In November of 1983 Bill Gates officially announced Windows 1.0. The OS wouldn't launch until two years later, but that marked the beginning of Windows. In the 30 years since that day we have seen the OS undergo many different changes, in both design and functionality. Lets take a look at exactly how far Windows has come in the past 30 days
Windows 1.0
Windows 1.0 was released on 20 November 1985. It was Microsoft’s first attempt at a multi-tasking graphical user interface-based OS on the PC platform. The shell of Windows 1.0 was MS-DOS. Some popular apps in 1.0 included Calculator, Calendar, Cardfile, Clipboard viewer, Clock, Control Panel, Notepad, Paint, Reversi, Terminal and Write.
Windows 2.0 was released in December of 1987. With several improvements to the UI, including the ability to overlap windows, it became more popular than Windows 1.0. The overlapping feature led to Apple filing a suit against Microsoft for copyright infringement.
Windows 3.0 was released in 1990. it featured a more refined UI and improved design thanks to virtual memory and device drivers. Windows 3.0 was the first big success from Microsoft. It sold 2 million copies in the first six months. This was also the first version of Windows to include Solitaire.
Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995. This was the first version of Windows to have the now famous “Start Menu.” The taskbar and Windows Explorer were also introduced in Windows 95. Thanks to its redesigned interface and new Start Menu Windows 95 became a huge success.
On June 25, 1998 Microsoft released Windows 98. Visually it looks very similar to 95, but with some important under the hood improvements. USB devices and multi-monitor configurations were supported for the first time.
Windows ME
On September 14, 2000 Microsoft released Windows ME (Millennium Edition). This was the last version of Windows to be based off of MS-DOS. it added UI enhancements and faster boot times along with better multimedia support. ME is most known for being one of Microsoft’s worst releases due to a number of compatibility and stability problems.
Windows XP
Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001. It came with a brand new UI and many improvements thanks to no longer being DOS-based. This was the first version of Windows to be offered in multiple versions: Home and Professional. Windows XP may be Microsoft’s biggest success. There are many people who still use XP to this day.
Windows Vista
Microsoft followed the success of Windows XP on January 30, 2007 with Windows Vista. it contained new features from a redesigned UI and particular attention to security features. Like Windows XP, it was available in multiple versions. Vista is infamous for being hated by consumers even after Microsoft made considerable improvements through updates.
Windows 7
After the disaster of Windows Vista it was time for Microsoft to go back to the drawing board. They ditched the frilly names and released Windows 7 on July 22, 2009. Windows 7 was more focused and minimal compared to the bloated Vista. Some of the big new features include an updated taskbar and better windows organization. Windows 7 was a big success.
Windows 8
On October 28, 2012 Microsoft released their most significant change to Windows. In Windows 8 Microsoft removed the famous Start Button and Start Menu in favor of a touch-friendly “Metro” interface. User reaction to Windows 8 was mixed at best, but slowly it has become adopted. With Windows 8 Microsoft is once again ahead of the times.
Windows 8.1 (codenamed "Blue"), the first major update to Windows 8 and RT, was officially announced by Microsoft on May 14, 2013.
The 8.1 update contains a number of improvements throughout the operating system, many of which were intended to address criticism that Windows 8 faced from users and reviewers on launch. Functionality within the "Metro" shell and Windows Store apps is expanded on 8.1 with the ability to snap apps to use half the screen and use up to four apps on a screen at once depending on screen size. Additional customization options (such as expanded color choices, new tile sizes, new backgrounds, the ability to use the desktop wallpaper as its background, and the ability to default to the "All Apps" view) were also added to the Start screen. The PC Settings app was expanded to include access to more options previously exclusive to the desktop Control Panel, and Windows Store apps can now be updated automatically. To improve the usability of the desktop interface, a visible Start button with a new function, was restored to the taskbar, the desktop can be shown on login instead of the Start screen, and hot corners can now be disabled.
Unlike previous Windows service packs, Windows 8.1 is obtained as a download through Windows Store for users of retail or OEM copies of Windows 8 and RT.
Which of these versions of Windows was your favorite? Leave us a comment below
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