Windows Operating System is one of the most popular operating systems and it is used by millions of people all over the world. This OS was developed by “Microsoft Corporation” in 1985 and they take more than 90% of the market share from the global market in the IT sector (Computer Operating System). The reason behind the popularity of this OS is that it comes up with a graphical user interface and with preloaded applications which makes the user easy to use and make their experience good. They can easily use any third-party application in this OS without writing any codes and do many types of things which we’ll discuss in later. Now, let’s see what is Windows Operating system?
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Windows Operating system
It is a GUI-based operating system that is developed and marketed by Microsoft Corporation. The main objective of Microsoft company regarding this operating system is to make it an all-rounder and easy-to-use OS that has everything So that any normal user who doesn’t have knowledge about coding can easily use this operating without any issue.
It comes up with a clean desktop environment that looks minimal and easy to use. It also comes up with a pre-loaded application like Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Edge browser, Microsoft store, some basic games, and many other applications come. It allows the user to do multitask, play games, watch videos, browse the internet, chats with friends/family, and even you can install any software without any issue.
Now, let see what are the features in the window OS
Features in Windows Operating System
As such there are many features in the windows are :
- Desktop
- Taskbar
- Task Manager
- Control Panel
- Command Prompt
- Recycle Bin
- Setting
- Registry Editor
- Cortana
- System Information
- Start Menu
1. Desktop
Desktop is a by-default GUI-based Screen provided by the Microsoft in windows OS. It is a place where all the software applications icons are available on a screen, so the users can do their work by clicking on these applications. You can also customize it according to your preferences like you can change the background, you can delete your application’s icons, you can create a folder, and also you can customize your taskbar.
2. Taskbar
Tasker is an area where you can check which application in your PC/laptop is currently open or which is not. Like in the given image, you can see that the only chrome application is currently open.
3. Task Manager
Task manager is a “system monitoring program’ where you can monitor your system what’s currently running on your computer. It shows your system resource information, what amount of resources can be used by each application.
4. Control Panel
It is a management tool where you can manage all the resources on your system like you can make some changes on Hardware resources(Printer, Mouse, keyboard, etc), networks, programs, personalization, etc.
5. Command Prompt
Command Prompt is a terminal where you can operate your computer by writing Some commands like cd, cls, dir, exit, find, hostname, shutdown, etc, and many others. It is mostly known for “cmd”.
6) Recycle Bin
It is a place where all the deleted files and applications are stored. It provides a facility of restore point where we can restore any deleted files or applications of our system. If you delete any files or applications from the recycle bin then you will no longer restore them, they will be permanently deleted. In a given image you can see that my Linux command PDF file has been deleted and is now showing in the recycle bin folder.
7) Setting
The word “setting” you better know, this is available in all the devices smartphones, tablets, PC, etc. setting allows us to make some changes like we can customize our window desktop by adding different types of wallpapers, pictures to the background, we can adjust the icon size and also we can change the time and date of your system.
If we talked about an important thing then we can check the windows updates, update drivers, secure system, etc.
8) Registry Editor
It is the place where we can fix any error which will be happening in windows OS and for any applications.
9) Cortana
Cortana is an assistant which helps us to execute our program by hearing our voice, it saves our time and focuses attention on what matters most.
10) System Information
System information shows our PC information of hardware resources, components, and of the software environment.
11) Start Menu
Start Menu shows all the applications and programs of our system. It also shows the history of what application was currently open.
History of Windows Operating System
1983 was the year where the first window operating system was developed which is done by the multi-technology software company “Microsoft” and it was founded by the two popular electronics magazines friends “Bill Gates” and “Paul Allen” in 1975. After some years Paul Allen left the Microsoft company (In 1983) and right now the Bill Gates was the only person who owns Microsoft and there are many shareholders who invest in Microsoft.
Versions of Windows Operating System
There are too many versions were released by Microsoft are:
a) Windows 1
It is was the first Windows from Microsoft which is released on 20 November 1985. This was the first step from the Microsoft to produce a GUI-based operating system. After that, they sold it in the market at $100.
b) Window 2
After two years, Microsoft released the second version of the window which is released on 9 December 1987. It was sold for $100.
c) Window 386
The release date of window 2, “Window 386” was released on the same day (on 9 Dec 1987). And, it was also sold at $100.
d) Window 286
In June 1988 the window 286 were released and also sold for $100.
e) Window 3
It was released on 22 May 1990 and this was the first version of windows that required an HDD (Hard Drive Disk). It was initially sold at a price of $149.95 and the upgraded version was sold for $79.95.
e) Window 3.1
It was released on 6 April 1992. It was the most loved version in the market, Within 2 months the millions of copies of this version were sold in the market.
f) Windows 95
Windows 95 was released on 24 August 1995. This was the time where the windows craze started, within a few days the millions of copies were sold.
g) Windows 98
Windows 98 was released in 1998. This was the updated version of windows 95 where the Microsoft added some new feature which was not available in windows 95
h) Windows 2000
Windows 2000 was launched on 17 Feb 2000. This version was based on a business-oriented system.
i) Windows XP
Windows XP was released on 25 October 2001 and this was the best version of Windows OS because it is a stable OS which is built on a Windows 2000 kernel.
j) Windows Vista
In January 2006 this version was released and it is the updated version of Windows XP where the vista added some additional features with its looks and feel.
k) Window 7
Window 7 is a successor to window vista which was released on 22 July 2009. This version of windows aims to fix all those bugs which was faced in windows vista and make it user-friendly OS.
l) Window 8
Window 8 was released on 26 October 2012 and this version of windows comes with some news features like faster booting speed, web store, improved search function, USB 3.0 supported device, etc., and many others.
m) Window 8.1
Window 8.1 was released on 23 august 2013 and it is the little upgrade of window 8.
n) Window 10
Window 10 was released on 29 July 2015. This version comes up with some improvements and with news features.
o) Window 11
Well, we all know window 11 is recently released by microsoft. It is released on 5 Oct 2021. It is also comes up with some improvements and with some features like Apple mac-like interface, Integrated android apps, splitting the screen, Better virtual desktop support, etc. and many other things.
A very pleasant and nice commentary for the time line of the operating systems for display devices specially for desk top computers and monitors for commercial uses and for the personal uses up till the recent days of the 2025 in an interesting manner is narrated.
The study of the operating systems is a very very vast field for the learners as well as the expertise.
Over all the time line for the computers operating systems is narrated in a very crisp way and interesting way for the readers having keen interest in the field of the computers operating systems.