Microsoft Windows: Overview, History, & Versions

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What is Microsoft Windows?

Microsoft Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation, widely used on both personal and business computers. Microsoft Windows was first introduced in 1985 and is a GUI-based operating system that has had many versions over the years.

What is Windows Operating System?

Windows Operating System is a widely used operating system that manages hardware and software resources while providing services for computer programs. The latest version of Microsoft's widely used Operating System is Windows 11.

History and Development of Microsoft and Windows

1975 - 1981

Microsoft's journey started in 1975 when Bill Gates and Paul Allen teamed up. They co-developed Xenix (a version of Unix) and worked on a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800. The company was incorporated in 1981.

1981 - 1985

Microsoft gained recognition in the technology sector with the introduction of MS-DOS, a text-based, command-line OS. DOS was primarily based on licensed intellectual property, QDOS. During that time, GUI-based systems like Xerox's Alto, released in 1979, and Apple's LISA and Macintosh systems, which followed later, were emerging. Enthusiasts of MS-DOS referred to these systems as WIMPs, meaning "windows, icons, mouse, and pull-down menus (or pointers)."

1985 - 1994

However, Gates recognized the potential of GUI-based systems and initiated a project called Interface Manager. He believed that a GUI could reach a broader audience at a lower cost than the $9,000 LISA. The rest of Microsoft supported this idea, and in a somewhat ironic turn, the project team chose "Windows" as the name for the new OS. Microsoft announced the upcoming release of Windows 1.0, the first version of Windows, in 1983.

The company used some elements it licensed from Apple for portions of its interface. Windows 1.0 was released in 1985. In 1988, Apple sued Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard for $5.5 billion, claiming that the companies used certain GUI elements without authorization. In 1992, a federal court ruled that Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard did not exceed the 1985 agreement. Apple appealed, but the decision was upheld in 1994.

Windows faces competition from Apple's macOS and the open-source Linux OS developed by Linus Torvalds. While Linux is free and widely available, and macOS is praised for its stability and user experience, Microsoft Windows continues to dominate the market. As of this writing, over 1.3 billion devices run Windows 10, with ongoing updates to support advances in hardware.

Versions of the Windows Operating System

Below are the significant versions of the Windows operating system −

Windows 1.0 (Released: November 20, 1985)

• Introduced the graphical user interface (GUI)
• Limited multitasking
• Simple graphics for its time

Windows 2.0 (Released: December 9, 1987)

• Allowed applications to overlap
• Introduced MS Word and Excel
• Supported 16-bit GUI

Windows 3.0 (Released: May 22, 1990)

• Improved multitasking
• First version to receive widespread critical acclaim
• Enhanced memory management

Windows 95 (Released: August 15, 1995)

• Combined MS-DOS with Windows
• Introduced the Start menu and Taskbar
• Pioneered plug-and-play functionality

Windows 98 (Released: May 15, 1998)

• Improved upon Windows 95 with better support for USB devices
• Enhanced the GUI and memory management

Windows 2000 (Released: February 17, 2000)

• Focused on security and reliability
• Released in four editions: Server, Professional, Advanced Server, and Datacenter Server

Windows XP (Released: October 25, 2001)

• Offered fast start-up and better hardware support
• Introduced the "Windows XP" look
• Widely praised for its stability

Windows Vista (Released: January 30, 2007)

• Revamped the GUI
• Introduced the Aero glass interface
• Advanced security features

Windows 7 (Released: October 22, 2009)

• Redesigned taskbar and user interface
• Enhanced performance
• Libraries added to file management

Windows 8 (Released: October 26, 2012)

• Optimized for touch-based devices
• Integrated with cloud services

Windows 10 (Released: July 29, 2015)

• Addressed issues from Windows 8
• Introduced virtual desktops
• Improved security and user interface

Windows 11 (Released: October 5, 2021)

• Redesigned taskbar and start menu
• Removed live tiles, replaced with a widgets dashboard
• Enhanced security features and improved interface design
• Requires a 64-bit processor, excluding support for 32-bit systems

Applications in Windows

Many kinds of applications are available at the Windows store and we can easily access them and download them for our personal or professional usage.

Below is the list of some applications available on Windows −

• Web Browsers − Software used to access and view websites, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
• Adobe Photoshop − A powerful image editing software used for creating and manipulating images.
• Adobe Reader − A program used to view and print PDF files.
• Messenger − A messaging application that allows users to chat and share media online.
• Media Players − Software used to play audio and video files, such as VLC or Windows Media Player.
• Games − Interactive software designed for entertainment and leisure.
• Audio/ Video Chatting Apps − Apps like Skype or Zoom for real-time voice and video communication.
• Maps & Calendar − Applications used for navigation and managing schedules and appointments.

Important Commands for Windows

Computers run over a set of commands, which with the advancement of Operating Systems can be entered through various hardware devices. Below are a few important MS-DOS Windows commands for reference −