CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice

Windows 2000 is classified under NT 5.0 because it was the first operating system to be based on the Windows NT architecture that utilized this version number. The NT versioning system is significant as it reflects the evolution and enhancements of the Windows operating systems, particularly in terms of stability, security, and performance. Windows 2000 marked a major upgrade from its predecessors by providing new features such as Active Directory, improved hardware support, and better networking capabilities. This version set the foundation for subsequent operating systems, including Windows XP, which was developed based on NT 5.1.

The other operating systems listed do not fall under the NT 5.0 classification:

- Windows XP is based on NT 5.1.

- Windows NT 3.51 is an earlier version predating Windows 2000 and corresponds to NT 4.0.

- Windows 7 is based on the Windows NT 6.1 kernel and is also later than Windows 2000.

This context highlights why Windows 2000 is identified specifically with NT 5.0, distinguishing it from the others in the list.