Microsoft Windows OS
BY: URIEL BENITEZ
Windows OS
Microsoft Windows (or simply Windows) is a family of graphical operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. There have been many different versions of Windows, each of which have different features.
Windows 1.0
Released on November 20, 1985, Windows 1.0 is a graphical personal computer operating environment that served as the first version of the Microsoft Windows line. It runs as a graphical, 16-bit multi-tasking shell on top of an existing MS-DOS installation, providing an environment which can run graphical programs designed for Windows, as well as existing MS-DOS software. This version of Windows the point and click interface which made computers more easily usable for computer novices. Windows 1.o also offered many of the common graphical user interface bits, like scroll bars and "OK" buttons.
Windows 2.0
Released on December 9, 1987, Windows 2.0 is a 16-bit Microsoft Windows GUI-based environment that served as the successor to Windows 1.0. Some new features of Windows 2.0 include the ability to overlap Windows and also introduced keyboard-shortcuts as well as the terminology of "Minimize" and "Maximize" instead of "Iconize" and "Zoom" on Windows 1.0. Windows 2.0 also included VGA graphics (16 colors only) and was the last version of Windows that did not require a hard disk. With Windows 2.0, speed. reliability, and usability was improved.
Windows 3.0
Released on May 22, 1990, Windows 3.0 was the third major release of Microsoft Windows. It included a significantly improved user interface as well as technical improvements to make better use of the memory management capabilities of Intel's 80286 and 80386 processors. Text-mode programs written for MS-DOS could now be run within a window, making the system usable as a multitasking base for legacy programs. In Windows 3.0, the MS-DOS Executive file manager/ program launcher was replaced with the icon-based Program Manager and the list-based File Manager, splitting files and programs. Some simple applications were added to this version of Windows such as the text editor Notepad and the word processor Write, a macro recorder, the paint program Paintbrush, and a calculator. Also the card game, Solitaire, was added.
Windows 95
Released on August 24, 1995, Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented operating system that was a significant improvement over the company's previous Windows products. Improvements from Windows 95's predecessor, Windows 3.0, were most notably in the graphic user interface (GUI) and also in its "plug-n-play" features. Changes were also made to the core components of the operating system. This version of Windows also introduced many functions and features that were featured in later versions of Windows such as the task bar, the "Start" button, and slo the way that the user navigates. This version of Windows was also a hybrid, running on 16 and 32 bit.
Windows 98
Released on June 25, 1998, Windows 98 was the successor of Windows 95. Like it's Predecessor, Windows 98 was also a hybrid 16-bit/32-bit. In addition to addressing most of the bugs of Windows 95 (resulting in fewer crashes), Windows 98 extends the capabilities of the Windows operating system by providing addition features. The most significant innovation of this version of Windows is the Web Based Interface. The graphic user interface (GUI) introduced in Windows 95 now offered the options to integrate links, windows, and frames into file management.
Windows 2000
Released to retail on February 17, 2000, Windows 2000 introduced many of the new features of Windows 98, such as the Windows Desktop Update, Internet Explorer 5, Outlook Express, NetMeeting, FAT32 support, Windows Driver Model, Internet Connection Sharing, Windows Media Player, WebDAV support, etc. New features in this version of Windows include the Microsoft Management Console, UDF support, the Encrypting File System, Logical Disk Manager, and Image Color Management. Windows 2000 also introduced USB device class drivers for USB printers, Mass storage class devices, and improved FireWire SBP-2 support for printers and scanners. This version of Windows was also the first version of Windows to support hibernation at the operating system level.
Windows XP
Released for sale on retail on October 25, 2001, Windows XP Introduced a new visual appearance due to an increased use of liquid Crystal displays. In Windows XP, gaming in DOS was brought to an end with the feature of direct x, which made 3D gaming possible. XP was one of the most popular versions of Windows. Future versions of Windows were often compared to XP for its gaming performance.
Windows Vista
Released on January 30, 2007, Windows Vista had many flaws such as Licensing rights which made user control of internal workings become less accessible. New features included in this version of Windows include an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Aero, a new search component called Windows search, redesigned networking, audio, print and display sub-systems, and new multimedia tools including Windows DVD Maker.
Windows 7
Released on October 22, 2009, Windows 7 was greatly praised by critics. In this version of Windows, advances were made in touch and handwriting recognition, support for virtual hard disks, improved performances on multi-core processors, improved boot performance, DirectAccess, and Kernel improvements. Windows 7 also added support for systems using multiple graphic cards from different vendors, along with a new Windows Media Center, a Gadget for Windows Media Center, improved media features, Windows PowerShell, and an all new redesigned calculator with multiple capabilities which include programmer and statistics modes along with unit conversion for length, weight, temperature, etc.
Windows 8
Released on October 26, 2012, Windows 8 introduced major changes to the operating system's platform and user interface. This version of Windows was released with a number of enhancements, which include multi core processing, solid state drives, touch screens, and much more. Users of this version of Windows found it difficult switching between an interface designed for a mouse and an interface designed for a touch screen. Windows 8 resulted with many bug problems and would also freeze and shut down from time to time.
Windows 10
Released on July 29, 2015, Windows 10 is the latest version of Windows up to date. This version of Windows has many improvements from the last version of Windows. One of the new features on Windows 10 is a responsive design feature called "continuum" which adapts the interface depending on what input is being used, touch screen or keyboard and mouse.
The first version of Windows
Windows versions popularity comparison
The latest version of Windows up to date.
Preventive Maintenance Plan
When installing a new Windows operating system, it is necessary to have a Preventive Maintenance Plan (a back up) just in case the installation does not go as planned. One Preventive Maintenance Plan that can be used is setting a restore point on you computer before you begin to install the new OS. A restore point is important because when installing a new OS, an error might occur and delete all data that you had saved, which is when a restore point comes to play. In case of an error occurring and all data being deleted, a restore point will restart your computer and go back to the restore point where the computer was last functioning with all your saved data. This plan is a very useful plan, but can also be risky considering that all data downloaded after the restore point was set will be lost.
Windows History (1.0 - 10)