"Better" can entail many things. Windows XP is superior to Windows 2000 in a few areas, equivalent in most, and inferior in a couple inconsequential ways.
Ways that XP is considered superior:
1. Integrated zip support. Windows 2000 requires third-party programs to open and read zip files.
2. .NET frameworks and user-mode driver framework. These were created much later by Microsoft, and simply not made available to 2000.
3. Better wireless network management. Windows 2000 did not have a wireless manager in the typical sense - it was treated like any other network device, and did not "roam" networks.
4. Icons. Windows XP supports full 32-bit color icons. Most icons in Windows 2000 are an uglier 16-bit color (or worse).
5. Fonts. Windows XP supports "ClearType", which makes characters look less pixelated and more smooth, especially on LCD screens.
Ways that Windows XP can be considered inferior:
1. Windows XP uses a chunky and (for the time it was released) bloated theme and appearance. This can be turned off to some extent, and give it a more 2000-ish appearance (called "Classic"). The point is probably moot, since new computers can easily handle the appearance without any noticeable slowdown.
2. An annoying product validation requirement, which sometimes even fails for legitimate users.
Ways that Windows 2000 and XP are on a level playing field:
1. DirectX 9 - Both Windows XP and 2000 support DX9, and neither will see any newer release from Microsoft.
2. Performance. With XP's visual "enhancements" turned off, they run about the same on the same hardware. Windows 2000 will run on slightly less. Windows XP has slightly improved performance on newer processors with HyperThreading and / or multiple cores.
3. Application support. Almost all applications that run on XP will run on 2000 and vice-versa. The exceptions are primarily ones that deliberately restrict the product from working on 2000. This is often done by Microsoft.
Absolutely nothing.
98 is a hybrid 16/32bit utilizing OS, as where NT is full 32bit. - Alex C
There are very few similarities between Windows 98 and Windows NT, other than a similar interface.
Windows 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, NT 3.1, NT 3.5, NT 3.51, and Windows NT 4.Windows 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, NT 3.1, NT 3.5, NT 3.51, and Windows NT 4.
Windows 95 and 98 is based on the Windows 4.x Kernel. Windows 2000 and XP is baed on the NT Kernel. XP sports a different GUI compared to 95982000, this is the main difference between windows 2000/98 and XP.
Windows NT is part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems. Microsoft Windows is used to describe Microsoft's flagship OS in general while Windows NT is an outdated OS that used to run on workstations and servers. Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and 7 are all based upon Windows NT.
There is no difference between them. Some people call it 2000, some others call it 2000 NT. Windows 2000 is based on NT Technology, they are just different ways of calling one same thing. Windows 2000 offered several improvements over Windows NT, including a more stable environment, support for Plug and Play, Device Manager, Recovery Console, Active Directory, better network support, and features specifically targeting notebook computers. Pg 38
The GUI of Windows NT 3.1 to 3.51 is virtually identical to that of Windows 3.1. They use a Program Manager, rather than a Start menu and taskbar. Windows NT 4's GUI is similar to that of Windows 95. However, it lacks some facilities like the Device Manager (since NT 4 is not truly Plug 'n' Play). Unlike Windows 98, Internet Explorer is not integrated into the shell, although it is optionally available.
Windows NT 3.1 only came in two versions, Windows NT 3.1 and Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server.
Windows 95 (partial, via USB add-on) Windows 98 Windows ME Windows NT 3.1 Windows NT 3.5 Windows NT 3.51 Window NT 4 Windows 2000 Windows XP Windows Server 2003 Windows Vista Windows Server 2008
Windows NT (new technology) added the HAL or Hardware Abstraction Layer to prevent direct interaction between hardware and software.
Windows 8 and 8.1 are the version of Windows NT, released by Microsoft and both are slightly different from each other. The main difference between 8 and 8.1 is that Windows 8.1 has more apps as comparison to Windows 8 such as integration of OneDrive, along with it's under interface tweaks and the addition of expanded tutorials for operating the Windows 8 interface.