The Windows Operating System is mentioned as a family of OS developed by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Windows, commonly referred to as Windows.

Bill Gates announced Windows on 10th November 1983. We look at the history of Windows OS from 1983 to the present day.

The Windows OS for Desktop PCs/Laptops is more formally called Microsoft Windows and is a family of operating systems for personal computers.

Windows dominated the personal computer/laptop world, according to some estimates, more than 80 percent of all PCs.

However, since the early 2000s, Windows OS supremacy has been minimized with the growth of  Linux and Mac operating systems.

In addition, Windows OS provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface), multitasking, virtual memory management, and support for many hardware devices like mouse, keyboard, USB, etc.

Similarly, Microsoft offers Windows OS for computers/laptops and OS for smartphones and servers.

Find Out The List Of Microsoft Windows Versions

1. MS-DOS
2. Windows 1.0
3. Windows 2.0
4. Microsoft Windows 3.0
5. Windows NT 3.1 – 4.0
6. Windows 95
7. MicrosoftWindows 98
8. Windows 2000
9. Windows ME
10. Microsoft Windows XP
11. Windows Vista
12. Windows 7
13. Microsoft Windows 8
14. Windows 10
15. Microsoft Windows 11

Details About Microsoft Windows Versions

Windows MS-DOS

MS-DOS full form is Microsoft Disk Operating System and was released in 1981.

This OS was originally developed by Microsoft for IBM. MS-DOS provides the standard operating system for personal computers developed by IBM.

The 1st versions of MS-DOS were very simple and took after another OS called CP/M. In addition, the next versions have become increasingly enlightened as they include features of mini-computer operating systems.

Windows 1.0

Microsoft Windows 1.0 was released in November 20th, 1985.

Microsoft Windows 1.0 OS is named based on the computing boxes or several windows that show a fundamental aspect of the operating system.

This OS contains a Graphical operating environment for PCs. In addition, this OS allows users to point and click to access the windows.

Windows 2.0

Microsoft Windows 2.0 was released on December 9th, 1987.

Microsoft Windows 2.0 is an outdated 16-bit Graphical user interface (GUI) based OS environment.

However, this OS felt originally designed for the designed for the Intel 286 processor. In addition, This version of the OS provided desktop icons, enhanced graphical support, and keyboard shortcuts.

Windows 3.0

Microsoft Windows 3.0 is released on May 22th 1990.

This OS provides improved desktop icons. Also provides an advanced level of graphics with 15 colors designed for Intel 386 processors and better performance.

However, this OS seems the 1st release that gives the standard Look and Feel of Windows for upcoming days. In addition, this OS included a File Manager and games like Hearts and  Minesweeper.

Windows NT 3.1 – 4.0

Microsoft Windows NT 3.1 was released on July 27th, 1993. Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 was released on July 31st, 1996.

Windows NT full form is Windows New Technology. It contains a 32-bit OS that supports pre-emptive multitasking.

There are two versions of it named Windows NT Server and Windows NT Workstation. In addition, the major new features included the new Explorer shell and improvements to the core architecture.

Windows 95

Microsoft Windows 95 was released on August 24th, 1995.

Windows 95 comes with a major upgrade to the Windows operating system. In addition, this OS also included several important internal improvements.

This is the first OS that supports 32-bit applications, which meant that applications written specifically for this operating system would run much faster.

Although Windows 95 was able to run older Windows and MS-DOS applications, it essentially removed MS-DOS as the underlying platform.

Windows 98

Microsoft Windows 98 was released on June 25th, 1998.

Windows 98 supported many new technologies, which included USB, DVD, AGP, FAT32, MMX and ACPI. Its main visible feature is the Active Desktop, which integrated the Internet Explorer (Web browser) with the operating system.

Windows 2000

Microsoft Windows 2000 was released on February 17th, 2000.

