In this article we are going to analyze and discuss Cairo (operating system), a topic that has generated great interest and debate in today's society. From different perspectives and approaches, we will address the most relevant and controversial aspects related to Cairo (operating system), with the aim of providing a complete and detailed view on this topic. Throughout this article, we will explore its impact in different areas, as well as the implications and consequences it entails. Likewise, we will examine the different opinions and positions on the matter, offering a critical and objective analysis. Through this analysis, we aim to offer a comprehensive view of Cairo (operating system) and its relevance today.
![]() Cairo Server login screen, based on Windows NT 4.0 Server (1175.1) | |
Developer | Microsoft |
---|---|
Working state | Historical |
Released to manufacturing | Cancelled |
Official website | www |
Cairo was the codename for a project at Microsoft from 1991 to 1996. Its charter was to build technologies for a next-generation operating system that would fulfill Bill Gates's vision of "information at your fingertips."[1] Cairo never shipped, although portions of its technologies have since appeared in other products.
Cairo was announced at the 1991 Microsoft Professional Developers Conference by Jim Allchin.[2] It was demonstrated publicly (including a demo system for all attendees to use) at the 1993 Cairo/Win95 PDC.[3] Microsoft changed stance on Cairo several times, sometimes calling it a product, other times referring to it as a collection of technologies.[4]
Cairo used distributed computing concepts to make information available quickly and seamlessly across a worldwide network of computers.
The Windows 95 user interface was based on the initial design work that was done on the Cairo user interface.[5][6] DCE/RPC shipped in Windows NT 3.1. Content Indexing is now a part of Internet Information Server and Windows Desktop Search.[2]
The remaining component is the object file system. It was once planned to be implemented in the form of WinFS as part of Windows Vista but development was cancelled in June 2006, with some of its technologies merged into other Microsoft products such as Microsoft SQL Server 2008, also known under the codename "Katmai".[7]