(subsequently renamed Microsoft Windows) in September 1981.Although the
first prototypes used Multiplan and Word-like menus at the bottom of
the screen, the interface was changed in 1982 to use pull-down menus
and dialogs, as used on the Xerox Star.Microsoft finally announced
Windows in November 1983, with pressure from just-released VisiOn and
impending TopView.
This was after the release of the Apple Lisa, and before Digital
Research announced GEM, and DESQ from Quarterdeck and the Amiga
Workbench , or GEOS/GeoWorks Ensemble, IBM OS/2, NeXTstep or even
DeskMate from Tandy.Windows promised an easy-to-use graphical
interface, device-independent graphics and multitasking support.The
development was delayed several times, however, and the Windows 1.0 hit
the store shelves in November 1985. The selection of applications was
sparse, however, and Windows sales were modest.
Windows 1.0 package, included:
MS-DOS Executive, Calendar, Cardfile, Notepad, Terminal, Calculator,
Clock, Reversi, Control Panel, PIF (Program Information File) Editor,
Print Spooler, Clipboard, RAMDrive, Windows Write, Windows Paint.
Windows 2.0,
introduced in the fall of 1987, provided significant useability
improvements to Windows. With the addition of icons and overlapping
windows, Windows became a viable environment for development of major
applications (such as Excel, Word for Windows, Corel Draw!, Ami,
PageMaker and Micrografx Designer), and the sales were spurred by the
runtime ("Single Application Environment") versions supplied by the
independent software vendors.
In late 1987 Microsoft released Windows/386. While it was functionally
equivalent to its sibling, Windows/286, in running Windows
applications, it provided the capability to run multiple DOS
applications simultaneously in the extended memory.
Windows 3.0,
released in May, 1990, was a complete overhaul of the Windows
environment. With the capability to address memory beyond 640K and a
much more powerful user interface, independent software vendors started
developing Windows applications with vigor. The powerful new
applications helped Microsoft sell more than 10 million copies of
Windows, making it the best-selling graphical user interface in the
history of computing. Windows 3.1
Windows 3.1, released in April, 1992 provides significant improvements
to Windows 3.0. In its first two months on the market, it sold over 3
million copies, including upgrades from Windows 3.0.
Windows 3.11, added no new features but corrects some existing, mostly
network-related problems. It is replacing Windows 3.1 at the retail and
OEM levels, and the upgrade was available free from ftp.microsoft.com.
Windows for Workgroups 3.1 , released in October, 1992, was the first
integrated Windows and networking package offered by Microsoft. It
provided peer-to-peer file and printer sharing capabilities highly
integrated into the Windows environment. The simple-to-use-and-install
networking allows the user to specify which files on the user's machine
should be made accessible to others. The files can then be accessed
from other machines running either Windows or DOS.
Windows for Workgroups also includes two additional applications:
Microsoft Mail, a network mail package, and Schedule+, a workgroup
scheduler.
On November, 1993 Microsoft ships Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
Windows NT 3.1,
94-03-01 is Microsoft's platform of choice for high-end systems. It is
intended for use in network servers, workstations and software
development machines; it will not replace Windows for DOS. While
Windows NT's user interface is very similar to that of Windows 3.1, it
is based on an entirely new operating system kernel.
Windows NT 3.5,
94-04-12 provides OLE 2.0, improved performance and reduced memory
requirements. It was released in September 1994. Windows NT 3.5
Workstation replaces Windows NT 3.1, while Windows NT 3.5 Server
replaces the Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server.
Windows NT 4.0, ("Cairo")
94-03-15 Microsoft's project for object-oriented Windows, and a
successor to the "Daytona" release of Windows NT.
Windows 95,
released in August of 1995. A 32-bit system providing full pre-emptive
multitasking, advanced file systems, threading, networking and more.
Includes MS-DOS 7.0, but takes over from DOS completely after starting.
Also includes a completely revised user interface.
Windows CE has the look and feel of Windows 95 and NT. Users familiar
with either of these operating systems are able to instantly use
Handheld PCs and Palm-size PCs.
Windows CE 1.0 devices appeared in November 1996. Over the next year,
approximately 500,000 Handheld PC units were sold worldwide.
Windows CE 2.0
became available in early 1998 addresses most of the problems
experienced by Windows CE 1.0 users and also added features to the
operating system that make it more viable for use by corporate rather
than home users.
Windows CE 3.0
Availability June 15, 2000 -- Embedded operating system and its
comprehensive development tools -- Platform Builder 3.0 and eMbedded
Visual Tools 3.0 -- which enable developers to build rich embedded
devices that demand dynamic applications and Internet services. Windows
CE 3.0 combines the flexibility and the reliability of an embedded
platform with the power of Windows and the Internet.
Windows 98,
released in June of 1998. Integrated Web Browsing gives your desktop a
browser-like interface. You will 'browse' everything, including stuff
on your local computer. Active Desktop allows you to setup your desktop
to be your personal web page, complete with links and any web content.
You can also place active desktop items, such as a stock ticker, that
will update automatically. Internet Explorer 4.0 New browser that
supports HTML 4.0 and has an enhanced user interface. ACPI supports
OnNow specs for better power management of PCs. FAT32 with Conversion
utility Enhanced & Efficient support for larger hard drives. Includes a
utility to convert your FAT16 to a FAT32 partition. Multiple Display
Support can expand your desktop onto up to 8 connected monitors. New
Hardware support will support the latest technology such as DVD,
Firewire, USB, and AGP. Win32 Driver model Uses same driver model as
Windows NT 5.0 Disk Defragmentor Wizard Enhanced hard drive
defragmentor to speed up access to files and applications.
Windows NT 5.0 will include a host of new features. Like Windows 98, it
will integrate Internet Explorer 4.0 into the operating system. This
new interface will be matched up with the Distributed File System,
which Microsoft says will provide "a logical way to organize and
navigate the huge volume of information an enterprise assembles on
servers, independent of where the servers are physically located.
As of november 1998, NT 5.0 will be known as Windows 2000, making NT a
"mainstream" operating system.
Windows Xp
Release in 2001. Most stable windows.
