Windows 95 is more backward compatible than NT. Windows 95 can run on the same basic hardware as its predecessors.

Windows NT makes the break with the past by not claiming to be 100 % backward compatible. It does offer support for Intel based, ALPHA based, and MIPS based systems.

Similarities:
Both offer Internet Explorer and hardware profiles. User access is similar.
Both can run on a 486 DX with 33 MHz or better CPU.
Both offer Explorer, a similar desktop, Control Panel, and backup utility.

Differences:
Windows 95 supports more hardware devices than does Windows NT.
Windows 95 has a simpler installation process, supports power management features, and offers Plug-and-Play.
Windows NT has higher performance on high-end PCs, higher reliability, and better security.
Windows NT uses a hardware abstraction layer which is not used by Windows 95.

Normally, a 16-bit application will work better under Windows 95 than under Windows NT because Windows NT is a pure 32-bit OS whereas Windows 95 is a mix of both 16-bit and 32-bit OS processes. Windows Still includes significant portions of 16 bit code and uses DOS for file management and disk partitioning.  Windows NT is a true 32 bit multithreading, multitasking operating system.

Two types of file systems used by NT are file allocation table (FAT) and Windows NT file system (NTFS).

A dual boot configuration is possible with NT and either DOS or Windows 95. An application must be installed for each OS because both Windows 95 and Windows NT must be aware of the application.

Windows NT speeds up processing by using a virtual memory manager to speed up memory access, by having a faster file system called NTFS, and by making extensive use of processes and multithreading in order to allow applications to make the best use of resources.

A workgroup is a logical group of independent computers, each managing security of their own resources.

A domain is a logical group of computers with a centralized computer that manages the security for all computers that belong to that domain.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARWARE - Information about the current hardware configuration is stored in this key after a successful boot. This information is called the Last Known Good configuration. If the change you make causes the system to hang, you can revert back to the Last Known Good configuration. If you make several changes and then the system hangs when rebooted, you don't know which change caused the problem, and you must begin again with all changes.

Hardware Topics: Basic PC Overview
Preventative Maintenance and Safety -|- Basic Troubleshooting -|- PC Architecture Basics -|- PC I/O and Busses
Processors -|- Memory -|- Drives -|- Monitors and Video -|- Modems -|- Printers -|- Portable Systems -|- Networking

Operating System Topics:
DOS basics -|- Windows 3.1 -|- OS Memory Management -|- Installation of DOS and Windows 3.x
Installation of Windows 9X -|- Diagnosis and Troubleshooting -|- Windows 95 Overview -|- Windows 95 Networking
Windows 95 vs Windows NT

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Please Read -DISCLAIMER: Technology changes very rapidly. The information presented here was believed to be accurate at the time it was gathered. No claim is made that this information is up to date, or that it represents the current technology used today.

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