Comparison of Microsoft Windows versions
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 .
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 withMultimedia 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
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
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
HomeK , ProfessionalK x64 , 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 BasicK , Home PremiumK , BusinessK , EnterpriseK , UltimateK
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
WebCore , StandardCore wHV CwHV , EnterpriseCore wHV CwHV , Small Business Server, DatacenterCore wHV CwHV , 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
StarterK , Home BasicK , Home PremiumK , ProfessionalK , UltimateK , EnterpriseK
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
StandardCore , EnterpriseCore , DatacenterCore , WebCore
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, EnterpriseK , 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, EnterpriseK , 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 (or 26040)
—
TBA
Supported (October 10, 2034)
(23H2) renamed to 24H2
x86-64,
ARM64
Standard,
Datacenter
Server
Name
Release date
Version
RTM build
Latest build
Support status
Codename, working name
Supported architectures
Editions
OS type
^N has also an N-edition
^K has also an N-edition
^KN has also an N-edition
^x64 has a separate x64-edition
^Core has also a Core-edition
^wHV has also an edition without HyperV
^CwHV 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
Release date
Version
RTM build
Editions
License
OS type
Support status
Windows 10 IoT
Anniversary Update
2016-08-02
NT 10.0
14393
Core
OEM
IoT
Unsupported (2018-04-10)[ 3]
Enterprise
Unsupported (2019-04-09)[ 4]
Enterprise LTSB
Supported (2026-10-13)[ 5]
Creators Update
2017-04-11
15063
Core
Unsupported (2018-10-09)[ 3]
Enterprise
Unsupported (2019-10-08)[ 4]
Fall Creators Update
2017-10-17
16299
Core
Unsupported (2019-04-09)[ 3]
Enterprise
Unsupported (2020-10-13)[ 4]
April 2018 Update
2018-04-30
17134
Core
Unsupported (2019-11-12)[ 3]
Enterprise
Unsupported (2021-05-11)[ 4]
October 2018 Update
2018-10-02
17763
Core
Unsupported (2020-11-10)[ 3]
Enterprise
Unsupported (2021-05-11)[ 4]
Core LTSC, Enterprise LTSC
Supported (2029-01-09)[ 6] [ 7]
May 2019 Update
2019-08-29
18362
Enterprise
Unsupported (2020-12-08)[ 4]
November 2019 Update
2019-11-12
18363
Unsupported (2022-05-10)[ 4]
May 2020 Update
2020-05-27
19041
Unsupported (2021-12-14)[ 4]
October 2020 Update
2020-10-20
19042
Unsupported (2023-05-09)[ 4]
May 2021 Update
2021-05-18
19043
Unsupported (2022-12-13)[ 4]
November 2021 Update
2021-11-16
19044
Enterprise
Unsupported (2024-06-11)[ 4]
Enterprise LTSC
Supported (2032-01-13)[ 8]
2022 Update
2022-10-18
19045
Enterprise
Supported (2025-10-14)[ 4]
Windows Server IoT 2019
2019-02-26[ 9]
NT 10.0
17763
Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, Storage Standard, Storage Workgroup, Telecommunications
OEM
IoT, Server
Supported (2029-01-09)[ 10] [ 11]
Windows Server IoT 2022
2021-08-18[ 12] [better source needed ] [dubious – discuss ]
NT 10.0
20348
Standard, Datacenter, Storage Standard, Storage Workgroup, Telecommunications
OEM
IoT, Server
Supported (2031-10-14)[ 13]
Windows 11 IoT
Original Release
2021-10-04
NT 10.0
22000
Enterprise
OEM
IoT
Unsupported (2024-10-08)[ 14]
2022 Update
2022-09-20
22621
Supported (2025-10-14)[ 15]
2023 Update
2023-10-31
22631
Supported (2026-11-10)[ 16]
2024 Update
2024-10-01
26100
Supported (2027-10-12)
Name
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.
Windows Phone
Windows Phone is Microsoft's discontinued line of operating systems for smartphones.
