The Windows NT is the first in a line with the NT based operating systems which means that the Windows NT 3.1 version is the operating system that gave Windows the brand recognition it needed to get launched into the market. There were a lot of specifications that made the operating system a unique one in the market. For starters, the operating system packed a server-based framework that was more technically advanced compared to the counterparts.
The operating system was based on the DOS-based operating systems that made them even more adaptable when connected to a network. The biggest highlight with the Windows NT or New Technology version 3.1 was that it was available for both Workstations as well as server-based operating systems that greatly benefitted Microsoft in terms of market shares as well as giving a boost to their products launched under the windows brand. There are also various parameters such as the 16-bit architecture that made the operating system more constrictive.
Overview
Windows NT 3.1 was loaded with features that made the operating system a class apart in terms of performance and efficiency. Things could be processed and stored much faster in the 3.1 edition of the Windows and also there were additional features that made the system much more adaptable to network connectivity.
There are also features like the whole programming core that was solely done in C programming that made the system much more adaptable to any environment. The virtual memory management tool in the storage of the data also helped to make the operating system much more adaptable in terms of storage as well.
Well, these are just some that were available with the system, but let’s discuss the various features that were housed within the two editions of the Windows NT 3.1, the workstation and the server edition as well.
1. Indulgence of C/C++ programming into the software framework
The programming world was at the prime of development and Microsoft pulled off big-time with the release of the Windows NT 3.1 workstation version with C programming and the server-based operating system with the C++ programming language to give an upper edge in connectivity. There was also another advantage with this kind of software framework that the system made sure that they could be easily rooted and gave the winning edge to test with various software with the Windows NT 3.1 version that greatly increased the number of users using the operating system.
These features greatly improved the scope for the operating system to develop with lots of features in the upcoming generations of operating systems from windows.
2. Virtual Memory Management tool
The virtual memory management tool mimicked the performance of an anti-virus software back in those days. The VMM would deeply scrutinize all the software that runs on the Windows NT 3.1 and make sure that it takes off any potential malware that may damage the system and also greatly improved the security of files and folders that can be accessed through a log-in credential.
This factor greatly improved the system’s performance and also was one of the factors that made the server edition to emerge successfully. The added security features were by far the best during the release of Windows NT 3.1.
3. The Virtual DOS Machine (VDM)
The virtual DOS machine is one of the features that made the operating system efficient in terms of processing as this eased the workload on the main operating system. There was a common misconception that the VDM was considered as a virtual machine released along with the Windows NT 3.1 operating system but in reality, it was a 32-bit operating system that was designed to run DOS-based applications with windows running other non-DOS based software along with it. there were a lot of speculations that it would slow down the system as a whole but with the release of the operating system, windows shunted the speculation to dust.
4. NT loader
The NT loader of the windows NT 3.1 was a designated booting software that enabled multi-booting options that gave the system an added advantage of shifting between Windows NT and also MS-DOS. This booting software also greatly influenced the speed of the operating system in a beneficial way and save the time wasted in booting the system. The NTLDR also packed a powerful software framework that wasn’t used in RISC computers as they had a booting manager of their own.
System Requirements
the system requirements for the workstation and the server-based operating edition was almost the same in terms of performance.
- RAM requirements
Workstation: 12MB of RAM
Server: 16MB of RAM
- Hard Disk space
Workstation: 75 MB of HDD
Server: 90MB of HDD
- MS-DOS 3.1
- VGA supported the graphics cards.
Download Windows NT 3.1 for workstation and server ISO file
The download files of both the workstation and the server-based operating system are available in individual download paths below. Make sure that the initial requirements of the system are met before the download of the system. It is best to be connected to a reliable network for download.
