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Windows 1.0
Microsoft Windows 1.0 is a 16-bit graphical OS, developed by Microsoft and was the company's first attempt to make a multi-tasking graphical user interface-based OS on the PC platform. Windows 1.0 was the first version of Windows launched. Microsoft ended its support on 31 December 2001. Its price was $100. -
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Timeline
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Windows 2.0
Windows 2.0 is a 16-bit Microsoft Windows GUI-based OS that is the successor to Windows 1.0. It was supported by Microsoft for fourteen years until December 31, 2001. Many improvements showed up, such as: allowing application windows to overlap each other, introduced more sophisticated keyboard-shortcuts, included VGA graphics (16 colors only). Also Windows 2.0 was the first Windows version to have the control panel. Its price was $100. -
Windows 2.1
This advancement was more of a technological one, meaning it focused more on utilizing the hardware better instead of the software. Improvements include: requiring a hard disk to install, the operations taking advantage of the new Intel Processors, and much more. It was unsupported on December, 31, 2001. The price went at $100. -
Windows 3.0
Windows 3.0 was the third big release of the company and was very successful, the first Windows product that rivaled Apple Macintosh and the other major OS products at the time. Most of the processes, such as using the RAM and the file management system, was simplified and quickened to improve performance. There was a protected mode added as well that helped use memory easier than the popular DOS setup. This was also the first one that came with the game Solitare. The full version was $149.95. -
Windows 3.1
Windows 3.1 was another big advancement that benefitted the company. It dropped the real mode that was in Windows 3.0 and needed at least a 286 PC with 1MB of RAM to start. This was to increase system stability over Windows 3.0, who at the time was prone to crashing. The file manager was also improved. Icons were able to be dragged and dropped for the first time as well. The company cut the support at the same time as 3.0, which is December 31, 2001. -
Windows 95
Windows 95 was a breakthrough in OS devices. Its graphic user interface was significantly improved and the "plug and play" feature was added. The 16-bit architecture that was the normal for most was upgraded to a 32-bit hybrid version, enchancing the machine's multitasking. The trademark taskbar and Start button was added. 95 was also the first version of Windows to be a standard factory install on the average PC. Support was shut down December 31, 2001 and the price ranged $70.00 - $90.00. -
Windows 98
Windows 98 came out in 1998 and was the first to use the Windows Driver Model. Its USB support was improved as well. Windows 98 provides much better and more support for IDE and SCSI drives and drive controllers, floppy drives and all other classes of hardware than the previous Windows 95. It also built more upon the 32-bit hardware 95 started on. The price range was $80.00 - $100.00 and the support ended on July 11, 2006. -
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 was a continuation of the Microsoft Windows NT operating systems, replacing the last in the series: Windows NT 4.0. Microsoft designated it as the more secure Window Version ever at its time. But the OS was constantly bombarded by high-profile virus attacks, and for ten years it recieved patches to better its security nearly every month. It was unsupported on July 13, 2010 and the retail price was $319. -
WIndows ME (Millennium Edition)
Windows ME marked the end of Windows products using the DOS-based system, as well as the last one in the Windows 9x series. Built more for home users, this one was simplified to be more easy to use. It came with the new Windows Movie Maker, a simple way to edit video. Sadly, ME was buggy and unstable, with the shelf life only about a year. It was a big disappointment, the System Restore feature may even reinstall deleted malware. The price was $150.00 - $190.00 and support ended July 11, 2006. -
Windows XP
Revamped to bring another beautiful edition, they took the Windows 2000 machine and built from there. It became the second biggest make of Windows in its time. There are a lot of improvements such as: a sleek new GUI system, updated accessories and games, improvements on the start menu and task bar, faster startup shutdown and hibernate times, and much much more. The price for it ranged at about $290 - $310.00 and the support is still on, but rumors say not for long. -
Windows Vista
Windows Vista came out about five years after Windows XP, making it the longest time between releases. It had its share of critism, people saying how virus-prone and how buggy it was. There were people that went back to XP to escape this "OS nightmare". As all OS updates are, this one had a bunch of new things: the search featured a tool that searched as you typed, there was new animations and icons with Windows AERO, and Windows Mail replaced Outlook Express. It sold for about $200. -
Windows 7
Windows 7 was a lifesaver after what happened with Windows Vista, and wasn't just everything Vista was suppose to be. It made its own records as it became one of the most important OS in Microsoft history. Some of its many features are: an updated task bar that you could pin programs to for easy access, a redesigned calculator, taking programs to the different edges of the screen and snapping documents or files on either side for easy comparison, and so much more! This sold for $199.99. -
Windows 8
The most recent to date, and the one with the biggest learning curve, Windows 8. 8 has a format built more for touchsreens and therefore has people angry that they have to learn how to operate it. New features are the live tiles on the start, the ability to download apps, a newly designed snapping feature, and many more. I could go on and on listing the new things here. It origionally sold for $199.99, but now sells for about 100 dollars.
