Microsoft Client Operating Systems
| | Introduction Date | Minimum RAM | Recommended RAM | Maximum RAM | Minimum Processor | Number of Processors | Minimum HD Space | File System | CD Required | DVD Required | Years of Product Support | Built in Firewall | Encrypting File System | Local Security Policy | Supports Active Directory Group Policy |
DOS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Windows | 1990 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NT | 1993 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Win95 | 1995 | 4MB | 8MB | | 386DX | 1 | | FAT16 | Yes | | | No | No | No | No |
Win98 | 1998 | 16MB | 24MB | | 486DX | 1 | | FAT16 | Yes | | | No | No | No | No |
Win98SE | 1998 | 16MB | 24MB | | 486DX | 1 | | FAT32 | Yes | | | No | No | No | No |
WinME | 2000 | 32MB | | | 150Mhz | 1 | | FAT32 | Yes | | | No | No | No | No |
Win2000 | 2000 | 32MB | 64MB | | 133Mhz | 1 - 2 | | NTFS | Yes | | | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
WinXP Home | 2001 | 64MB | 128MB | | 233Mhz | 1 | | NTFS | Yes | | | Yes (SP2) | No | No | No |
WinXP Pro | 2001 | 64MB | 128MB | | 233Mhz | 1 - 2 | | NTFS | Yes | | | Yes (SP2) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
WinXP Media Center | 2005 | | | | | | | NTFS | Yes | | | Yes (SP2) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Vista Home Basic | 2007 | 512MB | | | 1GHz | | | NTFS | No | Yes | | Yes | | | No |
Vista Home Premium | 2007 | 1GB | | | 1GHz | | | NTFS | No | Yes | | Yes | | | No |
Vista Business | 2007 | 1GB | | | 1GHz | 1 - 2 | | NTFS | No | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Vista Ultimate | 2007 | 1GB | | | 1GHz | 1 - 2 | | NTFS | No | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |