Microsoft has come a long way with their Windows operating system since it was launched twenty seven years ago, back in 1985. Today we are just a week away from the public launch of Windows 8 and we take a walk down memory lane looking back at the various version of Windows which eventually led to the newest version in this post PC era
Originally released back in November 1985, Windows 1.0 became the first version of Windows which was 16-bit and had an environment capable of multi-tasking. It would be replaced by Windows 2.0 in 1987 which was later succeeded by Windows 3.0 in 1990, but it was Windows 95 which was a significant improvement to the platform and would start off a Windows revolution which would skyrocket the operating system to dominate so many computers around the world.Microsoft then released Windows 98 three years later which introduces us to programs like Windows Media Player, which to date has continued to be a part of the core of Windows. But while music lovers of that era preferred WinAmp for their favorite tunes and Yahoo dominated as the search engine Microsoft was getting ready to meet the millennium.
Around Christmas of 1999 Microsoft unveiled Windows 2000 which ushered in the NT era of Windows. Significant new features on Windows 2000 include Active Directory, Terminal Services and some features borrowed and improved from Windows 98 like Device Manager, Windows Media Player and a revised DirectX which made is possible for many modern games to work on the NT kernel for the first time
Microsoft attempted to reinvent Windows once again with Windows Me (Millennium Edition) which was released in September 2000 and had a user friendly colorful UI. But Windows Me never quite caught on and would miss making its mark in history. Windows Me was criticized for stability issues, and for lacking real mode DOS support
In August 2001 Microsoft launched Windows XP which combined the features of Windows 2000 and Windows Me and offered new features which were warmly accepted and welcome by users. The initial release was met with some criticism, focused on security, but Microsoft responded by releasing three service packs encouraging the widespread adaptation of XP by both home and enterprise users.
Windows Vista was released in 2007 after years of visual and security enhancement ushering in the Aero Glass UI. Despite the years of research and development that went into Vista, the operating system was heavily criticized due to issues with privacy, security, performance, compatibility and product activation.
Two years later Microsoft would introduce the rectifier to Windows Vista – Windows 7. The current version of Windows has been extremely popular and featured faster booting, Device Stage, Windows PowerShell, less obtrusive User Account Control, multi-touch, and improved window management. However Windows 7 landed in a post PC era where Apple products like the iPhone and iPad rose to domination.
This brings us to today as we countdown the days to Windows 8. The upcoming version of Windows which has been advertised as “Windows reimagined” takes us back to Microsoft’s roots. Gone are the graphics intensive features like Aero and 3D effects. New features include a brand new tile based touch friendly start screen which replaces the start menu for the first time, an ultra fast boot up, native USB 3.0 support, the Windows Store, the ability to run from USB drives with Windows To Go, and others.
Along with Windows 8, Microsoft will also release Windows RT. Windows RT is essentially a version of Windows 8 written specifically for devices running ARM based processors. Because this is an entirely new operating system current Windows apps will not run on Windows RT, instead it will use touch optimized apps which will be available directly through the Windows Store. Windows 8 devices will be able to run both native Windows apps along with touch optimized apps on the Windows Store.
Windows 8 promises to take Microsoft into the post PC era and beyond by extending its reach throughout the Windows Family, and will appear in various form factors including, smartphones (Windows Phone), tablets, laptops and touch screen computers.
Are you ready for Windows 8? Have you pre-ordered your DVD package? Or are you planning on pre-ordering the new Microsoft Surface RT? Tell us how you plan to usher in this post PC era with Windows.
source – Freemake | Mashable