Windows At 30: Microsoft's OS Keeps Evolving
Microsoft Windows is finishing up its third decade of change. Here's a look at how the operating system has evolved along with new technologies and consumer preferences.
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Just about 30 years since the first launch of the Microsoft Windows operating system, it's strange to think that there was a time when people didn't know what a computer mouse was, or when office workers didn't use, well, Office in their daily lives. Microsoft's Windows operating system has undergone nine major upgrades, and countless smaller ones, since it was first released in November 1985. As the tech world eagerly anticipates the launch of Windows 10, let's reflect on how far the OS has come.
It has been about 40 years since Bill Gates and Paul Allen booted up the Microsoft business. Their vision -- a computer on every desk, in every home -- dwarfed the size of the company at the time, but in the ensuing years has come markedly close to reality.
Now, millions of desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones run Windows software around the world. We've made some great strides from the days of MS-DOS commands. Now Microsoft has entered into the touchscreen space and is reportedly dabbling in digital pens. I wonder if Gates ever imagined his company would experiment in holographic technology.
[ See what's cooking at Microsoft now. Read MS Garage Brings Productivity Apps. ]
Over the years of its evolution, Microsoft Windows shaped the way we interact with PCs and mobile devices. Through Windows 1, early users learned how to control a mouse, an atypical computer input device for its time, and how to create documents in the first versions of Microsoft Word.
As technology evolved and consumer demands changed, so too did Windows. Early upgrades brought improved word processing, more advanced control over the desktop, and enhanced multimedia capabilities. Later versions became faster, more secure, and touchscreen-friendly.
Of course the system, like any product that has been around for 30 years, has undergone a series of ups and downs. Users applauded the launch of XP, shared their woes when Vista rolled out, and continue to love Windows 7. Microsoft knows it messed up with Windows 8, and we're hoping it redeems itself with Windows 10.
Here, we take a look back over the last few decades, and take a closer look at how Windows shaped the way we work today. Once you've reviewed the highlights (and lowlights) on the following pages, share your most memorable (or aggravating) experiences with Windows. Did you have a favorite iteration? Which version of the OS did you most love to hate? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.
Microsoft shipped Windows 1.0 on November 10, 1985, two years after the product was first announced. Interface Manager was considered by the company to be its final name, but Windows won because developers thought it was more fitting for the boxes, or "windows," inherent to the system's design.
Windows 1 allowed users to click their way through screens, drop-down menus, icons, scroll bars, and dialog boxes designed to simplify program use. This early version, which required a minimum of 256 KB to operate, also featured several familiar programs, such as Paint, Notepad, MS-DOS file management, calendar, calculator, Windows Writer, and clock.
It even had a game, called Reversi, which relied on mouse control in an effort to get users accustomed to clicking with the mouse, an input device critical to using the system but not common at the time.
Bill Gates, who led development, called Windows 1 "unique software designed for the serious PC user."
Windows 2.0 launched on December 9, 1987, with desktop icons and expanded memory. This version contained improved graphic support, including the ability to manipulate the screen layout, overlap windows, and use keyboard shortcuts. The Control Panel made its first appearance, as did Microsoft Word and Excel.
Windows 3 and 3.1
Between 1990 and 1992, Microsoft released Windows 3.0 and 3.1. Windows 3, which was the first to be considered a competitor to Apple's Macintosh, enabled users to run MS-DOS programs in Windows.
The tech world saw the debut of Program Manager, File Manager, and Print Manager in Windows 3.0, which continued to grow with the release of a new SDK to enable developers to focus more on writing programs. It also altered the course of human productivity with the introduction of virtual solitaire.
By the time Windows 3.1 rolled out, the OS boasted better performance, improved icons, and 16-color graphics. It introduced TrueType fonts and was the first Windows available for CD-ROM distribution.
The two versions sold a combined 10 million copies.
In the most publicized launch Microsoft has ever orchestrated, Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995, and sold a record 7 million copies in its first five weeks. At the time, about 80% of global PCs were running MS-DOS systems.
Windows 95 brought us the Start button, the taskbar, built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and plug-and-play capabilities, and also minimize, maximize, and close buttons for each window. The 32-bit OS featured better multimedia capabilities and more powerful mobile computing. In order to run the upgrade, PCs had to have a processor of 386DX or higher and at least 4MB of RAM.
Internet Explorer debuted on Windows 95, but it wasn't until later versions that the browser was included by default.
Windows 2000 Professional
Designed to replace Windows 95, 98, and Windows NT 4.0 on all business devices, Windows 2000 Professional was created to be easier to use and more Internet compatible, and to provide mobile computing support for business professionals. It later served as the foundation for Windows XP.
Less than three years after the release of Windows 95, Microsoft launched the first version of Windows designed for its consumer audience -- Windows 98. The upgrade provided easier access to information stored online and within the PC, supported DVDs and USBs, and featured the Quick Launch Bar.
