Comparison of Microsoft Windows versions explained

Microsoft Windows is the name of several families of computer software operating systems created 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 (GUIs).

All versions of Microsoft Windows are commercial proprietary software.

General information

Basic general information about Windows.

DOS shells

Name	Release date	Latest version	Support status	Codename	OS required	Architecture	Editions	Target market
Windows 1.0	1985-11-20	1.04 (1987-04-08)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Interface Manager	DOS 2.0 or higher	16-bit		Desktops
Windows 2.0	1987-09-08	2.03 (1987-12-09)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)		DOS 3.0 or higher	16-bit		Desktops
Windows 2.1x	1988-05-27	2.11 (1989-03-13)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)		DOS 3.0 or higher	16-bit		Desktops
Windows 3.0	1990-05-22	3.0a with Multimedia Extensions (1991-10-20)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)		DOS 3.1 or higher	16-bit	Windows 3.0 Windows 3.0a Windows 3.0a with Multimedia Extensions	Desktops
Windows 3.1x	1992-04-06	3.11 (1993-12-31)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Janus 3.1 for Workgroups: Kato 3.11: Snowball (LB) 3.11 for Workgroups: Sparta	DOS 3.3 or higher	16-bit	Windows 3.1 Windows for Workgroups 3.1 Windows 3.11 Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Windows 3.2 (Simplified Chinese only)	Desktops

Has partial 32-bit compatibility with Win32s

Windows 9x

Name	Release date	RTM build	Latest version	Support status	Codename	MS-DOS version	Kernel type	Architecture	Editions	Target market
Windows 95	1995-07-14	950	4.00.950C OSR2.5 (1997-11-26)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Chicago	MS-DOS 7.0, MS-DOS 7.1 (OSR2.x)	Monolithic	Hybrid 16/32-bit	Retail, OSR1, OSR2, OSR2.1, OSR2.5	Desktops
Windows 98	1998-05-15	1998	4.10.1998	Unsupported (2006-07-11)	Memphis	MS-DOS 7.1	Monolithic	Hybrid 16/32-bit		Desktops
Windows 98 SE	1999-05-05	2222	4.10.2222A (2000-02-25)	Unsupported (2006-07-11)		MS-DOS 7.1	Monolithic	Hybrid 16/32-bit		Desktops
Windows Me	2000-06-19	3000	4.90.3000 (2000-09-14)	Unsupported (2006-07-11)	Millennium	MS-DOS 8.0	Monolithic	Hybrid 16/32-bit		Desktops

