The year was 1975 when Bill Gates decided to create something that would leave its mark in the history of computing, an operating system that over the years has evolved and that is used by millions of people, and its name is Windows.
The evolution of Windows: The history of the operating system
1975 – 1981: Microsoft takes its first steps
In the early 70s we used the typewriter in the office. If we need to copy a document, we probably use a mimeograph or carbon paper. Few have heard of microcomputers, but two young computer enthusiasts, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, understand that the personal computer is the tool of the future. In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen gives life to a company and they call Microsoft. In June 1980, Bill Gates and Paul Allen takes Steve Ballmer, classmate of Bill Gates at Harvard. The next month, IBM contact Microsoft for a project whose code name was “Chess”.
Microsoft focuses all its work on a new operating system, the software that manages the hardware of the computer and acts as a link between hardware and software. This little revolution is called “MS-DOS” (Microsoft Disk Operating System). It is 1981 when IBM brings to market the first PC with MS-DOS, offering the public a whole new programming language: type “C:” followed by a number of commands rather cryptic become part of daily activities.
1982-1985: That Windows 1.0
The code name of the first operating system is Interface Manager, which is then replaced by Windows, a name that recalls the windows at the base of the new system. The November 20, 1985 Microsoft launches Windows 1.0. It is a historic moment: the abstruse MS-DOS command retires to make room for a nice mouse that moved on the work surface, allowing you to use the items in the windows. There are drop-down menus, scroll bars, icons and dialog boxes that make the learning process faster and easier to use programs. You can keep open more programs and switch between them is a breeze. Windows 1.0 comes with several pre-installed programs, including one for the MS-DOS file management, Paint, Windows Writer, Notepad, Calculator, and a calendar, a file card and a watch for the management of daily activities. There’s even a game, Othello.
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1987-1990: Windows 2.0-2.11: More windows, more speed
On December 9, 1987 Microsoft releases Windows 2.0. Come with the icons on the desktop and increased memory. And it is at this issue that some software developers begin to write their first Windows-based programs.
In 1988, if you analyze the sales, Microsoft appears to be the largest producer of PC software in the world. The computers are beginning to become an integral part of working life of many.
1990-1994: Windows 3.0-Windows NT: Graphics
On 22 May 1990, Microsoft announced the launch of Windows 3.0, followed in 1992 by Windows 3.1. Together, these two operating systems sell 10 million copies in the first two years, so that Windows becomes the most popular operating system. This global success pushes Microsoft to reconsider its plans. Virtual memory improves the graphics. In 1990 the appearance of Windows begins to resemble what we know today.
In these years, Windows is increasingly used both at office and home and now includes games like Solitaire, Hearts and Minesweeper. In addition, Windows software is installed from floppy disks sold in large packages with a lot of times for instructions. The popularity of Windows 3.0 grows incredibly with the release of a new Windows software development kit (SDK), which allows software developers to put at the center of their work writing programs rather than creating device drivers.
Windows NT
The release of Windows NT July 27, 1993 marks an important milestone for Microsoft in its history: it is the completion of a project started at the end of the 80 that pointed to the creation from scratch of a new advanced operating system. Unlike Windows 3.1, however, Windows NT 3.1 is a 32-bit operating system and this feature makes it a strategic business platform to support sophisticated engineering and scientific applications.
1995-1998 Windows 95: The PC becomes large and surf the Internet
On 24 August 1995 Microsoft releases Windows 95, in the first five weeks, selling the beauty of 7 million copies, setting a real record. In Windows 95 they are incorporated support for Internet, dial-up networking and new Plug and Play feature that greatly facilitate the installation of hardware and software components. With Windows 95 appear for the first time the Start menu, the taskbar, and on each window, the buttons Minimize, Maximize, and Close.
In the wake of the Internet…
In the early 90s, the technicians begin to talk about the Internet, the so-called “network of networks” that has the power to connect computers all over the world. In 1995, Bill Gates prepares memo “The Internet Tidal Wave,” and declares that the Internet is “the most important development since the advent of the PC.” In the summer of that year, it is released the first version of Internet Explorer. This browser is as well in addition to those already available to allow anyone to venture into the World Wide Web or WWW.
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1998-2000: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me-Windows becomes ideal for work and play
Windows 98
Released June 25, 1998, Windows 98 is the first version of Windows designed specifically for the band “consumer”. Finally the PC is a common object in homes or at work, and Internet point, is now ubiquitous. For Windows 98 is coined the slogan “Works Better, Plays Better,” indicating that it is a perfect operating system for work as well as for fun. Among the advantages of this operating system you will have the ability to open and close programs more quickly and support for reading DVD discs and USB devices. This version sees the triumphal entry of the Quick Launch toolbar, which lets you run programs without having to access the Start menu and on the desktop without having to search.
