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Windows: From Floppy Disks to Blue Screens of Death
20 Nov
Summary
- Windows 1.0 launched in 1985, initially a graphical add-on for MS-DOS.
- Windows 95 introduced the Start menu, taskbar, and Plug & Play features.
- Despite early crashes, Windows versions achieved significant sales success.
The journey of Microsoft Windows began on November 20, 1985, with the release of Windows 1.0, originally conceived as a graphical enhancement for MS-DOS. This early version, requiring only 256KB of memory, laid the groundwork for future innovations. Significant milestones include the introduction of overlapping windows in Windows 2.0 and the popularization of games like Solitaire with Windows 3.0.
Windows 95 marked a pivotal moment, bringing the internet into focus and introducing iconic features such as the Start menu, taskbar, and Plug & Play. Subsequent versions like Windows 98 and Windows XP continued to integrate internet access and multimedia capabilities, with XP becoming a long-standing favorite. Despite a history of stability issues, including the notorious blue screen of death, these releases achieved substantial market success.
From the user-friendly interface of Windows 7 to the touch-optimized Windows 8 and the unified platform of Windows 10, Microsoft has continuously adapted its operating system. The evolution reflects a constant effort to meet changing technological demands and user expectations, culminating in the ongoing development of Windows 11.