Windows 2000 is mainly an OS for business desktop and laptop systems to run software applications. In addition, it connects to the Internet, intranet sites, printers, and network resources. Microsoft released 4 types of versions under this OS, which are named as Server, Advanced Server, Professional, and Datacenter Server.

Windows ME

Microsoft Windows ME was released on September 14th, 2000.

The Windows ME full form is Windows Millennium Edition. This was an update to the Windows 98 core and included some features that would be part of the Windows 2000 OS. In addition, ME OS also removed the Boot in DOS option.

Windows XP

Microsoft Windows XP was released on October 25th, 2001.

XP OS is mainly used on PCs such as home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs. Windows XP was released in two types of versions, Professional and Home.

Microsoft mainly focused on mobility for both versions and included plug-and-play features for wireless network connections.

This OS also utilized the 802.11x wireless security standard. In addition, it provides many features like improved in application compatibility, Windows Explorer including task panes, thumbnails, and Windows Picture.

Windows Vista

Microsoft Windows Vista was released on January 30th, 2007.

Windows Vista offered an improvement in reliability, performance, security, and manageability over Windows XP. New features were capabilities to detect hardware problems before they occurred, security features to protect against the latest generation of threats, a faster start-up time, and low power consumption when placed in the new sleep state.

In many situations, this OS is more responsive than Windows XP on similar types of hardware. Windows Vista simplified and centralized desktop configuration management.

Windows 7

Microsoft Windows 7 was released on October 22nd, 2009.

Windows 7 is the latest in the 25-year-old line of Windows OS. This OS was released in coincidence with the Windows 7’s server and Windows Server 2008 R2 counterpart.

New features included multi-touch support, Internet Explorer 8, improved performance, faster startup time, Aero Snap, improved Windows Media Center, support for virtual hard disks, and improved security.

Windows 8

Microsoft Windows 8 was released on October 26th, 2012.

This version of OS was a completely re-structured operating system that was developed extensively with touchscreen use in mind.

Which enables a PC to load and start-up in a matter of seconds rather than in minutes. In addition, this OS changed the more traditional Windows OS look and feel. In addition, it supported both x86 PCs and ARM processors.

Windows 10

Microsoft Windows 10 was released on July 29th, 2015.

Windows 10 provided fast start-up and resume activities, in-built security, and the Start Menu in an expanded mode.

This version of Windows OS also provided Microsoft Edge (Microsoft’s new web browser). Any qualified device (like smartphones, tablets, PCs, Laptops, and Xbox consoles) was able to upgrade to Windows 10 OS.

Windows 11

Microsoft Windows 11 was released on June 24th, 2021.

Windows 11 featured with new Start Menu, Taskbar, Multi-app support, Rounded corners on Windows, new File Explorer icons, and a Simplified user interface.

What was the First Windows OS?

The first version of the Windows Operating System MS-DOS was launched in 1985. It resides simply a Graphical user interface offered as an extension of existing disk OS.

Windows 11 Release Date?

Microsoft Windows 11 was released on June 24th, 2021.

What was the First Popular Version of Windows?

Microsoft Windows 1.0 was the first independent and popular version which was released on November 20th, 1985.

Why there is No Windows 9?

Microsoft team skipped Windows 9 and gone for to windows 10 for a specific reason. Bill Gates said ‘Early testing revealed that there are many third-party products had code in the form of Windows 9 by referring Windows 95 and Windows 98’.

What are the Different Types of OS?

Microsoft Windows.
Linux.
Apple MacOS.
Apple iOS.
Android.

Why Windows XP was Good?

The main feature of Windows XP OS is simplicity. Therefore, Microsoft gave less attention to GUI features and more attention to safety/security and processing.

Is Windows XP Faster than Windows 10?

No. Windows 10 remains better and faster than Windows XP. However, as per research, it depends on your laptop/desktop specifications Windows XP will perform better than Windows 10.

Is Windows Operating System Developed in C?

Microsoft’s Windows OS kernel developed most of the parts in C Programming language, with some parts in assembly language.