Comparison of Microsoft Windows versions

Last updated

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).

Contents

All versions of Microsoft Windows are commercial proprietary software.

General information

Basic general information about Windows.

DOS shells

NameRelease dateLatest versionSupport statusCodename OS requiredArchitectureEditionsTarget market
Windows 1.0 1985-11-201.04 (1987-04-08)Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
Interface Manager DOS 2.0 or higher 16-bit Desktops
Windows 2.0 1987-09-082.03 (1987-12-09)Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
DOS 3.0 or higher16-bitDesktops
Windows 2.1x 1988-05-272.11 (1989-03-13)Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
DOS 3.0 or higher16-bitDesktops
Windows 3.0 1990-05-223.0a with
Multimedia Extensions
(1991-10-20)
Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
DOS 3.1 or higher16-bitWindows 3.0
Windows 3.0a
Windows 3.0a with Multimedia Extensions
Desktops
Windows 3.1x 1992-04-063.11 (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 higher16-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

NameRelease dateRTM buildLatest versionSupport statusCodenameMS-DOS versionKernel typeArchitectureEditionsTarget market
Windows 95 1995-07-149504.00.950C OSR2.5 (1997-11-26)Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
ChicagoMS-DOS 7.0, MS-DOS 7.1 (OSR2.x) Monolithic Hybrid 16/32-bit Retail, OSR1, OSR2, OSR2.1, OSR2.5 Desktops
Windows 98 1998-05-1519984.10.1998Unsupported
(2006-07-11)
MemphisMS-DOS 7.1MonolithicHybrid 16/32-bitDesktops
Windows 98 SE 1999-05-0522224.10.2222A (2000-02-25)Unsupported
(2006-07-11)
MS-DOS 7.1MonolithicHybrid 16/32-bitDesktops
Windows Me 2000-06-1930004.90.3000 (2000-09-14)Unsupported
(2006-07-11)
MillenniumMS-DOS 8.0MonolithicHybrid 16/32-bitDesktops