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
No
No
No
No
No
No
Win16
No
Windows 2.0
x86 16-bit
No
No
No
No
No
No
Win16
No
Windows 2.1x
x86 16-bit
No
No
No
No
No
No
Win16
No
Windows 3.0
x86 16-bit
No
No
No
No
No
No
Win16
No
Windows 3.1x
x86 16-bit (partial 32-bit compatibility through Win32s)
No
No
No
No
No
No
Win16, Win32s
No
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
No
No
Partial (OSR 2.1/2.5 only)[ 17]
Partial (OSR 2.x only)[ 18]
Yes
Windows Update
Win16, Win32
DOS, DLL, VxD , WDM (USB-only), direct-access
Yes
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
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Windows Update
Win16, Win32
DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-access
Yes
5.2 9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)
Windows 98 Second Edition
MS-DOS 7.1
Monolithic kernel
x86, hybrid 16/32-bit
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Windows Update
Win16, Win32
DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-access
Yes
6.1a 9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)
Windows Me
MS-DOS 8.0
Monolithic kernel
x86, hybrid 16/32-bit
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Windows Update
Win16, Win32
DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-access
Yes
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
—
No
Yes
No
?
Yes (NTFS and HPFS volumes only)
—
Win32, OS/2 , POSIX
DLL , KMD
No
No
No
Windows NT 3.5
IA-32 , DEC Alpha , MIPS
—
No
Yes
No
?
Yes (except on CDFS volumes)
—
Win32, OS/2, POSIX
DLL, KMD
No
No
No
Windows NT 3.51
IA-32 , DEC Alpha , MIPS , PowerPC
—
No
Yes
No
?
Yes (except on CDFS volumes)
—
Win32, OS/2, POSIX
DLL, KMD
No
No
No
Windows NT 4.0
IA-32 , DEC Alpha , MIPS , PowerPC
—
No
Yes
Yes (if the Ion USB update is installed)
Yes
Yes
—
Windows Update (if Internet Explorer 5 or later is installed)
Win32, OS/2, POSIX
DLL, KMD
No
No
Yes 3.0a, 5.0 (unofficial)
Windows 2000
IA-32
—
No
Yes
Yes (USB 2.0 with update or SP4)[ 19]
Yes
Yes
—
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32, OS/2, POSIX
DLL, KMD, WDM , KMDF
Yes
No
Yes 7.0, 9.0c (Feb 2010) (optional)
Windows XP
IA-32 (NT5.1), Itanium (NT5.1/5.2), x64 (NT5.2)
—
Yes
Yes (Professional Edition only)
Yes (USB 2.0 with update or SP1+)[ 20]
Yes
Yes
—
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32, .NET
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv 1
Yes
Yes (in SP2)
Yes 9.0c
Windows Server 2003
IA-32 , Itanium , x64
—
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 2.0)[ 21]
Yes
Yes
—
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
Yes
Yes (with SP1)
Yes 9.0c
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs
IA-32
—
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
—
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
Yes
Yes
Yes 9.0c
Windows Vista
IA-32 , x64
Windows Marketplace
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 2.0)
Yes
Yes
—
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32, .NET , POSIX (only Enterprise and Ultimate)
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
Yes
Yes
Yes 10.1 11.0 (optional)
Windows Server 2008
IA-32 , Itanium , x64
—
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 2.0)
Yes
Yes
—
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
Yes
Yes
Yes 10.1 11.0 (optional)
Windows Home Server
IA-32
—
?
Yes
Yes (USB 2.0)
?
Yes
—
Windows Update
Win32
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
?
?
Yes 9.0c
Windows 7
IA-32 , x64
—
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 3.0)
Yes
Yes
—
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32, .NET
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
Yes
Yes
Yes 11.0 11.1 (optional)
Windows Server 2008 R2
Itanium , x64
—
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 3.0)
Yes
Yes
—
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32, .NET
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
Yes
Yes
Yes 11.0 11.1 (optional)
Windows Home Server 2011
x64
—
?
