Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft. It is widely used in computers and laptops. It has a wide range of features that facilitate security and network setup. It also offers tools to manage files and configure desktop appearance.
Microsoft Paint is a graphic editing software that is installed with every version of Windows since its debut in 1985. It includes a number of basic drawing tools.
Windows NT
When NT first came out in the late 1980s, Microsoft mandated that it support backward compatibility with DOS and Windows 3.x, plus a laundry list of features designed to make it the world’s dominant desktop and enterprise-level operating system.
NT’s developers also chose to implement its core components in an object-oriented model. This means each component maintains its own set of manipulation objects, and they don’t run roughshod over one another.
The original NT product line consisted of two products, Microsoft NT Workstation and Microsoft NT Server. The Workstation version was designed to complement MS-DOS-based PCs, while NT Server is a full-featured network operating system that meets the US Department of Defense’s C2 security configuration standard. The NT family has since been expanded to become Microsoft’s general-purpose OS product line for all computers.
Windows XP
When Windows XP first rolled out in 2001, Microsoft was riding high and had a stranglehold on the PC market. Most new computers came with a full suite of Microsoft software pre-installed.
Upon its release, XP received critical acclaim for improved stability and performance. It also included features that helped with digital photography, instant messaging and wireless networking.
Hardware requirements for XP are lower than that of newer operating systems. It requires a minimum of 1.5 gigabytes of hard drive space, 64 MB of memory and an SVGA-capable display card.
During the installation process, you will need a keyboard and mouse as well as an ethernet or a wireless network connection. You will also need a CD-ROM or DVD drive. Once the XP Setup program has finished copying files, you will be prompted to reboot your computer.
Windows Vista
The operating system is the software that acts as an intermediary between the user and the computer hardware. The OS allows the user to access various features of a computer, including the mouse, keyboard, monitor and printer. It also controls the computer’s resources such as memory and storage space. Without an operating system, a computer would be inoperable and could not run any applications or programs.
Windows Vista uses a new graphics driver model called the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM). Unlike previous Windows drivers, which ran in kernel mode and had direct access to hardware and critical parts of the operating system, WDDM runs primarily in user mode. This should prevent graphics errors from affecting other parts of the operating system.
Other features of Windows Vista include the aero interface with transparent windows and live thumbnail previews, Windows search, sidebar and gadgets, and user account control. It also offers bit locker drive encryption for enhanced security.
Windows 7
Windows 7 is an operating system by Microsoft that provides a balance of innovation and familiarity. It is a popular choice for home users, offering a comfortable user experience and robust security features.
Its design focuses on simplification, including fast maximization and a new task bar. It allows you to pin programs and documents to the task bar to quickly access them. It also includes features such as a faster and more intuitive search function, advanced hand writing support, advanced calculator options, improved media functions and many other enhancements.
It has enhanced security via hardware DEP, which uses processor hardware to mark memory locations as non-executable unless they contain executable code explicitly. This prevents attacks that try to insert malicious code into memory locations where it won’t be detected.
Windows 8
When Microsoft released Windows 8 in 2012, it was a completely new system that worked better with touch screens. It included the new “Metro” interface, which displayed applications in tiles on a screen and allowed users to customize their desktop with their preferred settings. It also included Cortana, a digital assistant that responds to voice commands (similar to Apple’s Siri).
The Pro edition of Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 Core, comes with antivirus and anti-malware software pre-installed. It can run on ARM or limited memory devices, and it supports the Windows Store for easy downloads of apps. It can also be joined to a corporate network and allows for a password-protected login.
Like previous versions of Windows, Windows 8 can be upgraded to a more recent version for free through the Windows Store. However, it’s currently in the final stages of mainstream support and is expected to reach its end of life by January 2023.