NewShell — NT 3.5x or NT 4.0?

[leppy232]

I've noticed there's some contention on this, and wanted to get some opinions on the topic. Since Newshell replaces system files with ones with the version number 4.0, do you consider it just an updated version of 3.5x or an early version of 4.0?

[Overdoze]

NewShell is an add-on for NT 3.51, and it's file version is also 3.51, not 4.0 like you said. So I personally would put it under NT 3.51 rather than 4.0.

Would be interesting to observe what the relationship is between NewShell and early NT 4.0 shell though.

[JennyTheOSCollector]

It's just a test on Windows NT 3.51,and MS tried to figure out should Windows NT 4.0 use Win95's shell.And they think Windows NT 4.0 looks nice with the shell,so Windows NT 4.0's there,with Win95 shell.The NewShell's just an experiment subject,so it belongs to neither of them.

[roytam1]

Build 854 with NewShell as well (which also brings up "should 854 classified as NT 3.51?" debate)
see also: https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35264

[xelloss]

I would be inclined to classify it as NT 3.5x if the GDI runs in user mode, and as NT 4 if it runs in kernel mode. Which one is it?

[Pikavolt321]

NewShell does run on Windows NT 4, by the way, and does alter the appearance of the OS somewhat, and it says "Windows NT Explorer", as opposed to "Windows NT Workstation" or "Windows NT Server" in the start menu. However, I believe it uses the NT/W3.x Program Groups as opposed to the 95/NT folders, working in a similar way to Calmira for Windows 3.1.

[os2fan2]

I think part of the confusion is that beginning with Windows 4.x, the programs should expect to find the explorer interface. It's much the same idea behind DOS 7 in Win9x, and OS/2 Warp reporting 2.30 at the command line and 3.0 or 3.1 (for Warp connect) at the PM Shell.

Given that, and that it is just an addon to 3.51, I would be tempted to say the base OS does not change, even when some of the shell does.

You pretty much get replacing of system files when you install the 95 shell into Win98, with the LitePC program.

[Pikavolt321]

The kernel certainly doesn't seem to change with NewShell, but many core system DLLs such as USER32.DLL (the window manager, that also contains many common controls), COMCTL32.DLL (more common controls), SHELL32.DLL (contains lots of stuff, such as the run dialog, the file dialog, Winver), and others are replaced, with what I imagine comes from an early version of Windows NT 4.0.