Yes
Yes (USB 3.0)
?
Yes
—
Windows Update
Win32
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
?
?
Yes 11.0 11.1 (optional)
Windows Server 2012
x64
Windows Store
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 3.0)
Yes
Yes
Windows Store
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32, .NET , WinRT
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
Yes
Yes
Yes 11.1
Windows 8
IA-32 , x64
Windows Store
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 3.0)
Yes
Yes
Windows Store
Windows Update , WSUS
Win32, .NET , WinRT
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1
Yes
Yes
Yes 11.1
Windows 8.1
IA-32 , x64
Windows Store
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 3.0)
Yes
Yes
Windows Store , PowerShell
Windows Update , WSUS , Windows Store
Win32, .NET , WinRT
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2
Yes
Yes
Yes 11.2
Windows Server 2012 R2
x64
Windows Store
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 3.0)
Yes
Yes
Windows Store
Windows Update , WSUS , Windows Store
Win32, .NET , WinRT
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2
Yes
Yes
Yes 11.2
Windows 10
IA-32 , x64
Windows Store
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3 )
Yes
Yes
Windows Store , PowerShell
Windows Update , WSUS , Windows Store
Win32, .NET , WinRT , Linux
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2
Yes
Yes
Yes 12
Windows Server 2016
x64
Windows Store
Yes
Yes
Yes (USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3)
Yes
Yes
Windows Store
Windows Update , WSUS , Windows Store
Win32, .NET , WinRT
DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2
Yes
Yes
Yes 12
Windows Phone
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
Yes
Yes
Yes (OSR2 or above)
Network Drive
Yes
Network Drive
No
Windows 98
Yes
Yes
Yes
Network Drive
Yes
Network Drive
Yes (1.5, read)
Windows Me
Yes
Yes
Yes
Network Drive
Yes
Network Drive
Yes (1.5, read)
Windows NT
Windows Phone
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
Windows NT
Windows Phone
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.[ 26] [ 27]
Windows
Operating system
Limit on Real Mode
Limit on Standard Mode
Limit on Enhanced Mode
Windows 1.0x
640 KB
—
—
Windows 2.0x
640 KB
—
16MB
Windows 2.1x
640 + 64 KB
—
16MB
Windows 3.0x
640 + 64 KB
16MB
16MB
Windows 3.1x
—
256MB[ 28]
256MB[ 28]
Windows 95
—
—
944MB[ 29]
Windows 98
—
—
1GB
Windows ME
—
—
1.5GB
Windows NT
Operating system
Limit on IA-32
Limit in IA-64
Limit on x64
Limit on ARM32
Limit on ARM64
Windows NT 3.1
4 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows NT 3.5
4 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows NT 3.51
4 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows NT 4.0
4 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows 2000 Professional/Server
4 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows 2000 Advanced Server
8 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows 2000 Datacenter
32 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows XP Starter
512 MB
—
—
—
—
Windows XP Home
4 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows XP Professional
4 GB
128 GB
128 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2003 RTM Web
2 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows Server 2003 RTM Standard/Small Business
4 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows Server 2003 RTM Enterprise/Datacenter
64 GB
512 GB
—
—
—
Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003
—
32 GB
—
—
—
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP1 Standard
4 GB
—
32 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP1 Enterprise/Datacenter
64 GB
1 TB
1 TB
—
—
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP2 Standard
4GB
—
32 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP2 Enterprise/Datacenter
64 GB
2 TB
1 TB
—
—
Windows Server 2003 R2/SP1 Standard
4 GB
—
32 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2003 R2/SP1 Enterprise/Datacenter
64 GB
—
1 TB
—
—
Windows Vista Starter
1 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows Vista Home Basic
4 GB
—
8 GB
—
—
Windows Vista Home Premium
4 GB
—
16 GB
—
—
