Written by huddy   
Thursday, 22 October 2009 13:21
A brief look at Windows down the years
 
Here's a quick look at the different versions of Windows down the years, starting with Windows 1.0 all the way back in November 1985 to the most recent Windows 7.
 
Windows 1.0
20th November 1985
A new style of operating system is launched putting to bed the old text based DOS system.  The new Windows OS allows the user to run multiple program simultaneously through a graphical interface whilst providing advanced keyboard features and mouse support.
 
Windows 2.0
9th December 1987
New key features are added including overlapping windows and better graphics. The operating system took full advantage of the Intel 286 processor making the Os much faster. Windows 2.03 did the same for the 386 processor.
 
Windows 3.0
22nd May 1990
The 386 paved the way for 16-bit colour, better grahics and performance. Third party hardware and software vendoes took adnatge of the new technology allowing greater compatabily.
 
Windows 3.1
6th April 1992
Windows 3.1 is a success and a large user base is growing. 3.1 extends the features of newer technology advances.
 
Windows 3.11
8th November 1993
A break though for the windows OS as we know it. Peer-to-Peer and domain networking support is added allowing the OS to become network capable OS. Better known as “Windows for Workgroups, windows 3.11 allowed users Windows users to communicate with other systems as well as the web. 
 
Windows NT 3.1 to NT 4.0
27th July 1993
Windows NT was designed to make software and hard portable for business uses and thus designed for workstation and advanced server functions. It carried multi-processor and multi-user support to compete with the likes of UNIX and was the first 32-bit OS. Windows NT was widely used and various updates were released before it was eventually replaced by Windows 2000 in February 2000.
 
Windows 3.11
8th November 1993
A break though for the windows OS as we know it. Peer-to-Peer and domain networking support is added allowing the OS to become network capable OS. Better known as “Windows for Workgroups, windows 3.11 allowed users Windows users to communicate with other systems as well as the web. 
 
Windows 95
24th August 1995
Windows 95 brought the introduction of “Plug and Play” capabilities allowing users to easily install new hardware and software. Windows 95 also built on the success of “Windows for Workgroups” and provided improved networking features such as 32-bit TCP/IP stack for built in internet support and dialup Networking. Windows 95 also saw a new GUI front end and improve visuals.
 
Windows 98
25th June 1998
Windows 98 was really an updated version of Windows 95. It introduced USB support allowing external devices to be “hot-swappable” without the worry of resource conflicts. DVD support was added for the first time and windows starts to become a media platform.
 
Windows 98 SE (Second Addition)
10th June 1999
The Second Edition (SE) of Windows 98 extended the multimedia platform thanks largely to inclusion and continued development of Direct X, a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling multimedia tasks, such as  gaming and video. SE also included a number of internet updates making it easier to connect to the web. SE was also guaranteed to be year-2k compliant.
 
Windows ME (Millennium Edition)
14th September 2000
Millennium Edition (ME) made a number of improvements for the home user including better home networking, music and video support. It was the last Windows system based on the aging Windows 95 system.
 
Windows 2000 Professional
17th February 2000
Also known as Windows 2k or NT 5, Windows 2000 was introduced to replace the aging Windows NT Workstation. It also replaced Windows 95 and Windows 98 combining the strengths of business and consumer solutions into one package.
 
Windows XP
25th October 2001
Arguably, one of Microsoft most successful operating systems to date and still widely used today. Launched in a massive celebration in New York, Windows eXPerience or XP (NT5.3) is built on the strengths of Windows 2000 and Windows ME and becomes their successor. XP claims to have something for everyone making it versatile across different user requirements, home user, business and power user etc.  It is shipped with two different version Home and Professional, where the home version is striped of business essentials such as domain workstation.
Windows matures with a new sleek user interface, better driver support and ease of use.  Soon, the multimedia PC is embraced and along with it comes a new dawn of digital lifestyle and technologies.
 
Windows Vista
30th November 2006 for businesses
30th January 2007 for consumer
The much awaited successor of XP is finally launched. Windows Vista (NT6) is received with excitement but with much scientism and later criticism. The new user interface (Aero) and graphical features are a welcome introduction but high hardware requirements and heavy bloat-ware drag down system performance and with it Vista’s reputation. Vista also sees the introduction of various security functions including the most significant; User Account Control. UAC allows a standard user to change system settings by providing administrative credentials when promoted. This blocks unwanted programs such as malware changing your system without sufficient authority. On paper, this sounds like a great idea but in reality it became rather intrusive. Windows Vista really became the trial version before Windows 7.
 
Windows 7
22nd October 2009
It seems that Microsoft listened to its users. Seen by many as just an update of Windows Vista, Windows 7 is a vastly improved successor to Vista and has already received positive reviews. This of course could be because Vista was so poor then any such update is going to receive such reviews. Launched as a beta to the public, consumers were able to evaluate the product before its launch providing invaluable feedback, which was clearly used in their marketing campaign “I designed Windows 7”.  The bloat ware has been removed, the UAC less obtrusive and the OS seems much sleeker.  Windows 7 was promised to ship with the new ‘WinFs’ File System and 3D GUI which is mostly likely why this has been perceived as a mere update, than a full new version.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 November 2009 13:38