Windows 2000 is an operating system developed by Microsoft and released in February 2000. It was designed for both personal and business use, offering improved stability and security compared to its predecessor, Windows NT 4.0. Windows 2000 introduced features like the Active Directory for network management and support for USB devices, making it more user-friendly. The operating system came in several editions, including Professional, Server, and Advanced Server, catering to different user needs. Windows 2000 was notable for its ability to run on various hardware platforms and laid the groundwork for future versions, such as Windows XP.