Назовите основных представителей 16 разрядных windows

Аннотация: 16-разрядные Windows. Windows 9x. Windows NT. Windows CE. Windows Mobile и Windows Phone.

Microsoft Windows – операционные системы корпорации Microsoft, различные версии которых предназначены для широкого класса устройств – от суперкомпьютеров до встроенных систем. В настоящее время Microsoft Windows установлена на большинстве персональных компьютеров: по данным сайта анализа веб трафика StatCounter (http://gs.statcounter.com) операционные системы Windows (версий XP, Vista, 7) в августе 2012 года были установлены на 88% компьютеров в мире; в то же время по данным компании веб-аналитики Net Applications (http://marketshare.hitslink.com) Windows занимает 92% рынка настольных компьютеров и ноутбуков.

В настоящее время существует несколько семейств (family) операционных систем Windows, предназначенных для использования на разных типах компьютеров:

  • семейство клиентских операционных систем Windows NT (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 и др.);
  • семейство серверных операционных систем Windows NT Server (Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 и др.);
  • семейство мобильных операционных систем Windows Mobile и Windows Phone (Windows Mobile 6, Windows Phone 7 и др.);
  • семейство встроенных операционных систем реального времени Windows CE (Windows CE 7.0 и др.).

Кроме того, в прошлом выпускались 16 разрядные операционные системы (Windows 1.0, Windows 2.х, Windows 3.х) и семейство операционных систем Windows 9x (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me).

В данной лекции представлен краткий обзор семейств операционных систем Microsoft Windows (рис.2.1).

16 разрядные Windows

Первой Windows была Windows 1.0, выпущенная в ноябре 1985 года. Это была не полноценная операционная система, а надстройка над операционной системой MS-DOS. Windows 1.0 предоставляла пользователю графический оконный интерфейс и возможность запускать несколько приложений одновременно (и то и другое отсутствовало в MS DOS). Сначала эту программу хотели назвать Interface Manager, но затем склонились к названию Windows («окна»), как более точно отражающему суть работы с новой программой [7]. Минимальные системные требования к памяти ограничивались 256 КБ.

В Windows 2.0 (декабрь 1987 года) были введены некоторые улучшения графического интерфейса (в частности поддержка перекрывающихся окон) и работы с памятью. Также для большего удобства стали использоваться комбинации клавиш. В мае 1988 года и в марте 1989 года появляются соответственно Windows 2.10 и Windows 2.11, поддерживающие новые на то время процессоры Intel 80286 и Intel 80386 [16].

В мае 1990 года выходит Windows 3.0 с улучшенной графикой и поддержкой виртуальной памяти. В 1992 1993 гг. появляются версии Windows for Workgroups 3.1 и 3.11, в которых имеется поддержка работы в одноранговых сетях и сетях под управлением сервера. Это были последние версии 16 разрядных Windows.

Windows 9x

В августе 1995 года выпускается Windows 95 – 32 разрядная клиентская операционная система, в которой была встроенная поддержка работы с Интернетом (браузер Internet Explorer) и модемными сетями, а также технология Plug-and-Play («подключи и работай»), позволяющая быстро подключать к компьютеру различные устройства. Впервые появилась кнопка Пуск (Start) и Панель задач (Taskbar). Windows 95 требовала минимум 4 МБ оперативной памяти [7].

На смену Windows 95 в июне 1998 года приходит Windows 98 с множеством программ для работы с Интернетом (Internet Explorer 4, Outlook Express и др.), поддержкой DVD и USB, первым появлением Панели быстрого запуска программ (Quick Launch bar). Windows 98 была последней операционной системой, основанной на MS DOS [7].

Последней версией в семействе 9x стала Windows Me (Millennium Edition, сентябрь 2000 года). Эта система была нацелена на домашних пользователей, и, следовательно, имела широкую поддержку работы с мультимедиа (Windows Media Player 7, Windows Movie Maker), Интернетом и домашними сетями.

Другим направлением развития операционных систем Windows в 90 е годы стало семейство NT.

Windows NT

В июле 1993 года была выпущена первая операционная система семейства NT – Windows NT 3.1. Есть разные варианты объяснения названия NT, самый распространенный вариант – это аббревиатура от New Technology («новая технология»).

Разработка системы, основанной на новом ядре (не MS DOS), началась в 1989 году. К новой операционной системе предъявлялись следующие основные требования [5]:

  • 32 разрядность;
  • поддержка многопроцессорных систем;
  • поддержка вытесняющей многозадачности и виртуальной памяти;
  • высокая производительность;
  • возможность работы в качестве сервера и клиента;
  • переносимость;
  • совместимость с другими версиями Windows и MS DOS, а также частичная совместимость с UNIX;
  • безопасность;
  • надежность;
  • поддержка Unicode.

Windows NT 3.1 соответствовала всем этим требованиям, а на ядре этой системы (конечно, с изменениями) основаны все современные версии Windows, включая Windows 8.

Windows NT 3.1 поддерживала процессоры Intel 80386, Intel 80486, MIPS R4000 и DEC Alpha [5]. Существовали клиентская и серверная версии системы – Windows NT и Windows NT Advanced Server. Windows NT, помимо других файловых систем, поддерживала специально разработанную в Microsoft файловую систему NTFS (New Technology File System).

В 1994 1996 годах последовательно выходят операционные системы Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 3.51 и Windows NT 4.0. Целями разработки Windows NT 3.5 были повышение производительности и надежности, а также уменьшение размера системы. В Windows NT 3.51 была включена поддержка процессора IBM PowerPC. Windows NT 4.0 обладала таким же графическим интерфейсом как и система Windows 95 [5].

Windows 2000, вышедшая в декабре 1999 года, разрабатывалась в качестве системы для профессиональных пользователей, объединяющей два направления – Windows 9x и Windows NT [7]. Система Windows 2000 включала Active Directory (служба и базу данных ресурсов для управления большими сетями) и поддержку значительного числа Plug-and Play устройств, в том числе беспроводных сетей, USB, IEEE 1394 и др. Существовало 4 версии Windows 2000 – одна клиентская (Professional) и три серверных (Server, Advanced Server и Datacenter Server). Windows 2000 была последней системой, для которой выпускались одновременно клиентские и серверные версии.

Следующим шагом стало объединение обоих направлений клиентских систем: и систем для профессиональных пользователей (Windows 2000 Professional), и систем для домашних пользователей (Windows Me). Результатом такого объединения стала операционная система Windows XP (август 2001 года). Благодаря своей стабильности, скорости и удобному интерфейсу, Windows XP стала (и до сих пор является) одной из самых распространенных операционных систем в мире. Важным шагом явилось появление 64 разрядных версий Windows XP (Windows XP 64-bit Edition). Количество строк кода в Windows XP – 45 миллионов [7].

В марте 2003 года выходит серверная операционная система Windows Server 2003, имеющая большую производительность и поддерживающая более мощное оборудование, чем Windows 2000. Система имеет 4 основные версии: Web, Standard, Enterprise и Datacenter. Например, версия Datacenter поддерживает 64 процессора и до 64 ГБ оперативной памяти (до 512 ГБ на 64 разрядных платформах).

Клиентская операционная система Windows Vista вышла в ноябре 2006 года. Акцент при разработке этой системы был сделан на безопасность – контроль учетных записей пользователей (User Account Control), шифрование дисков (BitLocker Drive Encryption), антишпионское программное обеспечение (Windows Defender) и др. В Windows Vista был также изменен пользовательский интерфейс, в частности поменяла вид кнопка Пуск (Start).

В феврале 2008 года появилась операционная система Windows Server 2008, основанная на коде Windows Vista – поэтому большая часть нововведений Windows Vista перешла и в Windows Server 2008.

В июле 2009 года выходит Windows 7, отличающаяся расширенной поддержкой ноутбуков и планшетов. Основные особенности Windows 7 – новые приемы работы с окнами, мгновенный поиск информации на компьютере, поддержка сенсорных экранов (Windows Touch), большие возможности по настройке оформления рабочей среды.

В 2012 году Microsoft выпускает новейшие версии операционных систем – клиентскую Windows 8 (октябрь 2012 года) и серверную Windows Server 2012 (сентябрь 2012 года). Windows 8 – операционная система, одинаково рассчитанная как на обычные настольные компьютеры и ноутбуки, так и на планшетные компьютеры, завоевавшие в последнее время существенную долю всего рынка персональных компьютеров (см. лекцию 3 «Windows 8»).

Windows CE

Windows CE – операционная система реального времени для встраиваемых систем. Символы «CE», по утверждению Microsoft, обозначают «Compact, Connectable, Compatible, Companion, Efficient»1http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q166915 . В настоящее время эта система имеет официальное название Windows Embedded Compact (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded).

Windows CE поставляется разработчикам устройств в виде набора компонентов, из которых можно создать операционную систему для конкретного устройства. Например, операционные системы Windows Mobile построены на основе Windows CE.

