Highlights from the kickoff 25 years
1975–1981: Microsoft boots up
Getting started: Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen (left) as well as Bill Gates Getting started: Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen (left) as well as Bill Gates
It’s the 1970s. At work, nosotros rely on typewriters. If nosotros demand to re-create a document, nosotros probable usage a mimeograph or carbon paper. Few lead hold heard of microcomputers, but 2 immature calculator enthusiasts, Bill Gates as well as Paul Allen, consider that personal computing is a path to the future.
In 1975, Gates as well as Allen shape a partnership called Microsoft. Like most start-ups, Microsoft begins small, but has a huge vision—a calculator on every desktop as well as inwards every home. During the side yesteryear side years, Microsoft begins to alter the ways nosotros work.
The dawn of MS‑DOS
In June 1980, Gates as well as Allen hire Gates’ old Harvard classmate Steve Ballmer to assist run the company. The side yesteryear side month, IBM approaches Microsoft well-nigh a projection code-named "Chess." In response, Microsoft focuses on a novel operating system—the software that manages, or runs, the calculator hardware as well as also serves to yoke the gap betwixt the calculator hardware as well as programs, such equally a give-and-take processor. It’s the foundation on which calculator programs tin give notice run. They call their novel operating organization "MS‑DOS."
When the IBM PC running MS‑DOS ships inwards 1981, it introduces a whole novel linguistic communication to the full general public. Typing “C:” as well as diverse cryptic commands gradually becomes portion of daily work. People uncovering the backslash (\) key.
MS‑DOS is effective, but also proves hard to sympathise for many people. There has to live a meliorate means to construct an operating system.
Geek trivia: MS‑DOS stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System.
1982–1985: Introducing Windows 1.0
The Windows 1.0 desktop
Microsoft plant on the kickoff version of a novel operating system. Interface Manager is the code call as well as is considered equally the lastly name, but Windows prevails because it best describes the boxes or computing “windows” that are fundamental to the novel system. Windows is announced inwards 1983, but it takes a piece to develop. Skeptics telephone telephone it “vaporware.”
The fully-packaged Windows 1.0 The fully-packaged Windows 1.0On Nov 20, 1985, 2 years afterwards the initial announcement, Microsoft ships Windows 1.0. Now, rather than typing MS‑DOS commands, you lot precisely motion a mouse to indicate as well as click your means through screens, or “windows.” Bill Gates says, “It is unique software designed for the serious PC user…”
There are drop-down menus, scroll bars, icons, as well as dialog boxes that create programs easier to larn as well as use. You're able to switch amid several programs without having to quit as well as restart each one. Windows 1.0 ships amongst several programs, including MS‑DOS file management, Paint, Windows Writer, Notepad, Calculator, as well as a calendar, card file, as well as clock to assist you lot deal day-to-day activities. There’s fifty-fifty a game—Reversi.
Geek trivia: Remember floppy disks as well as kilobytes? Windows 1.0 requires a minimum of 256 kilobytes (KB), 2 double-sided floppy disk drives, as well as a graphics adapter card. H5N1 HD as well as 512 KB retention is recommended for running multiple programs or when using DOS 3.0 or higher.
1987–1992: Windows 2.0–2.11—More windows, to a greater extent than speed
The Windows 2.0 desktopOn Dec 9, 1987 Microsoft releases Windows 2.0 amongst desktop icons as well as expanded memory. With improved graphics support, you lot tin give notice forthwith overlap windows, command the covert layout, as well as usage keyboard shortcuts to speed upwardly your work. Some software developers write their kickoff Windows–based programs for this release.
Windows 2.0 Windows 2.0
Windows 2.0 is designed for the Intel 286 processor. When the Intel 386 processor is released, Windows/386 presently follows to accept wages of its extended retention capabilities. Subsequent Windows releases boot the bucket on to improve the speed, reliability, as well as usability of the PC.
