NT incorporates a client/server model, like a microkernel, but isn't a "pure" microkernel like Mach. This gives rise to the 'hybrid kernel' term, which Linus di

NT incorporates a client/server model, like a microkernel, but isn't a "pure" microkernel like Mach. This gives rise to the 'hybrid kernel' term, which Linus dislikes. Wikipedia has a decent depiction of the hybrid structure, but quoting from the NT Design Workbook: > This specification describes the kernel layer of the NT OS/2 operating system. The kernel is responsible for thread dispatching, multiprocessor synchronization, hardware exception handling, and the implementation of low-level machine dependent functions. > The kernel is used by the executive layer of the system to synchronize its activities and to implement the higher levels of abstraction that are exported in user-level API's. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_NT_3.1#Architecture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_NT_3.1#Architecture