Первая версия Windows CE 1.0 появилась в 1996 году и была разработана как урезанная версия Windows 95. В дальнейшем команда разработчиков Windows CE сотрудничала с командой Windows 2000, затем Windows CE развивалась как независимая система.

На сентябрь 2012 года последней версией является Windows CE 7.0.

Windows Mobile и Windows Phone

Windows Mobile – операционная система для смартфонов и карманных персональных компьютеров (КПК, Personal Digital Assistant – PDA), основанная на Windows CE.

Первые версии операционных систем этого семейства назывались Pocket PC (2000 год). С 2003 года утвердилось наименование Windows Mobile – были выпущены операционные системы Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 5, Windows Mobile 6. Последней версией с таким названием стала система Windows Mobile 6.5 (2009 год).

С октября 2010 года Microsoft выпустила новую операционную систему для мобильных устройств – Windows Phone 7, несовместимую с Windows Mobile, хотя и основанную также на Windows CE. В Windows Phone 7 появился новый пользовательский интерфейс, в настоящее время называемый Modern UI.

В октябре 2012 года ожидается выход Windows Phone 8, основанной на ядре Windows NT.

Резюме

В лекции представлен обзор операционных систем Windows с 1985 года до 2012 года. Рассмотрены основные семейства и их ключевые представители – 16 разрядные Windows, Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows NT Server, Windows Mobile/Windows Phone и Windows CE.

В следующей лекции приводится обзор новейшей операционной системы от Microsoft – Windows 8.

Контрольные вопросы

  • Перечислите основные семейства операционных систем Windows и дайте их краткую характеристику.
  • Назовите основных представителей 16 разрядных Windows.
  • Перечислите основные отличия операционных систем Windows NT от Windows 9x.
  • Чем отличаются клиентские и серверные версии Windows NT?
  • Охарактеризуйте операционные системы семейства Windows CE.
  • Охарактеризуйте операционные системы семейства Windows Mobile/Windows Phone.

Windows is a Microsoft product that began as an operating environment that slowly evolved into a full-fledged operating system and has since become the most popular operating system for home computers. By the early 1990s Windows began to overtake DOS because of its more friendly graphical user interface. Games have been made for Windows all through it’s history, but they didn’t start to become mainstream until after Windows 95 was released.

Because Windows is an evolving platform games tend to work on multiple versions of the software. In general, Windows exists in three blocks, 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit, and games targeted to a block tends to work in each block. However, due to the nature of drivers, DLLs, etc., games are sometimes fickle even within a block. When documenting a Windows game, try to include which versions of Windows the game will work with.

Contents

  • 1 Versions
    • 1.1 Early Windows
    • 1.2 Windows 16-bit
    • 1.3 Windows 32-bit
    • 1.4 Windows XP
    • 1.5 Windows 64-bit
  • 2 Music and Sound
  • 3 Links

Versions

Over the years, Windows has been released in a large variety of versions and flavors, however in order to simplify things, the Video Game Music Preservation Foundation has grouped them into smaller categories.

Early Windows

Windows 1, 2

Released: 1985-11-20
Discontinued: 2001-12-31
Developer: Microsoft
Type: Software

This early block of Windows included versions 1 and 2; both were operating environments that ran from DOS. There are no known games that were released for these platforms that include music.

Windows 16-bit

Windows 3, 3.1, 3.11

Released: 1990-05-22
Discontinued: 2001-12-31
Developer: Microsoft
Type: Software

The 16-bit block of Windows included versions 3.0, 3.1, and 3.11. It was the first popular version of Windows and was sold on the majority of PCs in the early 1990s. Windows 3.x featured stronger multimedia support than the previous versions of Windows allowing for various types of music and sound effects to be played. Unfortunately, Windows 3.x had poor graphic support and most users experienced it with a mere 16 colors and a fixed 640×480 screen resolution. Some of the later updates of Windows 3.11 included higher resolution graphics and more colors, though not many games took advantage of this.

After random boots, a MIDI mapper shows up in the Control Panel, where you can map every MIDI channel (out of all 16) to another driver. Windows 3.x came with two items:

  1. «Base» and «Extended» configurations. Games came either with Base MIDI files, Extended MIDI files, MIDI files that combine both, or two sets of MIDI files.
  2. An «Ad Lib» driver. Some MIDI files sound only good there, whereas on everything else, you hear unrealistic instruments and unequalized volumes. Games include Dare to Dream and probably Dracula In London (W16).
  • Games released for Windows 16.

Windows 32-bit

Windows 95, 98, ME

Released: 1995-08-24
Discontinued: 2001-12-31
Developer: Microsoft
Type: Software

The 32-bit Windows block included the versions 95, 98, and ME. These versions of Windows were full-fledged operating systems and only used DOS as a bootstrapper. With this block of Windows, multimedia was vastly improved thanks to APIs like DirectX. Support for 32 bit color was added, high-resolution graphics became the norm, and network capabilities were vastly improved. The 32-bit era of Windows saw the death of DOS gaming, as every major development company switched off of DOS during this era.

The MIDI mapper has been replaced by a list of MIDI music playback devices, of which you can select a default. VGMPF currently does not remember any available devices as of 1995. In 1996, Microsoft added the now-infamous Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth to DirectX and all subsequent Windows versions.

  • Games released for Windows 32.

Windows XP

Windows NT, 2000, XP

Released: 2001-10-25
Discontinued: 2014-04-08
Developer: Microsoft
Type: Software

The most popular released of Windows has been Windows XP which was based on the earlier incarnations NT and 2000. However, while NT and 2000 were targeted more for business use, Windows XP was targeted for home users as well. The version featured a major upgrade to the kernel, including a 64-bit version, and several improvements to multimedia capabilities, networking, and security. Windows XP is a self-contained OS that didn’t use DOS for bootstrapping. However, these added improvements came at a price which prevented certain older Windows games from running in XP. Those games for the 32-bit platform that didn’t require complicated graphics tend to work on the XP platform as well.

The Windows 3.x way of playing MIDI files has changed, more notably for the worse. At least in early Windows XP installations, each song is delayed by about one second. When started from a specific position, notes get skipped or switched to piano.

Windows 64-bit

Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11

Released: 2006-11-30
Developer: Microsoft
Type: Software

This block features Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11. Windows Vista flopped into the market disappointing many people. While it added several improvements to gaming, it also broke backward compatibility with numerous Windows XP games, and hogged all the system resources, causing games to run slower. Thankfully, Windows 7 fixed most of those problems and added a richer gaming experience overall. However, there are still several XP games that cannot run on Windows 7, and more new games that will run on Windows 7, but not XP, are appearing. Windows 8 is essentially Windows 7 with an overhauled interface to make it more friendly on touchscreen displays. Little was changed that affects the gaming or multimedia experience, and nearly every game that worked in Windows 7 will work in 8. Windows 10 is mostly back-ward compatible with Windows 7 and 8. Windows 11 has been the latest current release.

While first Windows system build as 64-bit appeared in 2006, the ultimate success of Windows XP has lead developers to continue making 32-bit games so they could be played both on 32-bit and 64-bit platforms. In 2014-2015, when the end of Windows XP support has forced users to move onto 64-bit platforms, and few years after that, professional games have aborted 32-bit compatibility in favor of utilizing more RAM. However, as of 2023 it’s still common to make games and programs that don’t require too much RAM to be compatible with 32-bit architecture.

Unfortunately, the default MIDI music playback device selection has become hidden from the user.

  • Games released for Windows 64.

Music and Sound

Since Windows is a software platform, it doesn’t have any audio capabilities, however, most audio devices manufactured since the early 1990s have been made to be compatible with Windows. Here is a list of some of the more popular ones from the early 1990s:

  • Roland: MT-32, LAPC-I
  • Media Vision: Pro AudioSpectrum, Pro AudioSpectrum 16
  • Creative: Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster Pro, Sound Blaster 16, Sound Blaster AWE 32
  • Gravis: UltraSound
  • Disney: Sound Source
  • Ad Lib: AdLib
  • Tandy 1000: Tandy 3 Voice, Tandy DAC,

In the late 1990s and beyond, most motherboards were being manufacturer with built-in audio devices capable of playing fully digital music and sound.

Links

  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows — Wikipedia.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Microsoft Windows is the name of several families of computer software operating systems created by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

All versions of Microsoft Windows are commercial proprietary software.

General information

[edit]

Basic general information about Windows.

