Supported	Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Macallan	CE 5.0	Embedded kernel		Embedded
Windows Mobile 5.0	9–12 May 2005				Magneto	CE 5.0
Windows Embedded CE 6.0	1 November 2006			Shared source/ Microsoft EULA	Yamazaki	CE 6.0	Hybrid kernel
Windows Mobile 6.0	12 February 2007				Crossbow	CE 5.2
Windows Mobile 6.1	1 April 2008									various performance enhancements, a redesigned Home screen, threaded SMS, full page zooming in IE and Domain Enroll
Windows Mobile 6.5	May 18, 2009									minor upgrade to the existing Windows Mobile platform
Windows Phone 7	November 8, 2010				Photon	CE 6.0				major update to the platform, merging Smartphone and Pocket PC.
Windows Phone 7.5	November , 2011				Mango	CE 6.1				update of Windows Phone.

Technical information

DOS-based (MS-DOS/9x-based)

Name	Kernel	Kernel type	Architecture	Integrated firewall	SMP support	Multiple architecture support	USB Support	UDMA Support	Long Filename Support	Update management	APIs	Safe Mode
Windows 1.0	?	?	16-bit	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Win16	No
Windows 2.0	?	?	16-bit	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Win16	No
Windows 3.0	?	?	16-bit	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Win16	No
Windows 3.1x	? (OS or shell?)	?	16-bit (partial 32-bit compatibility through Win32s)	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Win16, Win32s	No
Windows 95	MS-DOS 7.0, MS-DOS 7.1 (Win95B)	Monolithic kernel	Hybrid 16/32-bit	No	No	No	Only OEM Service Release 2.1 or higher	Only OEM Service Release 2 or higher	Yes	Windows Update (If Internet Explorer 5 is installed)	Win16, Win32c	Yes
Windows 98	MS-DOS 7.1	Monolithic kernel	Hybrid 16/32-bit	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Windows Update	Win16, Win32	Yes
Windows Me	MS-DOS 8.0	Monolithic kernel	Hybrid 16/32-bit	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Windows Update	Win16, Win32	Yes

NT Kernel-based

The NT kernel powers all recent Windows operating systems. It runs on x86, x86-64 and Itanium processors.

Name	Kernel	Architecture	Integrated firewall	SMP support	Multiple architecture support	USB Support	UDMA Support	Long File Name Support	Package management	Update management	APIs	Safe Mode	Data Execution Prevention
Windows NT 3.1	NT 3.1	32-bit	No	Yes	Yes	No	?	Yes (NTFS and HPFS Volumes only)			Win32, OS/2, POSIX	No	No
Windows NT 3.5	NT 3.5	32-bit	No	Yes	Yes	No	?	Yes (Except on CDFS volumes)			Win32, OS/2, POSIX	No	No
Windows NT 3.51	NT 3.51	32-bit	No	Yes	Yes	No	?	Yes (Except on CDFS volumes)			Win32, OS/2, POSIX	No	No
Windows NT 4.0	NT 4.0	32-bit	No	Yes	Yes	Yes (if the Ion USB update is installed)	Yes	Yes		Windows Update (if Internet Explorer 5 or later is installed)	Win32, OS/2, POSIX	No	No
Windows 2000	NT 5.0	32/64-bit	No	Yes	Yes (IA-64/Itanium in Advanced Server and Datacenter Server)	Yes (USB 2.0 with update or SP4)^[3]	Yes	Yes	MSI, custom installers	Windows Update	Win32, OS/2, POSIX	Yes	No
Windows XP	NT 5.1.2600; NT 5.2.3790	32/64-bit	Yes	Yes (Professional Edition only)	Yes (IA-64/Itanium, x86, x86-64)	Yes (USB 2.0 with update or SP1+)^[4]	Yes	Yes	MSI, custom installers	Windows Update	Win32, .NET	Yes	Yes (in SP2)
Windows Server 2003	NT 5.2.3790	32/64-bit	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (USB 2.0)^[5]	Yes	Yes	MSI, custom installers	Windows Update	Win32	Yes	Yes (in SP1)
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs	NT 5.1.2600	32-bit	Yes	?	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	MSI, custom installers	Windows Update	Win32	Yes	Yes
Windows Vista	NT 6.0.6000 ; NT 6.0.6001 (SP1) ; NT 6.0.6002 (SP2)	32/64-bit	Yes	Yes	Yes (x86, x86-64)	Yes (USB 2.0)	Yes	Yes	MSI, custom installers	Windows Update Application	Win32, .NET, POSIX (only Enterprise and Ultimate)	Yes	Yes
Windows Server 2008	NT 6.0.6001 ; NT 6.0.6002 (SP2)	32/64-bit	Yes	Yes	Yes (IA-64/Itanium, x86, x86-64)	Yes (USB 2.0)	Yes	Yes		Windows Update Application	Win32	Yes	Yes
Windows Home Server	NT 5.2	32-bit	?	?	?	Yes (USB 2.0)	?	Yes			Win32	?	?
Windows 7	NT 6.1	32/64-bit	Yes	Yes	Yes (x86, x86-64)	Yes (USB 2.0)	Yes	Yes		Windows Update Application	Win32, .NET	Yes	Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2	NT 6.1	64-bit	Yes	Yes	Yes (IA-64/Itanium, x86-64)	Yes (USB 2.0)	Yes	Yes		Windows Update Application	Win32, .NET	Yes	Yes
Windows Home Server 2011	NT 6.1	64-bit	?	?	?	Yes (USB 2.0)	?	Yes			Win32	?	?
Windows Server 2012	NT 6.2	64-bit	Yes	Yes	No (x86-64)	Yes (USB 3.0)	Yes	Yes		Windows Update Application	Win32, .NET, WinRT	Yes	Yes
Windows 8	NT 6.2	32/64-bit	Yes	Yes	Yes (x86, x86-64,ARM)	Yes (USB 3.0)	Yes	Yes		Windows Update Application	Win32, .NET, WinRT	Yes	Yes
Windows Phone 8	NT 6.2	32bit	Yes	Yes	No (ARM)	Yes (USB 2.0)	Yes	Yes		Windows Update	WinRT	Yes	Yes

