Windows NT 3.1

Windows NT 3.1

Version of the Windows NT operating system
Screenshot of Windows NT 3.1
Developer	Microsoft
OS family	Microsoft Windows
Source model	Closed-source
Released to manufacturing	July 27, 1993; 31 years ago (1993-07-27)[1]
Latest release	Service Pack 3 (3.1.528) / October 29, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-10-29)
Platforms	IA-32, Alpha, MIPS
Kernel type	Hybrid (NT)
Userland	Windows API NTVDM OS/2 1.x POSIX.1
License	Commercial software
Preceded by	Windows 3.1x (1992)
Succeeded by	Windows NT 3.5 (1994)
Support status
Unsupported as of December 31, 2000[2]

Windows NT 3.1 is the first major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft, released on July 27, 1993.

At the time of Windows NT's release, Microsoft's Windows 3.1 desktop environment had established brand recognition and market share, but it relied on the DOS operating system for essential functions, and it had a constrictive 16-bit architecture. Windows NT, however, was a complete, 32-bit operating system that retained a desktop environment familiar to Windows 3.1 users. By extending the Windows brand and beginning NT at version 3.1, Microsoft implied that consumers should expect a familiar user experience. The name Windows NT ("New Technology") advertised that this was a re-engineered version of Windows.

Windows NT began as a rewrite of the OS/2 operating system, which Microsoft had co-developed with IBM in the 1980s. For several reasons, including the market success of Windows 3.0 in 1990, Microsoft decided to advance Windows rather than OS/2, relinquished their OS/2 development responsibilities. First publicly demonstrated at Comdex 1991, NT 3.1 was finally released in 1993, available in two editions: Windows NT 3.1 for workstations, and Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server for servers.

When Windows NT premiered, their sales were limited by high system requirements, and a general lack of 32-bit applications to take advantage of the OS's data processing capabilities. It sold about 300,000 copies before it was succeeded by Windows NT 3.5 in 1994. On December 31, 2000, Microsoft declared Windows NT 3.1 obsolete and stopped providing support and updates for the system.