iBet uBet web content aggregator. Adding the entire web to your favor.
Link to original content: https://web.archive.org/web/20120316142956/http://members.fortunecity.com/pcmuseum/windows.htm
|
| WINDOWS |
Microsoft first began development of the
Interface Manager (subsequently renamed Microsoft Windows) in
September 1981.
Although the first prototypes used Multiplan
and Word-like menus at the bottom of the screen, the interface was changed in
1982 to use pull-down menus and dialogs, as used on the Xerox Star.
Microsoft finally announced Windows in November 1983, with
pressure from just-released VisiOn
and impending TopView.
This was after the release of the Apple
Lisa, and before Digital Research announced GEM, and DESQ
from Quarterdeck and the Amiga Workbench
, or GEOS/GeoWorks Ensemble, IBM OS/2, NeXTstep
or even DeskMate from Tandy.
Windows promised an easy-to-use graphical interface,
device-independent graphics and multitasking support.
The development was delayed several times, however, and the Windows
1.0 hit the store shelves in November 1985. The selection of
applications was sparse, however, and Windows sales were modest.
Windows 1.0 package, included:
MS-DOS Executive, Calendar, Cardfile, Notepad, Terminal, Calculator,
Clock, Reversi, Control Panel, PIF (Program Information File) Editor, Print
Spooler, Clipboard, RAMDrive, Windows Write, Windows Paint.
-
Windows 1.0
Click here for more photos off WINDOWS 1.01 Thanks to Oliver Schade.
| Windows 1.0 advertising: |  "Windows will instantly deliver you a more productive present. And a leap into the future." |
 When Windows/386 was released, Microsoft renamed Windows 2.0 to Windows/286 for consistency. |
Windows 2.0, introduced in the fall of 1987,
provided significant useability improvements to Windows.
With the addition of icons and overlapping windows,
Windows became a viable environment for development of
major applications (such as Excel, Word for Windows,
Corel Draw!, Ami, PageMaker and Micrografx Designer), and
the sales were spurred by the runtime ("Single
Application Environment") versions supplied by the
independent software vendors. In late 1987 Microsoft released Windows/386. While it was functionally equivalent to its sibling, Windows/286, in running Windows applications, it provided the capability to run multiple DOS applications simultaneously in the extended memory. |
| Windows/286 >> |  |
Windows 3.0, released in May, 1990, was
a complete overhaul of the Windows environment. With the
capability to address memory beyond 640K and a much more powerful
user interface, independent software vendors started developing
Windows applications with vigor. The powerful new applications
helped Microsoft sell more than 10 million copies of Windows,
making it the best-selling graphical user interface in the
history of computing. Windows 3.1
Windows 3.1, released in April, 1992
provides significant improvements to Windows 3.0. In its first
two months on the market, it sold over 3 million copies,
including upgrades from Windows 3.0.
Windows 3.11, added no new features but corrects some
existing, mostly network-related problems. It is replacing
Windows 3.1 at the retail and OEM levels, and the upgrade was
available free from ftp.microsoft.com.
 |
Windows for Workgroups 3.1 , released in
October, 1992, was the first integrated Windows and
networking package offered by Microsoft. It provided
peer-to-peer file and printer sharing capabilities highly
integrated into the Windows environment. The
simple-to-use-and-install networking allows the user to
specify which files on the user's machine should be made
accessible to others. The files can then be accessed from
other machines running either Windows or DOS. Windows for Workgroups also includes two additional applications: Microsoft Mail, a network mail package, and Schedule+, a workgroup scheduler. On November, 1993 Microsoft ships Windows for Workgroups 3.11. |
Windows NT 3.1, 94-03-01 is Microsoft's platform of
choice for high-end systems. It is intended for use in network
servers, workstations and software development machines; it will
not replace Windows for DOS. While Windows NT's user interface is
very similar to that of Windows 3.1, it is based on an entirely
new operating system kernel.
Windows NT 3.5, 94-04-12 provides OLE 2.0, improved
performance and reduced memory requirements. It was released in
September 1994. Windows NT 3.5 Workstation replaces Windows NT
3.1, while Windows NT 3.5 Server replaces the Windows NT 3.1
Advanced Server.
Windows NT 4.0, ("Cairo") 94-03-15 Microsoft's
project for object-oriented Windows, and a successor to the
"Daytona" release of Windows NT.
 |
Windows 95, released in August of 1995. A 32-bit system providing full pre-emptive multitasking, advanced file systems, threading, networking and more. Includes MS-DOS 7.0, but takes over from DOS completely after starting. Also includes a completely revised user interface. |
Windows 95/98 >> Click here to see Windows 98 crash in Bill Gates face.(1.7megs Quick Time movie) |
Windows CE has the look and feel of
Windows 95 and NT. Users familiar with either of these operating
systems are able to instantly use Handheld PCs and Palm-size PCs.
Windows CE 1.0 devices appeared in November 1996. Over the
next year, approximately 500,000 Handheld PC units were sold
worldwide.
Windows CE 2.0>>
Click here for more
on the Windows CE/OS Windows CE 2.0 became available
in early 1998 addresses most of the problems experienced by
Windows CE 1.0 users and also added features to the operating
system that make it more viable for use by corporate rather than
home users.