Windows NT

NameRelease dateVersionRTM buildLatest buildSupport statusCodename, working nameSupported architecturesEditionsOS type
Windows NT 3.1 1993-07-273.1528528 (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 1994-09-213.5807807 (SP3)
(1995-06-21)
Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
Daytona IA-32, DEC Alpha,
MIPS, PowerPC [2]
Workstation,
Server
Workstation,
Server
Windows NT 3.51 1995-05-303.5110571057 (SP5)
(1996-09-19)
Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
IA-32, DEC Alpha,
MIPS, PowerPC
Workstation,
Server
Workstation,
Server
Windows NT 4.0 1996-07-314.013811381 (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 1999-12-155.02195SP4 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 2001-08-245.126002600 (SP3)
(2008-04-21)
Unsupported
(2014-04-08)
Whistler IA-32, IA-64, x86-64 Home K ,
Professional K x64 ,
Media Center,
Tablet PC,
Starter,
Embedded
Desktop,
Workstation,
Embedded PCs
Windows Server 2003 2003-04-245.237903790 (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 20055.23790 ?Unsupported
(2015-07-14)
 ? IA-32, x86-64 Server,
Network Appliance,
Embedded PCs,
HPC
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs 2006-07-085.12600Unsupported
(2014-04-08)
Eiger, Mönch IA-32 Fundamentals for Legacy PCsDesktop
Windows Vista 2006-11-306.060006002 (SP2)
(2009-04-28)
Unsupported
(2017-04-11)
Longhorn IA-32, x86-64 Starter,
Home Basic K ,
Home Premium K ,
Business K ,
Enterprise K ,
Ultimate K
Desktop,
Workstation
Windows Home Server 2007-11-045.23790Unsupported
(2013-01-08)
Q, Quattro IA-32, x86-64 Home ServerServer
Windows Server 2008 2008-02-046.060016002 (SP2)
(2009-04-28)
Out of extended support (2020-01-14);
Grandfathered paid Premium Assurance (limited to some critical security issues) security update support until January 13, 2026.
Longhorn Server x86-64,IA-64, IA-32 Web Core ,
Standard Core wHV CwHV ,
Enterprise Core wHV CwHV ,
Small Business Server,
Datacenter Core wHV CwHV ,
HPC,
HyperV Core,
Foundation,
Storage
Server
Windows 7 2009-07-226.176007601 (SP1)
(2011-02-22)
Unsupported
(2020-01-14)
7 IA-32, x86-64 Starter K ,
Home Basic K ,
Home Premium K ,
Professional K ,
Ultimate K ,
Enterprise K
Desktop, Workstation, Multi-touch
Windows Server 2008 R2 2009-07-226.176007601 (SP1)
(2011-02-22)
Out of extended support (2020-01-14);
Grandfathered paid Premium Assurance (limited to some critical security issues) security update support until January 13, 2026.
7 Server x86-64,IA-64 Standard Core ,
Enterprise Core ,
Datacenter Core ,
Web Core
Server
Windows Home Server 2011 2011-04-066.18400Unsupported
(2016-04-12)
Vail x86-64 Home ServerServer
Windows Server 2012 2012-08-016.29200Unsupported
(2023-10-10)
8 Server x86-64 Foundation, Essentials,
Standard, Datacenter,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup
Server
Windows 8 2012-08-016.29200(RTM only) Unsupported
(2016-01-12)
8 IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7 Windows 8, Pro,
Enterprise K , Windows RT
Desktop,
Workstation,
Multi-touch
Windows 8.1 2013-08-276.39600Unsupported
(2023-01-10)
Blue IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7 Windows 8.1, Pro,
Enterprise K ,
Windows RT 8.1
Desktop,
Workstation,
Multi-touch
Windows Server 2012 R2 2013-10-186.39600Out of extended support (2023-10-10);
Paid support via the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program until October 13, 2026.
Blue Server x86-64 Foundation, Essentials,
Standard, Datacenter,
Storage Essentials,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup
Server
Windows 10 Original Release 2015-07-2910.010240Unsupported
(2017-05-09)
Threshold IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7 Home, Pro,
Education, Enterprise
Desktop,
Workstation,
Multi-touch
On extended support
(2025-10-14)
Enterprise LTSB
November Update 2015-11-1210586Unsupported
(2017-10-10)
Threshold 2Home, Pro,
Education, Enterprise
Anniversary Update 2016-08-0214393Unsupported
(2018-04-10)
RedstoneHome, Pro,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2019-04-09)
Education, Enterprise
On extended support
(2026-10-13)
Enterprise LTSB
Creators Update 2017-04-1115063Unsupported
(2018-10-09)
Redstone 2Home, Pro,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2019-10-08)
Education, Enterprise
Fall Creators Update 2017-10-1716299Unsupported
(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 2018-04-3017134Unsupported
(2019-11-12)
Redstone 4Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2021-05-11)
Education, Enterprise
October 2018 Update 2018-10-0217763Unsupported
(2020-11-10)
Redstone 5Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2021-05-11)
Education, Enterprise
On extended support
(2029-01-09)
Enterprise LTSC
May 2019 Update 2019-05-2118362Unsupported
(2020-12-08)
19H1Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education,
Education, Enterprise
November 2019 Update 2019-11-1218363Unsupported
(2021-05-11)
19H2Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2022-05-10)
Education, Enterprise
May 2020 Update 2020-05-2719041Unsupported
(2021-12-14)
20H1Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education,
Education, Enterprise
October 2020 Update 2020-10-2019042Unsupported
(2022-05-10)
20H2Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2023-05-09)
Education, Enterprise
May 2021 Update 2021-05-1819043Unsupported
(2022-12-13)
21H1Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education,
Education, Enterprise
November 2021 Update 2021-10-1619044Unsupported
(2023-06-13)
21H2Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2024-06-11)
Education, Enterprise
Mainstream supported
(2027-01-12)
Enterprise LTSC
2022 Update 2022-10-1819045Supported
(2025-10-14);
paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which offers continued security updates until October 13, 2026 for consumers, or at most October 10, 2028 for businesses and schools.
22H2Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Education, Enterprise
Windows Server 2016 2016-09-2610.014393On extended support
(2027-01-12)
Redstone Server x86-64 Essentials, Standard,
Datacenter,
MultiPoint Premium,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup
Server
Windows Server 2019 2018-10-0210.017763On extended support
(2029-01-09)
Redstone 5 Server x86-64 Essentials, Standard,
Datacenter
Server
Windows Server 2022 2021-08-1810.020348Mainstream support (2026-10-13)
Extended support (2031-10-14)
21H2 Server x86-64 Essentials, Standard,
Datacenter,
Datacenter for Azure
Server
Windows 11 Original Release 2021-10-0510.022000Unsupported
(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 2022-09-202262122H2Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education, SE
Supported
(2025-10-14)
Education, Enterprise
2023 Update 2023-10-3122631Supported
(2025-11-11)
23H2Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education, SE
Supported
(2026-11-10)
Education, Enterprise
2024 Update 2024-10-0126100Supported
(2026-10-13)
24H2Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education, SE
Supported
(2027-10-12)
Education, Enterprise
Windows Server 2025 2024-11-0110.026100Mainstream support (2029-10-09)
Extended support (2034-10-10)
24H2 x86-64, ARM64 Essentials, Standard,
Datacenter,
Datacenter for Azure
Server
NameRelease dateVersionRTM buildLatest buildSupport statusCodename, working nameSupported architecturesEditionsOS 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.

