Microsoft Windows

Windows, Microsoft's computer operating system, has become the most widely used operating system in the United States and internationally. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Vista-the-Second-Most-Used-OS-Worldwide-Ahead-of-Tiger-and-Linux-61621.shtml In 1983 Microsoft announced that they were working on a new graphical operating environment that would work as an interface with DOS and provide a software environment that would allow the use of bitmap images and mouse pointing devices. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/winhistorydesktop.mspx Since that initial announcement Microsoft has continued to advance the operating system to bring it more in tune with what the business, home, advanced and gamer users want and need to accomplish their computing tasks.

The most current Microsoft Windows operating system is called Windows 7. This operating system added new features that can help increase productivity and computer browsing ease. Some specific functions include HomeGroup that helps facilitate sharing files and printers on a home network, jump lists that allow for quick access of items on a computer or on the web, enhanced personalization features, and full 64-bit computer support. Windows 7 also added remote media streaming options, and a Windows live essentials pack.http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features

Users have the option to obtain Windows 7 on a current computer system buy purchasing an upgrade if they currently use an older Windows operating system. If they are not running an older OS from Microsoft, a full copy of the software is required. Consumers can also purchase a new computer that features the Windows 7 operating system.

Windows, Microsoft's entry into the operating system world, has become the most widely used operating system both domestically and internationally. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Vista-the-Second-Most-Used-OS-Worldwide-Ahead-of-Tiger-and-Linux-61621.shtml In 1983 Microsoft announced that they were working on a new graphical operating environment that would work as an interface with DOS and provide a software environment that would allow the use of bitmap images and mouse pointing devices. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/winhistorydesktop.mspx Since that initial announcement Microsoft has continued to advance the operating system to bring it more in tune with what the business, home, advanced and gamer users want and need to accomplish their computing tasks.

Windows 1.0 Was Released in 1985 and thus began windows climb to becoming the main Operating system for most computers. It remained a front end for dos until Windows 95 was released in 1995. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/winhistorydesktop.mspx

Microsoft had also been collaborating with IBM on the OS2 which was also a GUI but aimed more at businesses whereas Windows was aimed at a general customer base, but in the early 1990s Microsoft had been developing OS/2 V3.0 but decided to split completely form IBM and renamed the OS to Windows NT. http://www.os2bbs.com/OS2News/OS2History.html

Windows and Windows NT continued along separate paths until Windows ME and Windows 2000. These were the final versions of Windows and Windows NT respectively to be produced as completely separate versions of Windows. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/winhistorydesktop.mspx

In 2001 Microsoft released Windows XP which now combined Windows and NT into one package. However there were initially two versions, Home which was optimized for the basic consumer and contained a simplified interface that made things more accessible to the casual user and Pro which catered to the advanced home user and Business with added abilities that were not needed for a casual user but necessary when using advanced techniques. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/winhistorydesktop.mspx Microsoft then recognized other needs in the computing industry by first converting XP to utilize the newer 64 bit CPUs and then adding a variation that was optimized for home entertainment. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/winhistorydesktop.mspx

With the next version named Windows Vista Microsoft began adding more variations Home basic, for the basic home system, Home Premium which added more functionality aimed at home entertainment and gamers, Business which contained only those features required for business users, and Ultimate which contained all of the features available in the other systems plus a few more and was aimed at the advanced computer user. ref http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx </ref>

The latest version is Windows 7 which includes an even wider selection of options to meet most individual computer user’s needs. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/

In addition to the main line of windows client operating systems Microsoft began offering server operating systems beginning with Windows NT Server, and continuing with Server 2000, Server 2003, Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryintro.mspx

• Microsoft Windows 1.0http://www.computerhope.com/history/windows.htm

• Microsoft Windows 2.0 / 286

• Microsoft Windows 3.0 / 386

• Microsoft Windows NT

• Microsoft Windows 3.0a with Multimedia

• Microsoft Windows 3.1

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1

• Microsoft Windows NT 3.1

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11

• Microsoft Windows NT 3.5

• Microsoft Windows NT 3.51

• Microsoft Windows NT 3.5

• Microsoft Windows NT 3.51

• Microsoft Windows 95

• Microsoft Windows NT 4.0

• Microsoft Windows CE 1.0

• Microsoft Windows CE 2.0

• Microsoft Windows 98

• Microsoft Windows CE 2.1

• Microsoft Windows 98 SE

• Microsoft Windows CE 3.0

• Microsoft Windows 2000

• Microsoft Windows ME

• Microsoft Windows XP

• Microsoft Windows Vista

• Microsoft Windows 7