Windows is a type of operating system that is used to control the hardware and software on your computer. It has a graphical user interface and allows you to complete many tasks on your computer, such as editing digital photos, playing games, and working in Microsoft Office.
The Windows operating system has multilingual support, with the option to install language interface packs from the Control Panel. The keyboard layout and input languages can also be configured.
History
The first version of Microsoft Windows introduced the graphical user interface that made computers more accessible to non-technical users. It ran on top of MS-DOS, and offered a visual shell that allowed users to navigate a virtual desktop with a mouse rather than typing commands and directory paths at a text prompt.
The initial Windows 1.0 release included a graphics painting program called Paint; Windows Write, a simple word processor; an appointment calendar; a card-filer; and a notepad. It also featured a semblance of multitasking and protected mode, which would both make it more useful on faster computers with up to 16 MB of RAM.
Windows 3.1 and Windows 3.11 introduced longer file names, a taskbar that displayed applications and files on separate screens, and the ability to run different programs simultaneously. However, the real change came with Windows 95. It replaced DOS and took advantage of the new 16-bit Intel 80286 CPUs’ protected mode and preemptive multitasking capabilities. It also ushered in the “Start button” (which was popularized in commercials featuring The Rolling Stones’ song Start Me Up), Plug and Play, and Internet Explorer.
Development
Windows is one of the most popular operating systems for personal computers. It dominates the world’s desktop PC market, and about 90 percent of all computers run it. It is also used on smartphones and Xbox video-gaming consoles.
Microsoft began developing Windows as a graphical shell for IBM-compatible PCs. The first version was released in the early 1980s. It was the first major operating system to use a graphical user interface (GUI) with dropdown menus, graphic icons, and movable windows that represent folders and drives.
In computing, a windowing system is a software suite that manages separately different parts of display screens in accordance with the WIMP (windows, icons, menus, pointer) paradigm for a graphical user interface. The window manager draws the windows and their decorations, while widget toolkits facilitate programming of available functions. A simple window manager merely draws the decorations, while compositing window managers provide more advanced functionality.
Features
The graphical user interface (GUI) on Windows OS computers is clean and can be understood easily by new users. It also supports a large number of games and applications. This makes it an ideal platform for programmers and gamers.
The first version of Windows, launched in 1985, ran on IBM-compatible PCs and offered a GUI based on the WIMP (windows, icons, menus, pointer) model. It allowed users to click on text and graphic icons to activate programs.
Microsoft introduced a range of upgrades to Windows over time, including the release of Windows 8 in 2012. The operating system incorporated a start screen and could synchronize settings across multiple devices. It also included Cortana, a digital personal assistant like Apple’s Siri. In 2015, Microsoft released the more advanced Windows 10 and ad-free Edge Web browser. It also featured multi-monitor support and memory management improvements. It also introduced Focus Sessions and Focus Assist features, which suppress notifications during dedicated work periods.
Installation
During the Windows installation process, you will be asked to choose a language and a keyboard layout. You will also be prompted to delete partitions from the disk on which you want to install Windows. Deleting these partitions will erase all data within them. You can install third-party Input Method Editors to support additional languages in Windows.
After installing the operating system, you will be prompted to create an account and set up the computer. Follow the on-screen prompts to do so. Once setup is complete, the computer will restart and undergo basic Windows installation.
During the installation process, the Windows files will occupy a significant amount of hard drive storage space. Once the installation is complete, these files will be deleted automatically. To avoid losing important data, you should back up your hard drive before running the Media Creation Tool. You can create recovery media for your HP PC if you ever need to restore the original software configuration. See HP Consumer PCs – Obtaining PC recovery USB drives or discs for more information.