NameRelease dateRTM buildCurrent versionSupport statusCodenameBased on (kernel)Kernel typeOperating environmentsEditionsPurposeShort description
Windows CE 1.0 1996-11-16UnsupportedPegasus, AlderCE 1.0EmbeddedFirst release of Microsoft's Windows CE line for minimalistic computers and embedded systems
Windows CE 2.0 1997-11-29UnsupportedMercury, ApolloCE 2.02.1, 2.11Embedded
Windows CE 3.0 2000-06-15Unsupported
(2007-10-09)
Cedar, Galileo, Rapier, Merlin, StingerCE 3.0 Embedded kernel Embedded
Windows CE 4.0 2002-01-07UnsupportedTaliskerCE 4.04.1, 4.2Embedded
Windows CE 5.0 2004-07-095.0
(2004-07-09)
Unsupported
(2014-10-14)
MacallanCE 5.0 Embedded kernel Embedded
Windows Embedded CE 6.0 2006-11-01Unsupported
(2018-04-10)
YamazakiCE 6.0 Hybrid kernel
Windows Embedded Compact 7 2011-03-01 ? ?Unsupported
(2021-04-13)
ChelanCE 7.0 Hybrid  ?
Standard, POSReady
Windows Embedded Compact 20132013-08-11Update 17
(2017-11-15)
Unsupported
(2023-10-10)
CE 8.0Standard
Industry (8.0, 8.1)
Handheld
Embedded

Windows IoT

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

NameRelease dateVersionRTM buildEditionsLicenseOS typeSupport status
Windows 10 IoTAnniversary Update2016-08-02NT 10.014393CoreOEMIoTUnsupported
(2018-04-10) [3]
EnterpriseUnsupported
(2019-04-09) [4]
Enterprise LTSBOn extended support
(2026-10-13) [5]
Creators Update2017-04-1115063CoreUnsupported
(2018-10-09) [3]
EnterpriseUnsupported
(2019-10-08) [4]
Fall Creators Update2017-10-1716299CoreUnsupported
(2019-04-09) [3]
EnterpriseUnsupported
(2020-10-13) [4]
April 2018 Update2018-04-3017134CoreUnsupported
(2019-11-12) [3]
EnterpriseUnsupported
(2021-05-11) [4]
October 2018 Update2018-10-0217763CoreUnsupported
(2020-11-10) [3]
EnterpriseUnsupported
(2021-05-11) [4]
Core LTSC, Enterprise LTSCOn extended support
(2029-01-09) [6] [7]
May 2019 Update2019-08-2918362EnterpriseUnsupported
(2020-12-08) [4]
November 2019 Update2019-11-1218363Unsupported
(2022-05-10) [4]
May 2020 Update2020-05-2719041Unsupported
(2021-12-14) [4]
October 2020 Update2020-10-2019042Unsupported
(2023-05-09) [4]
May 2021 Update2021-05-1819043Unsupported
(2022-12-13) [4]
November 2021 Update2021-11-1619044EnterpriseUnsupported
(2024-06-11) [4]
Enterprise LTSCOn extended support (2032-01-13) [8]
2022 Update2022-10-1819045EnterpriseSupported
(2025-10-14) [4]
Windows Server IoT 20192019-02-26 [9] NT 10.017763Essentials, Standard, Datacenter,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup,
Telecommunications
OEMIoT, ServerOn extented support
(2029-01-09) [10] [11]
Windows Server IoT 20222021-08-18 [12] [ better source needed ][ dubious discuss ]NT 10.020348Standard, Datacenter,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup,
Telecommunications
OEMIoT, ServerSupported
(2031-10-14) [13]
Windows 11 IoTOriginal Release2021-10-04NT 10.022000EnterpriseOEMIoTUnsupported
(2024-10-08) [14]
2022 Update2022-09-2022621Supported
(2025-10-14) [15]
2023 Update2023-10-3122631On extended support
(2026-11-10) [16]
2024 Update2024-10-0126100Supported
(2027-10-12)
Windows Server IoT 20252024-11-01 [17] NT 10.026100Standard, DatacenterOEMIoT, ServerSupported
(2034-10-10) [18]
NameRelease dateVersionRTM buildEditionsLicenseOS typeSupport status

