Windows NT 3.5 (codenamed "Daytona") is the second major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft, targeting the data server and personal workstation markets. It was released on September 21, 1994, as the successor to Windows NT 3.1. One of the primary goals during Windows NT 3.5's development was to increase the speed of the operating system; as a result, the project was given the codename "Daytona" in reference to the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Windows NT 3.5 was succeeded by Windows NT 3.51 in 1995. Support and updates for Windows NT 3.5 was ended by Microsoft on December 31, 2001.

Features

Windows NT 3.5 comes in two editions: NT Workstation and NT Server, which respectively replace the NT and NT Advanced Server editions of Windows NT 3.1. The Workstation edition allows only ten concurrent clients to access the file server and does not support Mac clients.

Windows NT 3.5 includes integrated Winsock and TCP/IP support. (Its predecessor, Windows NT 3.1, only includes an incomplete implementation of TCP/IP based on AT&T UNIX System V "STREAMS" API.) TCP/IP and IPX/SPX stacks in Windows NT 3.5 are rewritten. NetBios over TCP/IP (NetBT) support as a compatibility layer for TCP/IP was introduced, as well as the Microsoft DHCP and WINS clients and DHCP and WINS servers.

Windows NT 3.5 can share files via the File Transfer Protocol, and printers through the Line Printer Daemon protocol. It can act as a Gopher, HTTP, or a WAIS server, and includes Remote Access Service for remote dial-up modem access to LAN services using either SLIP or PPP protocols. Windows NT 3.5 Resource Kit includes the first implementation of Microsoft DNS.

Other new features of Windows NT 3.5 include support for the VFAT file system (ability to use long file names of up to 255 characters), Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) 2.0, and support for input/output completion ports. Microsoft updated the graphical user interface to be consistent with that of Windows for Workgroups 3.11. NT 3.5 shows performance improvements over NT 3.1 and requires less memory.

Windows NT 3.5 added support for ATAPI CD-ROM. Windows NT 3.5 support for ISA PnP is not enabled by default.

Limitations

A lack of drivers for PCMCIA adapter cards limited NT 3.5's sustainability for notebook computers.

Windows NT 3.5 refuses to install on a processor newer than the original Intel Pentium (P5 core). Windows NT 3.51 fixed this. It is, however, possible to modify files on the installation CD, which will allow it to install.

Reception

In July 1995, Windows NT 3.5 with Service Pack 3 was rated by the National Security Agency as complying with Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria (TCSEC) C2 criteria.

Source code

In May 2020, the full source code for the second release candidate build (build 782.1) of Windows NT 3.5, along with source code for the original Xbox, leaked onto the Internet.

Gallery

Windows NT 3.5 desktop screenshot

Box art for Windows NT 3.5

A screenshot of File Manager on Windows NT 3.5

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5 logo screen.

Microsoft Windows NT 3.5 Server logo.

External links

• Guidebook: Windows NT 3.51 Gallery – A website dedicated to preserving and showcasing Graphical User Interfaces

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