Windows 2000 includes a new service for installing and managing applications, called the Windows Installer (formerly the Microsoft Installer, code-named Darwin)
OEMs will be required to ship with each computer either a 'BIOS-locked' CD-ROM that ties the CD to a particular make or model of computer or to put a backup copy of the OS on the hard disk
Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows 2000 Advanced Server will begin the manufacturing process immediately, with a target retail release date of Feb. 17, 2000; DataCenter Server should be available by June 2000