In 1988, Microsoft becomes the world’s largest PC software society based on sales. Computers are starting to boot the bucket a portion of daily life for some purpose workers.
Geek trivia: Control Panel makes its kickoff appearance inwards Windows 2.0.
1990–1994: Windows 3.0–Windows NT—Getting the graphics
The Windows 3.0 desktop
On May 22, 1990, Microsoft announces Windows 3.0, followed shortly yesteryear Windows 3.1 inwards 1992. Taken together, they sell 10 1000000 copies inwards their kickoff 2 years, making this the most widely used Windows operating organization yet. The scale of this success causes Microsoft to revise before plans. Virtual Memory improves visual graphics. In 1990 Windows starts to hold off similar the versions to come.
Windows forthwith has significantly meliorate performance, advanced graphics amongst xvi colors, as well as improved icons. H5N1 novel moving ridge of 386 PCs helps drive the popularity of Windows 3.0. With total back upwardly for the Intel 386 processor, programs run noticeably faster. Program Manager, File Manager, as well as Print Manager boot the bucket far inwards Windows 3.0.
Bill Gates shows the newly-released Windows 3.0 Bill Gates shows the newly-released Windows 3.0
Windows software is installed amongst floppy discs bought inwards large boxes amongst heavy instruction manuals.
The popularity of Windows 3.0 grows amongst the discover of a novel Windows software evolution kit (SDK), which helps software developers focus to a greater extent than on writing programs as well as less on writing device drivers.
Windows is increasingly used at operate as well as abode as well as forthwith includes games similar Solitaire, Hearts, as well as Minesweeper. An advertisement: “Now you lot tin give notice usage the incredible might of Windows 3.0 to goof off.”
Windows for Workgroups 3.11 adds peer-to-peer workgroup as well as domain networking back upwardly and, for the kickoff time, PCs boot the bucket an integral portion of the emerging client/server computing evolution.
Windows NT
When Windows NT releases on July 27, 1993, Microsoft meets an of import milestone: the completion of a projection begun inwards the tardily 1980s to construct an advanced novel operating organization from scratch. "Windows NT represents zilch less than a fundamental alter inwards the means that companies tin give notice address their concern computing requirements," Bill Gates says at its release.
Unlike Windows 3.1, however, Windows NT 3.1 is a 32-bit operating system, which makes it a strategic concern platform that supports high-end engineering as well as scientific programs.
Geek trivia: The grouping that develops Windows NT was originally called the "Portable Systems" team.
1995–2001: Windows 95—the PC comes of historic catamenia (and don't forget the Internet)The Windows 95 desktop
On August 24, 1995, Microsoft releases Windows 95, selling a record-setting 7 1000000 copies inwards the kickoff 5 weeks. It’s the most publicized launch Microsoft has always taken on. Television commercials characteristic the Rolling Stones singing "Start Me Up" over images of the novel Start button. The press discover but begins: “It’s here.”
Launch day: Bill Gates introduces Windows 95 Launch day: Bill Gates introduces Windows 95
This is the era of fax/modems, e‑mail, the novel online world, as well as dazzling multimedia games as well as educational software. Windows 95 has built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, as well as novel Plug as well as Play capabilities that create it tardily to install hardware as well as software. The 32-bit operating organization also offers enhanced multimedia capabilities, to a greater extent than powerful features for mobile computing, as well as integrated networking.
At the fourth dimension of the Windows 95 release, the previous Windows as well as MS‑DOS operating systems are running on well-nigh eighty pct of the world’s PCs. Windows 95 is the upgrade to these operating systems. To run Windows 95, you lot demand a PC amongst a 386DX or higher processor (486 recommended) as well as at to the lowest degree four MB of RAM (8 MB of RAM recommended). Upgrade versions are available for both floppy disk as well as CD-ROM formats. It’s available inwards 12 languages.
Windows 95 features the kickoff appearance of the Start menu, taskbar, as well as minimize, maximize, as well as unopen buttons on each window.
