Does Windows implement a microkernel design?

Does Windows implement a microkernel design?

Posted May 20, 2004 20:30 UTC (Thu) by nicku (subscriber, #777)
In reply to: Is Torvalds really the father of Linux? (News.com) by fjf33
Parent article: Is Torvalds really the father of Linux? (News.com)

The Windows kernel is very large; it does not meet the description of being a "tiny microkernel like MINIX". Here Andrew says:

With all the security problems Windows has now, it is increasingly obvious to everyone that tiny microkernels, like that of MINIX, are a better base for operating systems than huge monolithic systems.

Notice that he is contrasting Windows with a microkernel design. The successful (but specialised) example that Andy points to is QNX, which is truly small. Although Microsoft describe their operating system as a microkernel design, a huge amount of code runs at high privelege level, which really negates the aim of simplicity that a microkernel design aspires to.

VMS is definitely a greater influence on Windows NT and it successors than MINIX.

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