First of all, I have to tell you the little bit history of about computers as we all know that history

of computers starts from discovery of abacus which is just known as calculator. After more
discoveries and functionalities, it turned into more refine form known as computer. In 1st and
2nd generation of computer technologies used in vacuum tubes and transistors and for program
to these computers, we used punched cards.
Definition: -
Operating system is a system software which is initially loaded into the computer
by boot program, mange all the application software and hardware resources.
History: -
The history of operating systems starts from 3rd generation when Integrated Circuit
chip is used in computers the first Operating system is discovered in 1969 in laboratory name
AT&T Bell by programmer Kenneth Thompson and Dennis Ritchie. The name of this operating
system is Unix. It was the first modern operating system. And know we move towards Microsoft
and its operating system.
Microsoft is a multinational computer technology corporation. Microsoft was founded on April 4,
1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico with the development of
BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800 ,Interpreters are programs that are directly executes and
Altair 8800 is a microcomputer designed in 1974 by MITS and based on the Intel 8080 CPU. Now
Microsoft headquarter in  Redmond, Washington.
Operating Systems by Microsoft: -
We can divide Microsoft Operating systems into two main terms
 Personal computer based Operating Systems
 Server based Operating System
 Embedded Based Operating System
 Mobile based Operating System
Personal Computer Based Operating System
1) DOS (DISK operating System)
Microsoft entered the operating system (OS) business in 1980 with its own version of Unix,
called Xenix.  However, it was called MS-DOS in 1981 after deal with IBM computers. The other
name of MS-DOS is 86-DOS. It is a command line operating system.
Types and versions: -
 MS-DOS 1.x: -
DOS 1.x released in August 1981 was very limited in what it could
do. It could start applications (.COM and .EXE), and process batch files (.BAT). DOS 1.0
worked with 160KB floppies and did not support folders (all files had to be in the root).
The command interpreter supported the following commands:

 DIR, TYPE, COPY, ERASE, RENAME

 PAUSE, REM

MS-DOS 1.x have following more versions

Date Version
August 1981 PC DOS 1.0
May 1982 PC DOS 1.1
  MS-DOS 2.x: -
DOS 2.x released in March 1983 adds support for subdirectories
and larger (as in 10 MB) disks and have more commands than previous versions.
MS-DOS 2.x have following more versions.
Date Version
November 1983 PC DOS 2.1

 MS-DOS 3.x: -
DOS 3.0 August 1984 adds support for FAT16 partitions up to
32MB, 1.2MB floppy drives and increase in commands than previous versions.
MS-DOS 3.x have following more versions.
Date Version
April 1985 PC DOS 3.1
March 1986 PC DOS 3.2

 MS-DOS 5.x: -
MS-DOS 5 was released in June 1991 introduced numerous new
features a full screen text editor EDIT has replaced the former line
editor EDLIN supplied since the early days of DOS.  This was also the version of DOS
used in the OS/2 and Windows NT virtual DOS machine.
 MS-DOS 6.x: -
MS-DOS 6.0 was released in March 1993 includes many new
utilities and features, including a disk defragmenter, disk compression, anti-virus, a new
backup system, and pc-pc file transfer tools
MS-DOS 6.x have following more versions.
Date Versions
September 1993 MS-DOS 6.2
February 1994 MS-DOS 6.21
June 1994 MS-DOS 6.22

The division of these types and versions of MS-DOS depend on the increasing in hardware
technologies like floppy disk, ram, rom, hard drive format etc, with increment of commands and
generations.

