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Released on November 20, 1985, the original Windows was better known by its more formal name: MS-DOS Executive. The OS environment/GUI included a calendar, clipboard, calculator, and more. Unfortunately, the windows in this 1.0 release couldn’t overlap. The patent for that feature was owned by Apple at the time.
Released two years later in October 1987, this version featured overlapping windows like the Apple OS, albeit in a chunkier, more DOS-y looking way. The end result was an Apple lawsuit that lasted for almost 10 years. It’s worth noting that both Windows 1.0 and 2.0 were more GUI than OS—DOS still handled all file-system services and data requests. In defense of the GUI, it was paired with a fairly flexible virtual memory system, which allowed for multitasking functionality that was ahead of its time.
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Microsoft capitalized on the explosion of desktop sales in homes and offices, selling millions of copies of Windows 3.0 in its first year. This version made major UI changes and took even more advantage of virtual memory and virtual device drivers. It wasn’t the most stable OS, however, and Microsoft quickly scrambled to release a 3.1 version in 1992 that enhanced stability. This iteration of Windows also introduced Protected Mode, which granted applications access to additional megabytes of memory.
It’s hard to believe that there was a time when even Microsoft believed that Windows wouldn’t last more than five years. The company’s open collaboration with IBM on OS/2 (Operating System 2) was important for two reasons. First, it helped Microsoft realize the true potential of a protected-mode, multitasking environment. Second, the failed partnership with IBM—which wanted to use OS/2 exclusively to drive sales of its own hardware—reinforced Microsoft’s decision to keep Windows an open-architecture operating system with support for lots of different hardware configurations.
The first release of Windows NT 3.1 was in 1993, and was a ground-breaking moment because it marked the debut of the NT kernel that has been the foundation of every version of Windows from Windows XP on.
A new interface, support for 32-bit applications, and native support for PC games compliments of Direct X were the high points of Windows 95, which debuted 15 years ago in August 1995. It was unanimously hailed as a significant step forward in terms of performance and gaming.
This marked the debut of the Windows Mobile OS. It looked and functioned like Windows 95, and featured built-in support for Word, Excel, and Outlook.
It was fairly stable and it lasted long enough that it became ubiquitous. ’Nuff said.
Released in July 2007, WHS represented Microsoft’s important initial foray into providing a network framework for homes as opposed to enterprise environments. It remains fairly underground, but power users have found Home Server stable, easy to use, and extremely configurable.
Talk about rebounds. After listening to all the chatter about how badly it had screwed up Windows Vista—which was mired in production delays and bugs—Microsoft saved the day with a stable and easy-to-get-into OS that shattered all previous sales records.
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Comments are closed on this article
Ammalgam
December 08, 2010 at 6:03pm
I personally feel that it's not going to be that radical from Windows 7.
The real changes will probably come in Windows 9 around 2016.
I write about Windows 8 at this site www.windows8update.com
samduhman
November 19, 2010 at 1:28pm
After 20ish years of using the MS OS I will switch to something else or quit using PCs entirely before I join the cloud mentality. I have zero interest in my stuff being on the "cloud". Nor am I interested in a subscription based Office or apps. Microsoft can shove it if thats the direction they are going in.
"various recurring monthly or annual subscriptions will grant users access to Office Live applications"
Xylogeist
November 19, 2010 at 11:16am
Just shutup fanboy, Microsoft has already created Xbox live which is 100 times more effective and streamlined than Steam ever was, so why shouldn't they take that experience to the PC? It would be great if when I buy a 360 game I can play it on my PC and earn achievements from the same system, that way if I prefer a mouse and keyboard I could pwn it up.
Also, a little word of advice MS, please Please PLEASE PLEEEEASE don't go to the cloud... that is going NOWHERE... It's just simply garbage.
Skrýmir
November 20, 2010 at 12:41am
Xbox Live is only a matchmaking service. It's the matchmaking service that Microsoft Abandoned Zonematch for. While Xbox Live works better on the front-end than Zone Match, as idiots like you and 8 year old kids know how to click "Find Game." What it really means is that your gaming connection is never going to show you your real Ping, which isn't taken into account when you're matchmade into a game. Meaning lag, and lots of it. THe Loss of the dedicated server, which means that someone will always have a host ping advantage, on top of that the server(Host Xbox) is put under more stress and it's framerate can suffer accordingly(Halo: Reach is a good example of that) The new xbox live is a poorly regulated over-priced service, while it's better than Playstation Network, IT IS BY NO MEANS, anywhere close to the quality of Valve's Steam Client. Not only that Steam's deals are great for gamers, and even better for publishers. Steam does everything xbox live does, and better. I think if microsoft commits itself to PC Gaming again it COULD easily rival Steam's stranglehold on digital distribution right now. However microsoft is too hooked on the cash they're getting off of the soccer mom market for Xbox Live, they'll never make a strong foray into PC Gaming again, at least never with an Exclusive. Dissolving FASA and Digital Anvil pretty much yelled it loud and clear that Microsoft was done with PC Gaming, When they shut down zonematch it was official.