Supported file systems

Various versions of Windows support various file systems, including: FAT16, FAT32, HPFS, or NTFS, along with network file systems shared from other computers, and the ISO 9660 and UDF file systems used for CDs, DVDs, and other optical discs such as Blu-ray. Each file system is usually limited in application to certain media, for example CDs must use ISO 9660 or UDF, and as of Windows Vista, NTFS is the only file system which the operating system can be installed on. Windows Embedded CE 6.0, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and Windows Server 2008 onwards support ExFAT, a file system more suitable for flash drives.

DOS-based (MS-DOS/9x-based)

	FAT16	FAT32	HPFS	ISO9660	NTFS	UDF
Windows 95	Yes	Yes (OSR2 or above)	Network Drive	Yes	Network Drive	No
Windows 98	Yes	Yes	Network Drive	Yes	Network Drive	Yes (1.5, read)
Windows Me	Yes	Yes	Network Drive	Yes	Network Drive	Yes (1.5, read)

NT Kernel-based

	FAT16	FAT32	HPFS	ISO9660	NTFS	UDF (More Info)	ReFS
Windows NT 3.1, 3.5, 3.51	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes v1.0/v1.1	?	No
Windows NT 4.0	Yes	No	Partial	Yes	Yes v1.2	?	No
Windows 2000	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes v3.0	Yes	No
Windows XP	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes v3.1	Yes (2.01)	No
Windows Server 2003	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes v3.1	Yes	No
Windows Vista	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes v5	Yes (2.6)	No
Windows Server 2008	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes v5	Yes	No
Windows 7	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes v5	Yes (2.6)	No
Windows Server 2008 R2	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes v5	Yes (2.6)	No
Windows Server 2012	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes v5	Yes (2.6)	Yes
Windows 8	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes v5	Yes (2.6)	No
Windows Phone 8	Yes	Yes	No	?	Yes v5	?	No

Hardware requirements

Minimum/recommended system requirements (for x86 processors)

9x Kernel-based

	CPU	RAM	Free disk space
Windows 95	386	4 MB	120 MB
Windows 98	486 DX2 66 MHz	16 MB	300 MB
Windows Me (Millennium Edition)	Pentium 150 MHz	32 MB	400 MB

NT Kernel-based

	CPU	RAM	Free disk space	Video adapter and monitor	Drives	Devices
Windows NT Workstation 3.51	386, 25 MHz	8 MB	90 MB
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation	486, 33 MHz	12 MB	110 MB
Windows 2000 Professional	Pentium, 133 MHz	32 MB	650 MB	VGA (640 x 480) or higher resolution	CD-ROM	Keyboard and mouse
Windows XP	Pentium MMX, 233 MHz	64 MB	1.5 GB	Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution	CD-ROM or DVD-ROM	Keyboard and mouse
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs	Pentium, 233 MHz	64 MB	500 MB
Windows Vista	Pentium III, 800 MHz	512 MB/1 GB or higher recommended	15 GB (may be installed with as few as 7GB)	Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution	DVD-ROM
Windows Server 2008	1 GHz (x86) or 1.4 GHz (x64)	512 MB RAM (may limit performance and some features)	10 GB	Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution	DVD-ROM	Keyboard and mouse
Windows 7	1 GHz (x86/64)	1 GB or higher recommended (2 GB or Higher for x64)	16 GB (installs in 7 GB)	128MB (Aero)	DVD-ROM	Keyboard and mouse or touchscreen
Windows Server 2012	1.4 GHz (x64)	512 MB RAM (may limit performance and some features)	10 GB	Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution	DVD-ROM	Keyboard and mouse or touchscreen
Windows 8	1 GHz (x86/64)	1 GB or higher recommended (2 GB or Higher for x64)	20 GB (installs in 7 GB)	128MB (Aero)	DVD-ROM	Keyboard and mouse or touchscreen
Windows Phone 8	1 GHz	512 MB	8 GB	WVGA (800 x 480) or higher resolution		touchscreen