2) Windows 1.0: -
Microsoft released Microsoft Windows, a graphical extension for MS-DOS, on November 20 1985
with version 1.01.  windows 1.0 first time allowed users to point and click to access the
windows instead of typing. ( use of mouse with key board).
Features: - windows 1.0 have following these features.
 clipboard, 
 calendar, 
 clock, 
 control panel, 
 Notepad editor,
  Windows Write and Windows Paint,
 Windows 1.0 have following these versions.
Version Date
Windows 1.02 January 14, 1986
Windows 1.03 August 21, 1986
Windows 1.04 April 10, 1987

3) Windows 2.0 : -
In December 1987 Microsoft released Windows 2.0, which was
designed for the designed for the Intel 286 processor. This version added desktop
icons, keyboard shortcuts and improved graphics support.
Features: -
 Windows 2.0 allowed application windows to overlap each other.
 Windows 2.0 also introduced more sophisticated keyboard-shortcuts.
  Windows have terminology of "Minimize" and "Maximize", as opposed to "Iconize" and
"Zoom" in Windows 1.0.
  Windows 2.0 included VGA graphics
Windows 2.0 have following more versions.
Version Date
Windows 2.10 May 27, 1988
Windows 2.11 March 13, 1989

4) Windows 3.0: -
Windows 3.0 was released in 22 May, 1990 offering better icons, performance and
advanced graphics with 16 colors designed for Intel 386 processors. This version is the first release that provides
the standard "look and feel" of Microsoft Windows for many years to come

. 
Features: - Windows 3.0 had added following these features with previous versions.
 Program Manager
 File Manager
 Print Manager
 Games (Hearts, Minesweeper and Solitaire).

Version: -

Version Date Code name Edition

Windows 3.1 April 6, 1992 Janus Workgroups
Windows for November 8, 1993 Snowball N/A
Workgroups 3.11
Windows 3.2 November 22, 1993 N/A N/A

5) Windows NT 3.1: -
Windows NT was released on July 27, 1993 with version Windows NT
3.1. It is a processor-independent, multiprocessing and multi-user operating system. It is Firstly
used as server operating system.
Features: - Following noticeable features had been added in this operating system.
  NTFS File System
 Hardware Abstraction Layer
 Hardware Abstraction Layer
 Remotely access
Versions: -
Version Date Codename Edition Build
Number
Windows NT September 21, Daytona Workstation
3.5 1994 807

Windows NT August 24, Cairo Workstation

4.0 1996 1381

6) Windows 95: -
Windows 95 was released in August 15, 1995 and was a major upgrade to the
Windows operating system. Its codename is chicago It is a consumer-oriented operating system. It supports
32-bit OS.
Features: -
Following noticeable features had been added in windows 95 operating system.
 Use of an actual desktop along with the new "START" button and Task Bar.
 Microsoft has introduced a "Recycle Bin," in this Operating System which
acts as a temporary holding space for deleted files
 "Plug and Play" hardware compatibility.
 It can run multiple programs at once.
 Windows95 is also multimedia and Internet friendly.
 Built in dial-up networking for the Internet, super fast video performance and
improved sound.

Windows 95 not have versions but editions.

7) Windows 98: -
Windows 98 developed in June 25, 1998 . Windows 98 offers support for a
number of new technologies, having the Active Desktop, which integrates the Web browser (Internet Explorer) with
the operating system
Windows 98 have these following noticeable features
Features: -
 File allocation table 32 (FAT32)
 Accelerated Graphics Port
 Multimedia extensions
 Protection
 Customizable Taskbar
 New background properties
Version: -

Version Date Build Number

Windows 98 (SE) (April 23, 1999) 2222 A

8) Windows 2000: -
 Microsoft released Windows 2000 build number 2195 February 17, 2000 It
is a professional windows (for business desktop and laptop systems).
Features: -
 Support for File allocation table 16,32 and New Technology file
system NTFS.
 Encrypted file systems protect sensitive data.
 Personalized menus adapt to the way you work
 Includes broader support for high-speed networking devices

9) Windows Millennium : -
The Windows Millennium Edition, called "Windows Me" launched in September
14, 2000 was an update to the Windows 98 core and included some features of the Windows 2000 operating
system. This was targeted specifically at home PC users, and included Internet Explorer
5.5, Windows Media Player 7, and the new Windows Movie Maker software, which provided basic
video editing and was designed to be easy to use for home users.
Features of windows Me: -
 System Restore Tool
 Automatic Windows Update
 System File Protection
 Generic Drivers for USB storage devices
 Windows Movie Maker

