Editing Windows NT 4.0 (section)

{{Short description|Fourth major release of Windows NT, released in 1996}}
{{distinguish|Windows 4.0}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox OS
| name = Windows NT 4.0
| version of = [[Windows NT]]
| logo = [[File:Windows NT logo.svg|200px]]
| screenshot = Windows NT 4.0.png
| caption = Screenshot of Windows NT 4.0, showing the [[Start menu]] and [[Windows Explorer]]
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| website = {{URL|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216033317/http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/default.asp}} (archived December 2006)
| source_model = [[Closed source software|Closed source]]
| license = [[Commercial software|Commercial]] [[proprietary software]]
| supported_platforms = [[IA-32]], [[DEC Alpha|Alpha]], [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]], [[PowerPC]]
| preceded_by = [[Windows NT 3.51]] (1995)
| succeeded_by = [[Windows 2000]] (1999)
| kernel_type = [[Hybrid kernel|Hybrid]]
| userland = [[Windows API]], [[NTVDM]], [[Microsoft OS/2 subsystem|OS/2 1.x]], [[Microsoft POSIX subsystem|POSIX.1]], [[Windows Services for UNIX|SFU]] (SP3+)
| first_release_date = {{Start date and age|1996|7|31}}<ref name="rtmpresspass">{{cite web|title=Microsoft Announces the Release of Windows NT Workstation 4.0|url=https://news.microsoft.com/1996/07/31/microsoft-announces-the-release-of-windows-nt-workstation-4-0/|website=News Center|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|location=[[Redmond, WA]]|date=July 31, 1996|access-date=June 25, 2017|archive-date=August 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805164916/https://news.microsoft.com/1996/07/31/microsoft-announces-the-release-of-windows-nt-workstation-4-0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GA_date = {{Start date and age|1996|8|24}} (Workstation)<br>{{Start date and age|1996|9}} (Server)<ref name="gareleasedate">{{cite web|title=Microsoft sets support cutoff dates for Windows NT Server 4.0|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2584890/microsoft-sets-support-cutoff-dates-for-windows-nt-server-4-0.amp.html|publisher=[[Computerworld]]|date=December 10, 2001|access-date=August 24, 2023}}</ref>
| release_version = Service Pack 6a with Post SP6a Security Rollup (4.0.1381)
| release_date = {{Start date and age|2001|7|26}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Post-Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a Security Rollup Package (SRP)|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/299444/post-windows-nt-4.0-service-pack-6a-security-rollup-package-srp|website=Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|date=June 19, 2014|access-date=June 25, 2017|archive-date=June 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628082723/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/299444/post-windows-nt-4.0-service-pack-6a-security-rollup-package-srp|url-status=live}}</ref>
| marketing target = Business and Server
| preview_version = 
| preview_date = 
| support_status = {{Infobox
|child=yes
|label1=Embedded
|data1=Mainstream support ended on June 30, 2003<ref name="EmbSup"/><br />Extended support ended on July 11, 2006<ref name="EmbSup">{{cite web
|title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Windows NT Embedded 4.0
|url=http://support2.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3185
|publisher=Microsoft
|access-date=February 3, 2015
|archive-date=February 3, 2015
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203115938/http://support2.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3185
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|label2=Server
|data2=Mainstream support ended on December 31, 2002<ref name="ServSup"/><br />Extended support ended on December 31, 2004<ref name="ServSup">{{cite web
|title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Windows NT 4.0 Server
|url=http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-us&p1=3188&x=12&y=11
|publisher=Microsoft
|access-date=September 4, 2009
|archive-date=February 4, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204013031/https://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?ln=en-us&p1=3188&x=12&y=11
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|label3=Workstation
|data3=Mainstream support ended on June 30, 2002<ref name="WorkSup"/><br />Extended support ended on June 30, 2004<ref name="WorkSup">{{cite web
|title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
|url=http://support2.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-us&p1=3194&x=2&y=14
|publisher=Microsoft
|access-date=September 4, 2009
|archive-date=February 4, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204013035/https://support2.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?ln=en-us&p1=3194&x=2&y=14
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|label4=Extended Security Updates (ESU) Support
|data4=All editions were eligible for a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. It allowed users to purchase security updates on a pay-per-incident plan. Security updates were available until December 31, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.controleng.com/articles/goodbye-windows-nt/|title=Goodbye Windows NT|first=Dennis|last=Brandl|date=December 1, 2006|access-date=October 21, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716073521/https://www.controleng.com/articles/goodbye-windows-nt/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
}}
'''Windows NT 4.0''' is a major release of the [[Windows NT]] [[operating system]] developed by [[Microsoft]], targeting the data server and personal workstation markets.<ref><nowiki>https://dspace.qau.edu.pk:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/29833/1/COM</nowiki> 1354.pdf</ref> It is the direct successor to [[Windows NT 3.51]], and was [[released to manufacturing]] on July 31, 1996,<ref name="rtmpresspass" /> and then to retail in August 24, 1996, with the Server versions released to retail in September 1996.<ref name="gareleasedate" />

Its most prominent user-facing change was the adoption of [[Windows 95]]'s [[Windows shell|user interface]], introducing features such as the [[Start menu]] and [[taskbar]] to the Windows NT product line. It also includes various performance and stability improvements to system-level components, as well as new components such as a [[Microsoft CryptoAPI|cryptography API]], [[Distributed Component Object Model|DCOM]], [[Telephony Application Programming Interface|TAPI]] 2.0, and the [[Task Manager (Windows)|Task Manager]], and limited support for [[DirectX]]. Over its support lifecycle, NT 4.0 received various updates and [[Service pack|service packs]] offering patches, enhancements to its hardware support, and other new components. Two new editions of NT 4.0 were released post-launch, including a modular variant for [[Embedded system|embedded systems]], and the [[Remote Desktop Services|Terminal Server]] edition. NT 4.0 was the last version of Windows NT to support [[RISC]] processors.

Most editions of NT 4.0 were succeeded by [[Windows 2000]] on December 15, 1999. Mainstream support for Windows NT 4.0 Workstation ended on June 30, 2002, following by extended support ending on June 30, 2004. Windows NT 4.0 Server mainstream support ended on December 31, 2002, with extended support ending on December 31, 2004. Windows NT 4.0 Embedded would be succeeded by [[Windows XP Embedded]]; mainstream support ended on June 30, 2003, followed by extended support on July 11, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.microsoft.com/2004/12/03/q-exchange-server-5-5-to-follow-in-one-year/|title=Q&A: Support for Windows NT Server 4.0 Nears End; Exchange Server 5.5 to Follow in One Year|date=December 3, 2004|website=Stories|language=en-US|access-date=September 17, 2019|archive-date=April 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423022613/https://news.microsoft.com/2004/12/03/q-exchange-server-5-5-to-follow-in-one-year/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.serverwatch.com/news/article.php/3453131/Windows-NT-40-Support-Ends-Tomorrow.htm|title=Windows NT 4.0 Support Ends Tomorrow|date=December 30, 2004|website=www.serverwatch.com|access-date=September 17, 2019|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926221203/https://www.serverwatch.com/news/article.php/3453131/Windows-NT-40-Support-Ends-Tomorrow.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/06/27/almost_dead_win_nt/|title=Almost dead: Win NT 4 support|last=Leyden|first=John|date=July 27, 2003|website=www.theregister.co.uk|language=en|access-date=September 17, 2019|archive-date=August 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807131223/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/06/27/almost_dead_win_nt/|url-status=live}}</ref>