What is an Operating System?

An Operating System (OS) is a software that acts as an interface between

computer hardware components and the user. Every computer system must
have at least one operating system to run other programs. Applications like
Browsers, MS Office, Notepad Games, etc., need some environment to run and
perform its tasks.
The OS helps you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to
speak the computer’s language. It is not possible for the user to use any computer
or mobile device without having an operating system.
What is Windows?

Windows is an operating system designed by

Microsoft. The operating system is what allows you to
use a computer. Windows comes preloaded on most
new personal computers (PCs), which helps to make it
the most popular operating system in the world.

Windows makes it possible to complete all types of everyday tasks on your

computer. For example, you can use Windows to browse the Internet, check
your email, edit digital photos, listen to music, play games, and do much
more.

Windows is also used in many offices because it gives you access

to productivity tools such as calendars, word processors, and
spreadsheets.

It was released for both home computing and professional works.

Microsoft introduced the first version as 1.0. It was released for both
home computing and professional functions of Windows on 10 November
1983. Later, it was released on many versions of Windows as well as the
current version, Windows 10.

In 1993, the first business-oriented version of Windows was released, which

is known as Windows NT 3.1. Then it introduced the next
versions, Windows 3.5, 4/0, and Windows 2000. When the XP Windows was
released by Microsoft in 2001, the company designed its various versions for
a personal and business environment. It was designed based on standard
x86 hardware, like Intel and AMD processor. Accordingly, it can run on
different brands of hardware, such as HP, Dell, and Sony computers,
including home-built PCs.
Windows and Its Version.

Version

Windows 1.0

Microsoft introduced Windows with its first version 1.0. It was released on 20 November
1985, and at the beginning, it was sold for $100.00. Additionally, it was the first effort by
Microsoft to produce a graphical user interface in 16-bit.

Windows 2.0

The second version, Windows 2.0, was produced by Microsoft on 9 December 1987.
Microsoft Word and Excel were also used for the first time on Windows 2.
This version added desktop icons, keyboard shortcuts and improved graphics
support.
 Windows 3.0

It was the first Windows that needed a hard drive. It was launched by Microsoft on 22
May 1990. Additionally, the multimedia supported Windows 3 was introduced
in October 1991.

Windows 3.1

It was launched in April 1992, when it was in development its code name was Sparta. It
was the commonly used operating system for the PC graphical user interface.
It made the Windows usable publishing platform for the first time by introducing the
TrueType fonts.

It was needed only 1MB of RAM to run, and it allowed users to control the MS-DOS
programs with the help of a mouse for the first time. Furthermore, it was also the first
operating system to be distributed on a CD-ROM.

o Microsoft introduced Windows NT 3.1 on 27 July 1993.

o An updated version of Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11, was introduced on 31
December 1993.

Windows 95

As the name specifies, Windows 95 was launched on 24 August 1995, and within four
days of its release, more than one million copies were sold. It introduced the Start
button and Start menu features for the first time, including important features such as
a 32-bit environment, multitasking, and taskbar.
Internet Explorer was also used on the Windows 95 for the first time, but it could not
be installed by default, it needed the Windows 95 plus pack for it. Later, Windows 95
improved and included the IE browser by default.
 Windows 95

It was developed on Windows 95, and introduced in June 1998. It was released, including
Internet Explorer 4, Windows Address Book, Outlook Express, Microsoft Chat, and
NetShow Player.
The second version of Windows 98 was introduced on 5 May 1999, in this version the
NetShow Player was replaced by Windows Media Player 6.2. It was also brought with the
address bar and back/forward navigation buttons in Windows Explorer, and more other
features.

Windows 2000

On 17 February 2000, it was launched. It is also named as “W2K,” Windows 2000 was an
operating system for business desktop and laptop systems to run software applications,
connect to Internet and intranet sites, and access files, printers, and network resources.
Microsoft released four versions of Windows 2000: Professional (for business desktop and
laptop systems); Server (both a Web server and an office server); Advanced Server (for
line-of-business applications); and Datacenter Server (for high-traffic computer networks).

Windows ME

It was invented in September 2000, and it was the last operating system, which was based
on MS-DOS and in the Windows 9x line. According to the enterprise market, it was
considered consumer-aimed Windows with the Windows 2000.

It was also provided some useful features for consumers as well as more automated
system recovery tools.
Additionally, an Internet Explorer, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Media Player 7
were used on Windows ME for the first time.
Windows XP was considered the best edition of Windows; it was introduced on 25
October 2001.

The start button and taskbar were replaced by including the green Start button, blue task
bar, and vista wallpaper, as well as several shadows and more visual effects.

It also brought some important features, such as ClearType, which helps to read content
on LCD screens, autoplay from CDs and other media, different automated update, and
recovery tools.
Additionally, It was used for the longest time, and even when it was discontinued, it was
used at an estimated 430 m PC.

Windows Vista

It was introduced by Microsoft In January 2007. It was brought the better look and feel
user interface and included transparent elements, security, and search. When it was in the
development phase, its code name was "Longhorn." Windows Media Player 11 and
Internet Explorer 7 were made their appearance for the first time on Windows Vista,
included Windows Defender, an anti-spyware program. It was also provided some useful
features such as Windows DVD Maker, speech recognition, and Photo Gallery.
Furthermore, it was the first operating system to be distributed on DVD.
 Windows Server 2008

On 27 February 2008, Microsoft introduced Windows Server 2008.

Windows 7

It was introduced on 22 October 2009 to overcome all problems that were faced by
Windows Vista. It was released with user-friendly features and less dialogue box overload.
It was more stable, faster, and easy to use as compared to release other previous versions.
Additionally, the handwriting recognition feature was used for the first time on Windows
7.
As IE was the default browser in Microsoft Windows, the antitrust investigations used
Microsoft in Europe for making it a default browser. Consequently, it had to provide the
users the option to choose and install the browser on the first boot.
 Windows Server 2012
On 4 September 2012, Microsoft was released Windows Server 2012.

Windows 8

It was introduced by Microsoft on 26 October 2012. It was released with new features,
such as a fast operating system, support for the USB 3.0 devices, and Web store. The Web
store is a place where you can download different types of Windows applications; its full-
screen mode was run for the first time on Windows 8.
 Windows 10

On 29 July 2015, Microsoft introduced Windows 10. It was released with some new
features such as switching between a keyboard and mouse mode and a tablet mode,
which was beneficial for the users who use computers like surface Pro 3 with a detachable
keyboard. It was designed for all Windows platforms across several devices, as well as
Windows tablets and Phones, including common applications

Windows 11

Initial release date: October 5, 2021

Though Microsoft claimed Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows ever,
Windows 11 came with a new visual design, updated apps, touchscreen optimizations,
and multitasking features. Microsoft also claims Windows 11 is the most secure release
yet. Existing Windows 10 users will be able to upgrade to Windows 11 for free as long as
their PC meets the system requirements.