10)Windows XP: -

Windows XP was released in October 25, 2001.  Along with a redesigned look and
feel to the user interface alos  giving the user a more stable and reliable environment than previous versions the new
operating system is built on the Windows 2000 kernel, called windows XP

Features of windows XP:-

 CD Burner

 Device Driver Rollback

 Internet Connection Firewall

  Remote Desktop

 Internet connection firewall

 Wireless connectivity

Version:-

Version Date
Windows XP Professional
x64 April 25, 2005

11) Windows Vista: -

Windows Vista was launched in January 30, 2007. Windows

Vista offered an advancement in reliability, security, ease of deployment, performance and manageability over
Windows XP. Windows Vista is noticeably more responsive than Windows XP on identical hardware.

Features of Windows Vista: -

 Windows Sidebar
 The Instant Desktop Search
 Windows Defender
  Performance Center
 Backup and Restore
 Network Map
 Windows Media Center

12) Windows 7: -

Windows 7 is a personal computer operating system that was produced

by Microsoft. It was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009 and became generally available on
October 22, 2009.Its code name is Blackcomb, Vienna.

This OS has three editions.

 i) Home (II) Ultimate (iii) Enterprise

Features of Windows 7: -

 The Taskbar reloaded

 Alerts via Action Center
 User Account Control
 Reasonable hardware power requirements.
 Windows Media Player 12.

13) Windows 8:-

Windows 8 was released on August. 1, 2012 and is a completely redesigned
operating system that's been developed from the ground up with touchscreen use in mind as well as near-
instant-on capabilities that enable a Windows 8 PC to load and start up in a matter of seconds rather than in
minutes. Windows 8 will replace the more traditional Microsoft Windows OS look and feel with a new "Metro"
design system interface.  The Metro user interface primarily consists of a "Start screen" made up of "Live
Tiles," which are links to applications and features that are dynamic and update in real time. ITS code name
is blue.
Windows 8 have two more editions.

i) Windows 8 Pro (II) windows 8 Enterprise

Features: -
 Interactive tiles
 Task Manager
 Airplane mode
 Windows Store
 Interactive lock screen

14)Windows 8.1: -
Windows 8.1 is a personal computer operating system that was
produced by Microsoft and released October 17, 2013. Windows 8.1 was made available as a
free upgrade for retail copies of Windows 8  users via the Windows Store. Windows 8.1 aimed to
address complaints of Windows 8 users and reviewers on launch.
Visible enhanced Features in Windows 8.1: -
 Improved Start screen
 additional snap views
 additional bundled apps
  Internet Explorer 11
  Bing-powered unified search system.
 visible Start button on the taskbar

15) Windows 10: -

 Windows 10 is Microsoft's Windows successor to Windows 8.1 Windows 10
debuted on July 29, 2015.

Some significant features of windows 10: -

 Start Menu Returns

 Split touch keyboard

 Cortana on Desktop

 Xbox App

 Improved Multitasking

 Unified Settings / Control Pane

According to the latest information

Now the latest Microsoft windows personal computer operating system is windows 11 which is
very rare in use due to incomplete features, but Microsoft skips Windows 11, announces
Windows 12 in early 2019.

Server Based Operating System: -

1) Windows NT: -
Windows NT was released on July 27, 1993 with version Windows NT
3.1. It is a processor-independent, multiprocessing and multi-user operating system. It is Firstly
used as server operating system.
Features: - Following noticeable features had been added in this operating system.
 NTFS File System
 Hardware Abstraction Layer
 Hardware Abstraction Layer
 Remotely access
Version: -
Version Date Codename Edition
Windows NT 3.5 September 21, Daytona Server
1994
Windows NT 3.51 May 30, 1995 N/A Server
Windows NT 4.0 August 24, 1996 N/A Enterprise

2) Windows 2000 server: -

Windows 2000 server is an operating system that was produced
by Microsoft on February 17, 2000. Windows 2000 introduces NTFS 3.0,[8] Encrypting File System,
[9]
 as well as basic and dynamic disk storage.
Editions: -
Windows server 2000 have two more editions.
 Windows 2000 Advanced Serve
 Windows 2000 Datacenter Server

