Microsoft Windows

The Beginning When Bill Gates saw how successful the apple

“Lisa” computer and “Mac” computer were doing he decided to create an operating system with a GUI himself.

On November 10, 1983 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, Microsoft announced that they were developing Microsoft Windows: a GUI and multitasking environment for IBM computers that ran with MS-DOS.

Windows didn’t become its own operating system until the release of Windows 95. Up until then, the operating system was actually MS-DOS.

Getting Started The first versions of Windows were very

simple: the programs could not overlap each other on the screen, there were not many features, and the quality of the programs was nothing like modern day.

Windows slowly started to incorporate new features such as overlapping windows and improved applications.

Eventually, as Windows became more popular and more developed, it evolved into what many of us now use today.

Evolution of Windows Windows 1.01

(1985) Windows 1.03

(1986) Windows 2.03

(1987) Windows 2.86

(1989) Windows 3.0

(1990) Windows 3.1

(1992) Windows NT 3.1

(1993) Windows 3.11

(1993) Windows NT 3.51

Workstation (1995)

Windows 95 (1995)

Windows NT 4.0 (1996)

Windows 98 (1998)

Windows 2000 (2000)

Windows ME (2000)

Windows XP (2001)

Windows Vista (2006)

Windows 7 (2009)

1.01Officially released on November 20, 198516-bit OScost less than 1MBMicrosoft’s very first operating system that allows multi tasking with graphical user interface on PC platform runs on MS-DOS 5.0

1.03Introduced in 1986an upgrade to its previous predecessor Windows 1.01Entire operating system cost about 2.2MB hard disk spaceNot too different from 1.01

2.03a replacement for Windows 1.xUsed an Intel 286/386 processor starts the era where users are able to overlap windows and customize screensentire operating system cost no more than 2.5MB

2.86Basically just the same thing as windows 2.03 with some extra features and using a little more space.

3.0Improved set of windows icons and applications such as File Manager and Program ManagerReleased May 22, 1990Third major released in the Microsoft Windows “series”

3.1An upgrade to Windows 3.0 with multimedia support and bug fixesThe earliest version of Windows that most of us are familiar with

NT 3.1A 32-bit operating systemThe first Windows New Technology (NT) introducedA well-established home and business operating system at the time

3.11Also known as Windows for Workgroups 3.11 A superset of Windows 3.1Added peer-to-peer workgroup and domain networking supportAn integral part of the emerging client/server computing evolution

NT 3.51 WorkstationProvided the highest degree of protection yet for critical business applications and dataHelped power high-end applications for software development, engineering, financial analysis, scientific, and business-critical tasks

95Previously code-named ChicagoIt gives full graphical user interface support32-bit TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack for built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities

NT 4.0Included the popular Windows 95 user interface Provided improved networking support for easier and more secure access to the Internet and corporate intranets

98The upgrade from Windows 95The first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers Described as an operating system that "Works Better, Plays Better"

2000Designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptopsBuilt on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code baseMajor improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing

MEDesigned for home computer usersOffered consumers numerous music, video, and home networking enhancements and reliability improvements

XPThe solid foundation of Windows 2000Enhancing reliability, security, and performanceFresh visual designIncludes features for business and advanced home computing, including remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, and system restore and advanced networking features

VistaTook more than five years from the release of Windows XPUsed the same format as Windows XP with new features, improved security, and improved user experience

7Originally codenamed BlackcombDesigned with the goal of being more compatible with applications and hardware instead of introducing more features