Windows Me
Designed for home use, Windows Me offers significant improvements in terms of entertainment (video and music) and connection to the home network and also ensures greater reliability than previous versions.
They appear for the first time Movie Maker, which provides users with tools to edit save and share their movies. And thanks to technology Microsoft Windows Media Player 7, you can find, organize and play digital files.
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows 2000 Professional comes as the operating system that would replace Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. Among the many benefits of Windows 2000 Professional, outstanding ease of installation of the hardware with the support of a growing number of Plug and Play hardware devices, such as advanced products for networking and wireless, as well as USB, IEEE 1394 and infrared.
2001-2005: Windows XP: stable, fast and easy
On 25 October 2001 is deployed Windows XP, localized in 25 languages, which can count on a completely new interface focuses on ease of use and functionality of the Help and Support unified. Since the mid-70s until the release of Windows XP are about 1 billion PCs sold worldwide. For Microsoft, Windows XP proves a bet apt, immediately becoming one of its best-selling products. It is fast and stable. The use of the Start menu, taskbar and control panel is more intuitive.
Windows XP Home Edition offers an easy and light that allows easier access to the features you use most often. Designed for home use, Windows XP has features such as Network Setup Wizard, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker and advanced options for managing digital photos.
Windows XP Professional, drawing on a solid foundation of Windows 2000 proves the ideal tool to optimize the reliability, security and performance of enterprise computers. With a completely new design, Windows XP Professional has features perfect for companies as well as for the most demanding users, including support for Remote Desktop, encrypting file system, the restore system configuration and advanced options for networking.
2006-2008: Windows Vista: Security is everything
Windows Vista is released in 2006 and has among its priorities the safety. The functionality of UAC helps prevent potentially dangerous software can make changes to your computer. The increase of users who see the PC an entertainment center means that in Windows Vista is even more feature-rich in Windows Media. It lets you watch TV programs, view and send photos and edit your videos.
In Windows Vista, the graphics are completely renewed and this change also involves features such as the taskbar and the borders around windows.
The search functionality is re-evaluated and now find files on the PC is even faster. Windows Vista makes an appearance the new Start button.
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2009: Windows 7 introduces Windows Touch
Windows 7 is designed for the wireless world of the late 2000. Sales of handsets outsell desktop computers and are now increasingly common practice to connect to public access points, such as bars and nets private household.
Windows 7 marks the debut of Windows Touch, which allows users to browse the Web, browse through photos, and open files and folders on a touchscreen PC.
2012: Windows 8 presents apps and boxes
Windows 8 is an operating system completely reinvented, from chipset user experience and features a completely new interface, compatible with both touch mode that with mouse and keyboard.
Windows 8 is also characterized from the Start screen, with panels that allow you to have more contacts, files, apps, and websites at hand. The app is in the foreground, with access to the Windows Store, integrated directly into the Start screen, where you can buy them. In addition to Windows 8, Microsoft has also made available the Windows RT, a version of Windows running on some tablet and PC, designed specifically for devices and elegant design with a long battery life, perform only the Windows Store apps and comes with a integrated version of the Office optimized for PCs with touchscreen.
2013: Windows 8.1 completes the idea of Windows 8
Windows 8.1 perfects the idea of Windows 8 to offer a comprehensive collection of apps and connectivity options cloud on powerful devices. The operating system combines the idea of innovation with Microsoft customer feedback on Windows 8 to offer a number of enhancements and new features: more options for customization of the Start screen to sync on all devices, the option to boot directly from the desktop, Bing Smart Search help what you need on your PC or on the Web, a Start button to switch between the desktop and the Start screen and more flexible options to view multiple applications simultaneously on one or more screens.
July 29, 2015: Windows 10, the new generation of Windows
On July 29 of 2015, Windows released Windows 10 the most complete version in the history of Windows. After lots of curiosities and some escaped plans as release of Windows 9, which was planned after the release of Windows 8.1, but they escaped that and take more time for release the Windows 10. According to Microsoft the new Windows 10 is the most complete Windows operating system ever as they mentioned that we will have all the advanced features that’s we need in this tech revolutionized world.
In addition, the most important fact of the Windows 10 is that we can use one or same operating system with all the device, however, it is desktop, laptop, tablet, fablet or our most important smartphone, which makes it Windows 10 all-in-one operating system. So far, we can operate our activity from all of our devices anytime, anywhere. Pretty cool, isn’t!
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