Features: -

 Active Directory
 Distributed File System
 NTFS 3.0 File system
 Virtual Private Network

3) Windows Server 2003: -

Windows Server 2003 is a server operating
system produced by Microsoft and released on April 24, 2003. Windows servers are more powerful
versions of their desktop operating system counterparts and are designed to more efficiently handle corporate
networking, Internet/intranet hosting, databases, enterprise-scale messaging and similar functions
Editions: -
Windows server 2003 have 4 editions.
(I) Windows Server 2003 Web 
(II) Windows Server 2003 Standard 
(III) Windows Server 2003 Enterprise 
(IV) Windows Server 2003 Datacenter 
Key Features: -
 XML Web services
 Directory services
 Update management.
 Internet firewall
 Application verification
 File services

Version Date
Windows Server 2003 R2 December 6, 2005

4) Windows Server 2008: -

It was released  on February 27, 2008. 
Editions: -
Windows server 2008 have 5 editions.
I. Windows Server 2008 Standard
II. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
III. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter
IV. Windows Storage Server 2008
V. Windows Web Server 2008

Features: -

 Server core
 Active Directory
 Failover
 Disk management and file storage
 Server Manager
 Protocol and cryptography

Version Date
Windows Server 2008 R2 October 22, 2009

5) Windows Server 2012: -

The software was generally available to customers starting
on September 4, 2012.

Editions: -
Windows server 2012 have 5 editions.
 Windows Server 2012 Foundation
 Windows Server 2012 Essentials
 Windows Server 2012 Standard
 Windows Server 2012 Datacenter
 Windows MultiPoint Server 2012

Features: -
 Installation options
 User interface
 Task Manager
 IP address management (IPAM)
 Active Directory
Versions

Version Date
Windows Server 2012 R2 October 17, 2013

6) Windows Server 2016: -

Windows Server 2016 was released on October 12, 2016

Editions: -
Windows server 2016 have 3 editions.
 Windows Server 2016 Essentials
 Windows Server 2016 Standard
 Windows Server 2016 Datacenter

Key Features: -

 Networking features(DHCP, DNS, IP address management,  Network virtualization

etc)
 Nano Server
 Storage Replica

7) Windows Server 2019:-

Windows Server 2019 is the latest version of

the server operating system by Microsoft, It released on November 13, 2018.

Editions: -

Windows server 2019 have 3 editions

 Windows Server 2019 Essentials

 Windows Server 2019 Standard
 Windows Server 2019 Datacenter

Key Features: -

 Desktop experience
 Linux support
 Storage Migration Service
 Encrypted Networks
 Embedded Based Operating System

Windows Embedded Industry is designed OS for use in industrial devices such as cash
registers, automated teller machines, and self service checkouts.

The following Microsoft OS used in embedded devices.

1) Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS)
 It was released on May 24, 2005
2) Windows Embedded POSReady 2009
 Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 was released on December 9,
2008
3) Windows Embedded POSReady 7
 It was released on July 1, 2011
4) Windows Embedded 8 Industry
 Windows Embedded 8 Industry was released on April 2, 2013

5) Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry

 Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Update was released on April 16, 2014

Microsoft Mobile O.S

 Windows 10 is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, released in
2015
 Windows Phone 8.1 it was released in final form to Windows Phone
developers on April 14, 2014
 Windows Phone 8  It was released on October 29, 2012
 Windows Phone 7 released worldwide on October 21, 2010
 Windows Mobile 6.5 It was released to manufacturers on May 11, 2009
 Windows Mobile 6.1 was announced April 1, 2008
 Windows Mobile 6.0 was released on February 12, 2007
 Windows Mobile 5.0 was released on May 2005
 Windows Mobile 2003 SE  was released on March 24, 2004
 Windows Mobile 2003  was released on June 23, 2003
 Pocket PC 2002 was released in October 2001
 Pocket PC 2000 was released on April 19, 2000