Catching the Internet wave
In the early on 1990s, tech insiders are talking well-nigh the Internet—a network of networks that has the might to connect computers all over the world. In 1995, Bill Gates delivers a memo titled “The Internet Tidal Wave,” as well as declares the Internet equally “the most of import evolution since the advent of the PC.”
In the summertime of 1995, the kickoff version of Internet Explorer is released. The browser joins those already vying for infinite on the World Wide Web.
Geek trivia: In 1996, Microsoft releases Flight Simulator for Windows 95—the kickoff fourth dimension inwards its 14-year history that it’s available for Windows.
1998–2000: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me
Windows 98
The Windows 98 desktop
Released on June 25, 1998, Windows 98 is the kickoff version of Windows designed specifically for consumers. PCs are mutual at operate as well as home, as well as Internet cafes where you lot tin give notice acquire online are popping up. Windows 98 is described equally an operating organization that “Works Better, Plays Better.”
With Windows 98, you lot tin give notice honour information to a greater extent than easily on your PC equally good equally the Internet. Other improvements include the might to opened upwardly as well as unopen programs to a greater extent than quickly, as well as back upwardly for reading DVD discs as well as universal series double-decker (USB) devices. Another kickoff appearance is the Quick Launch bar, which lets you lot run programs without having to browse the Start carte du jour or hold off for them on the desktop.
Geek trivia: Windows 98 is the lastly version based on MS‑DOS.
Windows 98 Windows 98
Windows Me
The Windows Me media experience
Designed for abode calculator use, Windows Me offers numerous music, video, as well as abode networking enhancements as well as reliability improvements compared to previous versions.
First appearances: System Restore, a characteristic that tin give notice ringlet dorsum your PC software configuration to a appointment or fourth dimension before a work occurred. Windows Movie Maker provides users amongst the tools to digitally edit, save, as well as portion abode videos. And amongst Microsoft Windows Media Player 7 technologies, you lot tin give notice find, organize, as well as play digital media.
Geek trivia: Technically speaking, Windows Me was the lastly Microsoft operating organization to live based on the Windows 95 code base. Microsoft announced that all time to come operating organization product
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows 2000 Professional Windows 2000 Professional
More than precisely the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional is designed to supervene upon Windows 95, Windows 98, as well as Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all concern desktops as well as laptops. Built on locomote yesteryear of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows 2000 adds major improvements inwards reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, as well as back upwardly for mobile computing.
Among other improvements, Windows 2000 Professional simplifies hardware installation yesteryear adding back upwardly for a broad multifariousness of novel Plug as well as Play hardware, including advanced networking as well as wireless products, USB devices, IEEE 1394 devices, as well as infrared devices.
Geek trivia: The nightly stress examination performed on Windows 2000 during evolution is the equivalent of 3 months of run fourth dimension on upwardly to 1,500 computers.
2001–2005: Windows XP—Stable, usable, as well as fast
The Windows XP Home Edition desktop
On Oct 25, 2001, Windows XP is released amongst a redesigned hold off as well as experience that's centered on usability as well as a unified Help as well as Support services center. It’s available inwards 25 languages. From the mid-1970s until the discover of Windows XP, well-nigh 1 billion PCs lead hold been shipped worldwide.
For Microsoft, Windows XP volition boot the bucket 1 of its best-selling products inwards the coming years. It’s both fast as well as stable. Navigating the Start menu, taskbar, as well as Control Panel are to a greater extent than intuitive. Awareness of calculator viruses as well as hackers increases, but fears are to a for certain extent calmed yesteryear the online delivery of safety updates. Consumers get down to sympathise warnings well-nigh suspicious attachments as well as viruses. There’s to a greater extent than emphasis on Help as well as Support.
Windows XP Home Edition offers a clean, simplified visual blueprint that makes often used features to a greater extent than accessible. Designed for abode use, Windows XP offers such enhancements equally the Network Setup Wizard, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, as well as enhanced digital photograph capabilities.
