Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 focuses on reliability, manageability, security, and performance. Its multithreaded, kernel-based architecture is optimized to run modern 32-bit Windows-based applications, while also supporting many leading MS-DOS-based and 16-bit Windows-based business applications.

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 supports more than 4ꯠ hardware devices and peripherals. Portable users now can take advantage of Plug and Play and power management tools from third-party vendors. With a shared architecture, Windows NT Workstation 4.0 is also the best networking client to the scalability, manageability and performance of Windows NT Server 4.0.

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 core strength Includes:

Better manageability. Windows NT Workstation 4.0 is designed to be the most manageable Windows desktop. The Zero Administration Kit (ZAK) takes full advantage of Windows NT Workstation 4.0 management capabilities, including shell lock down, managed applications and file access. A well-managed PC desktop running Windows NT Workstation 4.0 can reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) by up to 35 percent when used as a personal productivity platform, according to the Gartner Group, a leading industry research firm.
Faster performance. From business productivity applications to high-end technical applications, Windows NT provides the fastest performance for today's standard desktop (32 or 64 MB RAM). For example, in performance testing using the SYSmark32 benchmark, the Business Applications Performance Corp. (BAPCo) found that PCs running Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (on the same Pentium and Pentium II-class systems and 32 MB RAM) improved performance by 13 to 29 percent over PCs running Windows 95.
Increased reliability. Windows NT is designed to actively protect itself and applications from errors and external damage-whether accidental or deliberate-and to respond predictably to software and hardware errors. For example, every application (including legacy 16-bit applications) can be configured to use its own private memory space. This means that if one application fails, it does not impact the other applications or the operating system. Core system components (utive) run separately from the many subsystems, so back-door entry points cannot compromise security or damage the system in any way.
Better security. Windows NT and security are synonymous. The operating system includes capabilities ranging from casual file protection on portables to industrial-strength protection against malicious hackers. For example, Windows NT Workstation 4.0 supports multiple user profiles on the same machine, so system "owners" can govern which users may have access to various program groups, files, and menu commands. Unauthorized users cannot "log into" a machine. Different users authorized for a machine cannot view each other's data.


It is important to evaluate an existing environment for application and hardware compatibility. In general, new PCs preinstalled with Windows NT Workstation 4.0 need to be evaluated only for application compatibility. If applications are found to be not compatible with Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (especially legacy applications), then businesses should weigh the TCO impact of using legacy applications against the benefits of building modern 32-bit Windows-based programs that can take full advantage of today's hardware and operating system platforms. If a business is switching existing desktops to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, applications as well as hardware compatibility and system requirements need to be considered.