The windows system is a computer operating system developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is a graphical user interface-based system that is designed to be easy to use for everyone.
The system consists of a set of core subsystems that make up the Windows kernel. These subsystems are responsible for hardware virtualization, process and memory management and more.
Windows 1.0
Windows 1.0 was Microsoft’s first attempt at a graphical user interface for personal computers. Developed in response to the popularity of GUIs like the Digital Research GSX and the VisiCorp Visi On, it was released in 1985.
While Windows 1.0 was a relatively primitive system by today’s standards, it still provided important innovations in window management and UI design that informed later versions of the Windows family. It also shipped with a game called Reversi, which relied on mouse control and made using the system more familiar for new users.
Windows 2.0
Windows 2.0, released in 1987, is the first Microsoft operating system to be graphical. It added features such as overlapping windows, menu keyboard shortcuts and VGA graphics support.
In addition, it used virtual memory to allow multiple programs to run simultaneously. This allowed for faster and more flexible operations, since the software could use large chunks of memory to trick applications into thinking they were using more than they actually were.
In 1990, Microsoft released a new version of Windows, 3.0, which improved on the design and included support for 286 high memory, as well as running MS-DOS applications in a 386 virtual machine (VDM). This was later superseded by Windows/386, which took advantage of the Intel 386’s virtual 8086 mode to preemptively multitask MS-DOS applications.
Windows 3.0
Released in 1990, Windows 3.0 was Microsoft’s first major attempt to compete with the Macintosh operating system. It introduced a new user interface, Program Manager, which ran on top of MS-DOS programs.
It included a variety of technical improvements to make better use of the memory management capabilities available in Intel’s 80286 and 80386 processors. It also improved the interface by introducing a windowing capability for text-mode MS-DOS applications.
Windows 3.0 was also the first version of Windows to support protected mode. This was a big improvement over its predecessors, as it allowed native applications to utilize more memory in a much more painless manner than MS-DOS programs could.
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system developed by Microsoft. It was released in 2001 and was the first Windows system to be based on a different kernel from Microsoft’s earlier versions of Windows.
Several editions of Windows XP were released, including Home and Professional. The latter edition has additional features and is targeted at business users.
For high-end computing environments, an edition of Windows XP was created that supports processors with 64-bit processing capabilities. This was called Windows XP 64-bit Professional. It allowed for additional memory and had more computing power than the 32-bit version of XP. This is why many people still use it today in some businesses and industrial environments.
Windows ME
Windows ME was Microsoft’s final Windows 9x-based release, aimed at home users. The OS was intended as a bridge between Windows 98 and the next version of Windows, which would be based on the NT kernel.
Windows ME offered several improvements over its predecessor, including Automatic Updates, System Restore and Windows Image Acquisition. It also provided support for Internet connection sharing. It also introduced features such as Windows Movie Maker, which allowed users to digitally edit and save home videos; and DirectPlay(r), which allowed PC gamers to chat with one another over the Internet during gameplay.
Windows 10
Windows 10 is the latest version of Microsoft’s popular operating system, and it brings several new features and security updates. It also marks the start of a new delivery model for Windows called “Windows-as-a-Service.”
In addition, it supports universal apps, which can run across PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems and even Xbox One, Surface Hub and Mixed Reality devices.
Microsoft also introduced rolling software updates for Windows 10, which reduces disruption and the need for large patches. It also allows users to limit the amount of telemetry data Windows 10 sends back to Microsoft.