Name Release date Latest version Support status Codename OS required Architecture Editions Target market
Windows 1.0 1985-11-20 1.04 (1987-04-08) Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
Interface Manager DOS 2.0 or higher 16-bit Desktops
Windows 2.0 1987-09-08 2.03 (1987-12-09) Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
DOS 3.0 or higher 16-bit Desktops
Windows 2.1x 1988-05-27 2.11 (1989-03-13) Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
DOS 3.0 or higher 16-bit Desktops
Windows 3.0 1990-05-22 3.0a with
Multimedia Extensions
(1991-10-20)
Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
DOS 3.1 or higher 16-bit Windows 3.0
Windows 3.0a
Windows 3.0a with Multimedia Extensions
Desktops
Windows 3.1x 1992-04-06 3.11 (1993-12-31) Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
Janus

  • 3.1 for Workgroups: Kato
  • 3.11: Snowball (LB)
  • 3.11 for Workgroups: Sparta
DOS 3.3 or higher 16-bit* Windows 3.1
Windows for Workgroups 3.1
Windows 3.11
Windows for Workgroups 3.11
Windows 3.2 (Simplified Chinese only)
Desktops
* Has partial 32-bit compatibility with Win32s
Name Release date RTM build Latest version Support status Codename MS-DOS version Kernel type Architecture Editions Target market
Windows 95 1995-07-14 950 4.00.950C OSR2.5 (1997-11-26) Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
Chicago MS-DOS 7.0, MS-DOS 7.1 (OSR2.x) Monolithic Hybrid 16/32-bit Retail, OSR1, OSR2, OSR2.1, OSR2.5 Desktops
Windows 98 1998-05-15 1998 4.10.1998 Unsupported
(2006-07-11)
Memphis MS-DOS 7.1 Monolithic Hybrid 16/32-bit Desktops
Windows 98 SE 1999-05-05 2222 4.10.2222A (2000-02-25) Unsupported
(2006-07-11)
MS-DOS 7.1 Monolithic Hybrid 16/32-bit Desktops
Windows Me 2000-06-19 3000 4.90.3000 (2000-09-14) Unsupported
(2006-07-11)
Millennium MS-DOS 8.0 Monolithic Hybrid 16/32-bit Desktops
Name Release date Version RTM build Latest build Support status Codename, working name Supported architectures Editions OS type
Windows NT 3.1 1993-07-27 3.1 528 528 (SP3)
(1994-11-10)
Unsupported
(2000-12-31)[1]
New Technology OS/2 IA-32, DEC Alpha,
MIPS
Workstation,
Advanced Server
Workstation,
Server
Windows NT 3.5 1994-09-21 3.5 807 807 (SP3)
(1995-06-21)
Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
Daytona IA-32, DEC Alpha,
MIPS, PowerPC[2]
Workstation,
Server
Workstation,
Server
Windows NT 3.51 1995-05-30 3.51 1057 1057 (SP5)
(1996-09-19)
Unsupported
(2001-12-31)
IA-32, DEC Alpha,
MIPS, PowerPC
Workstation,
Server
Workstation,
Server
Windows NT 4.0 1996-07-31 4.0 1381 1381 (SP6a)
(1999-11-30)
Unsupported
(2004-06-30)
Extended Security Updates were released until 2006.
Cairo/Shell Update Release
Hydra (Terminal Server)
Impala (Embedded)
IA-32, DEC Alpha,
MIPS, PowerPC
Workstation,
Server,
Server Enterprise Edition,
Terminal Server,
Embedded
Workstation,
Server,
Embedded PCs
Windows 2000 1999-12-15 5.0 2195 SP4 Rollup 1 v2
(2005-09-13)
Unsupported
(2010-07-13)
Windows NT 5.0

  • Windows 2000 64-bit: Janus
IA-32 Professional,
Server,
Advanced Server,
Datacenter Server,
Powered (Embedded)
Desktop,
Workstation,
Server,
Embedded PCs
Windows XP 2001-08-24 5.1 2600 2600 (SP3)
(2008-04-21)
Unsupported
(2014-04-08)
Whistler IA-32, IA-64, x86-64 HomeK,
ProfessionalKx64,
Media Center,
Tablet PC,
Starter,
Embedded
Desktop,
Workstation,
Embedded PCs
Windows Server 2003 2003-04-24 5.2 3790 3790 (SP2)
(2007-03-13)
Unsupported
(2015-07-14)
Whistler Server, Windows.NET Server IA-32, IA-64, x86-64 Standard,
Enterprise,
Datacenter,
Web,
Storage,
Small Business Server,
Compute Cluster
Server,
Network Appliance,
Embedded PCs,
HPC
Windows Server 2003 R2 2005 5.2 3790 ? Unsupported
(2015-07-14)
? IA-32, x86-64 Server,
Network Appliance,
Embedded PCs,
HPC
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs 2006-07-08 5.1 2600 Unsupported
(2014-04-08)
Eiger, Mönch IA-32 Fundamentals for Legacy PCs Desktop
Windows Vista 2006-11-30 6.0 6000 6002 (SP2)
(2009-04-28)
Unsupported
(2017-04-11)
Longhorn IA-32, x86-64 Starter,
Home BasicK,
Home PremiumK,
BusinessK,
EnterpriseK,
UltimateK
Desktop,
Workstation
Windows Home Server 2007-11-04 5.2 3790 Unsupported
(2013-01-08)
Q, Quattro IA-32, x86-64 Home Server Server
Windows Server 2008 2008-02-04 6.0 6001 6002 (SP2)
(2009-04-28)
Out of extended support (2020-01-14);
Grandfathered paid Premium Assurance (limited to some critical security issues) security update support until January 13, 2026.
Longhorn Server x86-64, IA-64, IA-32 WebCore,
StandardCorewHVCwHV,
EnterpriseCorewHVCwHV,
Small Business Server,
DatacenterCorewHVCwHV,
HPC,
HyperV Core,
Foundation,
Storage
Server
Windows 7 2009-07-22 6.1 7600 7601 (SP1)
(2011-02-22)
Unsupported
(2020-01-14)
7 IA-32, x86-64 StarterK,
Home BasicK,
Home PremiumK,
ProfessionalK,
UltimateK,
EnterpriseK
Desktop, Workstation, Multi-touch
Windows Server 2008 R2 2009-07-22 6.1 7600 7601 (SP1)
(2011-02-22)
Out of extended support (2020-01-14);
Grandfathered paid Premium Assurance (limited to some critical security issues) security update support until January 13, 2026.
7 Server x86-64, IA-64 StandardCore,
EnterpriseCore,
DatacenterCore,
WebCore
Server
Windows Home Server 2011 2011-04-06 6.1 8400 Unsupported
(2016-04-12)
Vail x86-64 Home Server Server
Windows Server 2012 2012-08-01 6.2 9200 Unsupported
(2023-10-10)
8 Server x86-64 Foundation, Essentials,
Standard, Datacenter,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup
Server
Windows 8 2012-08-01 6.2 9200 (RTM only) Unsupported
(2016-01-12)
8 IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7 Windows 8, Pro,
EnterpriseK, Windows RT
Desktop,
Workstation,
Multi-touch
Windows 8.1 2013-08-27 6.3 9600 Unsupported
(2023-01-10)
Blue IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7 Windows 8.1, Pro,
EnterpriseK,
Windows RT 8.1
Desktop,
Workstation,
Multi-touch
Windows Server 2012 R2 2013-10-18 6.3 9600 Out of extended support (2023-10-10);
Paid support via the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program until October 13, 2026.
Blue Server x86-64 Foundation, Essentials,
Standard, Datacenter,
Storage Essentials,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup
Server
Windows 10 Original Release 2015-07-29 10.0 10240 Unsupported
(2017-05-09)
Threshold IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7 Home, Pro,
Education, Enterprise
Desktop,
Workstation,
Multi-touch
On extended support
(2025-10-14)
Enterprise LTSB
November Update 2015-11-12 10586 Unsupported
(2017-10-10)
Threshold 2 Home, Pro,
Education, Enterprise
Anniversary Update 2016-08-02 14393 Unsupported
(2018-04-10)
Redstone Home, Pro,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2019-04-09)
Education, Enterprise
On extended support
(2026-10-13)
Enterprise LTSB
Creators Update 2017-04-11 15063 Unsupported
(2018-10-09)
Redstone 2 Home, Pro,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2019-10-08)
Education, Enterprise
Fall Creators Update 2017-10-17 16299 Unsupported
(2019-04-09)
Redstone 3 IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7, ARM64 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2020-10-13)
Education, Enterprise
April 2018 Update 2018-04-30 17134 Unsupported
(2019-11-12)
Redstone 4 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2021-05-11)
Education, Enterprise
October 2018 Update 2018-10-02 17763 Unsupported
(2020-11-10)
Redstone 5 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2021-05-11)
Education, Enterprise
On extended support
(2029-01-09)
Enterprise LTSC
May 2019 Update 2019-05-21 18362 Unsupported
(2020-12-08)
19H1 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education,
Education, Enterprise
November 2019 Update 2019-11-12 18363 Unsupported
(2021-05-11)
19H2 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2022-05-10)
Education, Enterprise
May 2020 Update 2020-05-27 19041 Unsupported
(2021-12-14)
20H1 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education,
Education, Enterprise
October 2020 Update 2020-10-20 19042 Unsupported
(2022-05-10)
20H2 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2023-05-09)
Education, Enterprise
May 2021 Update 2021-05-18 19043 Unsupported
(2022-12-13)
21H1 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education,
Education, Enterprise
November 2021 Update 2021-10-16 19044 Unsupported
(2023-06-13)
21H2 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Unsupported
(2024-06-11)
Education, Enterprise
Mainstream supported
(2027-01-12)
Enterprise LTSC
2022 Update 2022-10-18 19045 Supported
(2025-10-14);
paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which offers continued security updates until October 13, 2026 for consumers, or at most October 10, 2028 for businesses and schools.
22H2 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education
Education, Enterprise
Windows Server 2016 2016-09-26 10.0 14393 On extended support
(2027-01-12)
Redstone Server x86-64 Essentials, Standard,
Datacenter,
MultiPoint Premium,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup
Server
Windows Server 2019 2018-10-02 10.0 17763 On extended support
(2029-01-09)
Redstone 5 Server x86-64 Essentials, Standard,
Datacenter
Server
Windows Server 2022 2021-08-18 10.0 20348 Mainstream support (2026-10-13)
Extended support (2031-10-14)
21H2 Server x86-64 Essentials, Standard,
Datacenter,
Datacenter for Azure
Server
Windows 11 Original Release 2021-10-05 10.0 22000 Unsupported
(2023-10-10)
Sunvalley (21H2) x86-64, ARM64 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education, SE
Desktop,
Workstation,
Multi-touch
Unsupported
(2024-10-08)
Education, Enterprise
2022 Update 2022-09-20 22621 22H2 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education, SE
Supported
(2025-10-14)
Education, Enterprise
2023 Update 2023-10-31 22631 Supported
(2025-11-11)
23H2 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education, SE
Supported
(2026-11-10)
Education, Enterprise
2024 Update 2024-10-01 26100 Supported
(2026-10-13)
24H2 Home, Pro,
Pro for Workstations,
Pro Education, SE
Supported
(2027-10-12)
Education, Enterprise
Windows Server 2025 2024-11-01 10.0 26100 Mainstream support (2029-10-09)
Extended support (2034-10-10)
24H2 x86-64, ARM64 Essentials, Standard,
Datacenter,
Datacenter for Azure
Server
Name Release date Version RTM build Latest build Support status Codename, working name Supported architectures Editions OS type
^N has also an N-edition
^K has also an N-edition
^KN has also an N-edition
^x64 has a separate x64-edition
^Core has also a Core-edition
^wHV has also an edition without HyperV
^CwHV has also a Core-edition without HyperV

