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The most recent client version of Windows is [[Windows 7]]; the most recent [[Server (computing)|server]] version is [[Windows Server 2008 R2]]; the most recent [[Mobile operating system|mobile]] version is [[Windows Phone|Windows Phone 7.5]].The most recent unstable release is [[Windows 8]]. | The most recent client version of Windows is [[Windows 7]]; the most recent [[Server (computing)|server]] version is [[Windows Server 2008 R2]]; the most recent [[Mobile operating system|mobile]] version is [[Windows Phone|Windows Phone 7.5]].The most recent unstable release is [[Windows 8]]. | ||
==Versions== | |||
{{See also|List of Microsoft Windows versions}} | |||
The term ''Windows'' collectively describes any or all of several generations of [[Microsoft]] [[operating system]] products. These products are generally categorized as follows: | |||
[[File:Windows 3.0 logo.svg|left|thumb|140px|The classic Windows logo, used until the release of [[Windows XP]] in 2001]] | |||
===Early versions=== | |||
{{Main|Windows 1.0|Windows 2.0|Windows 2.1x}} | |||
[[File:Windows1.0.png|thumb|300px|Windows 1.0, the first version, released in 1985]] | |||
The history of Windows dates back to September 1981, when Chase Bishop, a computer scientist, designed the first model of an electronic device and project "Interface Manager" was started. It was announced in November 1983 (after the [[Apple Lisa]], but before the [[Macintosh]]) under the name "Windows", but [[Windows 1.0]] was not released until November 1985.<ref name="Petzold">Petzold</ref> The [[operating system shell|shell]] of Windows 1.0 was a program known as the [[MS-DOS Executive]]. Other supplied programs were [[Microsoft Calculator|Calculator]], [[Microsoft Calendar|Calendar]], [[Cardfile]], [[ClipBook Viewer|Clipboard viewer]], Clock, [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]], [[Notepad (Windows)|Notepad]], [[Microsoft Paint|Paint]], [[Reversi]], [[Terminal emulator|Terminal]], and [[Windows Write|Write]]. Windows 1.0 did not allow overlapping windows. Instead all windows were [[tiling window manager|tiled]]. Only dialog boxes could appear over other windows. | |||
[[Windows 2.0]] was released in October 1987 and featured several improvements to the user interface and memory management.<ref name="Petzold"/> Windows 2.0 allowed application windows to overlap each other and also introduced more sophisticated [[keyboard shortcut]]s. It could also make use of [[expanded memory]]. | |||
Windows 2.1 was released in two different versions: [[Windows/386]] employed the [[Intel 80386|386]] [[virtual 8086 mode]] to multitask several DOS programs, and the paged memory model to emulate expanded memory using available [[extended memory]]. [[Windows/286]] (which, despite its name, would run on the 8086) still ran in [[real mode]], but could make use of the [[high memory area]]. | |||
Revision as of 07:29, 31 May 2012
Microsoft Windows is a series of graphical interface operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft.
Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs).<ref name=aboutcomnov>Template:Cite web</ref> Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer market, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced in 1984.
The most recent client version of Windows is Windows 7; the most recent server version is Windows Server 2008 R2; the most recent mobile version is Windows Phone 7.5.The most recent unstable release is Windows 8.
Versions
Template:See also The term Windows collectively describes any or all of several generations of Microsoft operating system products. These products are generally categorized as follows:
Early versions
The history of Windows dates back to September 1981, when Chase Bishop, a computer scientist, designed the first model of an electronic device and project "Interface Manager" was started. It was announced in November 1983 (after the Apple Lisa, but before the Macintosh) under the name "Windows", but Windows 1.0 was not released until November 1985.<ref name="Petzold">Petzold</ref> The shell of Windows 1.0 was a program known as the MS-DOS Executive. Other supplied programs were Calculator, Calendar, Cardfile, Clipboard viewer, Clock, Control Panel, Notepad, Paint, Reversi, Terminal, and Write. Windows 1.0 did not allow overlapping windows. Instead all windows were tiled. Only dialog boxes could appear over other windows.
Windows 2.0 was released in October 1987 and featured several improvements to the user interface and memory management.<ref name="Petzold"/> Windows 2.0 allowed application windows to overlap each other and also introduced more sophisticated keyboard shortcuts. It could also make use of expanded memory.
Windows 2.1 was released in two different versions: Windows/386 employed the 386 virtual 8086 mode to multitask several DOS programs, and the paged memory model to emulate expanded memory using available extended memory. Windows/286 (which, despite its name, would run on the 8086) still ran in real mode, but could make use of the high memory area.