Windows is the flagship product of Microsoft operating systems and the de facto standard for personal and business computers. The operating system based on the graphical user interface (GUI) was introduced in 1985 and many versions have been released since then, as described below.
Microsoft began with the association of Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975. Gates and Allen jointly developed Xenix (a version of Unix) and also worked together on a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800. The company was founded in 1981.
Microsoft became famous with the MS DOS launch, a text-based command line operating system. DOS was primarily based on an acquired intellectual property, QDOS. GUI-based operating systems of the time included Xerox’s Alto, released in 1979, and Apple’s LISA and Macintosh systems, which appeared later. Microsoft fans referred to these systems as WIMP with disdain, because they represented “windows, icons, a mouse, and dropdown menus.”
What is Microsoft Windows? Definition
Microsoft Windows was born in 1985Being the of the company Microsoft which has conquered a huge number of PC users in the home market as well as the business market. It is based on a simple graphical user interface, named GUI, which allows you to control the programs installed on the system in a very simple way. It is, in fact, this simplicity the main feature that defines this system as well as the intuitiveness of its use.
Origin, history and evolution of the Windows Operating System
Windows, the first OS of , dates from the year 1985, the year in which Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and Paul Allen were associated. This operating system is the best known of all and probably the most commercialized among users around the planet.
He has always had enough rivals, Standing Out Among All by Steve Jobs. However, this has only strengthened its advantages and expanded its market share.
The dark part of their history consisted precisely of a problem that these partners had with Apple and Steve Jobswith whom they were always directly confronted by Lisa’s theftTherefore, despite the existence of judicial decisions, he always maintained the confrontation between the two greats of the technological world.
Windows has evolved a lot throughout historybeginning to be well considered from the year 1992. What has always been done is to take the improvements that were emerging at the level of in order to develop a to measure. In addition, with this constant evolution, it would always keep users aware of such new improvements.
Next, we are going to talk a little about each of the ones that have been successful throughout history:
List of versions of Windows Operating Systems
Let’s see how this program developed in each version of its and how it has been incorporating multiple improvements and native tools to facilitate its use for its millions of users around the world.
Year 1985: Windows 1.0
The first version of Windows was 1.0 that emerged in 1985.. This consisted of a simple program that could run in DOS, designed, in fact, as a graphical extension of . The launch did not take place at a good time, perhaps being too early since the feeling that all users have had about it is that it was too unstable.
Of course, the interface was highly valued because it introduced the concept of “pointer and click” with which we move the mouse through the window and decide what we want to do at any moment. It also introduces the concept of “scrollbar” or the familiar ” buttonTo accept“.
Year 1987: Windows 2.0-2.11
Windows 2.0 was the one that brought us the concept of “Control Panel” and the initial versions of the Word and Excel programs. With the appearance of this operating system, Microsoft began its hegemony in the year 1987. This occurred based on the growing market for the sale of and to the ease of use that, undeniably, this operating system has. Windows 2.03, from 1988 was sued by Jobs for its overlapping window system.
Year 1990: Windows 3.0
It is from here that Windows came to be considered as good an option as any in the OS market. Nothing new but many improvements and a subsequent facelift made sales skyrocket.
Year 1993: Windows NT
version of Windows NT, an acronym for “New Technology” (New Technology) it was the completion of a side project to make a revolutionary Operating System. This NT was 32-bit and had a hardware abstraction layer. MS-DOS could be found separately through the but it was not running by Windows itself.
Year 1995: Windows 95
Probably this version of the Windows operating system has been one of the most successful of the company. It was designed directly to replace MS-DOS. The name of the version honors the year in which it appeared, since its launch was made in 1995.
The highlight is that in this version the Windows “Start” button appears, from which most of the procedures related to the system and the programs that hang from it are carried out and which is maintained to date. Likewise, the use of 32-bit architecture was quite an event.