Windows Embedded Compact

[edit]

Windows Embedded Compact (Windows CE) is a discontinued variation of Microsoft’s Windows operating system for minimalistic computers and embedded systems. Windows CE was a distinctly different kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows. It is supported on Intel x86 and is compatible on MIPS, ARM, and Hitachi SuperH processors.

Name Release date RTM build Current version Support status Codename Based on (kernel) Kernel type Operating environments Editions Purpose Short description
Windows CE 1.0 1996-11-16 Unsupported Pegasus, Alder CE 1.0 Embedded First release of Microsoft’s Windows CE line for minimalistic computers and embedded systems
Windows CE 2.0 1997-11-29 Unsupported Mercury, Apollo CE 2.0 2.1, 2.11 Embedded
Windows CE 3.0 2000-06-15 Unsupported
(2007-10-09)
Cedar, Galileo, Rapier, Merlin, Stinger CE 3.0 Embedded kernel Embedded
Windows CE 4.0 2002-01-07 Unsupported Talisker CE 4.0 4.1, 4.2 Embedded
Windows CE 5.0 2004-07-09 5.0
(2004-07-09)
Unsupported
(2014-10-14)
Macallan CE 5.0 Embedded kernel Embedded
Windows Embedded CE 6.0 2006-11-01 Unsupported
(2018-04-10)
Yamazaki CE 6.0 Hybrid kernel
Windows Embedded Compact 7 2011-03-01 ? ? Unsupported
(2021-04-13)
Chelan CE 7.0 Hybrid ?
Standard, POSReady
Windows Embedded Compact 2013 2013-08-11 Update 17
(2017-11-15)
Unsupported
(2023-10-10)
CE 8.0 Standard
Industry (8.0, 8.1)
Handheld
Embedded

The Windows IoT family is the successor to the now-discontinued Windows Embedded family.

Name Release date Version RTM build Editions License OS type Support status
Windows 10 IoT Anniversary Update 2016-08-02 NT 10.0 14393 Core OEM IoT Unsupported
(2018-04-10)[3]
Enterprise Unsupported
(2019-04-09)[4]
Enterprise LTSB On extended support
(2026-10-13)[5]
Creators Update 2017-04-11 15063 Core Unsupported
(2018-10-09)[3]
Enterprise Unsupported
(2019-10-08)[4]
Fall Creators Update 2017-10-17 16299 Core Unsupported
(2019-04-09)[3]
Enterprise Unsupported
(2020-10-13)[4]
April 2018 Update 2018-04-30 17134 Core Unsupported
(2019-11-12)[3]
Enterprise Unsupported
(2021-05-11)[4]
October 2018 Update 2018-10-02 17763 Core Unsupported
(2020-11-10)[3]
Enterprise Unsupported
(2021-05-11)[4]
Core LTSC, Enterprise LTSC On extended support
(2029-01-09)[6][7]
May 2019 Update 2019-08-29 18362 Enterprise Unsupported
(2020-12-08)[4]
November 2019 Update 2019-11-12 18363 Unsupported
(2022-05-10)[4]
May 2020 Update 2020-05-27 19041 Unsupported
(2021-12-14)[4]
October 2020 Update 2020-10-20 19042 Unsupported
(2023-05-09)[4]
May 2021 Update 2021-05-18 19043 Unsupported
(2022-12-13)[4]
November 2021 Update 2021-11-16 19044 Enterprise Unsupported
(2024-06-11)[4]
Enterprise LTSC On extended support (2032-01-13)[8]
2022 Update 2022-10-18 19045 Enterprise Supported
(2025-10-14)[4]
Windows Server IoT 2019 2019-02-26[9] NT 10.0 17763 Essentials, Standard, Datacenter,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup,
Telecommunications
OEM IoT, Server On extented support
(2029-01-09)[10][11]
Windows Server IoT 2022 2021-08-18[12][better source needed][dubious – discuss] NT 10.0 20348 Standard, Datacenter,
Storage Standard,
Storage Workgroup,
Telecommunications
OEM IoT, Server Supported
(2031-10-14)[13]
Windows 11 IoT Original Release 2021-10-04 NT 10.0 22000 Enterprise OEM IoT Unsupported
(2024-10-08)[14]
2022 Update 2022-09-20 22621 Supported
(2025-10-14)[15]
2023 Update 2023-10-31 22631 On extended support
(2026-11-10)[16]
2024 Update 2024-10-01 26100 Supported
(2027-10-12)
Windows Server IoT 2025 2024-11-01[17] NT 10.0 26100 Standard, Datacenter OEM IoT, Server Supported
(2034-10-10)[18]
Name Release date Version RTM build Editions License OS type Support status

Windows Mobile is Microsoft’s discontinued line of operating systems for smartphones.

Name Release date RTM build Current version Support status Codename Based on (kernel) Supported architectures
Windows Pocket PC 2000 2000-04-19 Unsupported
(2007-10-09)
Rapier CE 3.0
Windows Pocket PC 2002 2001-10-04 Unsupported
(2008-10-14)
Merlin CE 3.0
Windows Mobile 2003 2003-06-23 Unsupported
(2014-07-08)
Ozone CE 4.20
Windows Mobile 5.0 2005-05-9/12 Unsupported
(2015-10-13)
Magneto CE 5.0
Windows Mobile 6.0 2007-02-12 Unsupported
(2013-01-08)
Crossbow CE 5.2
Windows Mobile 6.1 2008-04-01
Windows Mobile 6.5 2009-05-11

Windows Phone is Microsoft’s discontinued line of operating systems for smartphones.