Windows CE 3.0 Availability June 15, 2000 --
Embedded operating system and its comprehensive development tools
-- Platform Builder 3.0 and eMbedded Visual Tools 3.0 -- which
enable developers to build rich embedded devices that demand
dynamic applications and Internet services. Windows CE 3.0
combines the flexibility and the reliability of an embedded
platform with the power of Windows and the Internet.
 |
Windows 98, released in June of 1998. Integrated Web Browsing gives your desktop a browser-like interface. You will 'browse' everything, including stuff on your local computer. Active Desktop allows you to setup your desktop to be your personal web page, complete with links and any web content. You can also place active desktop items, such as a stock ticker, that will update automatically. Internet Explorer 4.0 New browser that supports HTML 4.0 and has an enhanced user interface. ACPI supports OnNow specs for better power management of PCs. FAT32 with Conversion utility Enhanced & Efficient support for larger hard drives. Includes a utility to convert your FAT16 to a FAT32 partition. Multiple Display Support can expand your desktop onto up to 8 connected monitors. New Hardware support will support the latest technology such as DVD, Firewire, USB, and AGP. Win32 Driver model Uses same driver model as Windows NT 5.0 Disk Defragmentor Wizard Enhanced hard drive defragmentor to speed up access to files and applications. |
Windows NT 5.0 will include a host of new features.
Like Windows 98, it will integrate Internet Explorer 4.0 into the
operating system. This new interface will be matched up with the
Distributed File System, which Microsoft says will provide
"a logical way to organize and navigate the huge volume of
information an enterprise assembles on servers, independent of
where the servers are physically located.
As of november 1998, NT 5.0 will be known as Windows
2000, making NT a "mainstream" operating system.
| Feb. 17 2000, Windows 2000 provides an impressive platform of Internet, intranet, extranet, and management applications that integrate tightly with Active Directory. You can set up virtual private networks - secure, encrypted connections across the Internet - with your choice of protocol. You can encrypt data on the network or on-disk. You can give users consistent access to the same files and objects from any network-connected PC. You can use the Windows Installer to distribute software to users over the LAN. |  |
| Thursday Sep. 14, 2000 Microsoft released Windows Me, short for Millenium Edition, which is aimed at the home user. The Me operating system boasts some enhanced multimedia features, such as an automated video editor and improved Internet plumbing. But unlike Microsoft's Windows 2000 OS which offers advanced security, reliability, and networking features Windows Me is basically just an upgrade to the DOS-based code on which previous Windows versions have been built. |  |
|
WINDOWS XP
|
Microsoft officially launches it on October 25th. 2001. |
 |
XP is a whole new kind of Windows for consumers. Under the
hood, it contains the 32-bit kernel and driver set from Windows NT and Windows
2000. Naturally it has tons of new features that no previous version of
Windows has, but it also doesn't ignore the past--old DOS and Windows programs
will still run, and may even run better.
XP comes in two flavors: Home and Professional. XP Home
is a $99 upgrade ($199 for the full version) and Professional is a $199
upgrade ($299 for the full version). Recognizing that many homes have
more than one PC, Microsoft also plans to offer discounts of $8 to $12
off the price of additional upgrades for home users (the Open Licensing
Program is still available for business or home users who need 5 or more
copies). That's fortunate because you'll need the additional licenses
since the Product Activation feature makes it all but impossible to install
a single copy on more than one PC. |
WINDOWS XP
|
LindowsOS SPX - the first "Broadband OS" An operating system-- built to take full advantage of broadband technology. LindowsOS SPX is designed to fully utilize the world of tomorrow, where Internet connectivity is bountiful and cheap, and computers are ubiquitous. For tomorrow's computing needs, computer users need a computing solution that's affordable and beneficial, a system where software is digitally transmitted, easy to deploy and highly customizable. Computing needs to be effortless, so people spend less time working on computers and more time having computers work for them; LindowsOS SPX, the broadband operating system, does all of this. LindowsOS SPX provides an advanced digital experience at an affordable price. Applications can all be digitally downloaded and installed at the click of a mouse. Individual machines can be customized quickly and easily.
|
|
LINDOWSOS
BRIDGES THE GAP TO COMPUTER OWNERSHIP WITH MICROTEL PCs AND WALMART.COM
Microtel Computer Systems, Pre-Installed with LindowsOS, to Cost Less Than $300 at Walmart.com SAN DIEGO –June 17, 2002 — Lindows.com, Inc., whose mantra has been “Bringing Choice to Your Computer,” is now delivering on its promises of choice by partnering with Microtel Computer Systems to ship Lindows.com’s Operating System, LindowsOS, pre-installed on their personal computers. For less than $300, computer-buyers can take advantage of LindowsOS and Microtel’s offering at Walmart.com (NYSE and PCX: WMT) therefore bringing computer ownership closer to those with limited resources. LindowsOS, a Linux®-based operating system, formerly only available to Lindows.com Insiders (www.lindows.com/signup), is now publicly available for the first time on Microtel PCs (www.buymicrotel.com). |
For more on the Graphical
User Interfaces (GUI)
---
Or you can go to the history of DOS
pcbiography.net
Formed in 2009, the Archive Team (not to be confused with the archive.org Archive-It Team) is a rogue archivist collective dedicated to saving copies of rapidly dying or deleted websites for the sake of history and digital heritage. The group is 100% composed of volunteers and interested parties, and has expanded into a large amount of related projects for saving online and digital history.