Windows XP Professional brings the enterprise foundation of Windows 2000 to the PC desktop, enhancing reliability, security, as well as performance. With a fresh visual design, Windows XP Professional includes features for concern as well as advanced abode computing, including remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, as well as organization restore as well as advanced networking features. Key enhancements for mobile users include wireless 802.1x networking support, Windows Messenger, as well as Remote Assistance.
Windows XP has several editions during these years:
Windows XP 64-bit Edition (2001) is the kickoff Microsoft operating organization for 64-bit processors designed for working amongst large amounts of retention as well as projects such equally motion painting especial effects, 3D animations, engineering, as well as scientific programs.
Windows XP Media Center Edition (2002) is made for abode computing as well as entertainment. You tin give notice browse the Internet, spotter alive television, bask digital music as well as video collections, as well as spotter DVDs.
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (2002) realizes the vision of pen-based computing. Tablet PCs include a digital pen for handwriting recognition as well as you lot tin give notice usage the mouse or keyboard, too.
Geek trivia: Windows XP is compiled from 45 1000000 lines of code.
2006–2008: Windows Vista—Smart on security
The Windows Vista desktop
Windows Vista is released inwards 2006 amongst the strongest safety organization yet. User Account Control helps forbid potentially harmful software from making changes to your computer. In Windows Vista Ultimate, BitLocker Drive Encryption provides meliorate information protection for your computer, equally laptop sales as well as safety needs increase. Windows Vista also features enhancements to Windows Media Player equally to a greater extent than as well as to a greater extent than people come upwardly to consider their PCs equally key locations for digital media. Here you lot tin give notice spotter television, thought as well as ship photographs, as well as edit videos.
Windows Vista Ultimate Windows Vista Ultimate
Design plays a large role inwards Windows Vista, as well as features such equally the taskbar as well as the borders precisely about windows acquire a create novel look. Search gets novel emphasis as well as helps people honour files on their PCs faster. Windows Vista introduces novel editions that each lead hold a dissimilar mix of features. It's available inwards 35 languages. The redesigned Start push makes its kickoff appearance inwards Windows Vista.
Geek trivia: More than 1.5 1000000 devices are compatible amongst Windows Vista at launch.
2009–Today: Windows 7 as well as counting...
The Windows 7 desktop
By the tardily 2000s, the wireless basis has arrived. When Windows 7 is released inwards Oct 2009, laptops are outselling desktop PCs as well as it’s mutual to acquire online at world wireless hotspots similar java shops. Wireless networks tin give notice live created at the purpose or at home.
Windows 7 includes many features, such equally novel ways to operate amongst windows—Snap, Peek, as well as Shake. Windows Touch makes its debut, enabling you lot to usage your fingers to browse the web, flip through photos, as well as opened upwardly files as well as folders. You tin give notice current music, videos, as well as photos from your PC to a stereo or TV.
By the autumn of 2010, Windows 7 is selling 7 copies a second—the fastest-selling operating organization inwards history.
Improvements to the Windows 7 taskbar include alive thumbnail previews Improvements to the Windows 7 taskbar include alive thumbnail previews
Geek trivia: Windows 7 is evaluated yesteryear 8 1000000 beta testers worldwide before it's released.
What's next?
Many laptops no longer lead hold a slot for DVDs as well as some lead hold enterprise state drives rather than conventional hard disks. Most everything is streamed, saved on flash drives, or saved inwards the "Cloud"—an online infinite for sharing files as well as storage. Windows Live—free programs as well as services for photos, movies, instant messaging, e‑mail, as well as social networking—is seamlessly integrated amongst Windows as well as then that you lot tin give notice hold inwards touching on from your PC, phone, or the web, extending Windows to the Cloud.
Meanwhile, operate is underway for the side yesteryear side version of Windows.
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