Windows Mobile

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

NameRelease dateRTM buildCurrent versionSupport statusCodenameBased on (kernel)Supported architectures
Windows Pocket PC 2000 2000-04-19Unsupported
(2007-10-09)
RapierCE 3.0
Windows Pocket PC 2002 2001-10-04Unsupported
(2008-10-14)
MerlinCE 3.0
Windows Mobile 2003 2003-06-23Unsupported
(2014-07-08)
OzoneCE 4.20
Windows Mobile 5.0 2005-05-9/12Unsupported
(2015-10-13)
MagnetoCE 5.0
Windows Mobile 6.0 2007-02-12Unsupported
(2013-01-08)
CrossbowCE 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.

NameRelease dateRTM buildCurrent versionSupport statusCodenameBased on (kernel)Supported architectures
Windows Phone 7 2010-11-0870047.10.8862UnsupportedPhotonCE 6.0 ARM
Windows Phone 7.5 2011-09-277720UnsupportedMangoCE 6.1 ARM
Windows Phone 7.8 2013-02-018858Unsupported
(2014-10-14)
TangoCE 6.1 ARM
Windows Phone 8 2012-10-291021110.0.10586Unsupported
(2014-07-08)
Apollo, PorticoNT 6.2 ARM [ citation needed ]
Windows Phone 8.1 2014-04-1412359Unsupported
(2017-07-11)
BlueNT 6.3 ARM
Windows 10 Mobile 2015-11-0810586–16299UnsupportedThreshold, RedstoneNT 10.0 ARM

Technical information

DOS shells

NameArchitectureIntegrated firewallSMP supportUSB supportUDMA supportLFN supportUpdate managementAPIsSafe Mode
Windows 1.0 x86 16-bitNoNoNoNoNoNo Win16 No
Windows 2.0 x86 16-bitNoNoNoNoNoNoWin16No
Windows 2.1x x86 16-bitNoNoNoNoNoNoWin16No
Windows 3.0 x86 16-bitNoNoNoNoNoNoWin16No
Windows 3.1x x86 16-bit (partial 32-bit compatibility through Win32s)NoNoNoNoNoNoWin16, Win32sNo

Windows 9x

NameKernelKernel typeArchitectureIntegrated firewallSMP supportUSB supportUDMA supportLFN supportUpdate managementAPIsDDIsSafe ModeDirectX
Windows 95 MS-DOS 7.0 (Win95, Win95A), MS-DOS 7.1 (Win95B, Win95C)Monolithic kernelx86, hybrid 16/32-bitNoNoPartial (OSR 2.1/2.5 only) [19] Partial (OSR 2.x only) [20] Yes Windows Update Win16, Win32 DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (USB-only), direct-accessYesN/A (RTM/OSR1)
2.0a (OSR2/2.1)
5.0 (OSR2.5)
8.0a (optional)
Windows 98 MS-DOS 7.1Monolithic kernelx86, hybrid 16/32-bitNoNoYesYesYes Windows Update Win16, Win32DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-accessYes5.2
9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)
Windows 98 Second Edition MS-DOS 7.1Monolithic kernelx86, hybrid 16/32-bitNoNoYesYesYes Windows Update Win16, Win32DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-accessYes6.1a
9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)
Windows Me MS-DOS 8.0Monolithic kernelx86, hybrid 16/32-bitNoNoYesYesYes Windows Update Win16, Win32DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-accessYes7.1
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.

