Microsoft to drop the 'NT' in 'Windows NT'

The rumors that have been circulating for months are apparently true: Withthe convergence of Windows 98 and Windows NT following the release of Windows NT 5.0 next Spring, there's no reason to keep the "NT" moniker inWindows NT so Microsoft is planning on dropping it. Originally named "NT"for "New Technology," Microsoft's premier operating system will be renamedWindows Pro, Windows Professional or perhaps (less likely) Windows 2000.

This will contrast with the consumer version of NT, which will replaceWindows 98 and be called Windows Consumer Edition or similar. The name changes are due to take place with the release of what would have been called Windows NT 6.0, which is optimistically due in the 2000-2002 timeframe