What is Windows 2000?
Q: What is Windows 2000?
A: Windows 2000 (also known as Win2K, W2K, Win2000 or Windows 2K) is an operating system for computers that have either single or multiple processors. It was made for 32-bit Intel x86 computers and is part of the Microsoft Windows NT line of operating systems.
Q: When was it released?
A: Windows 2000 was released on February 17, 2000.
Q: What versions are available?
A: There are four versions of Windows 2000 available - Professional, Server, Advanced Server and Datacenter Server. Additionally, Microsoft offers two limited editions - Advanced Server Limited Edition and Datacenter Server Limited Edition - which were released in 2001 and run on 64-bit Intel Itanium processors.
Q: Who can use it?
A: Windows 2000 was designed primarily for businesses but it is also popular with home users.
Q: What modes does it use?
A: Windows 2000 uses two 'modes' - a 'User Mode' and a 'Kernel Mode'. The Kernel Mode is specially for hardware drivers while the User Mode allows computer programs to run without fear of causing harm to the computer.
Q: What features does it have in common?
A: All versions of Windows 2000 have many features in common including system utilities such as the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), standard system management applications such as a disk defragmentation utility, support for different languages and support for people with disabilities. Additionally, all versions support the NTFS 5 file system, Encrypted File System (EFS) and basic/dynamic disk storage.
Q: What extra features does the server version offer? A: The server version has additional features including Active Directory services (a way of organising resources such as printers, users and group), distributed file system (a file system that supports sharing of files) and fault-redundant storage volumes. It can be installed through attended or unattended installations using answer files to fill in installation information or by using Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) or System Preparation Tool (Sysprep).