Name Release date RTM build Current version Support status Codename Based on (kernel) Supported architectures
Windows Phone 7 2010-11-08 7004 7.10.8862 Unsupported Photon CE 6.0 ARM
Windows Phone 7.5 2011-09-27 7720 Unsupported Mango CE 6.1 ARM
Windows Phone 7.8 2013-02-01 8858 Unsupported
(2014-10-14)
Tango CE 6.1 ARM
Windows Phone 8 2012-10-29 10211 10.0.10586 Unsupported
(2014-07-08)
Apollo, Portico NT 6.2 ARM[citation needed]
Windows Phone 8.1 2014-04-14 12359 Unsupported
(2017-07-11)
Blue NT 6.3 ARM
Windows 10 Mobile 2015-11-08 10586–16299 Unsupported Threshold, Redstone NT 10.0 ARM

Technical information

[edit]

Name Architecture Integrated firewall SMP support USB support UDMA support LFN support Update management APIs Safe Mode
Windows 1.0 x86 16-bit No No No No No No Win16 No
Windows 2.0 x86 16-bit No No No No No No Win16 No
Windows 2.1x x86 16-bit No No No No No No Win16 No
Windows 3.0 x86 16-bit No No No No No No Win16 No
Windows 3.1x x86 16-bit (partial 32-bit compatibility through Win32s) No No No No No No Win16, Win32s No
Name Kernel Kernel type Architecture Integrated firewall SMP support USB support UDMA support LFN support Update management APIs DDIs Safe Mode DirectX
Windows 95 MS-DOS 7.0 (Win95, Win95A), MS-DOS 7.1 (Win95B, Win95C) Monolithic kernel x86, hybrid 16/32-bit No No Partial (OSR 2.1/2.5 only)[19] Partial (OSR 2.x only)[20] Yes Partial(OSR 2.5 only, Windows Update only supports Internet Explorer 4) Win16, Win32 DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (USB-only), direct-access Yes N/A (RTM/OSR1)
2.0a (OSR2/2.1)
5.0 (OSR2.5)
8.0a (optional)
Windows 98 MS-DOS 7.1 Monolithic kernel x86, hybrid 16/32-bit No No Yes Yes Yes Windows Update Win16, Win32 DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-access Yes 5.2
9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)
Windows 98 Second Edition MS-DOS 7.1 Monolithic kernel x86, hybrid 16/32-bit No No Yes Yes Yes Windows Update Win16, Win32 DOS, DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-access Yes 6.1a
9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)
Windows Me MS-DOS 8.0 Monolithic kernel x86, hybrid 16/32-bit No No Yes Yes Yes Windows Update Win16, Win32 DLL, VxD, WDM (partial), direct-access Yes 7.1
9.0c (Oct 2006) (optional)

It is possible to install the MS-DOS variants 7.0 and 7.1 without the graphics user interface of Windows. If an independent installation of both, DOS and Windows is desired, DOS ought to be installed prior to Windows, at the start of a small partition. The system must be transferred by the (dangerous) «SYSTEM» DOS-command, while the other files constituting DOS can simply be copied (the files located in the DOS-root and the entire COMMAND directory). Such a stand-alone installation of MS-DOS 8 is not possible, as it is designed to work as real mode for Windows Me and nothing else.

The Windows NT kernel powers all recent Windows operating systems. It has run on IA-32, x64, DEC Alpha, MIPS architecture, PowerPC, Itanium, ARMv7, and ARM64 processors, but currently supported versions run on IA-32, x64, ARMv7, and ARM64.

Name Architecture Store

Integrated
firewall

SMP support USB support

UDMA
support

Long filename support Package management Update management APIs DDIs

Safe Mode

Data Execution Prevention DirectX
Windows NT 3.1 IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS No Yes No ? Yes (NTFS and HPFS volumes only) Win32, OS/2, POSIX DLL, KMD No No No
Windows NT 3.5 IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS No Yes No ? Yes (except on CDFS volumes) Win32, OS/2, POSIX DLL, KMD No No No
Windows NT 3.51 IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC No Yes No ? Yes (except on CDFS volumes) Win32, OS/2, POSIX DLL, KMD No No No
Windows NT 4.0 IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC No Yes Partial (with third-party device drivers)[21] Yes Yes Windows Update (if Internet Explorer 5 or later is installed) Win32, OS/2, POSIX DLL, KMD No No Yes
3.0a,
5.0 (unofficial)
Windows 2000 IA-32 No Yes Yes (USB 2.0 with update or SP4)[22] Yes Yes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, OS/2, POSIX DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF Yes No Yes
7.0,
9.0c (Feb 2010) (optional)
Windows XP IA-32 (NT5.1), Itanium (NT5.1/5.2), x64 (NT5.2) Yes Yes (Professional Edition only) Yes (USB 2.0 with update or SP1+)[23] Yes Yes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 Yes Yes (in SP2) Yes
9.0c
Windows Server 2003 IA-32, Itanium, x64 Yes Yes Yes (USB 2.0)[24] Yes Yes Windows Update, WSUS Win32 DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 Yes Yes (with SP1) Yes
9.0c
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs IA-32 Yes No Yes Yes Yes Windows Update, WSUS Win32 DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 Yes Yes Yes
9.0c
Windows Vista IA-32, x64 Windows Marketplace Yes Yes Yes (USB 2.0) Yes Yes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET, POSIX (only Enterprise and Ultimate) DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 Yes Yes Yes
10.1
11.0 (optional)
Windows Server 2008 IA-32, Itanium, x64 Yes Yes Yes (USB 2.0) Yes Yes Windows Update, WSUS Win32 DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 Yes Yes Yes
10.1
11.0 (optional)
Windows Home Server IA-32 ? Yes Yes (USB 2.0) ? Yes Windows Update Win32 DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 ? ? Yes
9.0c
Windows 7 IA-32, x64 Yes Yes Yes (USB 3.0) Yes Yes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 Yes Yes Yes
11.0
11.1 (optional)
Windows Server 2008 R2 Itanium, x64 Yes Yes Yes (USB 3.0) Yes Yes Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 Yes Yes Yes
11.0
11.1 (optional)
Windows Home Server 2011 x64 ? Yes Yes (USB 3.0) ? Yes Windows Update Win32 DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 ? ? Yes
11.0
11.1 (optional)
Windows Server 2012 x64 Windows Store Yes Yes Yes (USB 3.0) Yes Yes Windows Store Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 Yes Yes Yes
11.1
Windows 8 IA-32, x64 Windows Store Yes Yes Yes (USB 3.0) Yes Yes Windows Store Windows Update, WSUS Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1 Yes Yes Yes
11.1
Windows 8.1 IA-32, x64 Windows Store Yes Yes Yes (USB 3.0) Yes Yes Windows Store, PowerShell Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2 Yes Yes Yes
11.2
Windows Server 2012 R2 x64 Windows Store Yes Yes Yes (USB 3.0) Yes Yes Windows Store Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2 Yes Yes Yes
11.2
Windows 10 IA-32, x64 Windows Store Yes Yes Yes (USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3) Yes Yes Windows Store, PowerShell Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store Win32, .NET, WinRT, Linux DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2 Yes Yes Yes
12
Windows Server 2016 x64 Windows Store Yes Yes Yes (USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3) Yes Yes Windows Store Windows Update, WSUS, Windows Store Win32, .NET, WinRT DLL, KMD, WDM, KMDF, UMDFv1, UMDFv2 Yes Yes Yes
12
Name Architecture Integrated firewall SMP support USB support UDMA support Package management APIs
Windows Phone 8 ARMv7 Yes Yes Yes (USB 2.0) Yes Windows Phone Store Silverlight
Windows Phone 8.1 ARMv7 Yes Yes Yes Yes Windows Phone Store Silverlight
WinRT
Windows 10 Mobile ARMv7 Yes Yes Yes Yes Microsoft Store

Supported file systems

[edit]

Various versions of Windows support various file systems, including:FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, HPFS, or NTFS, along with network file systems shared from other computers, and the ISO 9660 and UDF file systems used for CDs, DVDs, and other optical disc drives such as Blu-ray. Each file system is usually limited in application to certain media, for example CDs must use ISO 9660 or UDF, and as of Windows Vista, NTFS is the only file system which the operating system can be installed on. Windows Embedded CE 6.0, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and Windows Server 2008 onwards support exFAT, a file system more suitable for USB flash drives.

FAT12 FAT16 FAT32 HPFS ISO 9660 NTFS UDF
Windows 95 Yes Yes Yes (OSR2 or above) Network Drive Yes Network Drive No
Windows 98 Yes Yes Yes Network Drive Yes Network Drive Yes (1.5, read)
Windows Me Yes Yes Yes Network Drive Yes Network Drive Yes (1.5, read)
FAT12 FAT16 FAT32 HPFS ISO 9660 NTFS exFAT UDF ReFS
Windows NT 3.1, 3.5, 3.51 Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes v1.0/v1.1 No ? No
Windows NT 4.0 Yes Yes No Partial Yes Yes v1.2 No ? No
Windows 2000 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v3.0 No Yes No
Windows XP Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v3.1 Optional Yes (2.01) No
Windows Server 2003 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v3.1 Optional Yes No
Windows Vista Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes (2.6) No
Windows Server 2008 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes No
Windows 7 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes (2.6) Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes (2.6) Yes
Windows Server 2012 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes (2.6) Yes
Windows 8 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes (2.6) No
Windows 8.1 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes (2.6) Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes (2.6) Yes
Windows 10 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes (2.6) Yes
Windows Server 2016 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes v5 Yes Yes (2.6) Yes
FAT12 FAT16 FAT32 HPFS ISO 9660 NTFS UDF (More Info) ReFS
Windows Phone 8 ? Yes Yes No ? Yes v5 ? No
Windows Phone 8.1 ? Yes Yes No ? Yes v5 ? No
Windows 10 Mobile ? Yes Yes No ? Yes v5 ? ?

Hardware requirements

[edit]

Installing Windows requires an internal or external optical drive, or a USB flash drive. A keyboard and mouse are the recommended input devices, though some versions support a touchscreen. For operating systems prior to Vista, an optical drive must be capable of reading CD media, while in Windows Vista onwards, such a drive must be DVD-compatible. The drive may be detached after installing Windows.

