Evolution of Windows Operating System
                     
Evolution of Windows Operating System



Evolution of Windows 
 

From Windows 1 to 
Windows 10


Microsoft Windows operating system 
was first introduced in 1985. Over 29 
years later a lot has changed. 
Microsoft Windows has seen nine 
major versions since its first release 
in 1985. 

Here’s a brief look at the history of 
Windows, from its birth at the hands 
of Bill Gates with Windows 1 to the 
latest arrival under new Microsoft 
CEO Satya Nadella.


Windows 1 
In 1985 the original windows 1 was released. Development of windows 1 was 

spearheaded by the founder of Microsoft Bill Gates. 


In December 1987 Microsoft replaced windows 1 with windows 2. The big 

innovation for windows 2 was that it could overlap each other and it also 

introduced the ability to minimize or maximize instead of iconising or zooming. 

Microsoft word and excel made their first appearances running on windows 2. 

Windows
2 


Windows 
3 

In 1990, the first windows launched that required a hard drive. Windows 3 

introduced the ability to run MS-DOS programmes in windows. It supported 256 

colors bringing a more modern, colorful look to the interface. 


Windows 3.1 
Windows 3.1 released in 1992, it introduced TrueType fonts making 

Windows a viable publishing platform for the first time. Minesweeper 
also made its first appearance. For the first time Windows 3.1 

required 1MB of RAM to run and allowed supported MS-DOS programs 
to be controlled with a mouse.


Windows 95 
Windows 95 launched in August 1995 and with it brought the  first ever start 

button and start menu. Windows 95 also introduced a 32-bit environment, 
the task bar and focused on multitasking. Internet Explorer also made its 

debut on Windows 95. 


Windows 98 

Windows 98 released in June 1998 and brought it with Internet Explorer 4, 
Outlook express, windows address book, Microsoft chat and  Net show player 

which was replaced by windows media player 6.2 in windows 98 second 
edition. It also introduced forward and back navigation button and the 

address bar in Windows Explorer. 


Windows ME 
Windows ME stands for Windows Millennium Edition, it was the last 

windows to be based on MS-Dos and in the windows 9x line. It was released 
in September 2000. IE 5.5, windows media player 7 and windows movie 

maker all made their appearance for the first time. 


Windows 
2000 

Windows 2000 was released in February 2000 and it was the enterprise twin of 

ME and later became the basis for Windows XP. Automatic updating played an 

important role in windows 2000 and became the first windows to support 

hibernation. 


Windows XP 
One of the best Windows version, Windows XP was released in October 2001. It 
was released with green Start button, blue task bar and vista wallpaper, along with
various shadow and other visual effects. Windows XP was longest running 
Microsoft operating system. The biggest problem of Windows XP was security: 
though it had a firewall built in, it was turned off by default. 


Windows 
Vista 

After 6 years Windows XP was replaced by Windows Vista in January 2007. PC 

gamers saw a boost from Vista's inclusion of Microsoft Direct X 10 technology. 

Windows media player 11 and IE 7 debuted along with windows defender an 

anti-spyware programme. Its development under the code name Longhorn. 


Windows 
7 

Windows 7 was first released in October 2009. It was intended to fix all the 

problems faced by Vista. This window was faster and easier to use. Windows 7 

becoming the operating system most users and business would upgrade to from 

Windows XP. 


Windows 
8 

In October 2012, Microsoft released Windows 8, ditching the start button and start 

menu in favour of a more touch-friendly start screen. Windows 8 was faster than 

previous version of Windows, much faster USB 3.0 devices. The windows store was 

introduced which offers universal windows apps that run in a full-screen mode. 


Windows 8.1 
Windows 8.1 introduced in October 2013 and it re-introduced the start button, 

which brought up the start screen from the desktop view of windows 8.1. Windows 

8.1 was more suitable for those using a desktop computer with a mouse or 

keyboard. 


Windows 
10 

Windows 10 announced on 30 September 2014 and it was released on July 29, 

2015. Windows 10 introduces what Microsoft described as Universal Apps. 

Windows 10 is the most powerful operating system that Microsoft has ever 

made. The most of features are the Cortana voice assistant, Edge browser and 

multiple desktops. 


Thank You!