NameArchitectureStoreIntegrated firewall SMP support USB supportUDMA support Long filename support Package management Update managementAPIsDDIsSafe Mode Data Execution Prevention DirectX
Windows NT 3.1 IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS NoYesNo ?Yes (NTFS and HPFS volumes only)Win32, OS/2, POSIX DLL, KMDNoNoNo
Windows NT 3.5 IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS NoYesNo ?Yes (except on CDFS volumes)Win32, OS/2, POSIXDLL, KMDNoNoNo
Windows NT 3.51 IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC NoYesNo ?Yes (except on CDFS volumes)Win32, OS/2, POSIXDLL, KMDNoNoNo
Windows NT 4.0 IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC NoYesPartial (with third-party device drivers) [21] YesYes Windows Update (if Internet Explorer 5 or later is installed)Win32, OS/2, POSIXDLL, KMDNoNoYes
3.0a,
5.0 (unofficial)
Windows 2000 IA-32 NoYesYes (USB 2.0 with update or SP4) [22] YesYes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, OS/2, POSIXDLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF YesNoYes
7.0,
9.0c (Feb 2010) (optional)
Windows XP IA-32 (NT5.1), Itanium (NT5.1/5.2), x64 (NT5.2)YesYes (Professional Edition only)Yes (USB 2.0 with update or SP1+) [23] YesYes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1YesYes (in SP2)Yes
9.0c
Windows Server 2003 IA-32, Itanium, x64 YesYesYes (USB 2.0) [24] YesYes Windows Update, WSUS Win32DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1YesYes (with SP1)Yes
9.0c
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs IA-32 YesNoYesYesYes Windows Update, WSUS Win32DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1YesYesYes
9.0c
Windows Vista IA-32, x64 Windows Marketplace YesYesYes (USB 2.0)YesYes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET, POSIX (only Enterprise and Ultimate)DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1YesYesYes
10.1
11.0 (optional)
Windows Server 2008 IA-32, Itanium, x64 YesYesYes (USB 2.0)YesYes Windows Update, WSUS Win32DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1YesYesYes
10.1
11.0 (optional)
Windows Home Server IA-32  ?YesYes (USB 2.0) ?Yes Windows Update Win32DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 ? ?Yes
9.0c
Windows 7 IA-32, x64 YesYesYes (USB 3.0)YesYes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1YesYesYes
11.0
11.1 (optional)
Windows Server 2008 R2 Itanium, x64 YesYesYes (USB 3.0)YesYes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1YesYesYes
11.0
11.1 (optional)
Windows Home Server 2011 x64  ?YesYes (USB 3.0) ?Yes Windows Update Win32DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 ? ?Yes
11.0
11.1 (optional)
Windows Server 2012 x64 Windows Store YesYesYes (USB 3.0)YesYes Windows Store Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1YesYesYes
11.1
Windows 8 IA-32, x64 Windows Store YesYesYes (USB 3.0)YesYes Windows Store Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1YesYesYes
11.1
Windows 8.1 IA-32, x64 Windows Store YesYesYes (USB 3.0)YesYes Windows Store, PowerShell Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2YesYesYes
11.2
Windows Server 2012 R2 x64 Windows Store YesYesYes (USB 3.0)YesYes Windows Store Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2YesYesYes
11.2
Windows 10 IA-32, x64 Windows Store YesYesYes (USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3)YesYes Windows Store, PowerShell Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store Win32, .NET, WinRT, Linux DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2YesYesYes
12
Windows Server 2016 x64 Windows Store YesYesYes (USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3)YesYes Windows Store Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2YesYesYes
12

Windows Phone

NameArchitectureIntegrated firewallSMP supportUSB supportUDMA supportPackage managementAPIs
Windows Phone 8 ARMv7 YesYesYes (USB 2.0)Yes Windows Phone Store Silverlight
Windows Phone 8.1 ARMv7 YesYesYesYes Windows Phone Store Silverlight
WinRT
Windows 10 Mobile ARMv7 YesYesYesYes 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

FAT12FAT16FAT32HPFSISO 9660NTFSUDF
Windows 95 YesYesYes (OSR2 or above)Network DriveYesNetwork DriveNo
Windows 98 YesYesYesNetwork DriveYesNetwork DriveYes (1.5, read)
Windows Me YesYesYesNetwork DriveYesNetwork DriveYes (1.5, read)