CPU RAM Free disk space
Windows 95 386 4 MB 120 MB
Windows 98 486 DX2 66 MHz 16 MB 300 MB
Windows Me (Millennium Edition) Pentium 150 MHz 32 MB 400 MB
Version CPU RAM Free disk space Video adapter and monitor
Minimum Recommended
Windows NT 3.51 Workstation 386, 25 MHz 8 MB 16 MB 90 MB VGA (640×480)
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation 486, 33 MHz 12 MB ? 110 MB
Windows 2000 Professional 133 MHz 32 MB 128 MB 650 MB
Windows XP 233 MHz 64 MB 128 MB 1.5 GB Super VGA (800×600)
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs 500 MB
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition 700 MHz Itanium[25] 1 GB[25] ? 6 GB[25]
Windows Server 2003 1 GHz (x86) or 1.4 GHz (x64) 128 MB 256 MB 2 GB (x86)
4 GB (x64)
Windows Vista 800 MHz 384 MB (Starter)
512 MB (others)[26][dubious – discuss]
2 GB 15 GB
(~6.5 GB for OS)
Super VGA (800×600)
WDDM & DirectX 9 for Aero
Windows Server 2008 1 GHz (x86) or 1.4 GHz (x64) 2 GB 10 GB
Windows 7 1 GHz 1 GB (x86)
2 GB (x64)
4 GB 16 GB (x86)
20 GB (x64)
(~6.5 GB for OS)
Windows Server 2012 1.4 GHz (x86-64) 512 MB 1 GB 10 GB Super VGA (800×600), 32-bit color
Windows 8 1 GHz 1 GB (x86)
2 GB (x64)
4 GB 16 GB (x86)
20 GB (x64)
(~6.5 GB for OS)
Super VGA (800×600), 32-bit color
1024 x 768 for Windows Store apps
1366 x 768 to snap apps
Windows 8.1
Windows 10 1 GHz or faster processor or SoC 1 GB (x86)
2 GB (x64)
4 GB 16 GB (x86)
20 GB (x64)
Super VGA (800×600), 32-bit color
Windows Server 2016 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor 512 MB ECC memory
2 GB with Desktop Experience installed[27]
depends on role 32 GB
(~10 GB for OS)
XGA (1024 x 768)
Windows Server 2019 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor 512 MB ECC memory
2 GB with Desktop Experience installed[27]
depends on role 32 GB XGA (1024 x 768)
Windows Server 2022 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor 512 MB ECC memory
2 GB with Desktop Experience installed[28]
depends on role 32 GB XGA (1024 x 768)
Windows Server 2025 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor 512 MB ECC memory
2 GB with Desktop Experience installed[28]
4 GB with Desktop Experience installed 32 GB XGA (1024 x 768)
Windows 11 64-bit 1 GHz or faster processor or SoC with two or more cores 4 GB 64 GB
(~10 GB for OS)
720p greater than 9″ diagonally, 32-bit color
Version CPU RAM Free disk space Video adapter and monitor
Minimum Recommended
Windows Phone 7 0.8 GHz 256 MB 4 GB Wide VGA (800 × 480)
Windows Phone 8 1 GHz 512 MB 8 GB Wide VGA (800 × 480)
Windows Phone 8.1 1 GHz 512 MB 4 GB Wide VGA (800 × 480)
Windows 10 Mobile 1 GHz 1 GB 2 GB 8 GB Wide VGA (800 × 480)

Physical memory limits

[edit]

Maximum limits on physical memory (RAM) that Windows can address vary depending on both the Windows version and between IA-32 and x64 versions.[29][30]

Operating system Limit on Real Mode Limit on Standard Mode Limit on Enhanced Mode
Windows 1.0x 640 KB
Windows 2.0x 640 KB 16MB
Windows 2.1x 640 + 64 KB 16MB
Windows 3.0x 640 + 64 KB 16MB 16MB
Windows 3.1x 256MB[31] 256MB[31]
Windows 95 944MB[32]
Windows 98 1GB
Windows ME 1.5GB
Operating system Limit on IA-32 Limit in IA-64 Limit on x64 Limit on ARM32 Limit on ARM64
Windows NT 3.1 4 GB
Windows NT 3.5 4 GB
Windows NT 3.51 4 GB
Windows NT 4.0 4 GB
Windows 2000 Professional/Server 4 GB
Windows 2000 Advanced Server 8 GB
Windows 2000 Datacenter 32 GB
Windows XP Starter 512 MB
Windows XP Home 4 GB
Windows XP Professional 4 GB 128 GB 128 GB
Windows Server 2003 RTM Web 2 GB
Windows Server 2003 RTM Standard/Small Business 4 GB
Windows Server 2003 RTM Enterprise/Datacenter 64 GB 512 GB
Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 32 GB
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP1 Standard 4 GB 32 GB
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP1 Enterprise/Datacenter 64 GB 1 TB 1 TB
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP2 Standard 4GB 32 GB
Windows Server 2003 R1/SP2 Enterprise/Datacenter 64 GB 2 TB 1 TB
Windows Server 2003 R2/SP1 Standard 4 GB 32 GB
Windows Server 2003 R2/SP1 Enterprise/Datacenter 64 GB 1 TB
Windows Vista Starter 1 GB
Windows Vista Home Basic 4 GB 8 GB
Windows Vista Home Premium 4 GB 16 GB
Windows Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate 4 GB 128 GB
Windows Home Server 4 GB
Windows Server 2008 Web Server/Standard/Small Business 4 GB 32 GB
Windows HPC Server 2008 128 GB
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise/Datacenter 64 GB 1 TB
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium–Based Systems 2 TB
Windows 7 Starter 2 GB
Windows 7 Home Basic 4 GB 8 GB
Windows 7 Home Premium 4 GB 16 GB
Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate 4 GB 192 GB
Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation 8 GB
Windows Server 2008 R2 Web Server/Standard 32 GB
Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 128 GB
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise/Datacenter 2 TB
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium–Based Systems 2 TB
Windows 8 (Core) 4 GB 128 GB
Windows 8 Pro/Enterprise 4 GB 512 GB
Windows RT 4 GB
Windows Server 2012 Standard/Datacenter 4 TB
Windows Storage Server 2012 Standard 4 TB
Windows Storage Server 2012 Workgroup 32 GB
Hyper-V Server 2012 4 TB
Windows 8.1 (Core) 4 GB 128 GB
Windows 8.1 Pro/Enterprise 4 GB 512 GB
Windows RT 8.1 4 GB
Windows 10 Mobile 4 GB
Windows 10 Home 4 GB 128 GB 4 GB 128 GB
Windows 10 Pro 4 GB 2 TB 4 GB 2 TB
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations 4 GB 6 TB 4 GB 6 TB
Windows 10 Education 4 GB 2 TB 4 GB 2 TB
Windows 10 Enterprise 4 GB 6 TB 4 GB 6 TB
Windows Server 2016 Essentials 64 GB
Windows Server 2016 Standard 24 TB
Windows Server 2016 Datacenter 24 TB
Windows Server 2019 Essentials 64 GB
Windows Server 2019 Standard 24 TB
Windows Server 2019 Datacenter 24 TB
Windows Server 2022 Essentials 64 GB
Windows Server 2022 Standard 24 TB
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter 24 TB
Windows 11 Home 128 GB 128 GB
Windows 11 Pro 2 TB 2 TB
Windows 11 Pro for Workstations 6 TB 6 TB
Windows 11 Education 2 TB 2 TB
Windows 11 Enterprise 6 TB 6 TB
Resource access control Subsystem isolation mechanisms Integrated firewall Encrypted file systems Defender Windows Hello
Windows 2000 ACLs TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes (NTFS only) No No
Windows XP ACLs Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall (from SP2), TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes (NTFS only) Optional No
Windows Server 2003 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Optional No
Windows Vista ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Yes No
Windows Server 2008 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Yes No
Windows 7 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Yes No
Windows Server 2012 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Yes No
Windows 8 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Yes No
Windows Server 2012 R2 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Yes No
Windows 8.1 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Yes No
Windows 10 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2016 ACLs, Privileges, RBAC Win32 Windowstation, Desktop, Job objects Windows Firewall, TCP/IP Filtering, IPSec Yes Yes Yes
Version Shell Visual styles Browser Web server Windows Media Player Command-line interpreter
Windows 1.0 MS-DOS executive (Unnamed)
Windows 2.0 MS-DOS executive (Unnamed)
Windows 3.0 Program Manager (Unnamed) 3.0 (Multimedia Extension edition only)
Windows 3.1x Program Manager (Unnamed) 3.1
Windows 95 Windows shell Classic Internet Explorer 1 in OEM RTM
Internet Explorer 2 in OSR1
Internet Explorer 3 in OSR2 and OSR2.1
Internet Explorer 4 in OSR2.5
4.0 COMMAND.COM
Windows NT 4.0 Windows shell Classic Internet Explorer 2
Internet Explorer 3 (in some localized editions)
PWS 4.0 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe
Windows 98 Windows shell Classic Internet Explorer 4.01 PWS 4.0 COMMAND.COM
Windows 98 SE Windows shell Classic Internet Explorer 5 PWS 4.0 COMMAND.COM
Windows 2000 Windows shell Classic Internet Explorer 5.01 IIS 5.0 5.0 and 6.4 (side by side) COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe
Windows Me Windows shell Classic Internet Explorer 5.5 6.4 and 7.0 (side by side) COMMAND.COM
Windows XP Windows shell Luna (default), Classic Internet Explorer 6 IIS 5.1 5.1, 6.4 and 8 (in RTM)
5.1, 6.4 and 9 (in SP2)
COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell (optional)
Windows Server 2003 Windows shell Classic (default), Luna Internet Explorer 6 IIS 6.0 9 (in RTM), 10 (in SP1) COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell (optional)
Windows Vista Windows shell Aero (default), Classic Internet Explorer 7 IIS 7 11 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell (optional)
Windows Server 2008 Windows shell, Server Core Classic (default), Aero (via «Desktop Experience») Internet Explorer 7 IIS 7 11 (enabled by installing «Desktop Experience») COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell (optional)
Windows 7 Windows shell Aero (default), Classic Internet Explorer 8 IIS 7.5 12 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell 2.0
Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows shell, Server Core Classic (default), Aero (via «Desktop Experience») Internet Explorer 8 IIS 7.5 12 (via «Desktop Experience») cmd.exe,
PowerShell 2.0
Windows Server 2012 Windows shell, Server Core Metro Internet Explorer 10 IIS 8 12 (via «Desktop Experience») cmd.exe,
PowerShell 3.0
Windows 8 Windows shell Metro Internet Explorer 10 IIS 8 12 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell 3.0
Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows shell, Windows server core Metro Internet Explorer 11 IIS 8.5 12 (via «Desktop Experience») cmd.exe,
PowerShell 4.0
Windows 8.1 Windows shell Metro Internet Explorer 11 IIS 8.5 12 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell 4.0
Windows 10 Windows shell Metro Internet Explorer 11
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.0 12 COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell 5.0
Windows Server 2016 Windows shell, Windows server core Metro Internet Explorer 11
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.0 12 (via «Desktop Experience») cmd.exe,
PowerShell 5.1
Windows Server 2019 Windows shell, Windows server core Metro Internet Explorer 11
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.0 12 (via «Desktop Experience») cmd.exe,
PowerShell 5.1
Windows Server 2022 Windows shell, Windows server core Metro Internet Explorer 11
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.0 12 (via «Desktop Experience») cmd.exe,
PowerShell 5.1
Windows 11 Windows shell Mica Internet Explorer 11(Hidden)
Microsoft Edge
IIS 10.0 12 (2022) COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe,
PowerShell v.1
Timeline of Windows versions

