Quick overview:
Photo: Microsoft Corporation
It's Windows' birthday: exactly 30 years ago, on November 20, 1985, the first Microsoft operating system with a windowed user interface was released. A look back from Windows 1 to Windows 10.
Windows 1.0 - the first graphical PC OS cost 99 dollars
Windows 1.0, the first ever graphical PC operating system, was released on November 20, 1985. Microsoft developed it under the code name "Interface Manager" and launched it on the market for 99 US dollars. However, as there were hardly any applications for it, the first Windows was not very successful...
Windows 2.x - the first version with Microsoft Word
The second Windows appeared at the end of 1987 - and despite the graphical user interface, it still relied on text-based user interfaces in many places. With version 2.11 in 1989, Microsoft Word was integrated into a Windows system for the first time.
Windows 3.x - the first blockbuster
Windows 3.0 is released on May 22, 1990 - and becomes Microsoft's first commercial Windows success. Around three million copies of version 3.1 are sold within the first two months of its release.
Windows 95 - with preview version for testers
In August 1995, the equally successful Windows 95, which was developed under the code name "Chicago", was released. Before the release, users can test a preview version, but must sign a confidentiality agreement.
Windows 98 - for the first time with USB support
Windows 98 (codenamed "Memphis") is launched on June 25, 1998. It is very similar to its predecessor, but supports USB devices for the first time and allows the user interface to be customized.
Windows 2000 - available as 32-bit and 64-bit version
The Windows XP predecessor Windows 2000 appears in February 2000 - and as a 32-bit and 64-bit version, whereby the 64-bit edition is only developed further for a short time.
Windows ME - the last time MS-DOS
On September 14, 2000, Microsoft releases the last version of Windows based on MS-DOS: Windows ME (Millennium) comes onto the market late, as Internet Explorer and Windows Player do not work at first.
Windows XP - developed for home users
In October 2001, Microsoft releases Windows XP. The main target group of the operating system developed under the code name "Whistler" is mainly home users. The user interface of the Windows 2000 successor is significantly revised. It is a great success - in 2015 it is still being used on millions of computers worldwide, despite the expiry of Microsoft's security support.
Windows Vista - only moderately successful
Windows Vista will be released on January 30, 2007 - it will go down in the annals of Windows as only a moderate success. In order to persuade more users to switch from the popular predecessor XP to Vista, Microsoft is lowering the prices, in some cases drastically.
Windows 7 - the most successful Windows of all time
On October 22, 2009, Windows 7 is released, which has been completely overhauled in many areas. Whether user interface, system stability or the use of libraries in Windows Explorer - the system impresses users and later becomes the most widely used Windows ever.
Windows 8 - the less successful tile system
The successor to Windows 7 is released on October 26, 2012: Windows 8 contains two user interfaces for the first time, one for touchscreens and one for classic mouse and keyboard use. But Windows 8 flops, users miss the sorted-out Start menu of the previous versions. Even the Windows 8.1 update does little to change the meagre switch figures.
Windows 10 - the return of the Start menu
Microsoft presented Windows 10 for the first time on September 30, 2014 and released it on July 29, 2015. Windows 10 is once again primarily aimed at users who want to use a classic desktop with a mouse and keyboard. However, touchscreens will also continue to be supported: On tablets and smartphones, the Windows 10 interface is transformed; as with Windows 8, tiles are once again in the foreground. Windows 10 thus supports all device classes - from PCs and notebooks to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Photo above: Microsoft Corporation
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