Windows NT

Name<		--Windows-->	Release date	Version	RTM build	Latest build	Support status	Codename, working name	Supported architectures	Editions	OS type
Windows NT 3.1		1993-07-27	3.1	528	528 (SP3) (1994-11-10)	Unsupported (2000-12-31)[1]	New Technology OS/2	IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS	Workstation, Advanced Server	Workstation, Server
Windows NT 3.5		1994-09-21	3.5	807	807 (SP3) (1995-06-21)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)	Daytona	IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC[2]	Workstation, Server	Workstation, Server
Windows NT 3.51		1995-05-30	3.51	1057	1057 (SP5) (1996-09-19)	Unsupported (2001-12-31)		IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC	Workstation, Server	Workstation, Server
Windows NT 4.0		1996-07-31	4.0	1381	1381 (SP6a) (1999-11-30)	Unsupported (2004-06-30) Extended Security Updates were released until 2006	Cairo/Shell Update Release Hydra (Terminal Server) Impala (Embedded)	IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC	Workstation, Server, Server Enterprise Edition, Terminal Server, Embedded	Workstation, Server, Embedded PCs
Windows 2000		1999-12-15	5.0	2195	SP4 Rollup 1 v2 (2005-09-13)	Unsupported (2010-07-13)	Windows NT 5.0 Windows 2000 64-bit: Janus	IA-32	Professional, Server, Advanced Server, Datacenter Server, Powered (Embedded)	Desktop, Workstation, Server, Embedded PCs
Windows XP		2001-08-24	5.1	2600	2600 (SP3) (2008-04-21)	Unsupported (2014-04-08)	Whistler	IA-32, IA-64, x86-64	Home, Professional, Media Center, Tablet PC, Starter, Embedded	Desktop, Workstation, Embedded PCs
Windows Server 2003		2003-04-24	5.2	3790	3790 (SP2) (2007-03-13)	Unsupported (2015-07-14)	Whistler Server, Windows.NET Server	IA-32, IA-64, x86-64	Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, Storage, Small Business Server, Compute Cluster	Server, Network Appliance, Embedded PCs, HPC
Windows Server 2003 R2		2005	5.2	3790		Unsupported (2015-07-14)		IA-32, x86-64		Server, Network Appliance, Embedded PCs, HPC
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs		2006-07-08	5.1	2600		Unsupported (2014-04-08)	Eiger, Mönch	IA-32	Fundamentals for Legacy PCs	Desktop
Windows Vista		2006-11-30	6.0	6000	6002 (SP2) (2009-04-28)	Unsupported (2017-04-11)	Longhorn	IA-32, x86-64	Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, Ultimate	Desktop, Workstation
Windows Home Server		2007-11-04	5.2	3790		Unsupported (2013-01-08)	Q, Quattro	IA-32, x86-64	Home Server	Server
Windows Server 2008		2008-02-04	6.0	6001	6002 (SP2) (2009-04-28)	Unsupported (2020-01-14)	Longhorn Server	IA-32, IA-64, x86-64	Web, Standard, Enterprise, Small Business Server, Datacenter, HPC, HyperV Core, Foundation, Storage	Server
Windows 7		2009-07-22	6.1	7600	7601 (SP1) (2011-02-22)	Unsupported (2020-01-14)	7	IA-32, x86-64	Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, Enterprise	Desktop, Workstation, Multi-touch
Windows Server 2008 R2		2009-07-22	6.1	7600	7601 (SP1) (2011-02-22)	Unsupported (2020-01-14)	7 Server	IA-64, x86-64	Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web	Server
Windows Home Server 2011		2011-04-06	6.1	8400		Unsupported (2016-04-12)	Vail	x86-64	Home Server	Server
Windows Server 2012		2012-08-01	6.2	9200		Unsupported (2023-10-10)	8 Server	x86-64	Foundation, Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, Storage Standard, Storage Workgroup	Server
Windows 8		2012-08-01	6.2	9200		(RTM only) Unsupported (2016-01-12)	8	IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7	Windows 8, Pro, Enterprise, Windows RT	Desktop, Workstation, Multi-touch
Windows 8.1		2013-08-27	6.3	9600		Unsupported (2023-01-10)	Blue	IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7	Windows 8.1, Pro, Enterprise, Windows RT 8.1	Desktop, Workstation, Multi-touch
Windows Server 2012 R2		2013-10-18	6.3	9600		Unsupported (2023-10-10)	Blue Server	x86-64	Foundation, Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, Storage Essentials, Storage Standard, Storage Workgroup	Server
Windows 10	Original Release	2015-07-29	10.0	10240	Unsupported (2017-05-09)	Threshold	IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7	Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise	Desktop, Workstation, Multi-touch
					Supported (2025-10-14)			Enterprise LTSB
	November Update	2015-11-12		10586		Unsupported (2017-10-10)		Threshold 2		Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise
	Anniversary Update	2016-08-02		14393	Unsupported (2018-04-10)	Redstone		Home, Pro, Pro Education
					Unsupported (2019-04-09)			Education, Enterprise
					Supported (2026-10-13)			Enterprise LTSB
	Creators Update	2017-04-11		15063	Unsupported (2018-10-09)	Redstone 2		Home, Pro, Pro Education
					Unsupported (2019-10-08)			Education, Enterprise
	Fall Creators Update	2017-10-17		16299	Unsupported (2019-04-09)	Redstone 3	IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7, ARM64	Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education
					Unsupported (2020-10-13)			Education, Enterprise
	April 2018 Update	2018-04-30		17134	Unsupported (2019-11-12)	Redstone 4		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education
					Unsupported (2021-05-11)			Education, Enterprise
	October 2018 Update	2018-10-02		17763	Unsupported (2020-11-10)	Redstone 5		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education
					Unsupported (2021-05-11)			Education, Enterprise
					Supported (2029-01-09)			Enterprise LTSC
	May 2019 Update	2019-05-21		18362		Unsupported (2020-12-08)		19H1		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, Education, Enterprise
	November 2019 Update	2019-11-12		18363	Unsupported (2021-05-11)	19H2		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education
					Unsupported (2022-05-10)			Education, Enterprise
	May 2020 Update	2020-05-27		19041		Unsupported (2021-12-14)		20H1		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, Education, Enterprise
	October 2020 Update	2020-10-20		19042	Unsupported (2022-05-10)	20H2		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education
					Unsupported (2023-05-09)			Education, Enterprise
	May 2021 Update	2021-05-18		19043		Unsupported (2022-12-13)		21H1		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, Education, Enterprise
	November 2021 Update	2021-10-16		19044	Unsupported (2023-06-13)	21H2		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education
					Unsupported (2024-06-11)			Education, Enterprise
					Supported (2027-01-12)			Enterprise LTSC
	2022 Update	2022-10-18		19045		Supported (2025-10-14)		22H2		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education Education, Enterprise
Windows Server 2016		2016-09-26	10.0	14393		Supported (2027-01-12)	Redstone Server	x86-64	Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, MultiPoint Premium, Storage Standard, Storage Workgroup	Server
Windows Server 2019		2018-10-02	10.0	17763		Supported (2029-01-09)	Redstone 5 Server	x86-64	Essentials, Standard, Datacenter	Server
Windows Server 2022		2021-08-18	10.0	20348		Supported (2031-10-14)	21H2 Server	x86-64	Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, Datacenter for Azure	Server
Windows 11	Original Release	2021-10-05	10.0	22000	Unsupported (2023-10-10)	Sunvalley (21H2)	x86-64, ARM64	Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, SE	Desktop, Workstation, Multi-touch
					Unsupported (2024-10-08)			Education, Enterprise
	2022 Update	2022-09-20		22621		22H2		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, SE
					Supported (2025-10-14)			Education, Enterprise
	2023 Update	2023-10-31		22631	Supported (2025-11-11)	23H2		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, SE
					Supported (2026-11-10)			Education, Enterprise
	2024 Update	2024-10-01		26100	Supported (2026-10-13)	24H2		Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, SE
					Supported (2027-10-12)			Education, Enterprise
Windows Server 2025		2024-11-01	10.0	26100		Supported (2034-10-10)	24H2	x86-64, ARM64	Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, Datacenter for Azure	Server
Name<		--Windows-->	Release date	Version	RTM build	Latest build	Support status	Codename, working name	Supported architectures	Editions	OS type

