Microsoft Windows

Windows 1.0

Nov 20, 1985

x86 16-bit
It runs as a graphical, 16-bit multi-tasking shell on top of an existing MS-DOS installation, providing an environment which can run graphical programs designed for Windows

Windows 2.0

Dec 9, 1987

x86 16-bit
Introduced more sophisticated keyboard-shortcuts[3] and the terminology of "Minimize" and "Maximize", as opposed to "Iconize" and "Zoom" in Windows 1.0.

Windows 3.0

May 22, 1990

x86 16-bit
Includes a significantly revamped user interface as well as technical improvements to make better use of the memory management capabilities of Intel's 80286 and 80386 processors

Windows 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions

Oct 20, 1991

x86 16-bit
Supports sound cards as well as CD-ROM drives

Windows for Workgroups 3.11

Nov 8, 1993

x86 – 16-bit
Supports 32-bit file access, full 32-bit network redirectors, and VCACHE.386 file cache, shared between them.

Windows 95

Aug 24, 1995

IA-32
Features significant improvements over its predecessor, Windows 3.1, most notably in the graphical user interface (GUI) and in its simplified "plug-n-play" features

Windows 98

Jun 25, 1998

IA-32
Windows 98 is a hybrid 16-bit/32-bit[4] monolithic product with an MS-DOS based boot stage

Windows 98 SE

May 5, 1999

IA-32
Includes fixes for many minor issues, improved WDM audio and modem support, improved USB support, the replacement of Internet Explorer 4.0 with Internet Explorer 5.0, Web Folders (WebDAV namespace extension for Windows Explorer),[29] and related shell updates

Windows 2000

Feb 17, 2000

IA-32
Includes many system utilities such as the Microsoft Management Console and standard system administration applications.

Windows XP

Oct 25, 2001

IA-32
It introduced a significantly redesigned graphical user interface and was the first version of Windows to use product activation in an effort to reduce its copyright infringement.

Windows Vista for Business use

Nov 8, 2006

IA-32, x86
Redesigned shell and user interface to significant technical changes, with a particular focus on security features.

Windows 7

Oct 22, 2009

IA-32,x64
Incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista was already compatible

Windows 8

Oct 26, 2012

Introduction of a user interface based around Microsoft's Metro design language with optimizations for touch-based devices such as tablets and all-in-one PCs

Windows 8.1

Oct 18, 2013

IA-32, x64
New live tile sizes, deeper SkyDrive integration, and many other revisions. Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 has been subject to some criticism, such as removal of Start Menu

Windows 10

Jul 29, 2015

IA-32, x64, ARM
Return of the Start Menu, a virtual desktop system, and the ability to run Windows Store apps within windows on the desktop rather than in full-screen mode