Windows Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate
4 GB
—
128 GB
—
—
Windows Home Server
4 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows Server 2008 Web Server/Standard/Small Business
4 GB
—
32 GB
—
—
Windows HPC Server 2008
—
—
128 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise/Datacenter
64 GB
—
1 TB
—
—
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium–Based Systems
—
2 TB
—
—
—
Windows 7 Starter
2 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows 7 Home Basic
4 GB
—
8 GB
—
—
Windows 7 Home Premium
4 GB
—
16 GB
—
—
Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate
4 GB
—
192 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation
—
—
8 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2008 R2 Web Server/Standard
—
—
32 GB
—
—
Windows HPC Server 2008 R2
—
—
128 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise/Datacenter
—
—
2 TB
—
—
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium–Based Systems
—
2 TB
—
—
—
Windows 8 (Core)
4 GB
—
128 GB
—
—
Windows 8 Pro/Enterprise
4 GB
—
512 GB
—
—
Windows RT
—
—
—
4 GB
—
Windows Server 2012 Standard/Datacenter
—
—
4 TB
—
—
Windows Storage Server 2012 Standard
—
—
4 TB
—
—
Windows Storage Server 2012 Workgroup
—
—
32 GB
—
—
Hyper-V Server 2012
—
—
4 TB
—
—
Windows 8.1 (Core)
4 GB
—
128 GB
—
—
Windows 8.1 Pro/Enterprise
4 GB
—
512 GB
—
—
Windows RT 8.1
—
—
—
4 GB
—
Windows 10 Mobile
4 GB
—
—
—
—
Windows 10 Home
4 GB
—
128 GB
4 GB
128 GB
Windows 10 Pro
4 GB
—
2 TB
4 GB
2 TB
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
4 GB
—
6 TB
4 GB
6 TB
Windows 10 Education
4 GB
—
2 TB
4 GB
2 TB
Windows 10 Enterprise
4 GB
—
6 TB
4 GB
6 TB
Windows Server 2016 Essentials
—
—
64 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2016 Standard
—
—
24 TB
—
—
Windows Server 2016 Datacenter
—
—
24 TB
—
—
Windows Server 2019 Essentials
—
—
64 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2019 Standard
—
—
24 TB
—
—
Windows Server 2019 Datacenter
—
—
24 TB
—
—
Windows Server 2022 Essentials
—
—
64 GB
—
—
Windows Server 2022 Standard
—
—
24 TB
—
—
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter
—
—
24 TB
—
—
Windows 11 Home
—
—
128 GB
—
128 GB
Windows 11 Pro
—
—
2 TB
—
2 TB
Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
—
—
6 TB
—
6 TB
Windows 11 Education
—
—
2 TB
—
2 TB
Windows 11 Enterprise
—
—
6 TB
—
6 TB
Security features
Resource access control
Subsystem isolation mechanisms
Integrated firewall
Encrypted file systems
Defender
Windows Hello
Windows 2000
ACLs
TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes (NTFS only)
No
No
Windows XP
ACLs
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall (from SP2), TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes (NTFS only)
Optional
No
Windows Server 2003
ACLs, Privileges , RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Optional
No
Windows Vista
ACLs, Privileges, RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Yes
No
Windows Server 2008
ACLs, Privileges, RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Yes
No
Windows 7
ACLs, Privileges, RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Yes
No
Windows Server 2012
ACLs, Privileges, RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Yes
No
Windows 8
ACLs, Privileges, RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Yes
No
Windows Server 2012 R2
ACLs, Privileges, RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Yes
No
Windows 8.1
ACLs, Privileges, RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Yes
No
Windows 10
ACLs, Privileges, RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Yes
Yes
Windows Server 2016
ACLs, Privileges, RBAC
Win32 WindowStation, Desktop, Job objects
Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec
Yes
Yes
Yes
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 RTMInternet Explorer 2 in OSR1Internet Explorer 3 in OSR2 and OSR2.1Internet 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 11Microsoft 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
Timeline of Windows versions
See also
Other lists
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
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External links