Evolution Of Microsoft Windows: 1985 – 2009

 Evolution Of Microsoft Windows: 1985 – 2009

It all began in Plaza Hotel, New York City on the 10th of November 1983. Two Microsoft founders Paul Allen and Bill Gates officially announced their corporation’s first and next-generation graphical user interface operating system – Microsoft Windows.

Despite the criticism on stability and constantly being compared to their rivals Apple Macintosh, Microsoft Windows is still the most widely used operating systems in the world.

Windows 1.01 (1985)

Officially released on November 20, 1985, this 16-bit OS that cost less than 1MB in overall is Microsoft’s very first operating system that allows multi tasking with graphical user interface on PC platform that runs on MS-DOS 5.0

Windows 1.03 (1986)

Introduced in 1986, Windows 1.03 is an upgrade to its previous predecessor Windows 1.01. Entire operating system cost about 2.2Mb hard disk space.

Windows 2.03 (1987)

Taking advantage of the speed of Intel 286/386 processor at that time, Windows 2.03 is a replacement for Windows 1.x. It also starts the era where users are able to overlap windows, customize screens, etc. Still the entire operating system cost no more than 2.5Mb.

Windows 2.86 (1989)

Windows 3.0 (1990)

This is the third major released of Microsoft Windows with a improved set of Windows icons and applications like File Manager, Program Manager that is still being used in today’s Windows. This 22 May 1990 released operating system is then replaced by Windows 3.1 two years later.

Windows 3.1 (1992)

Windows 3.1 is probably the earliest Windows most of us are familiar with. Windows 3.1 and later Windows 3.1x is an upgrade to Windows 3.0 with bug fixes and multimedia support.

Windows NT 3.1 (1993)

The first Windows New Technology (NT) introduced. It maintains consistency with the Windows 3.1, a well-established home and business operating system at the time, the new Windows NT operating system began with version 3.1. Unlike Windows 3.1, however, Windows NT 3.1 was a 32-bit operating system.

Windows 3.11 (1993)

A superset of Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11 added peer-to-peer workgroup and domain networking support. For the first time, Windows–based PCs were network-aware and became an integral part of the emerging client/server computing evolution – Microsoft.

Windows NT 3.51 Workstation (1995)

The Windows NT Workstation 3.5 release provided the highest degree of protection yet for critical business applications and data. With support for the OpenGL graphics standard, this operating system helped power high-end applications for software development, engineering, financial analysis, scientific, and business-critical tasks – Microsoft

Windows 95 (1995)

Previously code-named Chicago, Windows 95 is a successor to all the existing Windows operating system so far. It gives full graphical user interface support, integrated a 32-bit TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack for built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities that made it easy for users to install hardware and software.

Windows NT 4.0 (1996)

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 included the popular Windows 95 user interface yet provided improved networking support for easier and more secure access to the Internet and corporate intranets – Microsoft.

Windows NT Server 4.0 (1996)

Windows 98 (1998)

Windows 98 was the upgrade from Windows 95. Described as an operating system that "Works Better, Plays Better," Windows 98 was the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers – Microsoft.

Windows 2000 (2000)

More than just the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional was also 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, Windows 2000 added major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing – Microsoft.

Windows 2000 Server (2000)

Windows ME (2000)

Designed for home computer users, Windows Me offered consumers numerous music, video, and home networking enhancements and reliability improvements – Microsoft.


Windows XP (2001)

Windows XP Professional brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to the PC desktop, enhancing reliability, security, and performance. With a fresh visual design, Windows XP Professional includes features for business and advanced home computing, including remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, and system restore and advanced networking features – Microsoft.

Windows Server 2003 (2003)

Released on April 2003, and also known as Win2k3, this operating system is a sucessor to it’s predecessor Windows Server 2000 (Win2k).

Windows Vista (2006)

Came more than 5 years after it’s predecessor Windows XP, Vista is the longest timeline break for Microsoft between two operating system.

Windows 7 (2009)

 Codenamed Blackcomb, Windows 7 is one of the most anticipated operating system which should be available somewhere in Oct 2009. Read more.

In short the history of windows can be summarised as follows:

1983    Bill Gates announces Microsoft Windows November 10, 1983.
1985    Microsoft Windows 1.0 is introduced in November 20, 1985 and is initially sold for $100.00.
1987    Microsoft Windows 2.0 was released December 9, 1987 and is initially sold for $100.00.
1987    Microsoft Windows/386 or Windows 386 is introduced December 9, 1987 and is initially sold for $100.00.
1988    Microsoft Windows/286 or Windows 286 is introduced June, 1988 and is initially sold for $100.00.
1990    Microsoft Windows 3.0 was released May, 22 1990. Microsoft Windows 3.0 full version was priced at $149.95 and the upgrade version was priced at $79.95.
1991    Following its decision not to develop operating systems cooperatively with IBM, Microsoft changes the name of OS/2 to Windows NT.
1991    Microsoft Windows 3.0 or Windows 3.0a with multimedia was released October, 1991.
1992    Microsoft Windows 3.1 was released April, 1992 and sells more than 1 Million copies within the first two months of its release.
1992    Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1 was released October, 1992.
1993    Microsoft Windows NT 3.1 was released July 27, 1993.
1993    Microsoft Windows 3.11, an update to Windows 3.1 is released December 31, 1993.
1993    The number of licensed users of Microsoft Windows now totals more than 25 Million.
1994    Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11 was released February, 1994.
1994    Microsoft Windows NT 3.5 was released September 21, 1994.
1995    Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 was released May 30, 1995.
1995    Microsoft Windows 95 was released August 24, 1995 and sells more than 1 Million copies within 4 days.
1995    Microsoft Windows 95 Service Pack 1 (4.00.950A) is released February 14, 1996.
1996    Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 was released July 29, 1996.
1996    Microsoft Windows 95 (4.00.950B) aka OSR2 with FAT32 and MMX support is released August 24, 1996.
1996    Microsoft Windows CE 1.0 was released November, 1996.
1997    Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 was released November, 1997.
1997    Microsoft Windows 95 (4.00.950C) aka OSR2.5 is released November 26, 1997.
1998    Microsoft Windows 98 was released June, 1998.
1998    Microsoft Windows CE 2.1 was released July, 1998.
1998    In October of 1998 Microsoft announced that future releases of Windows NT would no longer have the initials of NT and that the next edition would be Windows 2000.
1999    Microsoft Windows 98 SE (Second Edition) was released May 5, 1999.
1999    Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 was released 1999.
2000    On January 4th at CES Bill Gates announces the new version of Windows CE will be called Pocket PC.
2000    Microsoft Windows 2000 was released February 17, 2000.
2000    Microsoft Windows ME (Millennium) released June 19, 2000.
2001    Microsoft Windows XP is released October 25, 2001.
2001    Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition (Version 2002) for Itanium systems is released March 28, 2003.
2003    Microsoft Windows Server 2003 is released March 28, 2003.
2003    Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition (Version 2003) for Itanium 2 systems is released on March 28, 2003.
2003    Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2003 is released on December 18, 2003.
2004    Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is released on October 12, 2004.
2005    Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is released on April 24, 2005.
2005    Microsoft announces it's next operating system, codenamed "Longhorn" will be named Windows Vista on July 23, 2005.
2006    Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows Vista to corporations on November 30, 2006.
2007    Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007 to the general public January 30, 2007.
2009    Microsoft releases Windows 7 October 22, 2009.