Physical memory limits

Maximum limits on physical memory (RAM) that Windows can address vary depending on the both the Windows version and between 32-bit (x86-32) and 64-bit (x86-64) versions.^[6]^[7]

9x Kernel-based

Version	Limit in 32-bit Windows	Limit in 64-bit Windows
Windows 95	480 MB ^[8]	N/A
Windows 98	1 GB	N/A
Windows Me	1.5 GB	N/A

NT Kernel-based

Version	Limit in 32-bit Windows	Limit in 64-bit Windows
Windows NT 4.0	4 GB	N/A
Windows 2000 Professional\Server	4 GB	N/A
Windows 2000 Advanced Server\Datacenter Server	4 GB	64 GB
Windows XP Starter Edition	512 MB	N/A
Windows XP Home	4 GB	N/A
Windows XP Professional	4 GB	128 GB
Windows Server 2003 Small Business Edition	4 GB	128 GB
Windows Server 2003 Standard SP1	4 GB	32 GB
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise SP2\Datacenter SP2\	64 GB	1 TB
Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard	4 GB	1 TB
Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise\Datacenter	64 GB	1 TB
Windows Vista Starter	1 GB	N/A
Windows Vista Home Basic	4 GB	8 GB
Windows Vista Home Premium	4 GB	16 GB
Windows Vista Enterprise\Ultimate	4 GB	128 GB
Windows Server 2008 Web Server\Standard	4 GB	32 GB
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise\Datacenter	64 GB	1 TB
Windows 7 Starter	2 GB	N/A
Windows 7 Home Basic	4 GB	8 GB
Windows 7 Home Premium	4 GB	16 GB
Windows 7 Professional\Enterprise\Ultimate	4 GB	192 GB
Windows Server 2008 R2 Web Server\Standard	N/A	32 GB
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise\Datacenter	N/A	2 TB
Windows Server 2012 Web Server\Standard	N/A	32 GB
Windows Server 2012 Enterprise\Datacenter	N/A	4 TB
Windows RT	4 GB	N/A
Windows 8	4 GB	32 GB
Windows 8 Pro\Enterprise	4 GB	192 GB
Windows Phone 8	4 GB	N/A

Security features

NT Kernel-based

	Resource access control	Subsystem isolation mechanisms	Integrated firewall	Encrypted file systems
Windows 2000	ACLs		TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	Yes (NTFS Only)
Windows XP	ACLs	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall (From SP2), TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	Yes (NTFS Only)
Windows Server 2003	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	Yes
Windows Vista	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	Yes
Windows Server 2008	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	Yes
Windows 7	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	Yes
Windows Server 2012	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	Yes
Windows 8	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	Yes

Features

Version	Shell	Theme	Internet Explorer	Web server	Windows Media Player	Command-line interpreter
Windows 1.0	MS-DOS executive		No
Windows 2.0	MS-DOS executive		No
Windows 3.0	Program Manager		No
Windows 3.1x	Program Manager		No
Windows 95	Windows Explorer		2.0 in OSR1, 3.0 in OSR2 and OSR2.1, 4.0 in OSR2.5			COMMAND.COM
Windows NT 4.0	Windows Explorer		2.0			COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe
Windows 98	Windows Explorer		4.01	PWS		COMMAND.COM
Windows 98 SE	Windows Explorer		5.0	PWS	6.0	COMMAND.COM
Windows 2000	Windows Explorer		5.01	IIS 5.0	6.4	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe
Windows Me	Windows Explorer		5.5		7.0	COMMAND.COM
Windows XP	Windows Explorer	Luna (Blue standard)	6.0	IIS 5.1	8 (9 in SP2)	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, Windows PowerShell (optional)
Windows Server 2003	Windows Explorer	Classic (Luna can be enabled with Theme Service)	6.0	IIS 6.0	9 (10 in SP1)	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, Windows PowerShell (optional)
Windows Vista	Windows Explorer	Aero Glass	7.0	IIS 7	11	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, Windows PowerShell (optional)
Windows Server 2008	Windows Explorer	Classic (Aero can be enabled by installing "Desktop Experience")	7.0	IIS 7	11 (enabled by installing "Desktop Experience")	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, Windows PowerShell (optional)
Windows 7	Windows Explorer	Aero Glass	8.0	IIS 7.5	12	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, Windows PowerShell V2
Windows Server 2008 R2	Windows Explorer	Classic (Aero can be enabled by installing "Desktop Experience")	8.0	IIS 7.5	12 (enabled by installing "Desktop Experience")	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, Windows PowerShell V2
Windows Server 2012	Windows Explorer	Classic-Metro, (Aero-Metro can be enabled by installing "Desktop Experience")	10.0	IIS 8	12 (enabled by installing "Desktop Experience")	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, Windows PowerShell V3
Windows 8	Windows Explorer	Aero Modern	10.0	IIS 8	12	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, Windows PowerShell V3

