Over the years, the company has managed to become a computer software giant.
Microsoft Windows has seen nine major versions since its first release in 1985.
The project was briefly codenamed Interface Manager before the windowing system was developed.
Windows 1.0 was not a complete operating system, but rather an operating environment that extended MS-DOS.
It also included the MS-DOS Executive and a game called Reversi.
In a special introductory offer, Windows 1.0 came with Windows Write and Windows Paint and cost $99.
Windows version 2 introduced overlapping windows and supported 16-colour VGA graphics.
Like Windows 1.0, version 2.0 could run on a dual-floppy-drive PC without a hard disk.
Since, version 2.0 used the real-mode memory model, the memory was confined to a maximum of 1MB.
Windows 3.0
Windows 3.0 released on May 22, 1990, improved capabilities given to native applications.
Also, it was the first version to include the popular game Solitaire.
It was a stand-alone OS, not MS-DOS based such as all previous versions.
Minesweeper also made its first appearance.
Its code base still underpins the current generation of Windows operating systems.
Windows 95 was a consumer-oriented hybrid 32-bit/16-bit OS with a brand-new user interface.
It focused on multi-tasking and saw the introduction of Task Bar.
It introduced the concept of plug and play automatic unit detection and configuration.
MS-DOS still played an important role for Windows 95, which required it to run some programmes and elements.
Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft released Windows NT 4.0 to manufacturing on July 29, 1996.
NT 4.0 saw a number of architectural improvements under the surface.
NT 4.0 was also the first Windows version to support the DirectX multimedia API.
It also included newer versions of Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player.
Windows 2000
Microsoft released Windows 2000 on February 17, 2000.
There were several Windows 2000 editions for servers and one for regular computers.
Windows File Protection prevented unauthorised programs from modifying critical system files.
Microsofts automatic updating played an important role in Windows 2000 and became the first Windows to support hibernation.
It was the last DOS-based operating system from Microsoft.
Unlike Windows 95 and 98, it lacked real-mode DOS support.
IE 5.5, Windows Media Player 7 and Windows Movie Maker all made their appearance for the first time.
Autocomplete also appeared in Windows Explorer, but Windows ME was infamous for being buggy, and crash-prone.
It was quickly superseded by the far superior NT-based Windows XP.
NT-based Windows XP came in several editions: Home, Professional, Media Center, and Tablet PC Edition.
Service Pack 2 provided significant improvements and encouraged widespread adoption of XP among both home and business users.
Windows Media Player 11 and IE 7 debuted, along with Windows Defender an anti-spyware programme.
Later a version of Windows Vista without Windows Media Player was created in response to anti-trust investigations.
Existing components such as IIS, Terminal Services and the SMB file-sharing protocol also received thorough overhauls.
Windows 7
Windows 7 is widely considered as the operating system that Vista should have been.
It quickly made inroads into Vistas and XPs market share and was the best Windows OS ever.
Homegroup feature allowed for easy sharing of files and printers between computers on a home data pipe.
This is something they have been trying to do ever since Windows XP.
Microsoft even made a tablet of its own called Surface.
Pro and Enterprise, which can join Active Directory domains, were the business-oriented editions.
The interface introduced an updated Start menu known as the Start screen, and a new full-screen software platform.
The Windows Store, which offers universal Windows apps that run in a full-screen mode only, was introduced.
Windows 10
Windows 10 is the current release of the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Unveiled on September 30, 2014, it was released on July 29, 2015.
source: www.techworm.net