Windows 98 also brought Outlook Express, Internet Explorer 4, Microsoft Chat, and Windows Address Book.
Windows ME
Windows Millennium Edition, or ME, brought key improvements to video, music, and home networking. System Restore helped users bring their configurations back in time, Movie Maker enabled them to edit and share videos, and Windows Media Player 7 allowed for better organization of digital media.
The consumer-focus OS gained a bad reputation for poor installation, bugs, and a general lack of functionality. It was considered one of the worst versions of Windows, at least until Windows Vista rolled around (but we'll get to that).
Designed to replace Windows 95, 98, and Windows NT 4.0 on all business devices, Windows 2000 Professional was created to be easier to use and more Internet compatible, and to provide mobile computing support for business professionals. It later served as the foundation for Windows XP.
There were 45 million lines of code used to build Windows XP, which launched in October 2001 and went on to become one of Microsoft's best-selling products. It was touted as one of the best Windows systems to that date, and combined both business- and consumer-focused features.
Users received a more intuitive Start menu, Control Panel, and taskbar. Built-in CD burning, automated update and recovery capabilities, and ClearType functionality for easier reading on LCD screens were also introduced.
For consumers, the XP Home Edition brought a simple interface to facilitate easier access to features like Windows Media Player, Movie Maker, and photo editing capabilities. XP Professional combined the building blocks of Windows 2000 with new features, including a file encrypting system, advanced networking, remote desktop support, and wireless 802.1x networking support.
Security was a sore spot for XP: The system contained a firewall, which was switched off by default. Its popularity made XP a target for hackers, who became especially fond of exploiting Internet Explorer.
XP evolved through a few editions, including Windows XP 64-bit edition (2001), Windows XP Media Center Edition (2002), and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (2002). It received support until April 2014, 13 years after it was released.
By the time it launched in 2006, more than 1.5 million devices were compatible with Windows Vista. The upgrade from XP boasted greater focus on search, security, and transparency.
Vista brought a host of problems, including bugs and issues caused by User Account Control -- the requirement for users to approve or disapprove changes that programs tried to make. People were quick to click "yes," and in doing so caused a range of security problems despite Microsoft's efforts to improve security through UAC. The system was also slow on older computers, despite labels claiming they were ready to handle the OS.
Highlights of Vista included the debut of Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11, and anti-spyware program Windows Defender.
Microsoft's long-awaited Windows 7 was released in October 2009 at a time when laptops were beginning to eclipse desktops as the preferred computing devices.
The new OS, which was tested by 8 million global beta users before its release, featured new ways to control Windows, such as Snap, Peek, and Shake. Such advancements were created to improve functionality and make the system more enjoyable. Windows 7 was found to be faster and easier to use than its predecessor.
For many, Windows 7 is what Windows Vista should have delivered. This OS also signified the launch of Windows Touch for touchscreen users to navigate the Web and their files and photos.
Windows 8 brought a complete revamp to Windows 7 with a brand new interface designed to work for touchscreen and mouse-and-keyboard users. The Start screen was a collection of live tiles and icons, each of which connected the user with apps, files, and websites. It also brought a new taskbar and streamlined file management.
The upgrade operated faster than previous versions of Windows and brought support for full-screen Windows apps. At the same time, Microsoft released Windows RT, which was developed to run on ARM-based processors. While similar to Windows 8, RT was not compatible for traditional Windows apps. Users had to use the Windows Store for third-party apps.
Microsoft's efforts to appeal to touchscreen and desktop users were largely not welcomed by users. The OS was perceived as an impractical change for desktop users, and there weren't enough touchscreen devices on the market to put the interface to good use.
Windows 8.1
Microsoft gathered feedback on Windows 8 and expanded it with Windows 8.1, which was intended to provide new features and improve on the OS. The upgrade brought Start screen personalization, Bing Smart Search, a button to switch from desktop to Start screen, and more options for viewing multiple apps at once. New built-in apps included Bing Health & Fitness, Reading List, and Bing Food & Drink.
Hopefully Microsoft can redeem itself from the Windows 8 debacle with its soon-to-be launched Windows 10. The new OS is set to appear in the second half of 2015, and promises to deliver a drastic upgrade from Windows 8. A new browser, Universal Apps, the ability to switch from tablet to desktop interface by adding a keyboard, and the return of the Start menu are among promised additions.
In the meantime, Microsoft is releasing builds of Windows 10 as new features are added. Its goal is to allow Windows Insiders to test the new system and provide feedback, so it can make appropriate fixes over the course of development.
The technical preview is still a work in progress, but one that is already showing promise. Will Windows 10 be the answer to Windows 8, as Windows 7 was to Vista? Only time will tell.
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