Let’s knock the WINDOWS

Windows 10 was released in July 2015 and some of the articles mention that Windows 10 will be the last version of windows.

 First of all it will be a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users...HURAAYYYYY

•          Start button is back and look of start menu is totally changed. Now user can switch between virtual desktop easily.
•          Snap assist feature has been enhanced.
•          New feature in command prompt has been added. Like copy paste option, window resize option
•          Windows media centre is not available

But let’s go back and see how all this has started? How and when windows came into action why they have dominated the world?

In 1983 Microsoft announced the development of Windows, a Graphical User Interface for its own OS. The first independent version of Microsoft Windows v1.0 released on 20^th Nov 1985, In this version Microsoft includes Windows Paint, Windows Write , Word Processor, Appointment calendar, Notepad, Clock, Control Panel, clipboard and RAM driver. But providing all this they have achieved little popularity.

But in May 1990 when Windows 3.0 released it was the significant success. In addition to improved capabilities given to native application, Windows also allowed users to better multitask.

Windows 95 was the consumer based operating system developed my Microsoft. It was released on August 24 1995 and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products. Microsoft has given code Chicago to Windows 95.

•         It was the complete operating system rather than a graphical user interface running on top of Ms-Dos
•         New introduced desktop
•         Right Button Menu
•         New help system
•       Task bar and start menu
•       Build in network support
•        Folder View
•        Support 32 Bit application for multitasking

      Windows 98 on 25th June Microsoft released Windows 98. They have given the code name Memphis. Windows 98 has integrated the Internet standard comprehensively. It unifys ans simplifys desktop with Internet technology and allows the users to find and browse the information on the computer or on the internet more simply and faster. It has a faster speed and greater stability. With the brand new self-maintenance and updating function, users can have more spare time to concentrate on work or games instead of system management. 

•          Convenient to install
•          Plug and play function
•          Improved UI
•          Provide better support for MS-DOS without MS-DOS
•          The function of mouse stands out

      Windows 2000 on Feb 2000 Microsoft released the Windows 2000. It was successfully deployed both on server and workstation. The best feature was the Active Directory.

•          DVD support - Auto-play, DVD movies on laptops
•          Multi-monitor support - Up to 10 video cards/monitors, each with different resolutions and colour depths if desired.
•          Accessibility - Accessibility Wizard, new or improved accessibility features such as narrator, on-screen keyboard, magnifier, and the familiar tools from Windows 98.
•          Move files without wires - Infrared monitor service supports IRDA for file transfer between Windows 2000 machines and digital cameras, digital video cameras, and other devices.
•          Plug & Play - Hot dock laptops, on-the-fly networking and other features are implemented without requiring rebooting or manual configuration.
•          Virtual Private Networking (VPN).
•          Smart cards - Makes network logons more secure with minimal cost.
•          Support for your devices - Windows 2000 supports over 4000 printers, 700 network devices, 4200 modems, 55 scanners, 50 cameras, and a vast array of other hardware devices

      Windows ME was launched in Sep 2000, it was the last DOS based Operating system from Microsoft. Windows ME introduced with a new multimedia application called Windows Movie Maker.

      Windows XP Launched on 25^th Oct 2001 with lots of new functionalities, XP got very much positive reviews and people have notice the increased performance, a good user interface, improved hardware support and its multimedia capabilities.

·         XP includes clear type sub pixel rendering which makes onscreen font smoother and readable on LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

·         Start button has been updated with Fitt’s law. To help the user access a wider range of common destinations more easily from a single location, the Start menu was expanded to two columns; the left column focuses on the user's installed applications, while the right column provides access to the user's documents, and system links which were previously located on the desktop. 

·         There are significant changes made to Windows Explorer in Windows XP, both visually and functionally. Microsoft focused especially on making Windows Explorer more discoverable and task-based, as well as adding a number of features to reflect the growing use of a computer as a “digital hub”.

·         Microsoft introduced animated "Search Companions" in an attempt to make searching more engaging and friendly; the default character is a puppy named Rover, 

·         Windows XP includes Windows Picture and Fax Viewer which is based on GDI+[16] and is capable of viewing image formats supported by GDI+, namely, JPEG,BMP, PNG, GIF.

     Windows Server 2003 launched on 25^th April 2003 and in this Microsoft has implemented many new security features.

•          Easy to deploy, Manage and Use
•          Secure Connected infrastructure
•          Dynamic Intranet and Internet Web Sites with the help of IIS 6.0
•          Increased document protection
•          Easy to find and share XML services

    Windows Vista launched on Nov 2006 and it was intend to have enhanced security by introducing “User Account Control”, replacing the administrator by default concept of Windows XP. But actually it was the target of much criticism and negative response and overall it was not well regarded. 

   Windows 7 was launched on 2009. Microsoft has tried not repeat the mistake which happen in Vista specially performance.

•          Windows 7 was having improvised desktop desponse.
•          Booting was pretty was compare to Vista
•          It was supported on lower hardware requirement.
•         There was improved search tool. For example, typing ‘mouse’ will bring up the mouse option within the control panel or typing a word will display it and split it up neatly into files, folders and applications.
•          Thumbnail option was introduced. If you have multiple Word documents or Windows Explorer windows open then you’ll see a stack appear on the task bar. Hover the mouse over the app and each Window will be visible in a thumbnail. Hover over each thumbnail and it will become visible, while all other open windows temporarily disappear

     Windows 8 was introduced major changes to the operating system’s platform and user interface to improve experience in tablets. Windows 8 got mix reaction from the users. Although reaction towards its performance improvements, security enhancements and improved support for touch screen devices was positive, the new user interface of operating system was widely criticized for being potentially confusing and difficult to learn.

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