An Operating System conquers the World
Exactly 30 years ago today, Windows in the US presented Windows 1.01. The product became the most successful software by Microsoft. We go back once again to the beginnings of Windows and follow the way of this ultimate software.
On 20th November 1985 Windows 1.0 was developed and published under the code name "Interface Manager". The first graphical operating system then cost 99 US dollars. However, back then it was still missing on applications. In 1989 Windows 2:11 appeared. This version already contained of Microsoft Words, but regarding the graphical user interface it still remembered strong on text-based user interfaces.
With Windows 3.0 Microsoft went around. With around three million copies sold in the first two months this version became a bestseller. In 1995, the successful company then under the working title "Chicago" developed Windows 95. A detailed test phase in which the participants had to sign a confidentiality agreement, preceded the release.
On 25th June 1998 Microsoft presented Windows 98 under the code name "Memphis". Although the operating system offered barely visible new features compared to Windows 95, the new version for the first time came up with an USB support and a customizable interface. Windows 2000 then appeared on Millennium in a 32-bit and 64-bit version. The development on the 64-bit version however discontinued shortly afterwards.
A more recent version, especially for home users, was presented in 2001 with Windows XP. This operating system at that time, therefore, was launched with a very fresh user interface and convinced millions of PC users. Windows 7 was revised in many aspects and arrived in October 2009 on the market. The new features in this release were mainly recognized through the use of libraries in Windows Explorer. With Windows 8 out of the year 2012 Microsoft the first time provided users two interfaces at hand: the Windows 8 Modern UI with its tile look and the classic desktop view. Since dissatisfaction of many users loomed, Microsoft´s specialists developed the follow-up version 8.1 under the code name "Windows Blue". This version now by default linked the Microsoft cloud service "Drive One". The currently last version was rolled out in September 2014 to the market: Windows 10. Here, the focus for users with a mouse and keyboard is back, especially designed for the usage on large monitors.
We wish Microsoft Windows happy birthday and hope to benefit even the next 30 years of this successful software.
