Microsoft windows history versions

Microsoft Windows 95 was released on August 24, , and sold more than one million copies within four days. Microsoft Windows 95 Service Pack 1 4. Microsoft Windows NT 4. Microsoft Windows 95 4. Microsoft Windows CE 1. Microsoft Windows CE 2.

Introduced in , Microsoft Windows 1. In Microsoft released Windows 2. This version added desktop icons, keyboard shortcuts and improved graphics support. Windows 3. Microsoft released Windows 3. Windows 95 was released in and was a major upgrade to the Windows operating system. This OS was a significant advancement over its precursor, Windows 3.

In addition to sporting a new user interface, Windows 95 also included a number of important internal improvements. Perhaps most important, it supported bit applications, which meant that applications written specifically for this operating system would run much faster. This resulted in the removal of many of the old DOS limitations, such as K of main memory and 8-character filenames. Other important features in this operating system were the ability to automatically detect and configure installed hardware Plug-and-Play.

A version of the Windows operating system. Windows NT New Technology was a bit operating system that supported preemptive multitasking. Its most visible feature, though, was the Active Desktop, which integrated the Web browser Internet Explorer with the operating system. Microsoft released four versions of Windows Professional for business desktop and laptop systems ; Server both a Web server and an office server ; Advanced Server for line-of-business applications ; and Datacenter Server for high-traffic computer networks.

Windows XP was released in Along with a redesigned look and feel to the user interface, the new operating system was built on the Windows kernel, giving the user a more stable and reliable environment than previous versions of Windows.

Windows XP came in two versions, Home and Professional. Microsoft focused on mobility for both editions and including plug-and-play features for connecting to wireless networks. The operating system also utilized the Windows 10, version 21H1 update history.

Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows Server, version 20H2 update history. Windows 10, version and Windows Server, version update history. Windows 10, version , Windows Server, version , and Windows Server update history. Windows 10, version update history. Windows 10, version and Windows Server update history. Windows 10 initial version released July update history.

Windows 10, version , all editions Windows Server version More Release Date:. Need more help? Expand your skills. Get new features first. Was this information helpful? Yes No. Thank you! Hardware support through device drivers was increased. Many minor problems that existed in the first edition were fixed making it, according to many, the most stable release of the Windows 9x family.

Microsoft released Windows in February It has the version number Windows NT 5. It was successfully deployed both on the server and the workstation markets. Amongst Windows 's most significant new features was Active Directory , a near-complete replacement of the NT 4. Terminal Services , previously only available as a separate edition of NT 4, was expanded to all server versions. A number of features from Windows 98 were incorporated also, such as an improved Device Manager, Windows Media Player , and a revised DirectX that made it possible for the first time for many modern games to work on the NT kernel.

Windows is also the last NT-kernel Windows operating system to lack product activation. While Windows upgrades were available for Windows 95 and Windows 98, it was not intended for home users.

It also introduced the first version of System Restore , which allowed users to revert their system state to a prior "known-good" point in the case of system failure. System Restore was a notable feature that made its way into Windows XP. The first version of Windows Movie Maker was introduced also. Windows Me was conceived as a quick one-year project that served as a stopgap release between Windows 98 and Windows XP.

Many of the new features were available from the Windows Update site as updates for older Windows versions System Restore and Windows Movie Maker were exceptions. Windows Me was criticized for stability issues, and for lacking real mode DOS support, to the point of being referred to as the "Mistake Edition" or "Many Errors. The initial release met with considerable criticism , particularly in the area of security , leading to the release of three major Service Packs.

Service Pack 2 provided significant improvements and encouraged widespread adoption of XP among both home and business users. Windows XP lasted longer as Microsoft's flagship operating system than any other version of Windows, from 25 October to 30 January when it was succeeded by Windows Vista.

On 25 April Microsoft launched Windows Server , a notable update to Windows Server encompassing many new security features, a new "Manage Your Server " wizard that simplifies configuring a machine for specific roles, and improved performance. It has the version number NT 5.

A few services not essential for server environments are disabled by default for stability reasons, most noticeable are the "Windows Audio" and "Themes" services; Users have to enable them manually to get sound or the " Luna " look as per Windows XP.

The hardware acceleration for display is also turned off by default, users have to turn the acceleration level up themselves if they trust the display card driver. Among the new features are a number of management features for branch offices, file serving, printing and company-wide identity integration. It is designed to use the expanded bit memory address space provided by the x architecture. Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is based on the Windows Server codebase; with the server features removed and client features added.

Windows Server R2, an update of Windows Server , was released to manufacturing on 6 December The other CD adds many optionally installable features for Windows Server The R2 update was released for all x86 and x64 versions.

It is only available to Software Assurance customers. The aim of WinFLP is to give companies a viable upgrade option for older PCs that are running Windows 95, 98, and Me that will be supported with patches and updates for the next several years. Most user applications will typically be run on a remote machine using Terminal Services or Citrix. Windows Home Server codenamed Q, Quattro is a server product based on Windows Server , designed for consumer use.

The system was announced on 7 January by Bill Gates. Windows Home Server can be configured and monitored using a console program that can be installed on a client PC. Such features as Media Sharing, local and remote drive backup and file duplication are all listed as features. Windows Vista was released on 8 November to business customers, consumer versions following on 30 January Windows Vista intended to have enhanced security by introducing a new restricted user mode called User Account Control , replacing the "administrator-by-default" philosophy of Windows XP.

One major difference between Vista and earlier versions of Windows, Windows 95 and later, is that the original start button was replaced with just the Windows icon. Windows Vista has the version number NT 6.

Windows Vista ships in six editions :. All editions except Starter edition are currently available in both bit and bit versions.