has also an N-edition

has also an N-edition

has also an N-edition

has a separate x64-edition

has also a Core-edition

has also an edition without HyperV

has also a Core-edition without HyperV

Windows Embedded Compact

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

Name	Release date	RTM build	Current version	Support status	Codename	Based on (kernel)	Kernel type	Operating environments	Editions	Purpose	Short description
Windows CE 1.0	1996-11-16			Unsupported	Pegasus, Alder	CE 1.0				Embedded	First release of Microsoft's Windows CE line for minimalistic computers and embedded systems
Windows CE 2.0	1997-11-29			Unsupported	Mercury, Apollo	CE 2.0			2.1, 2.11	Embedded
Windows CE 3.0	2000-06-15			Unsupported (2007-10-09)	Cedar, Galileo, Rapier, Merlin, Stinger	CE 3.0	Embedded kernel			Embedded
Windows CE 4.0	2002-01-07			Unsupported	Talisker	CE 4.0			4.1, 4.2	Embedded
Windows CE 5.0	2004-07-09		5.0 (2004-07-09)	Unsupported (2014-10-14)	Macallan	CE 5.0	Embedded kernel			Embedded
Windows Embedded CE 6.0	2006-11-01			Unsupported (2018-04-10)	Yamazaki	CE 6.0	Hybrid kernel
Windows Embedded Compact 7	2011-03-01			Unsupported (2021-04-13)	Chelan	CE 7.0	Hybrid	Standard, POSReady
Windows Embedded Compact 2013	2013-08-11		Update 17 (2017-11-15)	Unsupported (2023-10-10)		CE 8.0			Standard Industry (8.0, 8.1) Handheld	Embedded

Windows IoT

The Windows IoT family is the successor to the now-discontinued Windows Embedded family.

Name<		--Windows-->	Release date	Version	RTM build	Editions	License	OS type	Support status
Windows 10 IoT	Original Release	2015-07-29	NT 10.0	10240	Core, Enterprise	OEM	IoT	Unsupported (2017-05-09)[3] [4]
Enterprise LTSB					Supported (2025-10-14)[5]
Windows 10 IoT	November Update	2015-11-10	NT 10.0	10586	Core, Enterprise	OEM	IoT	Unsupported (2017-10-10)
Windows 10 IoT	Anniversary Update	2016-08-02	NT 10.0	14393	Core	OEM	IoT	Unsupported (2018-04-10)[6]
					Enterprise			Unsupported (2019-04-09)[7]
					Enterprise LTSB			Supported (2026-10-13)[8]
	Creators Update	2017-04-11		15063	Core			Unsupported (2018-10-09)
					Enterprise			Unsupported (2019-10-08)
	Fall Creators Update	2017-10-17		16299	Core			Unsupported (2019-04-09)
					Enterprise			Unsupported (2020-10-13)
	April 2018 Update	2018-04-30		17134	Core			Unsupported (2019-11-12)
					Enterprise			Unsupported (2021-05-11)
	October 2018 Update	2018-10-02		17763	Core			Unsupported (2020-11-10)
					Enterprise			Unsupported (2021-05-11)
					Core LTSC, Enterprise LTSC			Supported (2029-01-09)[9] [10]
	May 2019 Update	2019-08-29		18362	Enterprise			Unsupported (2020-12-08)
	November 2019 Update	2019-11-12		18363				Unsupported (2022-05-10)
	May 2020 Update	2020-05-27		19041				Unsupported (2021-12-14)
	October 2020 Update	2020-10-20		19042				Unsupported (2023-05-09)
	May 2021 Update	2021-05-18		19043				Unsupported (2022-12-13)
	November 2021 Update	2021-11-16		19044	Enterprise			Unsupported (2024-06-11)
					Enterprise LTSC			Supported (2032-01-13)[11]
	2022 Update	2022-10-18		19045	Enterprise			Supported (2025-10-14)
Windows Server IoT 2019		2019-02-26[12]	NT 10.0	17763	Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, Storage Standard, Storage Workgroup, Telecommunications	OEM	IoT, Server	Supported (2029-01-09)[13] [14]
Windows Server IoT 2022		2021-08-18[15]	NT 10.0	20348	Standard, Datacenter, Storage Standard, Storage Workgroup, Telecommunications	OEM	IoT, Server	Supported (2031-10-14)[16]
Windows 11 IoT	Original Release	2021-10-04	NT 10.0	22000	Enterprise	OEM	IoT	Unsupported (2024-10-08)[17]
	2022 Update	2022-09-20		22621				Supported (2025-10-14)[18]
	2023 Update	2023-10-31		22631				Supported (2026-11-10)[19]
	2024 Update	2024-10-01		26100				Supported (2027-10-12)
Windows Server IoT 2025		2024-11-01[20]	NT 10.0	26100	Standard, Datacenter	OEM	IoT, Server	Supported (2034-10-10)[21]
Name<		--Windows-->	Release date	Version	RTM build	Editions	License	OS type	Support status

Windows Mobile

Windows Mobile is Microsoft's discontinued line of operating systems for smartphones.

