4 ms·

Ironically, XP had issues with running legacy software back in the day, as it was the first NT-based OS targeted on desktop computers.

laumars 7y ago
> [NT] was the first NT-based OS targeted on desktop computers In the mainstream home computing sense, yes. But it wasn't the first NT-based OS to target desktop computers. Windows 2000 had a few desktop releases and was even available pre-installed in some high street computer stores. Also NT4 did have a "Workstation" release specifically for desktop computers albeit that was aimed at businesses. Prior to NT4 I don't think there were separate desktop/server releases of NT but it did have enough software to run as a desktop if one wished. Though I think those people might have preferred OS/2 or Windows 3.1 instead (or a non-IBM PC; because there were plenty of options back then)
- EvanAnderson 7y ago
  Every version of Windows NT (and later derivations) has had separate server and desktop-targeted releases going back to "Windows NT 3.1" and "Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server".
  - laumars 7y ago
    Ahh. I wasn't sure about NT 3.1 as it's the only version of NT I've not had to manage. In fact quite possibly the only version of Windows I've never used even once.
  - coredog64 7y ago
    One could change an NT4 workstation install into a server install with one or two registry changes and a reboot. There may have been a few binaries on the AS install media that were harder to come by, but in general the editions were licensing segments and not really different products.
marcoseliziario 7y ago
it was the first NT based OS targeted at home users. At least on the places where I've worked, NT, since 4.0, was basically the default Windows OS for enterprises.
- chungus_khan 7y ago
  A lot of small businesses used DOS/9x though, and boy did that generate work.
decasteve 7y ago
For me that was NT service pack 3 which brought DirectX to NT. That way I was able to play Diablo on my workstation!

laumars 7y ago

> [NT] was the first NT-based OS targeted on desktop computers In the mainstream home computing sense, yes. But it wasn't the first NT-based OS to target desktop computers. Windows 2000 had a few desktop releases and was even available pre-installed in some high street computer stores. Also NT4 did have a "Workstation" release specifically for desktop computers albeit that was aimed at businesses. Prior to NT4 I don't think there were separate desktop/server releases of NT but it did have enough software to run as a desktop if one wished. Though I think those people might have preferred OS/2 or Windows 3.1 instead (or a non-IBM PC; because there were plenty of options back then)

EvanAnderson 7y ago
Every version of Windows NT (and later derivations) has had separate server and desktop-targeted releases going back to "Windows NT 3.1" and "Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server".
- laumars 7y ago
  Ahh. I wasn't sure about NT 3.1 as it's the only version of NT I've not had to manage. In fact quite possibly the only version of Windows I've never used even once.
- coredog64 7y ago
  One could change an NT4 workstation install into a server install with one or two registry changes and a reboot. There may have been a few binaries on the AS install media that were harder to come by, but in general the editions were licensing segments and not really different products.

marcoseliziario 7y ago

it was the first NT based OS targeted at home users. At least on the places where I've worked, NT, since 4.0, was basically the default Windows OS for enterprises.

chungus_khan 7y ago
A lot of small businesses used DOS/9x though, and boy did that generate work.

decasteve 7y ago

For me that was NT service pack 3 which brought DirectX to NT. That way I was able to play Diablo on my workstation!