Other characteristics are the appearance of the plug and play system in order to make it easier to install applications on external devices. Also, TCP/IP network support is included and Direct X software emerges so that certain games can be used in Windows. The system is having an increasing range of colors. Its support ended definitively at the end of 2001..
Year 1998: Windows 98
This was the system that replaced the previous version officially since 1998. The improvements in plug-and-play were considerableHowever, it was heavily criticized for being slower and less reliable than its predecessor.
Secondly, added support for USB and quick system launch. In addition, it is on this occasion that the brand’s own browser is included, known as which is still the most stable of those that currently exist (although it is better known for its slowness).
This system also begins the shortcomings and deficiencies of this technology since it was subjected to a massive malware attacka nightmare that has followed it since it began to establish itself as the preferred operating system for the majority of users. Support for this OS ends in 2006.
Year 2000: Windows ME or Windows 2000
As of this operating system, versions start being created without using the year number in which they have been released. The Windows Millennium Edition It was created and launched in the year 2000.
East It did not have much acceptance by users. Also, it was probably the most unstable of all those that have had the signature of Microsoft. This is when the option to “System Restore“.
Year 2001: Windows XP
This operating system, released in the year 2001, was devised as a user-oriented version, where they would be the critics themselves. It is undoubtedly a improved product, stable and, above all, with many inclusions and improvements at a visual level so that the user experience is optimal.
They highlighted the DVD and TV (including recording) as functionalities to enjoy. This OS offered a 64-bit version for the first timealthough it is true that this was still in its infancy and should improve a lot. “Home” version, “Professional” and “Media Center” version released.
Year 2006: Windows Vista
Windows Vista appeared in 2006., releasing six editions packed with new features. In this case, Microsoft is very concerned that it is a very outstanding launch since for the company it had meant the use of a large amount of resources dedicated entirely to this project.
Vista was characterized by having great visual effectsalthough the operating system Sometimes it ran out of RAMso that, without it, it could not work as fast as its developers claimed.
As of this version, in addition, license rights and activation are becoming more stringent and user control access is becoming more complex. Around that time, Microsoft announced that the end of maintenance for the Windows XP system would be in April 2014.
Year 2009: Windows 7
In 2009 this new operating system appearedwhich in appearance is very similar to the previous one, being considered, in fact, “an incremental update”, but which it has a more than considerably higher processing speed.
Improvements include new user interfaces, much faster startup and shutdown speeds, HomeGroup and the SuperBar. Windows 7 mainly became the most widely used operating system on the internet, especially for use with PC games.
Even so, its objective was not this, but rather what was intended was to reduce the incompatibilities that Vista presented. It is the oldest version that maintains support, having been extended until 2020.
Year 2012: Windows 8
During 2012 this new user interface appeared in the system. This uses the SSD drives, processors with more than one core and can use touch screens. Although some users were reluctant to this operating system, the data reflects otherwise, because there are more users in Windows 8 than in many previous ones.
Year 2015: Windows 10
This operating system has been the latest OS innovation and appeared in 2015. The main improvement is that it includes the design type Responsive Continuum, which is based on the adaptation of the system depending on the device that is being used. A) Yes, It is intended for use on PC’s, mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
Year 2021: Windows 11
Windows 11 was officially launched on October 5. It has come as a free update for PCs with original Windows 10 that support it, and in the coming months we will see that the new computers that are released will start to have it pre-installed. Its deployment will be gradualso that the update could take time to reach some users while it has already reached us for others. Microsoft expects everyone to have it by 2022.
List of native apps and tools in Windows OS
Windows has a large number of applications and tools that comes standard and that serve to make it easier to use for anyone who needs it, seeking that, even without an internet connection, he can use the computer in the greatest number of occasions of his day to day. It should be noted that these do not require external maintenance, while new functionalities are added with each new version of the operating system.
Next, we are going to show the most used ones, the ones that you should know and, in turn, will be more useful to you:
Calculator
It is one of the oldest components. In fact, it already appeared in version 1.0. It is an application that is used to make calculations at a basic level and some advanced ones.
The design of…
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