http://sourceware.cygnus.com/cygwin/faq/faq_5.html#SEC60

Why is some functionality only supported in Windows NT?

Windows 9x: n. 32 bit extensions and a graphical shell for a 16 bit patch to
an 8 bit operating system originally coded for a 4 bit microprocessor,
written by a 2 bit company that can't stand 1 bit of competition. 

The Wolf