Name	Release date	RTM build	Current version	Support status	Codename	Based on (kernel)	Supported architectures
Windows Pocket PC 2000	2000-04-19			Unsupported (2007-10-09)	Rapier	CE 3.0
Windows Pocket PC 2002	2001-10-04			Unsupported (2008-10-14)	Merlin	CE 3.0
Windows Mobile 2003	2003-06-23			Unsupported (2014-07-08)	Ozone	CE 4.20
Windows Mobile 5.0	2005-05-9/12			Unsupported (2015-10-13)	Magneto	CE 5.0
Windows Mobile 6.0	2007-02-12			Unsupported (2013-01-08)	Crossbow	CE 5.2
Windows Mobile 6.1	2008-04-01
Windows Mobile 6.5	2009-05-11

Windows Phone

Windows Phone is Microsoft's discontinued line of operating systems for smartphones.

Name	Release date	RTM build	Current version	Support status	Codename	Based on (kernel)	Supported architectures
Windows Phone 7	2010-11-08	7004	7.10.8862	Unsupported	Photon	CE 6.0	ARM
Windows Phone 7.5	2011-09-27	7720		Unsupported	Mango	CE 6.1	ARM
Windows Phone 7.8	2013-02-01	8858		Unsupported (2014-10-14)	Tango	CE 6.1	ARM
Windows Phone 8	2012-10-29	10211	10.0.10586	Unsupported (2014-07-08)	Apollo, Portico	NT 6.2	ARM
Windows Phone 8.1	2014-04-14	12359		Unsupported (2017-07-11)	Blue	NT 6.3	ARM
Windows 10 Mobile	2015-11-08	10586–16299		Unsupported	Threshold, Redstone	NT 10.0	ARM

Technical information

DOS shells

Name	Architecture	Integrated firewall	SMP support	USB support	UDMA support	LFN support	Update management	APIs	Safe Mode
Windows 1.0	x86 16-bit							Win16
Windows 2.0	x86 16-bit							Win16
Windows 2.1x	x86 16-bit							Win16
Windows 3.0	x86 16-bit							Win16
Windows 3.1x	x86 16-bit (partial 32-bit compatibility through Win32s)							Win16, Win32s

Windows 9x

Name	Kernel	Kernel type	Architecture	Integrated firewall	SMP support	USB support	UDMA support	LFN support	Update management	APIs	DDIs	Safe Mode	DirectX
Windows 95	MS-DOS 7.0 (Win95, Win95A), MS-DOS 7.1 (Win95B, Win95C)	Monolithic kernel	x86, hybrid 16/32-bit			(OSR 2.1/2.5 only)[22]	(OSR 2.x only)[23]			Win16, Win32	DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (USB-only), direct-access		N/A (RTM/OSR1) 2.0a (OSR2/2.1) 5.0 (OSR2.5) 8.0a (optional)
Windows 98	MS-DOS 7.1	Monolithic kernel	x86, hybrid 16/32-bit							Win16, Win32	DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-access		5.2 9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)
Windows 98 Second Edition	MS-DOS 7.1	Monolithic kernel	x86, hybrid 16/32-bit							Win16, Win32	DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-access		6.1a 9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)
Windows Me	MS-DOS 8.0	Monolithic kernel	x86, hybrid 16/32-bit							Win16, Win32	DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-access		7.1 9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)

It is possible to install the MS-DOS variants 7.0 and 7.1 without the graphics user interface of Windows. If an independent installation of both, DOS and Windows is desired, DOS ought to be installed prior to Windows, at the start of a small partition. The system must be transferred by the (dangerous) "SYSTEM" DOS-command, while the other files constituting DOS can simply be copied (the files located in the DOS-root and the entire COMMAND directory). Such a stand-alone installation of MS-DOS 8 is not possible, as it is designed to work as real mode for Windows Me and nothing else.

Windows NT

The Windows NT kernel powers all recent Windows operating systems. It has run on IA-32, x64, DEC Alpha, MIPS architecture, PowerPC, Itanium, ARMv7, and ARM64 processors, but currently supported versions run on IA-32, x64, ARMv7, and ARM64.

