Subscribe Us

header ads

The History of Windows Operating Systems

 Microsoft Windows Operating System


Microsoft Windows, also called Windows and Windows OS, computer operating system (OS) developed by Microsoft Corporation to run personal computers (PCs). 
Featuring the first graphical user interface (GUI) for IBM-compatible PCs, the Windows OS soon dominated the PC market. Approximately 90 percent of PCs run some version of Windows.
Windows is a series of operating systems developed by Microsoft. Each version of Windows includes a graphical user interface, with a desktop that allows users to view files and folders in windows.
 For the past two decades, Windows has been the most widely used operating system for personal computers PCs.Microsoft Windows is designed for both home computing and professional purposes.

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer.
 It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware.
 It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.



Your computer's operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer.
 Most of the time, there are several different computer programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your computer's central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. 
The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs.

Microsoft Windows is a family of operating systems. We look at the history of Microsoft's Windows operating systems (Windows OS) from 1985 to the present day.

The following image indicates the total market share of all desktop operating systems (November 2017).


Windows OS Quick Links

  • MS-DOS
  • Windows 1.0 - 2.0
  • Windows 3.0 – 3.1
  • Windows 95
  • Windows 98
  • Windows ME - Millennium Edition
  • Windows NT 31. - 4.0
  • Windows 2000
  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 10
  • Windows Server
  • Windows Home Server
  • Windows CE
  • Windows Mobile
  • Windows Phone 7-10
Microsoft Windows Operating Systems for PCs
The following details the history of  MS-DOS and Windows operating systems designed for personal computers (PCs).




Originally developed by Microsoft for IBM, MS-DOS was the standard operating system for IBM-compatible personal computers. 
The initial versions of DOS were very simple and resembled another operating system called CP/M. Subsequent versions have become increasingly sophisticated as they incorporated features of minicomputer operating systems.

Introduced in 1985, Microsoft Windows 1.0 was named due to the computing boxes, or "windows" that represented a fundamental aspect of the operating system.
 Instead of typing MS-DOS commands, windows 1.0 allowed users to point and click to access the windows.

In 1987 Microsoft released Windows 2.0, which was designed for the designed for the Intel 286 processor. This version added desktop icons, keyboard shortcuts, and improved graphics support.


Windows 3.0 was released in May 1900 offering better icons, performance, and advanced graphics with 16 colors designed for Intel 386 processors. 
This version is the first release that provides the standard "look and feels" of Microsoft Windows for many years to come. 
Windows 3.0 included Program Manager, File Manager, and Print Manager and games (Hearts, Minesweeper and Solitaire). Microsoft released Windows 3.1 in 1992.

Windows 95 (August 1995)


Windows 95 was released in 1995 and was a major upgrade to the Windows operating system. 
This OS was a significant advancement over its precursor, Windows 3.1. In addition to sporting a new user interface, Windows 95 also includes a number of important internal improvements. 
Perhaps most important, it supports 32-bit applications, which means that applications written specifically for this operating system should run much faster.
Although Windows 95 can run older Windows and DOS applications, it has essentially removed DOS as the underlying platform. This has meant the removal of many of the old DOS limitations, such as 640K of main memory and 8-character filenames. Other important features in this operating system are the ability to automatically detect and configure installed hardware (plug and play).

Windows 98 (June 1998)


Windows 98 offers support for a number of new technologies, including FAT32, AGP, MMX, USB, DVD, and ACPI. 
Its most visible feature, though, is the Active Desktop, which integrates the Web browser (Internet Explorer) with the operating system. 
From the user's point of view, there is no difference between accessing a document residing locally on the user's hard disk or on a Web server halfway around the world.

The Windows Millennium Edition, called "Windows Me" was an update to the Windows 98 core and included some features of the Windows 2000  operating system. This version also removed the "boot in DOS" option.

Windows NT 31. - 4.0 (1993-1996)


A version of the Windows operating system. Windows NT (New Technology) is a 32-bit operating system that supports preemptive multitasking. 
There are actually two versions of Windows NT: Windows NT Server, designed to act as a server in networks, and Windows NT Workstation for stand-alone or client workstations. 

Windows 2000 (February 2000)


Often abbreviated as "W2K," Windows 2000 is an operating system for business desktop and laptop systems to run software applications, connect to Internet and intranet sites, and access files, printers, and network resources. 
Microsoft released four versions of Windows 2000: Professional (for business desktop and laptop systems), Server (both a Web server and an office server), Advanced Server (for line-of-business applications), and Datacenter Server (for high-traffic computer networks).

Windows XP (October 2001)


Windows XP was released in 2001. Along with a redesigned look and feel to the user interface, the new operating system is built on the Windows 2000 kernel, giving the user a more stable and reliable environment than previous versions of Windows. Windows XP comes in two versions, Home and Professional.  
Microsoft focused on mobility for both editions, including plug and play features for connecting to wireless networks. 
The operating system also utilizes the 802.11x wireless security standard. Windows XP is one of Microsoft's best-selling products.

Windows Vista offered advancement in reliability, security, ease of deployment, performance, and manageability over Windows XP. 
New in this version was capabilities to detect hardware problems before they occur, security features to protect against the latest generation of threats, faster start-up time, and low power consumption of the new sleep state. 
In many cases, Windows Vista is noticeably more responsive than Windows XP on identical hardware. Windows Vista simplifies and centralizes desktop configuration management, reducing the cost of keeping systems updated.

Windows 7 (October 2009)


Windows 7 was released by Microsoft on October 22, 2009, as the latest in the 25-year-old line of Windows operating systems and as the successor to Windows Vista (which itself had followed Windows XP). 
Windows 7 was released in conjunction with Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7's server counterpart. 
Enhancements and new features in Windows 7 include multi-touch support, Internet Explorer 8, improved performance and start-up time, Aero Snap, Aero Shake, support for virtual hard disks, a new and improved Windows Media Center, and improved security.


Windows 8 was released in August. 1, 2012 and is a completely redesigned operating system that's been developed from the ground up with touchscreen use in mind as well as near-instant-on capabilities that enable a Windows 8 PC to load and start-up in a matter of seconds rather than in minutes.
Windows 8 will replace the more traditional Microsoft Windows OS look and feel with a new "Metro" design system interface that first debuted in the Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system. 
The Metro user interface primarily consists of a "Start screen" made up of "Live Tiles," which are links to applications and features that are dynamic and update in real-time.  
Windows 8 supports both x86 PCs and ARM processors.

Windows 10




Windows 10 is Microsoft's Windows successor to Windows 8. Windows 10 debuted on July 29, 2015, following a "technical preview" beta release of the new operating system that arrived in Fall 2014 and a "consumer preview" beta in early 2015
Microsoft claims Windows 10 features a fast start-up and resume, built-in security, and the return of the Start Menu in an expanded form.
This version of Windows will also feature Microsoft Edge, Microsoft's new browser. Any qualified device (such as tablets, PCs, smartphones, and Xbox consoles) can upgrade to Windows 10, including those with pirated copies of Windows.


If you have any questions about Operating System then please message me I will definitely solve your problem.

Post a Comment

2 Comments