Evolution of Windows

There are more than 1.5 billion users of Windows in the world and windows have been dominating in the world of operating systems from last 25 years. Windows was developed by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

Everyone knows about Windows but there are few people who knows about the Evolution of Windows. If you are not familiar with the Evolution of Windows then stay tuned and read till the end.

1.Windows 1.0

This was the first version of Windows launched by Microsoft on January 1984. The operating system ran on MS-DOS where users could run graphical programs. But Windows 1.0 was not welcomed much because critics felt that Windows 1.0 didn't met their expectations as the emphasis was more on mouse input and mouse were not that popular at that time. Yet it was a milestone for Microsoft.
Windows 1.0 stopped providing support and updates after December 31, 2001.

2.Windows 2.0

This was released as the second version of Microsoft Windows in 1987. This version had more features such as more colour options , resizable windows etc. This was the first version on which Microsoft Word and Excel ran. This version was also DOS based. Later it was renamed as Windows 286 after Windows 386 was released.

3.Windows 2.1x

This version was released on May 27, 1988. This was the first edition of windows which came out in versions namely Windows 2.1x 286 and Windows 2.1x 386 which were based on Intel processors( 80286 and 80386). The last update for Windows 2.1x came out on March 13, 1986.

4.Windows 3.0

This version of Windows was released in 1990s. Major improvements were made in this version of windows such as Notepad, Paintbrush, Calculator and Reversi game with Microsoft Solitaire. Windows 3.0 could run on 24 bit colour mode while Windows 2.1x had limited colour choices. Windows 3.0 was run on not more than 16 MBs of RAM.

5 Windows 3.1

This version of Windows was released on April 6, 1992 and it was popular among people of all versions. It included features like TrueType Font support, Workgroup networking, support for multimedia, drag and drop of items , windows registry etc. Microsoft stopped providing support and updates to Windows 3.1 after December 31, 2001.

6.Windows NT 3.1

This was the first version of Windows NT series. It was designed for Intel i860CPU, but later ported to MIPS platform and later to Intel 386. Lastly, it was also released for DEC Alpha. It code name was
NT OS/2. Several updates came for Windows NT 3.1 during its lifetime.

7.Windows NT 3.51

This version of Windows NT series was launched on May 30, 1995. There were 2 major improvements in this version. Firstly, NT 3.51 was the first of a short-lied outing of Microsoft Windows on the PowerPC architecture. Secondly, that it provided client/server support. Microsoft supported Windows NT 3.51 till December, 31 2001.

8.Windows 95

Windows 95 was released in August 1995. This version came with many new features such s taskbar, start button and many more. Major improvement was made in GUI and Plug-n-Play feature. This version support both 16-bits and 32-bits applications. There were several different editions of windows 95 such as:-

1. Windows 95 SP1 (1995)
2. Windows 95 OSR1 (1996)
3. Windows 95 OSR2 (1996)
4. Windows 95 USB Supplement to OSR2 (1997)
5. Windows 95 OSR2.1 (1997)
6.Windows 95 OSR2.5 (1997)

9. Windows NT 4.0

This version of Windows from NT series was released 31 July, 1996. This version was a business oriented operating system until Windows 2000 came. Workstation server , and embedded editions were sold. Nothing much was changed in this version as graphical user interface was same as Windows 95. Microsoft stopped support and updates fro windows 4.0 after 30 June, 2004.

9. Windows 98

Windows 98 was released in market in June 25, 1998 as the first entry in sixth gen of operating system. Another version of Windows 98 was launched on May 5, 1999. Windows 98 had Internet Explorer version 4.01 and many other internet based applications like FrontPage Express, Microsoft Chat, Personal Web Server . Other services were also added like task scheduler, Pinball game, Dial-up networking service. Windows 98 also supported USB hubs.

9. Windows ME

Windows ME was released on June 19,2000 as the first graphical operating system from Microsoft Millennium Edition. It included upgraded version of Internet Explorer (5.5), Windows Media Player and Windows Movie Maker software for video editing. Basically, the focus was for the home PC users. The software could be updated in this version of Windows. This was the last Windows version from 9x series( these were the operating systems produced between 1995 to 2000).

10 Windows 2000

Windows was released in 1999. This version belongs to the NT series as its original name was Windows NT 5. This version had many new features like Administrative tools, Active Directories, Microsoft Management control. This version had a My document folder in the desktop. Another feature in this version was that it allows you to create shortcuts to network places including LAN, FTP and web folders. USB support was also improved .

11. Windows XP

Windows XP operating system was launched in August 24, 2001 where "XP" stands for "eXperience". This version had a new user interface and it was more robust, stable, and reliable than its previous versions. Windows XP had two versions namely Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional. This version had some really cool features like themes, plug and play, service pack 2 and security.

12 Windows Vistas

Windows vistas was released on November 8, 2006 but was made available in the market from January 30, 2007. This version was made to be used in desktops, laptops, tablets. It had new features like a search tool to search any application, file or folder, Windows DVD Maker, Windows Defender, and a Windows sidebar. File sharing was also made easy in this version.

13 Windows 7

Windows 7 was released on July 22, 2009 but was made available in the market from October 22, 2009. It had a new redesigned taskbar where applications could be pinned. Other new features were also included like Windows Action Centre, User Account control, Jump lists, Multi-touch input. Windows 7 came with updated versions of Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Windows Media Centre.

14 Windows 8

Windows 8 was released on October 26, 2012. This was the biggest change made by Windows in their operating system since Windows 95. It had more stylish ,stable,fast , robust and streamlined user interface .The code name od windows 8 was "Midori". Some best features of Windows 8 were interactive Tiles, redesigned Taskbar, Windows Store, Airplane mode, Split touch keyboard, Split screen. Another version of Windows 8 called Windows 8.1 was also released on October 18,2013.

15 Windows 10

Windows 10 was released on July 15,2015 and was made available in the market from July 29, 2015. This version belongs to NT series. With its update from 10 October , 2018 users could send text messages from your PC with the Your Phone app for Android phone, Bring the Microsoft experience to your phone with Microsoft Launcher, use Cortana, X-box . This version of windows Operating system is the latest one available in the market.

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See also :-

Evolution of Windows

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