Name	Architecture	Store	Integrated firewall	SMP support	USB support	UDMA support	Long filename support	Package management	Update management	APIs	DDIs	Safe Mode	Data Execution Prevention	DirectX
Windows NT 3.1	IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS						(NTFS and HPFS volumes only)			Win32, OS/2, POSIX	DLL, KMD
Windows NT 3.5	IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS						(except on CDFS volumes)			Win32, OS/2, POSIX	DLL, KMD
Windows NT 3.51	IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC						(except on CDFS volumes)			Win32, OS/2, POSIX	DLL, KMD
Windows NT 4.0	IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC				(if the Ion USB update is installed)				Windows Update (if Internet Explorer 5 or later is installed)	Win32, OS/2, POSIX	DLL, KMD			3.0a, 5.0 (unofficial)
Windows 2000	IA-32				(USB 2.0 with update or SP4)[24]				Windows Update, WSUS	Win32, OS/2, POSIX	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF			7.0, 9.0c (Feb 2010) (optional)
Windows XP	IA-32 (NT5.1), Itanium (NT5.1/5.2), x64 (NT5.2)			(Professional Edition only)	(USB 2.0 with update or SP1+)[25]				Windows Update, WSUS	Win32, .NET	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1		(in SP2)	9.0c
Windows Server 2003	IA-32, Itanium, x64				(USB 2.0)[26]				Windows Update, WSUS	Win32	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1		(with SP1)	9.0c
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs	IA-32								Windows Update, WSUS	Win32	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1			9.0c
Windows Vista	IA-32, x64	Windows Marketplace			(USB 2.0)				Windows Update, WSUS	Win32, .NET, POSIX (only Enterprise and Ultimate)	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1			10.1 11.0 (optional)
Windows Server 2008	IA-32, Itanium, x64				(USB 2.0)				Windows Update, WSUS	Win32	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1			10.1 11.0 (optional)
Windows Home Server	IA-32				(USB 2.0)				Windows Update	Win32	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1			9.0c
Windows 7	IA-32, x64				(USB 3.0)				Windows Update, WSUS	Win32, .NET	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1			11.0 11.1 (optional)
Windows Server 2008 R2	Itanium, x64				(USB 3.0)				Windows Update, WSUS	Win32, .NET	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1			11.0 11.1 (optional)
Windows Home Server 2011	x64				(USB 3.0)				Windows Update	Win32	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1			11.0 11.1 (optional)
Windows Server 2012	x64	Windows Store			(USB 3.0)			Windows Store	Windows Update, WSUS	Win32, .NET, WinRT	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1			11.1
Windows 8	IA-32, x64	Windows Store			(USB 3.0)			Windows Store	Windows Update, WSUS	Win32, .NET, WinRT	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1			11.1
Windows 8.1	IA-32, x64	Windows Store			(USB 3.0)			Windows Store, PowerShell	Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store	Win32, .NET, WinRT	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2			11.2
Windows Server 2012 R2	x64	Windows Store			(USB 3.0)			Windows Store	Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store	Win32, .NET, WinRT	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2			11.2
Windows 10	IA-32, x64	Windows Store			(USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3)			Windows Store, PowerShell	Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store	Win32, .NET, WinRT, Linux	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2			12
Windows Server 2016	x64	Windows Store			(USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3)			Windows Store	Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store	Win32, .NET, WinRT	DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2			12

Windows Phone

Name	Architecture	Integrated firewall	SMP support	USB support	UDMA support	Package management	APIs
Windows Phone 8	ARMv7			(USB 2.0)		Windows Phone Store	Silverlight
Windows Phone 8.1	ARMv7					Windows Phone Store	Silverlight WinRT
Windows 10 Mobile	ARMv7					Microsoft Store

Supported file systems

Various versions of Windows support various file systems, including:FAT12, 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 disc drives 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 USB flash drives.

Windows 9x

	FAT12	FAT16	FAT32	HPFS	ISO 9660	NTFS	UDF
Windows 95			(OSR2 or above)
Windows 98							(1.5, read)
Windows Me							(1.5, read)

Windows NT

	FAT12	FAT16	FAT32	HPFS	ISO 9660	NTFS	exFAT	UDF	ReFS
Windows NT 3.1, 3.5, 3.51						v1.0/v1.1
Windows NT 4.0						v1.2
Windows 2000						v3.0
Windows XP						v3.1		(2.01)
Windows Server 2003						v3.1
Windows Vista						v5		(2.6)
Windows Server 2008						v5
Windows 7						v5		(2.6)
Windows Server 2008 R2						v5		(2.6)
Windows Server 2012						v5		(2.6)
Windows 8						v5		(2.6)
Windows 8.1						v5		(2.6)
Windows Server 2012 R2						v5		(2.6)
Windows 10						v5		(2.6)
Windows Server 2016						v5		(2.6)

Windows Phone

	FAT12	FAT16	FAT32	HPFS	ISO 9660	NTFS	UDF (More Info)	ReFS
Windows Phone 8						v5
Windows Phone 8.1						v5
Windows 10 Mobile						v5

Hardware requirements

Installing Windows requires an internal or external optical drive, or a USB flash drive. A keyboard and mouse are the recommended input devices, though some versions support a touchscreen. For operating systems prior to Vista, an optical drive must be capable of reading CD media, while in Windows Vista onwards, such a drive must be DVD-compatible. The drive may be detached after installing Windows.