References

^ "StatCounter Operating System Market Share". November 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012. Courtesy of StatCounter, a web analytics company which obtains its data from an average of 15 billion hits per month, by people from all over the world onto their 3 million+ member sites.
^ LeBlanc, Brandon (June 2, 2009). "The Date for General Availability (GA) of Windows 7 is...". The Windows Blog. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
^ "Updated USB 2.0 Drivers Are Available in Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4)". Microsoft Support. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
^ Jones, Don (August 5, 2002). "USB 2.0 Support in Windows XP: High Speed at Last". Microsoft. Archived from the original on December 31, 2004. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
^ "USB 2.0 and Windows Operating Systems". Windows Hardware Development. May 11, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
^ "What is the maximum amount of RAM the Windows operating system can handle?". Crucial. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
^ "Memory Limits for Windows Releases". Microsoft. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
^ Chen, Raymond. "Windows 95 doesn't boot with more than 1GB of RAM".

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Tag
Windows Embedded Automotive
Windows Media

Web properties

Live Anywhere	Games for Windows – Live Xbox Live (Arcade Marketplace) Zune Social

MSN	Games MSNBC NBCNews.com (formerly msnbc.com) ninemsn

Windows Live	Admin Center Calendar Contacts Devices Groups Home Hotmail Microsoft account Profile SkyDrive Outlook.com

Others	Bing (Ads) BrowserChoice.eu Channel 9 CodePlex HealthVault Ignition MSDN Online Protection for Exchange Pinpoint Popfly Store System Center Advisor TechNet Wave Windows Intune Windows Phone Store

Gaming

Games for Windows
Kinect
Microsoft Studios
MSN Games
Xbox
Xbox 360
XNA

Hardware

Released	PixelSense Surface Natural Keyboard Keyboard Mouse LifeCam Lifechat SideWinder InstaLoad

Prototypes	Courier Venus

Discontinued	Zune 30 80 / 120 4 / 8 / 16 HD Fingerprint Jazz Audio System Cordless Phone Ultra-mobile PC Pocket PC RoundTable Response Point Kin MSN TV Broadband Networking

Education and
recognition

DreamSpark
DreamSpark Premium (Formerly MSDNAA)
Microsoft Certifications
MSCA
Microsoft Press
Microsoft MVP
Student Partners
Research

Licensing

Conferences

BUILD
MIX
PDC
TechEd
WinHEC

Criticism

Windows
Windows 9x
Windows 2000
Windows ME
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Xbox 360
Internet Explorer
Bundling of Microsoft Windows
iLoo

Litigation

Alcatel-Lucent v. Microsoft
European Union Microsoft competition case
United States v. Microsoft
Microsoft v. Lindows
Apple v. Microsoft
Microsoft vs. MikeRoweSoft

Acquisitions

Altamira Software
aQuantive
Azyxxi
Blue Ribbon Soundworks
Bungie
Calista Technologies
Colloquis
Connectix
Consumers Software
Danger
Farecast
FASA Studio
Fast Search & Transfer
Firefly
Forethought
GIANT Company Software
Groove Networks
Hotmail
Jellyfish.com
LinkExchange
Lionhead Studios
Massive Incorporated
Onfolio
PlaceWare
Powerset
ProClarity
Rare
ScreenTonic
Skype Communications
Teleo
Tellme Networks
Twisted Pixel Games
Vermeer Technologies
Visio Corporation
VXtreme
WebTV Networks
Winternals
Yammer
Yupi

Further information: List of Microsoft topics

Comparison of Microsoft Windows versions

Contents

General information

DOS-based (MS-DOS/9x-based)

NT Kernel-based

CE-based

Technical information

DOS-based (MS-DOS/9x-based)

NT Kernel-based

Supported file systems

DOS-based (MS-DOS/9x-based)

NT Kernel-based

Hardware requirements

9x Kernel-based

NT Kernel-based

Physical memory limits

9x Kernel-based

NT Kernel-based

Security features

NT Kernel-based

Features

See also

Other Microsoft operating systems

Windows clones, emulators, etc.

Further reading

References

External links

Official

Programming

Reference Websites