The history of Microsoft Windows is one of the most important tech stories of the modern age. This operating system has helped spearhead how millions, if not billions, of individuals go online and complete everyday tasks like browsing the web, creating a Word document, and even looking for a new job.
Because of this importance, the history of Microsoft Windows is fascinating. It’s an incredible story of how Bill Gates and Paul Allen would change everything about computers and go on to become two of the wealthiest men the world has ever seen. With this in mind, let’s walk down Microsoft Windows memory lane.
Quick Facts
- Creator (person)
- Bill Gates, Paul Allen
- Original price
- $99
- Operating System
- Windows
- Developed By (company)
- Microsoft Corporation
What Is Microsoft Windows?: Explained
On November 10, 1983, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, a modest event occurred that would significantly impact the software industry in the next decades—the little-known company Microsoft Corporation formally announced a graphical user interface (GUI) for its operating system (MS-DOS), which had shipped for IBM PC and compatible computers since 1981.
The new product was initially developed under Interface Manager, but before its official introduction in 1985, the marketing gurus convinced Bill Gates that Windows was a more suitable name.
The leading partner of Microsoft since 1981 was IBM when MS-DOS became the highly successful operating system that came bundled with an IBM computer. That’s why, in November 1983, the owner of Microsoft, Bill Gates, decided to show a beta version of Windows to IBM’s management. Their response was negative, though, probably because IBM was working on its own Top View operating system.
IBM Top View was released in February 1985 as a DOS-based multitasking program manager without GUI features. IBM promised that future versions of Top View would have a GUI, but that promise was never kept, and the program was discontinued barely two years later.
Bill Gates realized how profitable a successful GUI for IBM computers would be. He had seen Apple’s Lisa computer and the more successful Macintosh computer, both of which came with stunning graphical user interfaces.
Microsoft Windows now powers approximately 90% of personal computers. Despite the mixed reviews throughout its version history and its unusual timeline of version names, Windows remains a popular operating system with many unique and convenient features.
Visual History of Microsoft Windows
If you want to see the whole history of Microsoft in three minutes, Bloomberg has done a fantastic job of breaking down a few decades into a few minutes. Filled with fun visuals, cartoony interludes, and Steve Ballmer doing his famous yells, there is something incredible about seeing how Windows comes to life with a visual history.
Better yet, it’s incredible to see the visual evolution of how far Windows has come from the days of MS-DOS. Everything from the colors to the menu design lights up as we get closer to today’s Windows, and it’s a reminder that Microsoft has changed directions multiple times to figure out what consumers want.
Bloomberg even hypothesizes that we’ve seen the last numbered version of Windows with Windows 11 and that future versions will be “Windows.”
The Difference Between Microsoft Windows vs. Mac OS
While Microsoft Windows remains the most popular operating system for personal computer users worldwide, this MS-DOS replacement has been competing with Mac OS from the beginning. Review the features of these two operating systems to learn more about their pros and cons.
Mac OS has been a competitor since Apple Inc. launched it in 2001. This operating system is designed for Mac computers and offers similar workstations, personal computing, and embedding functionality.
Microsoft Windows offers the following benefits compared with Mac OS:
- More convenient login options
- Expanded hardware options from Microsoft and other companies
- Improved touch capabilities and stylus support
- More streamlined voice support
There are, however, a few ways in which Microsoft Windows is at a disadvantage compared to Mac OS:
- Fewer apps
- Less mobile connectivity
The two operating systems are similar in many other ways. Search, navigation, installation, and other features are largely the same. Although most personal computers use Windows, both are competitive options.
Microsoft Windows Release History
Review the version history timeline of Microsoft Windows, from the MS-DOS graphical user interface replacement to the latest version of this dynamic operating system. While originally announced in 1983, Microsoft needed more than two years to launch the announced product—Microsoft Windows 1.0, which was introduced on November 20, 1985, and was initially sold for $99.
MS Windows version 1.0 was considered buggy, crude, and slow. Its rough start was made worse by a threatened lawsuit from Apple Co. In September 1985, Apple lawyers warned Bill Gates that Windows infringed on Apple copyrights and patents and that his corporation had stolen Apple’s trade secrets. Windows had drop-down menus, tiled windows, and mouse support similar to Apple’s operating system.
Gates decided to make an offer to license features of Apple’s OS. Apple agreed, and a contract was drawn up. A few years later, Bill Gates had more copyright infringement problems with Apple (Apple vs. Microsoft & Hewlett-Packard copyright suit). Then, he claimed that Apple had taken ideas from the graphical user interface developed by Xerox for Alto and Star computers.
Windows 2.0, 1987
Microsoft Windows 2.0 initially sold for $100. It was a much-improved Windows that made Windows-based computers look more like a Macintosh. It introduced icons representing programs and files and improved support for expanded-memory hardware and windows that could overlap.
Windows 3.0, 1990
The full version was priced at $149.95, and the upgraded version at $79.95. Windows 3.0 had an improved program manager and icon system, a new file manager, support for sixteen colors, improved speed and reliability, and widespread third-party support. Programmers started writing Windows-compatible software, giving end users a reason to buy Windows 3.0. Three million copies were sold in the first year.