Windows 9x

	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

Windows NT

Version	CPU	RAM		Free disk space	Video adapter and monitor
		Minimum	Recommended
Windows NT 3.51 Workstation	386, 25 MHz	8 MB	16 MB	90 MB	VGA (640x480)
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation	486, 33 MHz	12 MB		110 MB
Windows 2000 Professional	133 MHz	32 MB	128 MB	650 MB
Windows XP	233 MHz	64 MB	128 MB	1.5 GB	Super VGA (800x600)
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs				500 MB
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition	700 MHz Itanium[27]	1 GB		6 GB
Windows Server 2003	1 GHz (x86) or 1.4 GHz (x64)	128 MB	256 MB	2 GB (x86) 4 GB (x64)
Windows Vista	800 MHz	384 MB (Starter) 512 MB (others)[28]	2 GB	15 GB (~6.5 GB for OS)	Super VGA (800x600) WDDM & DirectX 9 for Aero
Windows Server 2008	1 GHz (x86) or 1.4 GHz (x64)		2 GB	10 GB
Windows 7	1 GHz	1 GB (x86) 2 GB (x64)	4 GB	16 GB (x86) 20 GB (x64) (~6.5 GB for OS)
Windows Server 2012	1.4 GHz (x86-64)	512 MB	1 GB	10 GB	Super VGA (800x600), 32-bit color
Windows 8	1 GHz	1 GB (x86) 2 GB (x64)	4 GB	16 GB (x86) 20 GB (x64) (~6.5 GB for OS)	Super VGA (800x600), 32-bit color 1024 x 768 for Windows Store apps 1366 x 768 to snap apps
Windows 8.1
Windows 10	1 GHz or faster processor or SoC	1 GB (x86) 2 GB (x64)	4 GB	16 GB (x86) 20 GB (x64)	Super VGA (800x600), 32-bit color
Windows Server 2016	1.4 GHz 64-bit processor	512 MB ECC memory 2 GB with Desktop Experience installed[29]	depends on role	32 GB (~10 GB for OS)	XGA (1024 x 768)
Windows Server 2019	1.4 GHz 64-bit processor	512 MB ECC memory 2 GB with Desktop Experience installed	depends on role	32 GB	XGA (1024 x 768)
Windows Server 2022	1.4 GHz 64-bit processor	512 MB ECC memory 2 GB with Desktop Experience installed[30]	depends on role	32 GB	Super VGA (1024 x 768)
Windows Server 2025	1.4 GHz 64-bit processor	512 MB ECC memory 2 GB with Desktop Experience installed	4 GB with Desktop Experience installed	32 GB	Super VGA (1024 x 768)
Windows 11	64-bit 1 GHz or faster processor or SoC with two or more cores	4 GB		64 GB (~10 GB for OS)	720p greater than 9" diagonally, 32-bit color

Windows Phone

Version	CPU	RAM		Free disk space	Video adapter and monitor
		Minimum	Recommended
Windows Phone 7	0.8 GHz	256 MB		4 GB	Wide VGA (800 × 480)
Windows Phone 8	1 GHz	512 MB		8 GB	Wide VGA (800 × 480)
Windows Phone 8.1	1 GHz	512 MB		4 GB	Wide VGA (800 × 480)
Windows 10 Mobile	1 GHz	1 GB	2 GB	8 GB	Wide VGA (800 × 480)

Physical memory limits

Maximum limits on physical memory (RAM) that Windows can address vary depending on both the Windows version and between IA-32 and x64 versions.^{[31] [32]}

Windows

Operating system	Limit on Real Mode	Limit on Standard Mode	Limit on Enhanced Mode
	640 KB
	640 KB		16MB
	640 + 64 KB		16MB
	640 + 64 KB	16MB	16MB
		256MB[33]	256MB
			944MB[34]
			1GB
			1.5GB

Windows NT

Operating system	data-sort-type=number	Limit on IA-32	Limit in IA-64	data-sort-type=number	Limit on x64	Limit on ARM32	Limit on ARM64
	4 GB
	4 GB
	4 GB
	4 GB
	4 GB
	8 GB
	32 GB
	4 GB
	4 GB	128 GB	128 GB
	2 GB
	4 GB
	64 GB	512 GB
		32 GB
	4 GB		32 GB
	64 GB
	4GB		32 GB
	64 GB
	4 GB		32 GB
	64 GB
	1 GB
	4 GB		8 GB
	4 GB		16 GB
	4 GB		128 GB
	4 GB
	4 GB		32 GB
			128 GB
	64 GB
	2 GB
	4 GB		8 GB
	4 GB		16 GB
	4 GB		192 GB
			8 GB
			32 GB
			128 GB
(Core)	4 GB		128 GB
	4 GB		512 GB
				4 GB
			32 GB
	4 GB		128 GB
	4 GB		512 GB
				4 GB
	4 GB
	4 GB		128 GB	4 GB	128 GB
	4 GB			4 GB
	4 GB			4 GB
	4 GB			4 GB
	4 GB			4 GB
			128 GB		128 GB

Security features

	Resource access control	Subsystem isolation mechanisms	Integrated firewall	Encrypted file systems	Defender	Windows Hello
Windows 2000	ACLs		TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	(NTFS only)
Windows XP	ACLs	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall (from SP2), TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec	(NTFS only)
Windows Server 2003	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Windows Vista	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Windows Server 2008	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Windows 7	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Windows Server 2012	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Windows 8	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Windows Server 2012 R2	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Windows 8.1	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Windows 10	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Windows Server 2016	ACLs, Privileges, RBAC	Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects	Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec

Features

Version	Shell	Visual styles	Browser	Web server	Windows Media Player	Command-line interpreter
Windows 1.0	MS-DOS executive	(Unnamed)
Windows 2.0	MS-DOS executive	(Unnamed)
Windows 3.0	Program Manager	(Unnamed)			3.0 (Multimedia Extension edition only)
Windows 3.1x	Program Manager	(Unnamed)			3.1
Windows 95	Windows shell	Classic	Internet Explorer 1 in OEM RTM Internet Explorer 2 in OSR1 Internet Explorer 3 in OSR2 and OSR2.1 Internet Explorer 4 in OSR2.5		4.0	COMMAND.COM
Windows NT 4.0	Windows shell	Classic	Internet Explorer 2 Internet Explorer 3 (in some localized editions)	PWS	4.0	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe
Windows 98	Windows shell	Classic	Internet Explorer 4.01	PWS	4.0	COMMAND.COM
Windows 98 SE	Windows shell	Classic	Internet Explorer 5	PWS	4.0	COMMAND.COM
Windows 2000	Windows shell	Classic	Internet Explorer 5.01	IIS 5.0	5.0 and 6.4 (side by side)	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe
Windows Me	Windows shell	Classic	Internet Explorer 5.5		6.4 and 7.0 (side by side)	COMMAND.COM
Windows XP	Windows shell	Luna (default), Classic	Internet Explorer 6	IIS 5.1	5.1, 6.4 and 8 (in RTM) 5.1, 6.4 and 9 (in SP2)	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, PowerShell (optional)
Windows Server 2003	Windows shell	Classic (default), Luna	Internet Explorer 6	IIS 6.0	9 (in RTM), 10 (in SP1)	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, PowerShell (optional)
Windows Vista	Windows shell	Aero (default), Classic	Internet Explorer 7	IIS 7	11	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, PowerShell (optional)
Windows Server 2008	Windows shell, Server Core	Classic (default), Aero (via "Desktop Experience")	Internet Explorer 7	IIS 7	11 (enabled by installing "Desktop Experience")	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, PowerShell (optional)
Windows 7	Windows shell	Aero (default), Classic	Internet Explorer 8	IIS 7.5	12	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, PowerShell 2.0
Windows Server 2008 R2	Windows shell, Server Core	Classic (default), Aero (via "Desktop Experience")	Internet Explorer 8	IIS 7.5	12 (via "Desktop Experience")	cmd.exe, PowerShell 2.0
Windows Server 2012	Windows shell, Server Core	Metro	Internet Explorer 10	IIS 8	12 (via "Desktop Experience")	cmd.exe, PowerShell 3.0
Windows 8	Windows shell	Metro	Internet Explorer 10	IIS 8	12	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, PowerShell 3.0
Windows Server 2012 R2	Windows shell, Windows server core	Metro	Internet Explorer 11	IIS 8.5	12 (via "Desktop Experience")	cmd.exe, PowerShell 4.0
Windows 8.1	Windows shell	Metro	Internet Explorer 11	IIS 8.5	12	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, PowerShell 4.0
Windows 10	Windows shell	Metro	Internet Explorer 11 Microsoft Edge	IIS 10.0	12	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, PowerShell 5.0
Windows Server 2016	Windows shell, Windows server core	Metro	Internet Explorer 11 Microsoft Edge	IIS 10.0	12 (via "Desktop Experience")	cmd.exe, PowerShell 5.1
Windows Server 2019	Windows shell, Windows server core	Metro	Internet Explorer 11 Microsoft Edge	IIS 10.0	12 (via "Desktop Experience")	cmd.exe, PowerShell 5.1
Windows Server 2022	Windows shell, Windows server core	Metro	Internet Explorer 11 Microsoft Edge	IIS 10.0	12 (via "Desktop Experience")	cmd.exe, PowerShell 5.1
Windows 11	Windows shell	Mica	Internet Explorer 11(Hidden) Microsoft Edge	IIS 10.0	12 (2022)	COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, PowerShell v.1

Timeline

See main article: Timeline of Microsoft Windows.

See also

Other lists

• List of Microsoft Windows versions
• List of operating systems
• Comparison of operating systems
• Comparison of operating system kernels
• Comparison of Windows Vista and Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows version history
• Comparison of DOS operating systems
• Architecture of Windows NT
• List of Microsoft codenames

Windows clones and emulators

• Freedows OS–Windows clone
• ReactOS–project to develop an operating system that is binary compatible with application software and device drivers for Microsoft Windows NT version 5.x
• Wine (software)–compatibility layer which allows to execute programs that were originally written for Microsoft Windows

