A quick overview of the many versions of Microsoft Windows over the years.
1985 – Windows 1.0
Microsoft’s first Windows operating system is named because its graphical interface used a series of window-like panes to display programs and folders.
1987 – Windows 2.0
The second version of the operating system saw overlapping windows, the use of keyboard shortcuts, and, for the first time, the Control Panel made an appearance.
1990 – Windows 3.0
The first version of Windows to enjoy major mainstream success, it featured advanced graphics with 16 colours and required 7MB of free hard disk space.
1995 – Windows 95
A landmark release, this introduced some key features including the Desktop, the Taskbar and the Start button. It was the first internet-ready version of Windows.
1998 – Windows 98
The first consumer-focused version of Windows had support for reading DVD discs and USB devices. It also saw the first appearance of the Quick Launch toolbar.
2000 – Windows 2000 Professional
Windows 2000 Professional was designed for business users, but its kernel became the basis for all of the following versions of Windows.
2000 – Windows ME
Windows ME (or Millennium Edition) was the last version of Windows in the 9x series to see release. It only had a very short shelf-life however, with the much criticised operating system being quickly superseded by the more stable Windows XP.
2001 – Windows XP
This radical redesign of Windows was slick, fast and stable. It came in Home and Professional editions and contained more than 45 million lines of computer code.
2007 – Windows Vista
Despite a lengthy development, Vista received a lukewarm reception. With tools such as User Account Control making it was the most secure version so far.
2009 – Windows 7
A big improvement on Vista, Windows 7 has come to be the most popular version of Windows so far, selling more than 525 million copies worldwide to date.
2012 – Windows 8
Designed for tablets as well as traditional PCs, Windows 8 is potentially the biggest overhaul the OS has seen for years. Windows 8 adds a roster of new features, but is perhaps most noted for Microsoft’s decision to axe the Start button, before eventually having to restore it in version 8.1.
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