  • v
  • t
  • e

  • List of Microsoft Windows versions
  • List of operating systems
  • Comparison of operating systems
  • Comparison of operating system kernels
  • Comparison of Windows Vista and Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows version history
  • Comparison of DOS operating systems
  • Architecture of Windows NT
  • List of Microsoft codenames

Windows clones and emulators

[edit]

  • Freedows OS–Windows clone
  • ReactOS–project to develop an operating system that is binary compatible with application software and device drivers for Microsoft Windows NT version 5.x
  • Wine (software)–compatibility layer which allows to execute programs that were originally written for Microsoft Windows
  1. ^ «Product Lifecycle Dates-Windows Product Family». Microsoft. Archived from the original on June 11, 2004. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  2. ^ «Windows NT 3.5 for PowerPC». November 9, 1994. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e «Windows 10 IoT Core — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l «Windows 10 IoT Enterprise — Microsoft Lifecycle». Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  5. ^ «Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016 — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  6. ^ «Windows 10 IoT Core LTSC — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  7. ^ «Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019 — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  8. ^ «Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  9. ^ «Microsoft announces latest Windows IoT innovations for intelligent edge devices at Embedded World». February 26, 2019. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019.
  10. ^ «Windows Server IoT 2019 — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  11. ^ «Windows Server IoT 2019 for Storage — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  12. ^ «Announcing the GA of Windows Server IoT 2022». Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  13. ^ «Windows Server IoT 2022 — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  14. ^ «Windows 11 IoT Enterprise (Version 21H2) — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  15. ^ «Windows 11 IoT Enterprise — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  16. ^ «Windows 11 IoT Enterprise — Microsoft Lifecycle». Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  17. ^ «Announcing the General Availability of Windows Server IoT 2025!». Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  18. ^ «Windows Server IoT 2025 — Microsoft Lifecycle». Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  19. ^ «Availability of Universal Serial Bus Support in Windows 95». Microsoft Support. Archived from the original on December 10, 2005.
  20. ^ «How to Enable Direct Memory Access (DMA)». Microsoft Support. Archived from the original on June 27, 2006.
  21. ^ «Windows NT 4.0 does not support Universal Serial Bus». Microsoft Support. November 2004. Archived from the original on September 6, 2005.
  22. ^ «Updated USB 2.0 Drivers Are Available in Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4)». Microsoft Support. Archived from the original on October 29, 2006. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  23. ^ Jones, Don (August 5, 2002). «USB 2.0 Support in Windows XP:High Speed at Last». Microsoft. Archived from the original on December 31, 2004. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  24. ^ «USB 2.0 and Windows Operating Systems». Windows Hardware Development. May 11, 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  25. ^ a b c «Release Notes for Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Setup». Microsoft. Archived from the original on February 10, 2007. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  26. ^ «Windows Vista Starter Fact Sheet». Microsoft. January 2007. Archived from the original on March 7, 2007.
  27. ^ a b «System Requirements». docs.microsoft.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  28. ^ a b «Hardware requirements for Windows Server». docs.microsoft.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  29. ^ «What is the maximum amount of RAM the Windows operating system can handle?». Crucial. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  30. ^ «Memory Limits for Windows and Windows Server Releases». Microsoft. Archived from the original on May 5, 2008. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  31. ^ a b «Q84388: Windows 3.1 Memory Limits». December 15, 2022.
  32. ^ «Windows 95/98 error «Insufficient memory to initialize Windows» — IBM IntelliStation M Pro (Type 6889)». IBM. December 15, 2022.
  • Official website
  • Time line from Microsoft

Источник статьи

Автор24
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Общие понятия об операционных системах

Ресурсы компьютера, такие как процессор, оперативная память, периферийные устройства, могут эффективно работать только в том случае, если их совместную работу координируют специальные программы. Иначе устройства будут работать несогласованно или вообще не смогут приносить пользу. Поэтому на любом компьютере используется операционная система. Операционной системой (ОС) – называется комплекс управляющих программ, предназначенных для управления вычислительным процессом и наиболее эффективного использования всех ресурсов вычислительной системы. Операционная система осуществляет планирование вычислительного процесса и управление его ходом. Все программы, которые мы устанавливаем на компьютер, работают под управлением и контролем операционной системы. Все устройства, которые мы подключаем к компьютеру, «общаются» с операционной системой через специальные программы – драйверы устройств. Кроме того, операционная система предоставляет пользователю интерфейс для взаимодействия с ресурсами компьютера.

Операционные системы в зависимости от их назначения могут обладать или не обладать следующим рядом свойств:

  • Многозадачность — возможность запускать и выполнять одновременно более одной программы.
  • Работа в режиме реального времени. ОС с этим свойством используются чаще всего для управления автоматическими комплексами. Их главная черта – это способность быстро реагировать на непредсказуемый поток внешних событий;
  • Многопользовательский режим. Специальный режим, который позволяет работать нескольким пользователям за несколькими терминалами, разделяя при этом ресурсы одного и того же компьютера;
  • Распределенность. При распределенном режиме работы пользователь , может обращаться к ресурсам разных компьютеров. ОС так управляет этими ресурсами, что у пользователя создается впечатление работы за одним единственным компьютером.
  • Встроенность. Встроенные ОС работают на компьютере, который встроен в какое-то устройство и управляет этим устройством. Других функций такой компьютер не выполняет. Встроенная ОС поставляется только вместе с устройством и не распространяется отдельно от него.
  • Интерактивность. Интерактивные системы рассчитаны на пользователя, который сидит за терминалом и ожидает отклика системы на свои действия.

«Операционная система Windows» 👇

Противоположностью интерактивным ОС являются ОС с пакетной обработкой, которые вообще не предполагают наличия пользователя.

Интерактивные системы могут иметь текстовый интерфейс, а могут иметь графический интерфейс.

