Windows 95/98 Does Not Use Multiple Processors

ID: Q193645

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

SUMMARY

Neither Windows 98 nor Windows 95 uses more than one processor on multiple-processor computers.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows is designed to use a single Intel-based processor. If you install Windows on a computer with more than one Intel-based processor, Windows uses only one of the processors and ignores the rest.

If you need an operating system that supports symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), you may want to use Microsoft Windows NT instead of Windows 98 or Windows 95.

Note that some third-party programs may make use of a second processor under Windows in a programmatic manner (most notably, computer-aided design [CAD] programs). The use of a secondary processor is dependent upon such a program and is usable only by that program.

Additional query words: microprocessor dual

Keywords : kbhw win95 win98 win98se
Version : WINDOWS:95
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo