Windows Me/98/95 Do Not Use Multiple Processors (193645)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q193645

SUMMARY

Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows 98, and Windows 95 only use 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 Me, 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.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/16/2004
Keywords:kbHardware kbinfo KB193645
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