You have a Windows NT 4.0 Workstation computer that uses the NTFS file system for software development. Your company is upgrading systems to Windows 2000, and you need to be able to test applications in both the Windows NT Workstation environment and the Windows 2000 Professional environment. You decide to install Windows 2000 Professional in a dual boot configuration with Windows NT 4.0 Workstation on the same computer. What must you do on the existing Windows NT Workstation installation before you install Windows 2000 Professional to ensure a supported dual boot configuration?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines your knowledge of prerequisites for dual booting Windows 2000 Professional with Windows NT 4.0 Workstation on the same computer. Microsoft required certain service pack levels on existing NT installations to ensure that the boot loader and file system drivers were compatible with Windows 2000 and NTFS. Understanding these prerequisites is essential when planning coexistence and gradual upgrades in mixed environments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The current operating system is Windows NT 4.0 Workstation using NTFS.
• You want to install Windows 2000 Professional side by side, not replace NT.
• The goal is to dual boot so you can test applications in both environments.
• You need to know what must be done to NT 4.0 before running Windows 2000 Setup.

Concept / Approach:
Microsoft documented that Windows NT 4.0 must run at Service Pack 4 or later before Windows 2000 is installed in a dual boot configuration. Service Pack 4 updated NTFS and other core components so that the NT loader and Windows 2000 could coexist correctly. Without this level, there could be incompatibilities with file system drivers and boot code. You do not need to convert NTFS to FAT, and you do not manually edit BOOT.INI before running Setup because Windows 2000 Setup manages the boot menu entries automatically.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Confirm that the scenario is dual boot, not in place upgrade.Step 2: Recall Microsoft guidance that Windows NT 4.0 must be at Service Pack 4 or higher before Windows 2000 installation.Step 3: Eliminate options that involve manual BOOT.INI editing or unnecessary file system conversion.Step 4: Choose the option that instructs you to install Service Pack 4 or later for Windows NT 4.0 Workstation.

Verification / Alternative check:
In Microsoft exam preparation materials for the Windows 2000 client and server exams, the requirement to install Service Pack 4 or later on NT 4.0 is repeatedly emphasised. This ensures that the NT boot loader works correctly with Windows 2000. The Windows 2000 Setup wizard will then detect the existing NT installation and configure a boot menu without manual BOOT.INI editing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a suggests pre editing BOOT.INI, which is unnecessary and potentially harmful because Windows 2000 Setup maintains boot entries for you. Option b mentions Service Pack 3, which does not meet the documented requirement. Option d, converting NTFS to FAT, would reduce functionality and is not required. Option e suggests removing applications, which has nothing to do with boot loader compatibility and is not a prerequisite.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often confuse prerequisites for in place upgrades and dual boot configurations. Another pitfall is to assume that any service pack level is sufficient, without remembering the specific Service Pack 4 requirement. Some administrators also try to manually tweak BOOT.INI instead of relying on the supported behaviour of Setup. In real environments, failing to meet the service pack requirement can lead to boot failures or unsupported configurations.

Final Answer:
You should first install Service Pack 4 or later for Windows NT 4.0 Workstation and then install Windows 2000 Professional to create a supported dual boot configuration.