Microsoft Windows celebrates its 25th Birthday – a brief history of Windows
Microsoft Windows celebrates its 25th Birthday – a brief history of Windows
By Tom Warren, on 21st Nov 10 9:01 pm with 5 Comments
Windows is now 25 years old
Microsoft is celebrating 25 years of Windows this weekend.
The software giant first introduced Windows 1.0 on November 20, 1985. Since the introduction of Windows the operating system has dominated personal computers ever since. Microsoft’s market share worldwide for Windows currently sits at 91%, which is significantly higher than its rivals, Apple and Linux.
Windows has seen a number of key changes throughout its life but Microsoft’s focus on partners, business, OEMs and the constant iteration and updates has seen it survive over the 25 years. It’s an impressive feat that most companies can only dream of.
However, it hasn’t been all rosy over the past 25 years. Several run-ins with authorities worldwide have forced Microsoft to un-bundle key components of its operating system such as Internet Explorer and more recently Windows Media Player. A notorious court case with the American Department of Justice, which ended in 2001, saw Microsoft forced to share its systems, APIs source code and records with a specially allocated panel of experts. In the years after 2001 it also saw Microsoft un-bundling Internet Explorer from the Windows shell. Microsoft also got into trouble with the European Commission on several occasions. In 2003 the EU ordered Microsoft to provide a version of Windows without Windows Media Player, labeled Windows N. In January 2009 the EU also forced Microsoft to create a version of Windows without Internet Explorer. The company created the version, known as Windows 7 E, but later scrapped it in favor of a “browser ballot” screen that would allow consumers to pick their preferred browser.
Microsoft’s Windows all began in 1985 and has seen 15 editions to date. The first operating system, Windows 1.0, wasn’t popular. Originally called “Interface Manager” in development, it was renamed after Microsoft’s head of marketing at the time, Rowland Hanson, convinced officials that Windows would be more appealing. Programs such as Windows Paint, Write, notepad, calendar and the control panel were all included. Microsoft introduced Windows 2.0 in December 1987. The operating system used an updated memory model which allowed for a maximum of 1MB memory. Windows 2.1 (286 and 386 versions) was later released to support upcoming processors.
Windows 1
Microsoft released Windows 3.0 in 1990. The OS allowed users to multitask and Microsoft introduced Virtual Memory capabilities to aid this. Windows 3.0 was Microsoft’s first success with its operating system and was seen as a major competitor to Apple’s Macintosh computer. 3.0 saw Apple question Microsoft’s features in a court case. Apple claimed 189 instances of copyright infringement but at the time a judge dropped all but 10 cases.
Windows 3
Microsoft went on to release Windows 3.1 in 1992 which included a number of important bug fixes from 3.0 and greater multimedia support. Microsoft also issued Windows 3.11, almost a “service pack” for 3.1 as it included all the patches and updates since the introduction of Windows 3.1. Microsoft also released Windows NT 3.1. NT introduced 32-bit APIs to replace the aging 16-bit ones. Windows NT later went on to power Windows 2000 and onwards.
Windows 3.1
Microsoft’s most significant release of Windows came in 1995. The software giant released Windows 95 with a number of key changes. The GUI in 95 was a huge shift from previous versions and the start menu was introduced alongside the taskbar. Minimize, maximize and close buttons were also included on each window. A slow shift to 32-bit computing meant that most components of Windows 95 were ready for the new era. Microsoft kept some parts as 16-bit for compatibility and performance reasons. Several versions of 95 were developed including version B with Internet Explorer 3 and B USB with basic USB support. Version C included Internet Explorer 4. Windows 95 also formed the new UI for NT 4.0.
Windows 95
1998 to 2000 saw a number of versions of Windows. Microsoft kicked off the time frame with Windows 98. Support for DVD discs and USB devices was included and Microsoft introduced the quick launch bar. Windows 98 was the last version based on MS-DOS. Windows 2000 (NT 5) was released in February 2000. It targeted both the server and workstation markets. It was the first time Microsoft introduced Active Directory, which is widely used across organizations worldwide. Windows 2000 wasn’t a consumer OS and Microsoft went on to release Windows Millennium Edition (ME) in September 2000. ME introduced richer multimedia support and Internet features. ME was widely criticized for its instability issues and has been mocked ever since. Microsoft also introduced system restore functionality and Windows Movie Maker. Windows ME was the last operating system to be based on the Windows 95 code base.
Windows 98
Microsoft introduced Windows XP on October 25, 2001. The operating system was both fast and stable and has been widely used across businesses and consumer PCs. Microsoft introduced its first 64-bit operating system with Windows XP too, which shipped in 2003. The software giant introduced several versions of XP, which included Tablet support, Media Center support and a basic starter edition for developing countries. Microsoft issued a Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the operating system in August 2004, which saw several new features and key security enhancements. XP is still widely used on many businesses and consumer PCs worldwide to this day.
Windows XP
Windows Vista, known as Longhorn, was introduced on November 30, 2006 to businesses and January 30, 2007 for consumers. The operating system had been delayed several times after Microsoft promised several new key features, which were difficult to bring to market. The software maker “reset” their plans half way through the development cycle to focus on shipping the product. Windows Vista included a new look UI that saw the removal of the “start” branding, replaced with just a button. Microsoft also introduced the Windows Aero GUI. Despite being the foundations for Windows 7, Vista was widely criticized and mocked due to its hardware requirements, security issues and performance.
Windows Vista
Microsoft’s best selling operating system to date, Windows 7, was introduced in October 2009. Microsoft introduced a number of key new usability features including snap, peek and shake that were aimed at business and consumer users. Windows 7 has been a huge success for Microsoft at a time when many questioned the company after the criticisms of Windows Vista. The operating system also performs well on laptop and netbook based computers, which were growing in popularity during the development of Windows 7.
Windows 7
Despite the success of Windows in the desktop and laptop market, the company has struggled in the mobile consumer market over the past four years as Apple’s fierce dominance of mobile, entertainment and sleek devices, woos consumers worldwide. Microsoft recently introduced Windows Phone 7 that it hopes will win back a large amount of market share in the smartphone world. Microsoft is also in the planning and development phases of Windows 8 that should see a greater focus on slate and touch enhancements. Here’s to the next 25 years.
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