Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows (commonly referred to as Windows) is a family of graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. There are multiple families of Windows operating systems each geared towards a certain sector of the computing industry, such as Windows NT and Windows IoT; these may encompass subfamilies such as Windows Server. Defunct Windows families include Windows 9x, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone.

Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985, as a graphical shell for MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer market with over 90% market share, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced in 1984.

As of October 2021, the most recent version of Windows for PCs and tablets is Windows 11, version 21H2. The most recent version for embedded devices is Windows 10, version 21H1. The most recent version for server computers is Windows Server 2022, version 21H2. A specialized version of Windows also runs on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S video game consoles.

History
The first versions of Windows, specifically 1.0 through 3.11 were graphical shells that ran on MS-DOS; the release of Windows 95, though still being based on MS-DOS, was its own operating system using a 16-bit DOS-based kernel and a 32-bit environment.

Early versions
The first independent version of Microsoft Windows, version 1.0 was released on November 20, 1985, but achieved little popularity. Rather than being a complete operating system, it was an "operating environment" that extended MS-DOS and as such it shared MS-DOS's inherent flaws and errors. It ran on a shell program known as the MS-DOS Executive. Programs supplied with Windows 1.0 include Calculator, Calendar, Clipboard Viewer, Clock, Notepad, Paint, Reversi, Terminal, Cardfile, and Microsoft Write. Windows 1.0 does not allow overlapping windows; rather, all windows are tiled with the exception of dialog boxes that cannot be minimized.

Windows 2.0 came out on December 9, 1987 and proved slightly more popular than its predecessor due to the ability for windows to overlap each other, more sophisticated keyboard shortcuts. New features for Windows 2.0 included VGA graphics (in 16 colors only), and it was the last version of Windows that did not require a hard disk. The addition of a printer spooler program and an integrated control panel was also new to Windows 2.0.

Windows 2.1 was released in two different versions: Windows/286 and Windows/386, based on different Intel processors.

Windows 3.x
Windows 3.0, released in 1990, improved the design and user interface. It is the first version of Windows to achieve broad commercial success, selling 2 million copies in the first six months.

Windows 3.1, made generally available on March 1, 1992, featured a facelift. In August 1993, Windows for Workgroups – a special version with integrated peer-to-peer networking features and a version number of 3.11, was released. It was sold alongside Windows 3.1. Support for Windows 3.1 ended on December 31, 2001.

Windows 3.2, released in 1994, was an updated version of the Chinese version of Windows 3.1. The update fixed issues related to the complex writing system of the Chinese language.

Windows 9x
Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995. Though it is still based on MS-DOS, Windows 95 introduced support for native 32-bit applications, plug and play hardware, preemptive multitasking, long file names of up to 255 characters, and increased stability. The Program Manager was replaced with the Start menu, taskbar, and Windows Explorer shell. Windows 95 was the first version of Windows to be bundled with Microsoft's web browser, Internet Explorer. Mainstream support ended on December 31, 2000 and extended support ended on December 31, 2001.

Windows 98 was released on June 25, 1998 as a follow-up to Windows 95. It introduced the Windows Driver Model, support for USB composite devices, support for ACPI, hibernation, and support for multi-monitor configurations. Integrated with Windows 98 was Internet Explorer 4 via Active Desktop and other aspects of the Windows Desktop Update. In May 1999, Microsoft released Windows 98 Second Edition, an updated version of Windows 98 that added Internet Explorer 5 and Windows Media Player 6.2 among other upgrades.

Windows ME (Millennium Edition) was released on September 14, 2000 and is the last DOS-based version of Windows. Windows ME incorporated visual interface enhancements from its Windows NT based counterpart Windows 2000, had faster boot times than previous versions, expanded multimedia functionality, additional system utilities such as System File Protection and System Restore, and update home networking tools.

Early versions
In November 1988, a new development team within Microsoft began work on a revamped version of IBM and Microsoft's OS/2 operating system known as "NT OS/2". It was intended to be a secure, multi-user operating system with POSIX compatibility and a modular, portable kernel with preemptive multitasking and support for multiple processor architectures. The NT development, following the successful release of Windows 3.0, decided to rework the project to use an extended 32-bit port of the Windows API called "Win32" instead of those of OS/2. Win32 maintained a similar structure to the Windows APIs (allowing existing Windows applications to easily be ported to the platform), but also supported the capabilities of the existing NT kernel. Following its approval by Microsoft's staff, development continued on what was now Windows NT, the first 32-bit version of Windows. However, IBM objected to the changes, and ultimately continued OS/2 development on its own.

Windows NT 3.1, the first release of the NT line of operating systems, was released in July 1993 with versions for desktop workstations and servers.

Windows NT 3.5 was released in September 1994, with a focus on performance improvements and support for Novell's NetWare, and was followed by Windows NT 3.51 in May 1995, which included support for the PowerPC architecture.

Windows NT 4.0, released in June 1996, introduced the redesigned interface of Windows 95 to the NT line.

Windows 2000, a successor to NT 4.0, was released on February 17, 2000 and would be the last release to retain the Windows NT name.

