The Windows 2000/XP/2003 Product Family
Last Updated: 02 Oct 2005
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*** PLEASE NOTE: Link(s), If Provided, May Be Wrapped ***
The Microsoft website has tons of information regarding
the Windows 2000 Product Family. If you're interested in
knowing the difference between Professional, Server,
Advanced Server and DataCenter Edition, or if you want to
know just what each product needs as far as hardware is
concerned, check the following links:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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• OVERVIEWS
• FEATURES MATRIX
• NEW FEATURES
• PRODUCT INFO & CASE STUDIES
• COMPARISONS
• RELIABILITY
• SCALABILITY & PERFORMANCE WHITEPAPERS
• INTEROPERABILITY
• UPGRADING, INSTALLING & DEPLOYMENTS
• UPGRADING TO 2003 DOMAINS, WITH EXCHANGE 2000
• ACTIVE DIRECTORY MIGRATION
• INTEROPERABILITY
• MANAGING WINDOWS 2000
• HARDWARE & SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY LISTS
• WPA & PIRACY
• LICENSING
• GAMING
• WINDOWS NT FAMILY RELEASE DATES
• NT/2000/XP FAQs
• BETA & PREVIEW INFO
OVERVIEWS
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/overview/technologies/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/articleindex.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/overview/family.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/professional/evaluation/overview/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/whyupgrade/featurecomp.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/professional/overview/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/server/overview/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/datacenter/overview/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/platform/overview/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/future/whistler.asp
• http://windowsxp.devx.com/articles/video.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/01/12/XPKernel/XPKernel.asp
FEATURES MATRIX
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/features/compareeditions.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/features/featuresorter.aspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/serverfamily/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/whyupgrade/featurecomp.asp
NEW FEATURES
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/overview/technologies/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/articleindex.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS2000/en/datacenter/help/whats_new_in_windows_2000_server.htm
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/appendix/hh/appendix/enhancements5_0qhx.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/prnb_efs_lnfx.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/howto/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/whyupgrade/top10.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/guide/features.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/articleindex.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/planning/reliability/installation.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnwxp/html/windowsxpsystemrestore.asp
PRODUCT INFO & CASE STUDIES
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/professional/features/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/server/features/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/datacenter/features/
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/win2000/win2kpro/
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/win2000/win2ksrv/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/windows2000/
COMPARISONS
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/whyupgrade/wxpvswin98.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/professional/howtobuy/choosing/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/choosing/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp
• http://www.winnetmag.com/windowsnt20002003faq/Article/ArticleID/20536/windowsnt20002003faq_20536.html
• http://www.computerworld.com/cwi/story/0,1199,NAV65-664_STO46044,00.html
• http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/productinfo/comparisons/unix/ntappdev/2_architecturaldiff.asp?bprint=true
RELIABILITY
• http://www.microsoft.com/Windows2000/news/external/Gigareliable.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/server/solutions/overview/reliable/
• http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS2000/news/fromms/nash00feb16.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/planning/reliability/installation.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/sr/srestore_0qg5.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnwxp/html/windowsxpsystemrestore.asp
SCALABILITY & PERFORMANCE WHITEPAPERS
• http://www.microsoft.com/business/ecommerce/bizmeetsebiz.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/ecommerce/ecseries.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/?URL=/library/techart/Docu2kbench.htm
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/platform/performance/
• http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS2000/hpc/faq.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/01/12/XPKernel/XPKernel.asp
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=308417
INTEROPERABILITY
• http://www.microsoft.com/Windows2000/library/interop/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/library/planning/pds-amigtoc.asp
• http://www.winmag.com/windows/guides/win2000/22.htm
UPGRADING, INSTALLING & DEPLOYMENTS
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/matrix.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=254383
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=250297
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=232039
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/upgrade/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/upgrade/compat/issues.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/professional/solutions/upgrading.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/planning/walkthroughs/
• http://www.ntcompatible.com/
• http://www.winnetmag.com/windowsnt20002003faq/Article/ArticleID/23130/windowsnt20002003faq_23130.html
• http://www.winnetmag.com/windowsnt20002003faq/Article/ArticleID/15135/windowsnt20002003faq_15135.html
• http://www.informit.com/isapi/product_id~%7BE06D2609-004C-467F-ACDE-1F00DF011D89%7D/content/
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/technologies/activedirectory/maintain/opsguide/
UPGRADING TO 2003 DOMAINS, WITH EXCHANGE 2000
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=314649
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/ad/Windowsserver2003/deploy/upgrdmigrate/UpgADc14.asp
ACTIVE DIRECTORY MIGRATION
• http://windows.microsoft.com/windows2000/en/server/help/sag_ADtopnode.htm
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/win2000/win2ksrv/add.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/server/features/activedirectory.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/library/planning/walkthroughs/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/library/resources/reskit/dpg/
• http://www.windows-expert.net/faq/Active-Directory/upgrade-nt-domain-to-active-directory.asp
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=260362
• http://www.unisys.com/Windows2000/AssocDocs/migration%20white%20paper.PDF
• http://www.zdnet.com/enterprise/filters/resources/0,10227,6008280,00.html
• http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=4692
• http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=15922
• http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=21422
• http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=8958
MANAGING WINDOWS 2000/XP
• http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/maintain/opsguide/opsguide.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/howto/admhow.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/
• http://www.dalantech.com/win2k-menu.shtml
• http://labmice.techtarget.com/troubleshooting/
• http://labmice.techtarget.com/windowsxp/TroubleshootingXP/
HARDWARE & SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY LISTS
• http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/search.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/HWTEST/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/upgrade/compat/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/datacenter/hcl/
• http://www.ntcompatible.com/
• http://www.microsoft.com/winlogo/software/
WPA & PIRACY
• http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php
• http://www.licenturion.com/xp/
• http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/xp_activation.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/PIRACY/basics/activation/mpavlfaq.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/prodinfo/qa.asp#prodkey
• http://www.hardocp.com/articles/windows/xp_piracy.html
• http://www.microsoft.com/Office/evaluation/indepth/activation.htm
• http://windows2000.about.com/compute/windows2000/cs/productactivation/
• http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=20621
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=302806
LICENSING
• http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS2000/en/professional/help/lic_questions.htm
• http://www.microsoft.com/TechNet/prodtechnol/win2kts/deploy/tslicen.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/atrisk/faq/
• http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/licenseguide/
• http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/samguide/tools/cal_guide/
• http://www.microsoft.com/business/licensing/overview.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/business/licensing/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/pricing/types.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/pricing/changes.asp
• http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.html
• https://brainwavecc.com/TechDocs/Licensing.html
• http://forums.delphiforums.com/MaximumFAQ/messages?msg=25.1
PRODUCT LIFECYCLE & SUPPORT
• http://www.microsoft.com/LifeCycle/
• http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=LifeCycle
• http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?SCID=fh;en-us;obsoletewin
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/support/lifecycle/
• http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/productinfo/availability/retiring.asp
• http://entmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=5554
SPECIAL SOFTWARE BUNDLES
The Microsoft ActionPack allows IT Professionals and
System Resellers to obtain sales material and 5-user
Not For Resale (NFR) copies of various Microsoft server
and desktop products at a great price.
• http://members.microsoft.com/partner/salesmarketing/partnermarket/actionpack/actionpackus.aspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/partner/businessdevelopment/salesresources/actionpack/actionpack_plus.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/partner/products/windowsfamily/windowsxp/channelexcitementkit.asp
MSDN Subscriptions are also a good way to obtain various
Microsoft OSes, Tools and other goodies throughout the
year. They range from the high-priced "Universal" to the
low-end "Library" subscription.
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/prodinfo/levels.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/prodinfo/pricing.asp#univ
If you are eligible for Academic pricing, then obtaining
the "MSDN Operating Systems" subscription is a great and
inexpensive way to get multi-user licenses (10 licenses
per subscription) of Windows for your home. Even without
Academic pricing, this particular MSDN Subscription can
be obtained for under $600 for a 10-user license of the
OS, plus tools and other info.
• http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?site=11093&subid=22&pg=9
GAMING
• http://www.sharkyextreme.com/theguide/high_game_pc/12.shtml
• http://www.w2kgamer.com/
WINDOWS NT FAMILY RELEASE DATES
• Windows NT 3.1 ................. Build 511 ...... Aug 1993
• Windows NT 3.5 ................. Build 887 ...... Sep 1994
• Windows NT 3.51 ................ Build 1057 ...... Jun 1995
• Windows NT 4.0 ................. Build 1381 ...... Aug 1996
• Windows NT 5.0 (2000) .......... Build 2195 ...... Feb 2000
• Windows NT 5.1 (XP) ............ Build 2600 ...... Oct 2001
• Windows NT 5.2 (Server 2003) ... Build 3790 ...... Apr 2003
NT/2000/XP/2003 FAQs
• http://members.fortunecity.com/pcmuseum/windows.htm
• http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?SCID=/faqs/
• http://www.windows2000faq.com/
• http://www.ntcompatible.com/faq3.shtml
• http://www.activewin.com/faq/whistler.shtml
• http://www.only4gurus.com/
• http://www.theeldergeek.com/
• http://www.winsupersite.com/FAQ/whistler.asp
• http://www.winsupersite.com/FAQ/2000_old.asp
• http://www.phm.lu/Documentation/Windows/Projects%20Code%20Names.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryDesktop.mspx
• http://www.theeldergeek.com/windows_timeline.htm
• http://attryde.com/clarion/cw_whatver.htm
• http://entmag.com/win2003/
BETA & PREVIEW INFO
• http://beta.microsoft.com/
• http://www.only4gurus.com/
• http://www.wininformant.com/
• http://www.winsupersite.com/
• http://www.tweakxp.com/
• http://www.windowsxp.nu/
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/
• http://windowsxp.devx.com/articles/video.asp
WINDOWS 9X/ME RESOURCE USAGE
• http://www.forrestandassociates.co.uk/pcforrest/resources.html
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PERSONAL NOTES
• "REAL" Windows = NT, 2000, XP, 2003 and beyond.
• Upgrading from XP Home to XP Pro is pretty painless,
provided you disable AV software and other 3rd party
utilities.
• The HELP system in XP is greatly improved over
previous versions of Windows. If you're new to
Windows 2000 or XP you should definitely take a
tour and see what your new OS offers. It's very
different from Win9x/ME.
• WindowsXP information is now included in here
• Active Directory information is also included
• It is best to talk to your Microsoft rep for current
and accurate licensing info for your organization...
• Check out the Microsoft ActionPack for excellent
pricing on NT/2000/XP and BackOffice components.
Also look into an MSDN subscription.
• Even if your organization has just moved to Windows
2000, you should evaluate Windows XP for limited use
within your company. There are some features, like
Remote Desktop, that might provide considerable ROI
in the short-term. If you're currently on NT4 or
Win9x, then the decision to move is a no-brainer:
stop wasting time and convert those clients to XP...
• Be sure to install the Support Tools from the CD
(\SUPPORT\TOOLS\SETUP.EXE)
• 64-bit Windows is currently available for Itanium-based
systems, but a version of XP and 2003 for AMD64-based
systems is currently being developed and should be
available in early 2004.