Windows NT

FAT12FAT16FAT32HPFSISO 9660NTFSexFAT UDF ReFS
Windows NT 3.1, 3.5, 3.51 YesYesNoYesYesYes v1.0/v1.1No ?No
Windows NT 4.0 YesYesNoPartialYesYes v1.2No ?No
Windows 2000 YesYesYesNoYesYes v3.0NoYesNo
Windows XP YesYesYesNoYesYes v3.1OptionalYes (2.01)No
Windows Server 2003 YesYesYesNoYesYes v3.1OptionalYesNo
Windows Vista YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYes (2.6)No
Windows Server 2008 YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYesNo
Windows 7 YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYes (2.6)Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYes (2.6)Yes
Windows Server 2012 YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYes (2.6)Yes
Windows 8 YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYes (2.6)No
Windows 8.1 YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYes (2.6)Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYes (2.6)Yes
Windows 10 YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYes (2.6)Yes
Windows Server 2016 YesYesYesNoYesYes v5YesYes (2.6)Yes

Windows Phone

FAT12FAT16FAT32HPFSISO 9660NTFSUDF (More Info) ReFS
Windows Phone 8  ?YesYesNo ?Yes v5 ?No
Windows Phone 8.1  ?YesYesNo ?Yes v5 ?No
Windows 10 Mobile  ?YesYesNo ?Yes 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

CPURAMFree disk space
Windows 95 3864  MB 120 MB
Windows 98 486 DX2 66 MHz 16 MB300 MB
Windows Me (Millennium Edition) Pentium 150 MHz32 MB400 MB

Windows NT

VersionCPURAMFree disk spaceVideo adapter and monitor
MinimumRecommended
Windows NT 3.51 Workstation 386, 25 MHz8 MB16 MB90 MB VGA (640x480)
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation 486, 33 MHz12 MB ?110 MB
Windows 2000 Professional 133 MHz32 MB128 MB650 MB
Windows XP 233 MHz64 MB128 MB1.5  GB Super VGA (800x600)
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs 500 MB
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition 700 MHz Itanium [25] 1 GB [25]  ?6 GB [25]
Windows Server 2003 1 GHz (x86) or 1.4 GHz (x64)128 MB256 MB2 GB (x86)
4 GB (x64)
Windows Vista 800 MHz384 MB (Starter)
512 MB (others) [26] [ dubious discuss ]
2 GB15 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 GB10 GB
Windows 7 1 GHz1 GB (x86)
2 GB (x64)
4 GB16 GB (x86)
20 GB (x64)
(~6.5 GB for OS)
Windows Server 2012 1.4 GHz (x86-64)512 MB1 GB10 GBSuper VGA (800x600), 32-bit color
Windows 8 1 GHz1 GB (x86)
2 GB (x64)
4 GB16 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 GB16 GB (x86)
20 GB (x64)
Super VGA (800x600), 32-bit color
Windows Server 2016 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor512 MB ECC memory
2 GB with Desktop Experience installed [27]
depends on role32 GB
(~10 GB for OS)
XGA (1024 x 768)
Windows Server 2019 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor512 MB ECC memory
2 GB with Desktop Experience installed [27]
depends on role32 GBXGA (1024 x 768)
Windows Server 2022 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor512 MB ECC memory
2 GB with Desktop Experience installed [28]
depends on role32 GBSuper VGA (1024 x 768)
Windows Server 2025 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor512 MB ECC memory
2 GB with Desktop Experience installed [28]
4 GB with Desktop Experience installed32 GBSuper VGA (1024 x 768)
Windows 11 64-bit 1 GHz or faster processor or SoC with two or more cores4 GB64 GB
(~10 GB for OS)
720p greater than 9" diagonally, 32-bit color

Windows Phone

VersionCPURAMFree disk spaceVideo adapter and monitor
MinimumRecommended
Windows Phone 7 0.8 GHz256 MB4 GB Wide VGA (800 × 480)
Windows Phone 8 1 GHz512 MB8 GBWide VGA (800 × 480)
Windows Phone 8.1 1 GHz512 MB4 GBWide VGA (800 × 480)
Windows 10 Mobile 1 GHz1 GB2 GB8 GBWide 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. [29] [30]

Windows

Operating systemLimit on Real Mode Limit on Standard ModeLimit on Enhanced Mode
Windows 1.0x640 KB
Windows 2.0x640 KB16MB
Windows 2.1x640 + 64 KB16MB
Windows 3.0x640 + 64 KB16MB16MB
Windows 3.1x256MB [31] 256MB [31]
Windows 95944MB [32]
Windows 981GB
Windows ME1.5GB

