Internet
Posted By Azker

Windows History :: A Picturization [Kathabuzz]


I was looking at web blog by the name “KathaBuzz” and I got amazed, when I was looking at a post about windows history & their print screens. So, I though of sharing it by adding few more fruitful informations. I’d like to thank “KathaBuzz” for their topic which is posted here.

Well, as you all know “Windows“is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft. I don’t want to explain about windows or the producer Microsoft as you all may know a lot more than me. But, still you can learn about windows by visiting above hyperlinks. Below you see is a summary about windows and their platforms/cores released by Microsoft (1985-2011).

windows-1985-to-2011-geeklk

Summary on Windows (1985 – 2011)

Windows 1.0

Windows1.0-geeklk

Windows 1.0 (November 20, 1985)

Windows 1.0 is a 16-bit graphical operating environment, developed by Microsoft and released on 20 November 1985 and discontinued on 31 December 2001.

Windows 2.0

Windows 2.0 (December 9, 1987)

Windows 2.0 is a 16-bit Microsoft Windows GUI-based operating environment that was released on December 9, 1987 and is the successor to Windows 1.0. Windows 2.1x (a.k.a Windows 2.1) is a family of Microsoft Windows graphical user interface-based operating environments. Less than a year after the release of Windows 2.0, Windows/286 2.10 and Windows/386 2.10 were released on May 1988.

Windows 2.1-geeklk

Windows 2.1 (May 27, 1988)

Windows 3.0

Windows 3.0-geeklk

Windows 3.0 (May 22, 1990)

Windows 3.0, a graphical environment, is the third major release of Microsoft Windows, and was released on 22 May 1990. It became the first widely successful version of Windows and a rival to Apple Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga on the GUI front. It was followed by Windows 3.1. Windows 3.0, featuring the File Manager and Program Manager, replacing the old MS DOS based File and Program Managers. The later released upgraded version of Windows 3.0, which had support for 32-bit Disk Access, Personalization options and had the Minesweeper game for the first time.

Windows 3.1-geeklk

Windows 3.1 (March – April 6, 1992)

Windows 95

Windows 95-geeklk

Windows 95 (August 24, 1995)

Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company’s previous Windows products. It’s the changed look, the new interface and the beginning of the form of Windows which we see now. Enhanced Graphics and better Communication Programs.

Windows 98

Windows 98-geeklk

Windows 98 (RTM: May 15, 1998 || Retail: June 25, 1998)

Windows 98 (codenamed Memphis) is a graphical operating system by Microsoft. It is the second major release in the Windows 9x line of operating systems. It was released to manufacturing on 15 May 1998 and to retail on 25 June 1998. One of the most successful versions of Windows till now, this version of Windows can still be seen in some PCs even today. With Extended Softwares, better Performance, this Version was the first milestone in the path of the development of Windows.

Windows 2000

Windows 2000-geeklk

Windows 2000 (February 17, 2000)

Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops,  laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15th December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the final release of Microsoft Windows to display the “Windows NT” designation.

Windows Me (Millennium Edition)

Windows ME-geeklk

Windows Millennium Edition (September 14, 2000)

Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows Me (pronounced as an abbreviation, “M-E”), is a graphical operating system released on September 14, 2000 by Microsoft, and was the last operating system released in the Windows 9x series. Support for Windows Me ended on July 11, 2006. Windows Millenium Edition, though not a very popular version of Windows, but still it had some better tools and performance than the previous ones in some cases.

Windows XP

Windows XP-geeklk

Windows XP (RTM: August 24, 2001 || Retail: October 25, 2001)

Windows XP is well know own operating system for all kind of users, even at present. It has the most supportive drivers for all kind of peripherals, supportive applications, games… etc.  Windows XP, the successor to Windows 2000 and Windows Me, was the first consumer-oriented operating system produced by Microsoft to be built on the Windows NT kernel. This OS is still in-use at present due to its unmatched performance, tools and interface. This has been the best version of Windows till the arrival of Windows 7.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista-geeklk

Windows Vista (RTM: November 8, 2006 | Vol. Lic.: November 30, 2006 | Retail: January 30, 2007)

Windows Vista, was not that much circulated on to the public hands, but still its a good version of Windows specially for the interface the Windows Aero™ Effect, making the Window Transparency work like magic. Windows Vista was known by its codename “Longhorn“. Development was completed on November 8, 2006; over the following three months it was released in stages to computer hardware and software manufacturers, business customers, and retail channels.

Windows 7

Windows 7-geeklk

Windows 7 (RTM version: July 22, 2009 | Retail version: October 22, 2009)

Windows 7 is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft. It has got some special features & newly integrated applications which were built by Microsoft itself. It also, has a special hidden-admin who interrupt & perform operations while installing/modifying any windows components with pop-up message. PowerShell, BitLocker, IPv6 newly introduced/integrated into this operating system.

Windows 8

 

Windows 8-geeklk

Windows 8 Developer Preview (Releasing 2012)

Windows 8 is the next version of Microsoft Windows which will be produced next year (2012). Microsoft has released an Alpha version as “Developer Preview” for the developers to experience their new core as seen above. A better version of windows 8 will be released as per the proposal date given by Microsoft.

 

A Diagram on Windows Family

windows family tree-geeklk

..:: Please click on the image to view in full ::..


An IT professional living far away from the pearl of Indian ocean. A Telecom nomad moved towards networking & hospitality IT building elegant resort in the romantic island of Maldives. An open-source fanatic, a geek and yes! a minion fan. I prefer football & popcorn ^_^

View Comments
View Comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.