Microsoft OS

Versions
Microsoft OS Versions
This is where it all started for Windows.
The original Windows 1 was released in
November 1985 and was Microsoft’s
first true attempt at a graphical user
interface in 16-bit.

It was notable because it relied heavily

on use of a mouse before the mouse was
a common computer input device. To
help users become familiar with this odd
input system, Microsoft included a
game, Reversi that relied on mouse
control, not the keyboard, to get people
used to moving the mouse around and
MICROSOFT WINDOWS 1.0
clicking onscreen elements.
NOVEMBER 20, 1985
Microsoft OS Versions
The big innovation for Windows 2 was
that windows could overlap each other,
and it also introduced the ability to
minimize or maximize windows
instead of “iconizing” or “zooming”.
The control panel, where various
system settings and configuration
options were collected together in one
place, was introduced in Windows 2
and survives to this day.
Microsoft Word and Excel also made
their first appearances running on
Windows 2.
MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2.0
DECEMBER 9, 1987
Microsoft OS Versions
Windows 3.0 was the version that
first introduced Program Manager
(predecessor of Start Menu and
Taskbar), which made Windows
popular because it was easier to use
than 1.0 and 2.0.
Windows 3 introduced the ability to
run MS-DOS programmes in
windows, which brought multitasking
to legacy programmes, and supported
256 colours bringing a more modern,
colourful look to the interface.
More importantly, it introduced the
MICROSOFT WINDOWS 3.0 card-moving timesink (and mouse use
MAY 22, 1990 trainer) Solitaire.
Microsoft OS Versions

Windows NT 3.1 was based

on the Windows 3.1
desktop environment and
came with two
editions, Windows NT 3.1
for Workstation and
Windows NT 3.1 Advanced
VERSIONS 3.1-3.5 WINDOWS
Server.
NT
JULY 27, 1993
Microsoft OS Versions
As the name implies, Windows 95
arrived in August 1995 and with it
brought the first ever Start button and
Start. It also introduced the concept of
“plug and play”.

Windows 95 also introduced a 32-bit

environment, the task bar and focused
on multitasking. Internet Explorer also
made its debut on Windows 95, but
was not installed by default requiring
the Windows 95 Plus! pack. Later
VERSION 4.0 WINDOWS 95 revisions of Windows 95 included IE
AUGUST 24, 1995 by default, as Netscape Navigator and
NCSA Mosaic were popular at the
time.
Microsoft OS Versions
Windows NT 4.0 brought
desktop environment and
several features from
Windows 95, Windows NT
4.0 also had five editions,
Workstation, Server, Server,
Enterprise Edition,
Terminal Server Edition
and Embedded.
WINDOWS NT 4.O
JULY 31, 1996
Microsoft OS Versions
Windows 98 built on Windows 95 and brought
with it IE 4, Outlook Express, Windows
Address Book, Microsoft Chat and NetShow
Player, which was replaced by Windows
Media Player 6.2 in Windows 98 Second
Edition in 1999.
Windows 98 introduced the back and forward
navigation buttons and the address bar in
Windows Explorer, among other things. One
of the biggest changes was the introduction of
the Windows Driver Model for computer
components and accessories – one driver to
support all future versions of Windows.
USB support was much improved in Windows
VERSION 4.1 WINDOWS 98 and led to its widespread adoption,
98/98 SE including USB hubs and USB mice.
JUNE 25 1998
Microsoft OS Versions
It was the consumer-aimed operating
system twined with Windows 2000
aimed at the enterprise market. It
introduced some important concepts to
consumers, including more automated
system recovery tools.
IE 5.5, Windows Media Player 7 and
Windows Movie Maker all made their
appearance for the first time.
Autocomplete also appeared in
Windows Explorer, but the operating
system was notorious for being buggy,
VERSION 4.9 WINDOWS ME failing to install properly and being
SEPTEMBER 14, 2000 generally poor.
Microsoft OS Versions
The enterprise twin of ME,
Windows 2000 was released in
February 2000 and was based on
Microsoft’s business-orientated
system Windows NT and later
became the basis for Windows
XP.
Microsoft’s automatic updating
played an important role in
Windows 2000 and became the
VERSION 5.0 WINDOWS first Windows to support
2000 hibernation.
FEBRUARY 17, 2000
Microsoft OS Versions
The Start menu and task bar got a
visual overhaul, bringing the
familiar green Start button, blue
task bar and vista wallpaper, along
with various shadow and other
visual effects.
ClearType, which was designed to
make text easier to read on LCD
screens, was introduced, as were
built-in CD burning, autoplay
from CDs and other media, plus
VERSION 5.1 WINDOWS XP
OCTOBER 25, 2001
various automated update and
recovery tools.
Microsoft OS Versions
Vista updated the look and feel of
Windows with more focus on
transparent elements, search and
security. PC gamers saw a boost
from Vista’s inclusion of
Microsoft’s DirectX 10 technology.
Windows Media Player 11 and IE 7
debuted, along with Windows
Defender, an anti-spyware
programme. Vista also included
speech recognition, Windows DVD
VERSION 6.0 WINDOWS Maker and Photo Gallery, as well as
VISTA being the first Windows to be
NOVEMBER 30, 2006 distributed on DVD.
Microsoft OS Versions

Windows 7's new features are

Windows snap, redesigned
taskbar, HomeGroup, libraries
for documents, audio, videos,
etc. . It was intended to fix all the
problems and criticism faced by
Vista, with slight tweaks to its
appearance and a concentration
VERSION 6.1 WINDOWS 7
on user-friendly features and less
OCTOBER 22, 2009 “dialogue box overload”.
Microsoft OS Versions
Windows 8 was faster than
previous versions of Windows and
included support for the new, much
faster USB 3.0 devices. The
Windows Store, which offers
universal Windows apps that run in
a full-screen mode only, was
introduced. The new tiled interface
saw programme icons and live
tiles, which displayed at-a-glance
VERSION 6.2 WINDOWS 8 information normally; associated
OCTOBER 26, 2012 with “widgets”, replaces the lists of
programs and icons.
Microsoft OS Versions
Windows 8.1 re-introduced the
Start button, which brought up
the Start screen from the
desktop view of Windows 8.1.
Users could also choose to boot
directly into the desktop of
Windows 8.1, which was more
suitable for those using a
desktop computer with a mouse
VERSION 6.3 WINDOWS 8.1 and keyboard than the touch-
OCTOBER 17, 2013
focused Start screen.
Microsoft OS Versions
Windows 10's new features are the
ability to run Microsoft Store apps
on the desktop, return of Start
menu although Start screen
mode option still remains, new
versions of Microsoft Store-based
apps, multiple desktops, a voice
assistant: Cortana, and a new
internet browser: Microsoft Edge.
New updates for Windows 10
VERSION 6.4 WINDOWS 10 include Game Mode, Paint 3D and
JULY 29, 2015 a new interface: Fluent Design
which replacing Metro.
Microsoft OS Versions
Microsoft is making a new
version of Windows, aimed at
dual-screen tablets. The
development started around
2020. This version can run on
laptops. As of now, the OS is still
not released. . It also has a new
start menu, taskbar, UI, and
system. This OS will not replace
WINDOWS 10X Windows 10. This is another OS
NOT YET
made with other devices.