The windows system is the operating system that powers PCs. It has gone through several versions since its introduction in 1985.
Home users rely on windows to access a variety of software applications, manage personal files, and enjoy multimedia entertainment. It also offers compatibility with a wide range of hardware devices.
History
In the early days of personal computers, most used a text-based disk operating system called DOS (Disk Operating System). It required users to type text commands into a command line.
Microsoft introduced Windows in 1985, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) operating system that allowed the user to click on icons and visual menus rather than using text commands. Windows was also one of the first to use a multitasking model, allowing applications to overlap each other and to share resources.
The more popular Windows 2.0 came out in December 1987, offering the first version of Word and Excel. It improved the GUI, and allowed applications to exchange dynamic data, improving application speed. It could also make use of extended memory.
In the 1990s, tension developed between IBM and Microsoft over their respective PC operating systems. Microsoft continued to develop Windows, while IBM focused on the next version of OS/2. Eventually, this caused the breakup of the Chicago and Cairo projects, and the release of the final unified Windows XP for home consumers.
Functions
A windows system has to meet a number of basic requirements. It should be able to protect the computer from external influences like sunlight, daylighting, and temperature fluctuations. It must also provide access to files and system settings. It has to be able to support multiple applications at the same time without slowing down the CPU and should be able to run even with a limited amount of hard disk space. It should also be able to reboot the computer when necessary.
Application programs running in a window system load and initialize various structures, then suspend execution. They are not executed until a function associated with an event is called. These events are generated by interrupts from the mouse, keyboard and other input devices. Several functions in the window system provide information about these events. For example GetDiskFreeSpaceExW retrieves a piece of data about the free disk space available on a hard drive. This information is displayed to the user through the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) and Xt widgets.
Compatibility
The capacity of hardware or software to function appropriately with a variety of systems. This takes into account architectural design principles, program structures and system protocols. For example, a cybersecurity program designed for Windows will not necessarily run flawlessly on macOS.
The first version of Microsoft Windows included a graphical user interface (GUI), which allowed users to interact with the computer through icons and buttons rather than text commands. This led to widespread adoption of the operating system worldwide.
In the 1990s, Microsoft released several updates that further improved Windows functionality. In 1995, the networkable Windows for Workgroups was introduced, followed by the consumer-oriented Windows 95 and the high-performance Windows NT.
In 2012, Microsoft launched versions of Windows that were optimized for ARM-based tablets. These were branded as Windows 8 and Windows RT, respectively. However, the ARM-specific versions of Windows were discontinued after the release of Windows 10 in 2015. Currently, all new computers purchased through ETS are running on Windows 10.
Security
Windows security measures are designed to prevent cyber threats from penetrating the system and wreaking havoc. For example, Microsoft’s built-in antivirus solution executes regular updates that revise a large library of known virus entries and scrutinize incoming data points against these predetermined definitions. Similarly, the firewall feature works as a shield to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on a set of security rules.
Furthermore, the UAC feature prompts users for consent or administrator credentials when programs attempt to make changes that could affect system files and settings. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized modification of critical system components.
Windows also protects personal information with privacy settings that control the flow of data to Microsoft and application developers, such as advertising ID, browsing history, voice patterns and more. In addition, Windows provides a quarantine management feature that allows users to isolate and manage identified threats, sending sample files for analysis or re-enabling protection as needed.