Microsoft needs to realize that with more and more PC games going crossplatform they need to give users a reason to trust them again, They Killed Mechwarrior after all, one of the most successful franchises in PC History. Microsoft is very responsible for the death of PC gaming, BUT MORE Importantly they're responsible for this bullshit known as DLC. DLC is the biggest crock of bullshit i've ever come across. 7 years ago i would not have payed 15 Dollars to get a content edition to my game that equaled 4 to 5 more hours of gameplay. I would not have PAYED for maps that should have been included in my shooter that DID NOT come with a map creator. 7 YEARS AGO GAMES STOOD ON THEIR SINGLE PLAYER ALONE UNLESS THEY WERE MULTIPLAYER ONLY! When microsoft gets it's priorities straight instead of claiming their coming back to PC Gaming then they can talk about Digital Distribution. THAT MEANS PC EXCLUSIVES! I miss they day when you saw that Microsoft Game Studios Logo and KNEW you were getting A HIGH QUALITy Game. Microsoft is a computer company it's damn time they come back to the ones that made them capable of their DIRECT X box.
kamikaji
November 18, 2010 at 11:01pm
I really hope Microsoft doesn't do anything about adding PC gaming features. GAMES FOR WINDOWS LIVE BLOWS HARDER THAN A PORN STAR ON CRACK. They should just leave PC gaming to the people who actually know how to do it well: Valve Software. End of story. Microsoft can continue to snuggle with their beloved FAILbox 360 for all I care, just STAY OUT OF PC GAMING FOR THE REST OF TIME PLEASE; YOU SUCK AT IT.
SuperiorBeing
November 19, 2010 at 10:01am
What, so Valve can monoploize their market?
I like cheap games as much as anyone else, but you know what I also like: competition. Windows and its components are at the level they are because there's so much competition on every level.
matmatician
November 18, 2010 at 9:45pm
The most awesome thing they could do right now would be to change the user experience from machine based to actual user based. For example, if they could make it so that I could access the exact same screen from both my laptop while im at work and my desktop while im at home, I would never buy anything but a microsoft product. I dont want to use Remote Desktop or do anything else that would be a pain to set up, I just want to see Win8 installed and have a completely unifed system. I realize that this is most likely just a pipe dream though...
Timmeh.the.tech
November 26, 2010 at 12:32am
I think that would be great just to have one copy of windows 8 on all PCs. That you could have unifying all of your data. 3 computers one the same OS. You could have all your files all the time and it would basically render flash drives useless except for transferring data to somebody else's unified system. They could take it even further and you could just have say, Steve's system which would be on e OS that is on every device. Your wach knows who you are and can sync with your phone, your car, your home PC, work PC it would be amazing. No more file transfer what so ever you have a device and its synced with EVERYTHING that's yours.This comment probably sounds really stupid as it's 2:30 in the morning and I don't really know what I'm talking about.
burn0u7
November 20, 2010 at 9:30am
There has been an integrated FTP server since windows xp pro. You just gotta install IIS to make it happen. Its pretty easy to install.
Keep in mind, you have to have XP Pro, vista business, win7 business equivelent though.
Since i've always ran WinXP Pro, Vita Ultimate, Windows 7 Ultimate i've always had the FTP server functionality available.
ilfipian
November 18, 2010 at 4:53pm
So little discussion of security, privacy. The Cloud implementations so far are severely lacking in this and it remains the biggest problem with computers and the internet today.
evilyeti
November 18, 2010 at 3:28pm
One thing I would like to see in Windows 8, instead of replacing the start menu/taskbar with an Apple style dock would be the ability to customize the start menu and task bar anyway I want. This will sound crazy but think the similar way you would customize your GUI in an MMORPG like World of Warcraft or Everquest except less complicated. Like being able to un-attach the Windows Globe and move it wherever you wanted and also being able to resize it! Being able to move and resize the quick start bar sort of like the hot bars in World of Warcraft. Also the system tray as well. I think a cool feature would also being able to hide any of these GUI features so if you wanted a simple desktop you could have everything hidden except your Windows Globe (start menu). I don’t play World of Warcraft but one of the features the game has that is pretty cool and I think would integrate well into an operating system is defiantly the ability to customize your GUI!
ilfipian
November 18, 2010 at 4:56pm
Custom GUI is cool, but you also need a way to easily switch between your customizations and the default interface for the troubleshooting and fixit duties on someone else's box where you don't know the customizations.
DoctorX
November 18, 2010 at 2:41pm
"Where WHS Version 1 supported a maximum of five hard drives"
Err, where did you hear that? I have 18 in mine for a total of 21TB formatted. Works fine.
MrMick
November 18, 2010 at 4:57pm
I heard it from Microsoft senior product manager Michael Leworthy. While there's nothing physically preventing you from running more than five drives in a WHS rig (or more than 10 drives if you're using Vail), Microsoft officially supports only five and 10 drives, respectively.
Michael Brown, Reviews Editor
ea1775
November 18, 2010 at 2:07pm
My theory that Alan and Gordon are the same person is finally proved!
gothliciouz
November 18, 2010 at 1:49pm
one thing i would like is a virtual desktop manager like in linux :)
israel09
November 18, 2010 at 1:23pm
Alan and Gordon have the exact same post under "features we want in windows 8"
Trooper_One
November 18, 2010 at 1:10pm
"So forgive us for favoring words like “commemorate” or “contemplate” instead of “celebrate,” which feels like too rosy a word for an operating system that has given us so much frustration, confusion, and heartache."
For better or worse, Windows came a long way, made out of building blocks from different experience/experiments. It's actually amazing to see how it manages all the variety of hardware that's out there. It's not perfect, but it works - and for me, with Windows 7, it's working great! I started in DOS (while at the same time, played with Win3.11) and adopted Win95. From then on, it's always been Windows! (yes, I have a machine with Ubuntu as well but my heart is with Win7).