Windows NT

Operating systemLimit on IA-32 Limit in IA-64 Limit on x64 Limit on ARM32 Limit on ARM64
Windows NT 3.14 GB
Windows NT 3.54 GB
Windows NT 3.514 GB
Windows NT 4.04 GB
Windows 2000 Professional/Server4 GB
Windows 2000 Advanced Server8 GB
Windows 2000 Datacenter32 GB
Windows XP Starter512 MB
Windows XP Home4 GB
Windows XP Professional4 GB128 GB128 GB
Windows Server 2003 RTM Web2 GB
Windows Server 2003 RTM Standard/Small Business4 GB
Windows Server 2003 RTM Enterprise/Datacenter64 GB512 GB
Windows Compute Cluster Server 200332 GB
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP1 Standard4 GB32 GB
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP1 Enterprise/Datacenter64 GB1 TB1 TB
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP2 Standard4GB32 GB
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP2 Enterprise/Datacenter64 GB2 TB1 TB
Windows Server 2003 R2/SP1 Standard4 GB32 GB
Windows Server 2003 R2/SP1 Enterprise/Datacenter64 GB1 TB
Windows Vista Starter1 GB
Windows Vista Home Basic4 GB8 GB
Windows Vista Home Premium4 GB16 GB
Windows Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate4 GB128 GB
Windows Home Server 4 GB
Windows Server 2008 Web Server/Standard/Small Business4 GB32 GB
Windows HPC Server 2008 128 GB
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise/Datacenter64 GB1 TB
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium–Based Systems2 TB
Windows 7 Starter2 GB
Windows 7 Home Basic4 GB8 GB
Windows 7 Home Premium4 GB16 GB
Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate4 GB192 GB
Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation8 GB
Windows Server 2008 R2 Web Server/Standard32 GB
Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 128 GB
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise/Datacenter2 TB
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium–Based Systems2 TB
Windows 8 (Core)4 GB128 GB
Windows 8 Pro/Enterprise4 GB512 GB
Windows RT 4 GB
Windows Server 2012 Standard/Datacenter4 TB
Windows Storage Server 2012 Standard4 TB
Windows Storage Server 2012 Workgroup32 GB
Hyper-V Server 20124 TB
Windows 8.1 (Core)4 GB128 GB
Windows 8.1 Pro/Enterprise4 GB512 GB
Windows RT 8.1 4 GB
Windows 10 Mobile4 GB
Windows 10 Home4 GB128 GB4 GB128 GB
Windows 10 Pro4 GB2 TB4 GB2 TB
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations4 GB6 TB4 GB6 TB
Windows 10 Education4 GB2 TB4 GB2 TB
Windows 10 Enterprise4 GB6 TB4 GB6 TB
Windows Server 2016 Essentials64 GB
Windows Server 2016 Standard24 TB
Windows Server 2016 Datacenter24 TB
Windows Server 2019 Essentials64 GB
Windows Server 2019 Standard24 TB
Windows Server 2019 Datacenter24 TB
Windows Server 2022 Essentials64 GB
Windows Server 2022 Standard24 TB
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter24 TB
Windows 11 Home128 GB128 GB
Windows 11 Pro2 TB2 TB
Windows 11 Pro for Workstations6 TB6 TB
Windows 11 Education2 TB2 TB
Windows 11 Enterprise6 TB6 TB

Security features

Resource access controlSubsystem isolation mechanismsIntegrated firewallEncrypted file systemsDefenderWindows Hello
Windows 2000 ACLs TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes (NTFS only)NoNo
Windows XP ACLsWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall (from SP2), TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYes (NTFS only)OptionalNo
Windows Server 2003 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesOptionalNo
Windows Vista ACLs, Privileges, RBACWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesYesNo
Windows Server 2008 ACLs, Privileges, RBACWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesYesNo
Windows 7 ACLs, Privileges, RBACWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesYesNo
Windows Server 2012 ACLs, Privileges, RBACWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesYesNo
Windows 8 ACLs, Privileges, RBACWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesYesNo
Windows Server 2012 R2 ACLs, Privileges, RBACWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesYesNo
Windows 8.1 ACLs, Privileges, RBACWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesYesNo
Windows 10 ACLs, Privileges, RBACWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesYesYes
Windows Server 2016 ACLs, Privileges, RBACWin32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objectsWindows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSecYesYesYes

Features

VersionShell Visual styles BrowserWeb 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 5.05.0 and 6.4 (side by side) COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe
Windows Me Windows shell Classic Internet Explorer 5.56.4 and 7.0 (side by side) COMMAND.COM
Windows XP Windows shell Luna (default), Classic Internet Explorer 6 IIS 5.15.1, 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 6IIS 6.09 (in RTM), 10 (in SP1) COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell (optional)
Windows Vista Windows shell Aero (default), Classic Internet Explorer 7 IIS 711 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell (optional)
Windows Server 2008 Windows shell, Server Core Classic (default), Aero (via "Desktop Experience")Internet Explorer 7IIS 711 (enabled by installing "Desktop Experience") COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell (optional)
Windows 7 Windows shell Aero (default), Classic Internet Explorer 8 IIS 7.512 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell 2.0
Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows shell, Server Core Classic (default), Aero (via "Desktop Experience")Internet Explorer 8IIS 7.512 (via "Desktop Experience") cmd.exe,
PowerShell 2.0
Windows Server 2012 Windows shell, Server Core Metro Internet Explorer 10 IIS 812 (via "Desktop Experience") cmd.exe,
PowerShell 3.0
Windows 8 Windows shell Metro Internet Explorer 10IIS 812 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell 3.0
Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows shell, Windows server core Metro Internet Explorer 11 IIS 8.512 (via "Desktop Experience") cmd.exe,
PowerShell 4.0
Windows 8.1 Windows shell Metro Internet Explorer 11IIS 8.512 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell 4.0
Windows 10 Windows shell Metro Internet Explorer 11
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.012 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell 5.0
Windows Server 2016 Windows shell, Windows server core Metro Internet Explorer 11
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.012 (via "Desktop Experience") cmd.exe,
PowerShell 5.1
Windows Server 2019 Windows shell, Windows server core Metro Internet Explorer 11
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.012 (via "Desktop Experience") cmd.exe,
PowerShell 5.1
Windows Server 2022 Windows shell, Windows server core Metro Internet Explorer 11
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.012 (via "Desktop Experience") cmd.exe,
PowerShell 5.1
Windows 11 Windows shell MicaInternet Explorer 11(Hidden)
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.012 (2022) COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell v.1

Timeline

Timeline of Windows versions
Windows 1.0Windows 2.0Windows 2.1xWindows 3.0Windows 3.1xWindows 3.1xWindows NT 3.1Windows NT 3.5Windows NT 3.51Windows 95Windows NT 4.0Windows 98Windows NT 4.0Windows 2000Pocket PC 2000Windows MePocket PC 2002Windows XPWindows XPWindows Server 2003Windows Mobile 2003Windows Mobile 5.0Windows Embedded IndustryWindows Server 2003 R2Windows Mobile 6.0Windows VistaWindows Home ServerWindows Mobile 6.1Windows Server 2008Windows Embedded IndustryWindows Mobile 6.5Windows 7Windows Server 2008 R2Windows MultiPoint ServerWindows Phone 7Windows Home Server 2011Windows MultiPoint ServerWindows Embedded IndustryWindows Server 2012Windows 8Windows Phone 8Windows MultiPoint ServerWindows Embedded 8 IndustryWindows 8.1Windows Embedded 8.1 IndustryWindows Server 2012 R2Windows Phone 8.1Windows 10 (original release)Windows 10 (original release)Windows IoTWindows 10, version 1511Windows 10 Mobile version historyWindows 10, version 1607Windows 10 Mobile version historyWindows 10, version 1607Windows IoTWindows Server 2016Windows 10, version 1703Windows 10 Mobile version historyWindows 10, version 1709Windows 10 Mobile version historyWindows 10, version 1803Windows 10, version 1809Windows 10, version 1809Windows IoTWindows Server 2019Windows IoTWindows 10, version 1903Windows 10, version 1909Windows 10, version 2004Windows 10, version 20H2Windows 10, version 21H1Windows Server 2022Windows IoTWindows 11, version 21H2Windows 10, version 21H2Windows 10, version 21H2Windows IoTWindows 11, version 22H2Windows 10, version 22H2Windows 11, version 23H2Windows 11, version 24H2Windows 11, version 24H2Windows IoTWindows Server 2025Windows IoTComparison of Microsoft Windows versions

See also

Other lists

Windows clones and emulators

References

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