Windows XP


The next major Windows NT version, Windows XP, was released on October 25, 2001. XP sought to unify the consumer-oriented Windows 9x series with the architecture introduced in Windows NT. Windows XP would also introduce a redesigned user interface (including an updated Start menu and a "task-oriented" Windows Explorer), streamlined multimedia and networking features, Internet Explorer 6, integration with Microsoft's .NET Passport services, modes to help provide compatibility with software designed for previous versions of Windows, and Remote Assistance functionality.

At retail, Microsoft marketed a "Home" release for consumers and a "Professional" edition for businesses and power users, the latter of which included additional security and networking features. Later they were accompanied by the "Media Center" edition (designed form home theater PCs, with an emphasis on support for DVD playback, TV tuner cards, DVR functionality, and remote controls) and the "Tablet PC" edition (designed for tablet mobile devices, with support for stylus pen input and additional pen-enabled applications). Mainstream support for Windows XP ended on April 14, 2009, with extended support ending on April 8, 2014.

Windows Vista
Windows Vista, after a lengthy development process that involved a reset, was released on November 30, 2006 for volume licensing and would be released to consumers on January 30, 2007. It contained a number of new features from a redesigned shell to security changes. Vista was subject to some criticism due to its drop in performance, longer boot time, criticism of the new User Account Control (UAC), and stricter license agreement.

Windows 7
Windows 7 was released publicly on October 22, 2009. Unlike its predecessor Windows Vista, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7's goal was to be more of a focused, incremental upgrade to the product line, with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista was already compatible. Windows 7 has multi-touch support, another redesign in the Windows shell with an updated taskbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements.

Windows 8 and 8.1
Windows 8 was released to the public on October 26, 2012 as the successor to Windows 7. It introduced a new user interface based on Microsoft's Metro design language with optimizations for touchscreen devices such as tablets and all-in-one PCs. It also introduced the Start screen, which uses large tiles that are convenient for touch interactions and display continually updated information, and a new class of apps that are designed primarily for use on touchscreen devices. Increased integration with cloud services such as OneDrive and Xbox Live, and the Windows Store for software distribution were also included.

An update to Windows 8 was released on October 17, 2013, called Windows 8.1. This release included new live tile sizes, deeper OneDrive integration, and other changes. Both releases have been subject to criticism, such as for the removal of the Start menu.

Windows 10
Windows 10 was announced on September 30, 2014 and released on July 29, 2015. It addresses shortcomings in the user interface. Changes include the reappearance of the Start menu, a virtual desktop system, and the ability to run Windows Store apps within windows rather than in full-screen mode.

Windows 11
Windows 11 was announced as the successor to Windows 10 on June 24, 2021, and was released on October 5, 2021. It will be a free upgrade to all Windows 10 users.

Client versions

 * Windows 11, releases 5 October 2021
 * Windows 10, released 29 July 2015
 * Windows 8.1, released 17 October 2013
 * Windows 8, released 26 October 2012
 * Windows 7, released 22 October 2009
 * Windows Vista, released 30 January 2007
 * Windows XP Professional x64, released 25 April 2005
 * Windows XP, released 25 October 2001
 * Windows ME, released 14 September 2000
 * Windows 2000, released 17 February 2000
 * Windows 98, released 25 June 1998
 * Windows NT 4.0, released 24 August 1996
 * Windows 95, released 24 August 1995
 * Windows NT 3.51, released 30 May 1995
 * Windows NT 3.5, released 21 September 1994
 * Windows 3.2, released 22 November 1993
 * Windows for Workgroups 3.11, released November 1993
 * Windows NT 3.1, released 27 July 1993
 * Windows 3.1, released April 1992
 * Windows 3.0, released 22 May 1990
 * Windows 2.11, released 13 March 1989
 * Windows 2.1, released 27 May 1988
 * Windows 2.0, released 9 December 1987
 * Windows 1.0, released 20 November 1985

Server versions

 * Windows Server 2022
 * Windows Server 2019
 * Windows Server 2016
 * Windows Server 2012 R2
 * Windows Server 2012
 * Windows Server 2008 R2
 * Windows Server 2008
 * Windows Server 2003 R2
 * Windows Server 2003
 * Windows 2000
 * Windows NT 4.0
 * Windows NT 3.51
 * Windows NT 3.5
 * Windows NT 3.1

Appliances

 * Windows RT 8.1, released 18 October 2013 for ARM-based tablet computers
 * Windows RT, released 26 October 2012 for ARM-based tablet computers
 * Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, released November 2002 for the Microsoft Tablet PC
 * Windows XP Media Center Edition, released between 2002 and 2005 for home theater PCs, network attached storage (NAS), and set-top boxes

Mobile devices

 * Windows 10 Mobile
 * Windows Phone
 * Windows Phone 8.1
 * Windows Phone 8
 * Windows Phone 7.8
 * Windows Phone 7.5
 * Windows Phone 7
 * Windows Mobile
 * Windows Mobile 6.5
 * Windows Mobile 6.1
 * Windows Mobile 6.0
 * Windows Mobile 5.0
 * Windows Mobile 2003 SE
 * Windows Mobile 2003
 * Pocket PC 2002
 * Pocket PC 2000