Windows 3.1, 1992
Windows 3.1 became a smash hit, selling almost 3 million copies within the first two months of its release. It featured the new TrueType scalable font support, multimedia capability, object linking and embedding (OLE), application reboot capability, and more. Windows 3.X became the number one operating system installed on PCs until 1997 when Windows 95 took over.
Windows NT 3.1, 1993
Windows NT 3.1 was the first version of Windows to utilize 32-bit “flat” virtual memory addressing on 32-bit processors. Its companion product, Windows 3.1, used segmented addressing and switched from 16-bit to 32-bit addressing on pages. Windows NT was initially designed to be a powerful, high-level language-based, processor-independent, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with features comparable to Unix.
It was intended to complement consumer Windows versions based on MS-DOS. NT was the first fully 32-bit version of Windows, whereas its consumer-oriented counterparts, Windows 3.1x and Windows 9x, were 16-bit/32-bit hybrids.
Windows 95, 1995
Windows 95 screen
Thanks in part to a massive marketing campaign, Windows 95 was introduced with plenty of fanfare and rave reviews. The Start menu, internet support, and plug-and-play functionality were just a few reasons this operating system sold 7 million copies in five weeks.
Windows 98, 1998
Windows 98 was a reliable update that performed reasonably well. It didn’t add much to the Windows 95 operating system, but it introduced a few upgrades and continued to lead the way in operating systems.
Windows 2000, 2000
Windows 2000 was just as accepted and ultimately forgettable an update as Windows 98. While it did not diminish the popularity of Windows 95, it didn’t add any features or technology that ultimately changed users’ interactions with the operating system.
Windows Me, 2000
Windows Me was generally considered a flop, known more for its bugs, glitches, and security risks than its new functions. It is still considered one of the worst operating systems ever created. This reflects issues with the system but also a sense of letdown when compared with Windows 95 and other popular versions.
Windows XP, 2001
After the less-than-memorable versions, Windows XP was introduced as a major improvement. It remains a prevalent operating system despite losing mainstream support in 2009. Windows XP introduced a stylish interface, convenient taskbar, and updated infrastructure.
Windows Vista, 2007
The next desktop OS of Microsoft was released more than five years after the introduction of its predecessor, the longest period between successive releases of Windows desktop operating systems. Windows Vista (known by its code name “Longhorn”) was released in January 2007.
It contains many changes and new features, including an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Aero, a redesigned search function, multimedia tools including Windows DVD Maker, and redesigned networking, audio, print, and display subsystems.
Vista aimed to increase communication between machines on a home network, using peer-to-peer technology to simplify the sharing of files and media between computers and devices. Windows Vista includes version 3.0 of the .NET Framework, allowing software developers to write applications without traditional Windows APIs.
Commonly known as the second-worst operating system in history, Windows Vista failed to live up to expectations after Windows Me was released. Not only was it seen as a letdown compared to Windows XP, but it didn’t have enough hardware drivers to support many monitors or printers. Clunky features and poor infrastructural decisions caused my users to switch back to XP.
Windows 7, 2009
The welcomed relief users wanted after Vista, Windows 7, lived up to the quality of operating systems Windows has been famous for. It came with handwriting recognition, DirectAccess, an updated Windows Media Center, and plenty of other features to help users forget all about Vista’s poor design.
Unlike its predecessor, which introduced many new features, Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, to be compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista is already compatible. It focused on multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows Shell with a new taskbar called the Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements.
Some standard applications included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, including Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery, are not included in Windows 7; most are offered separately at no charge as part of the Windows Live Essentials suite.
Windows 8, 2012
Microsoft Windows needed to compete in a new market: a hybrid OS that would provide dynamic synergy between tablets, phones, and laptops. The result was Microsoft’s development of Windows 8, which was the company’s first attempt at getting Windows into the hybrid market. Unfortunately, some of the changes were not well received. For example, the lack of a Start menu and the dramatic visual changes weren’t received well, making Windows 8 yet another letdown in the version history of Windows.
The desktop was changed radically to make way for the new so-called Modern UI (User Interface). There was no more Start button, as this interface was designed to be used with touchscreens, a mouse, and a keyboard and requires programs to be written specially for it. These programs will be downloaded via the new Windows Store or developers’ websites.
Microsoft claims Windows 8 has significant security improvements, better battery life, and faster boot time. Windows 8 features the new “Hybrid Boot” mode (which hibernates the Windows kernel on shutdown to speed up the next bootup).
The Task Manager has also been redesigned, including a new processes tab with the option to display fewer or more details of running applications and background processes, a heat map using different colors to indicate the level of resource usage, etc.
Windows in 2024
Windows 10, 2015
Upon its release in 2025, Microsoft 10 was declared the last Windows version. It brought back the Start menu and introduced several other features. This declaration is why Microsoft skipped Windows 9, but this announcement still confused several users. This operating system underwent several version updates before being replaced by Windows 11.
Windows 11, 2021
Windows 11 is the most up-to-date version of Windows. Most critics have praised its sleek design and easy navigation. Its improved security systems, Android app availability, and other features help it compete with the latest Mac OS and outperform Windows 10. As of November 2024, Windows 11’s market share was at 35%, while Windows 10 still held a robust 62.79% market share.
Released in October 2021, the software was a free update for all Windows 10 users and included significant changes. Microsoft introduced a Windows Shell, a redesigned start menu, “live tiles,” and widgets, to name a few of the additions made with this release.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©mundissima/Shutterstock.com.