External links

• • Time line from Microsoft

Notes and References

1. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20040611115848/http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;%5bln%5d;LifeWin. Product Lifecycle Dates-Windows Product Family. Microsoft. 2021-08-24. 2004-06-11.
2. Web site: live. Windows NT 3.5 for PowerPC. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812185248/https://archive.org/details/NT3.5PPC. August 12, 2021. 9 November 1994.
3. Web site: Windows 10 IoT Core - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20201118131838/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-iot-core. November 18, 2020. August 4, 2022. live.
4. Web site: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise - Microsoft Lifecycle. August 4, 2022.
5. Web site: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2015 - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20220323021619/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-iot-enterprise-ltsb-2015. March 23, 2022. August 4, 2022. live.
6. Web site: Windows 10 IoT Core - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20201118131838/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-iot-core. November 18, 2020. August 4, 2022. live.
7. Web site: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise - Microsoft Lifecycle. August 4, 2022.
8. Web site: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016 - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20220323021158/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-iot-enterprise-ltsb-2016. March 23, 2022. August 4, 2022. live.
9. Web site: Windows 10 IoT Core LTSC - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20220310123231/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-iot-core-ltsc. March 10, 2022. August 4, 2022. live.
10. Web site: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019 - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20211116211215/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-iot-enterprise-ltsc-2019. November 16, 2021. August 4, 2022. live.
11. Web site: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20211116205137/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-iot-enterprise-ltsc-2021. November 16, 2021. August 4, 2022. live.
12. Web site: Microsoft announces latest Windows IoT innovations for intelligent edge devices at Embedded World. 26 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190226125404/https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/02/26/microsoft-announces-latest-windows-iot-innovations-for-intelligent-edge-devices-at-embedded-world. February 26, 2019. live.
13. Web site: Windows Server IoT 2019 - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20220323022009/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-iot-2019. March 23, 2022. August 4, 2022. live.
14. Web site: Windows Server IoT 2019 for Storage - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20220323021613/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-iot-2019-for-storage. March 23, 2022. August 4, 2022. live.
15. Web site: Announcing the GA of Windows Server IoT 2022. August 4, 2022.
16. Web site: Windows Server IoT 2022 - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006093212/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-iot-2022. October 6, 2021. August 4, 2022. live.
17. Web site: Windows 11 IoT Enterprise (Version 21H2) - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20211005154705/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-11-iot-enterprise-version-21h2. October 5, 2021. August 4, 2022. live.
18. Web site: Windows 11 IoT Enterprise - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20220922102719/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-11-iot-enterprise. September 22, 2022. September 22, 2022. live.
19. Web site: Windows 11 IoT Enterprise - Microsoft Lifecycle. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101001611/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-11-iot-enterprise. November 1, 2023. November 1, 2023. live.
20. Web site: Announcing the General Availability of Windows Server IoT 2025!. November 30, 2024.
21. Web site: Windows Server IoT 2025 - Microsoft Lifecycle. November 30, 2024.
22. Web site: Availability of Universal Serial Bus Support in Windows 95. https://web.archive.org/web/20051210031834/support.microsoft.com/kb/253756. December 10, 2005. Microsoft Support.
23. Web site: How to Enable Direct Memory Access (DMA). https://web.archive.org/web/20060627023357/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/258757/. June 27, 2006. Microsoft Support.
24. Web site: Updated USB 2.0 Drivers Are Available in Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4). https://web.archive.org/web/20061029083255/support.microsoft.com/kb/819332. Microsoft Support. October 29, 2006. February 5, 2012.
25. Web site: Jones. Don. USB 2.0 Support in Windows XP:High Speed at Last. Microsoft. https://web.archive.org/web/20041231055938/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/jones_02august05.mspx. August 5, 2002. December 31, 2004. February 5, 2012.
26. Web site: USB 2.0 and Windows Operating Systems. https://web.archive.org/web/20110303061912/msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463432.aspx. Windows Hardware Development. May 11, 2007. March 3, 2011. February 5, 2012.
27. Web site: Release Notes for Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Setup. https://web.archive.org/web/20070210063143/https://support.microsoft.com/kb/306856. Microsoft. February 10, 2007. September 2, 2014.
28. Web site: Windows Vista Starter Fact Sheet. https://web.archive.org/web/20070307082537/microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/windows/factsheets/WinVistaStarterFS.mspx. Microsoft. January 2007. March 7, 2007.
29. Web site: live. System Requirements. https://web.archive.org/web/20170627013821/docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/system-requirements. docs.microsoft.com. en-us. June 27, 2017. May 24, 2018.
30. Web site: live. Hardware requirements for Windows Server. https://web.archive.org/web/20210821122950/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/hardware-requirements. docs.microsoft.com. August 21, 2021. August 4, 2022.
31. Web site: What is the maximum amount of RAM the Windows operating system can handle?. Crucial. February 5, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110511193445/http://www.crucial.com/kb/answer.aspx?qid=3743. May 11, 2011.
32. Web site: live. Memory Limits for Windows and Windows Server Releases. https://web.archive.org/web/20080505054809/msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx. Microsoft. May 5, 2008. February 5, 2012.
33. Web site: December 15, 2022. Q84388: Windows 3.1 Memory Limits.
34. Web site: December 15, 2022. Windows 95/98 error "Insufficient memory to initialize Windows" - IBM IntelliStation M Pro (Type 6889). .