 When Bill Gates saw how successful the apple “Lisa” computer and “Mac” computer were doing he decided to create an operating system with a GUI himself.  On November 10, 1983 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, Microsoft announced that they were developing Microsoft Windows: a GUI and multitasking environment for IBM computers that ran with MS-DOS.  Windows didn’t become its own operating system until the release of Windows 95. Up until then, the operating system was actually MS-DOS.

 The first versions of Windows were very simple: the programs could not overlap each other on the screen, there were not many features, and the quality of the programs was nothing like modern day.  Windows slowly started to incorporate new features such as overlapping windows and improved applications.  Eventually, as Windows became more popular and more developed, it evolved into what many of us now use today.

 Windows 1.01 (1985) Windows 1.01 (1985)  Windows 1.03 (1986) Windows 1.03 (1986)  Windows 2.03 (1987) Windows 2.03 (1987)  Windows 2.86 (1989) Windows 2.86 (1989)  Windows 3.0 (1990) Windows 3.0 (1990)  Windows 3.1 (1992) Windows 3.1 (1992)  Windows NT 3.1 (1993) Windows NT 3.1 (1993)  Windows 3.11 (1993) Windows 3.11 (1993)  Windows NT 3.51 Workstation (1995) Windows NT 3.51 Workstation (1995)  Windows 95 (1995) Windows 95 (1995)  Windows NT 4.0 (1996) Windows NT 4.0 (1996)  Windows 98 (1998) Windows 98 (1998)  Windows 2000 (2000) Windows 2000 (2000)  Windows ME (2000) Windows ME (2000)  Windows XP (2001) Windows XP (2001)  Windows Vista (2006) Windows Vista (2006)  Windows 7 (2009) Windows 7 (2009)

1.01 Officially released on November 20, bit OS cost less than 1MB Microsoft’s very first operating system that allows multi tasking with graphical user interface on PC platform runs on MS-DOS 5.0

1.03 Introduced in 1986 an upgrade to its previous predecessor Windows 1.01 Entire operating system cost about 2.2MB hard disk space Not too different from 1.01

2.03 a replacement for Windows 1.x Used an Intel 286/386 processor starts the era where users are able to overlap windows and customize screens entire operating system cost no more than 2.5MB

2.86 Basically just the same thing as windows 2.03 with some extra features and using a little more space.

3.0 Improved set of windows icons and applications such as File Manager and Program Manager Released May 22, 1990 Third major released in the Microsoft Windows “series”

3.1 An upgrade to Windows 3.0 with multimedia support and bug fixes The earliest version of Windows that most of us are familiar with

NT 3.1 A 32-bit operating system The first Windows New Technology (NT) introduced A well-established home and business operating system at the time

3.11 Also known as Windows for Workgroups 3.11 A superset of Windows 3.1 Added peer-to-peer workgroup and domain networking support An integral part of the emerging client/server computing evolution

NT 3.51 Workstation Provided the highest degree of protection yet for critical business applications and data Helped power high-end applications for software development, engineering, financial analysis, scientific, and business-critical tasks

95 Previously code-named Chicago It gives full graphical user interface support 32-bit TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack for built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities

NT 4.0 Included the popular Windows 95 user interface Provided improved networking support for easier and more secure access to the Internet and corporate intranets

98 The upgrade from Windows 95 The first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers Described as an operating system that "Works Better, Plays Better"

2000 Designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops Built on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base Major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing

ME Designed for home computer users Offered consumers numerous music, video, and home networking enhancements and reliability improvements

XP The solid foundation of Windows 2000 Enhancing reliability, security, and performance Fresh visual design Includes features for business and advanced home computing, including remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, and system restore and advanced networking features

Vista Took more than five years from the release of Windows XP Used the same format as Windows XP with new features, improved security, and improved user experience

7 Originally codenamed Blackcomb Designed with the goal of being more compatible with applications and hardware instead of introducing more features