Операционные системы семейства Windows

Современные ОС семейства Windows – это графические, интерактивные, многозадачные ОС корпорации Microsoft. Семейство ОС Windows состоит из двух групп:

  • Windows 9x. Группа ОС для $16$ и $32$ –разрядных процессоров. Производились с $1995$ по $2000$ год. В настоящее время ОС этой группы являются устаревшими;
  • Windows NT. Это группа современных ОС. Все ОС этой группы бывают $32$ и $64$-разрядными и работают соответственно на $32$ и $64$-разрядных процессорах. Именно к этой группе относятся популярные системы Windows XP, Windows $7$, Windows $8$. Имеются ОС, предназначенные для управления серверными компьютерами ;
  • Windows для смартфонов. К этой группе относятся ОС Windows CE, Windows mobile, Windows Phone, Windows $10$ Mobile. Системы этой группы можно приобрести исключительно в составе готовых смартфонов.;
  • Windows Embedded. Группа встраиваемых ОС реального времени применяемых для различных специализированных устройств. Например, для информационных и платежных терминалов, систем видеонаблюдения.

Далее работа операционной системы будет проиллюстрирована на примере Windows $7$.

Файловая система

Одним из основных понятий неразрывно связанных с понятием операционной системы является файловая система. Файловой системой называется целый сложный механизм, который ответственен за сохранение данных на жестком диске и других внешних носителях. Этот механизм работает следующим образом. Для того чтобы пользователь мог обращаться к данным, которые он сохранил на диске, эти данные должны быть как-то поименованы естественным для пользователя образом. Такая поименованная часть диска называется файлом. Размер файла может быть любым – пользователь сохраняет под единым именем столько данных, сколько он считает целесообразным. Область данных (винчестер, флешку, съемный винчестер и т.д.) разбивается на так называемые секторы размером по $512$ байт. А секторы объединяются в кластеры. Кластер является минимальной адресуемой единицей дисковой памяти, которая выделяется под хранение файла. Один кластер может хранить данные только одного файла. Размер кластера фиксирован и является различным для разных файловых систем. Процесс разметки области хранения данных называется форматированием.

Рисунок 1.

ОС Windows $7$ поддерживает четыре типа файловых систем:

  • FAT16. Это довольно старая файловая система, предназначенная для дисков размером менее $512$ Мб. Максимальный объем, который поддерживает FAT $16$, равен $2$ Гб.
  • FAT32. Используется для флеш-памяти размером больше $2$ Гб.
  • exFAT. Была разработана как улучшенная версия FAT$32$ для флеш-памяти.
  • NTFS. Эта файловая система является базовой для Windows $7$. Она была создана, чтобы полностью вытеснить FAT$16$ и FAT$32$. NTFS быстрее и надежнее своих предшественниц, имеет средства для шифрования данных. ОС Windows $7$ может быть установлена только на диск, который отформатирован в файловой системе NTFS, но при этом Windows может работать с другими областями хранения данных, которые отформатированы в FAT$16$, FAT$32$ и exFAT.

Рисунок 2.

Для операционных систем других семейств используются совершенно другие файловые системы. Например, для ОС Linux жесткий диск форматируется в файловой системе ext$3$. Можно на одном и том же компьютере один раздел диска отформатировать в NTFS и установить там Windows $7$, а другой раздел отформатировать в ext$3$ и установить на нем Linux. В этом случае работая под Windows пользователь вообще не будет видеть раздел отформатированный в ext$3$ и никак не сможет получать из него данные.

Для того чтобы узнать, какая файловая система (из доступныx для Windows) выбрана на определенном разделе жесткого диска нужно нажать правой кнопкой мыши на пиктограмме диска и выбрать в контекстном меню пункт «свойства». В открывшемся окне можно прочитать информацию о размере диска, количестве свободного места и файловой системе.

Microsoft Windows is a group of several graphical operating system families, all of which are developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. Active Windows families include Windows NT and Windows Embedded; these may encompass subfamilies, e.g. Windows Embedded Compact (Windows CE) or Windows Server. Defunct Windows families include Windows 9x, Windows Mobile and Windows Phone.

Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985, as a graphical operating system shell for their text-based operating system, MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs).[1] Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world’s personal computer (PC) market with over 90% market share, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced in 1984. Apple came to see Windows as an unfair encroachment on their innovation in GUI development as implemented on products such as the Lisa and Macintosh (eventually settled in court in Microsoft’s favor in 1993). On PCs, Windows is still the most popular operating system. However, in 2014, Microsoft admitted losing the majority of the overall operating system market to Android,[2] because of the massive growth in sales of Android smartphones. In 2014, the number of Windows devices sold was less than 25% that of Android devices sold. This comparison however may not be fully relevant, as the two operating systems traditionally target different platforms. Still, numbers for server use of Windows (that are comparable to competitors) show one third market share, similar to for end-user use.

As of October 2021, the most recent version of Windows for PCs and tablets is Windows 11. The most recent versions for server computers is Windows Server 2022. The last version available for smartphones and embedded devices was Windows 10. A specialized version of Windows runs on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/Xbox Series S video game consoles.[3] Microsoft rolled out its first release of Windows 11 on October 5, 2021.[4]

Versions[]

There have been many versions of Windows since its introduction in 1985, ranging from 16-bit to 64-bit, for both client and server applications.

Major releases of the consumer operating system[]

  • Windows 1.0 (1985)
  • Windows 2.0 (1987)
  • Windows 2.1 (1988)
  • Windows 3.0 (1990)
  • Windows 3.1 (1992)
  • Windows 95 (1995)
  • Windows 98 (1998)
  • Windows 2000 (2000)
  • Windows Me (2000)
  • Windows XP (2001)
  • Windows Vista (2006)
  • Windows 7 (2009)
  • Windows 8 (2012)
  • Windows RT (2012)
  • Windows 8.1 (2013)
  • Windows 10 (2015)
  • Windows 11 (2021)

Major releases of the business / server operating system[]

  • Windows NT 3.1 (1993)
  • Windows NT 3.5 (1994)
  • Windows NT 3.51 (1995)
  • Windows NT 4.0 (1996)
  • Windows 2000 Server (2000)
  • Windows Server 2003 (2003)
  • Windows Server 2003 R2 (2005)
  • Windows Server 2008 (2008)
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (2009)
  • Windows Server 2012 (2012)
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 (2013)
  • Windows Server 2016 (2016)
  • Windows Server 2019 (2018)
  • Windows Server 2022 (2021)
  • Windows Server 2025 (2024)

History[]

Windows was first originated as an add-on to MS-DOS to provide a graphical user interface to the traditional command-line system.

Windows 1.0[]

A typical Windows 1.0 desktop.

The first independent version of Microsoft Windows, version 1.0, released in November 1985, lacked a degree of functionality and achieved little popularity.

Windows 2.0[]

Windows 2.0 was released in November 1987 and was slightly more popular than its predecessor. Windows 2.03 (release date January 1988) had introduced overlapping windows, which led to Apple Computer filing a suit against Microsoft alleging copyright infringement.

Windows 3.0[]

A Windows 3.11 Workgroup desktop.

Windows 3.0, released in 1990, was the first Windows version to achieve broad commercial success, selling 2 million copies in the first six months. It featured improvements to the user interface and to multitasking capabilities. It was updated to version 3.1 in 1992.

Windows NT 3.1[]

In July 1993, Microsoft released Windows NT based on IBM OS/2 technology (which Microsoft had been co-developing for several years prior). NT was targeted at businesses rather than home users, although these separate lines would later be combined.

Windows 95[]

On August 24, 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, which introduced support for native 32-bit applications and long file names of up to 255 characters. The most significant addition, however, was the Start Menu – a graphical menu which provides a central launching point for programs and performing other tasks.

Windows 98[]

The next in line was Microsoft Windows 98 released in June 1998. Substantially criticized for its slowness compared with Windows 95, many of its basic problems were later rectified with the release of Windows 98 Second Edition in 1999.

Windows 2000/Me[]

As part of its business line, Microsoft released the NT-based Windows 2000 in February 2000, which was used for servers and workstations alike. The consumer version was the 9x-based Windows Me (Millennium Edition), released in September 2000. Windows Me attempted to implement a number of new technologies for Microsoft, most notably Universal Plug and Play, however, the OS was substantially criticized for its lack of compatibility and stability.

Windows XP[]

A typical Windows XP desktop.

In October 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP, a version built on the Windows NT kernel that also retained the consumer-oriented usability of Windows 95 and its successors. It shipped in two distinct editions, «Home» and «Professional», the former lacking many of the superior security and networking features of the Professional edition. Additionally, the «Media Center» edition was released in 2003, with an emphasis on support for DVD and TV functionality including program recording and a remote control.

Windows Server 2003[]

Windows Server 2003 was introduced in April 2003, replacing the Windows 2000 line of server products with a number of new features and a strong focus on security; this was followed in December 2005 by Windows Server 2003 R2 (Release 2).

Windows Vista[]

The long-awaited Windows Vista, codenamed Longhorn, was released in 2007 with 5 editions. Vista was built on the more recent and more stable platform of Server 2003. Windows Server 2008 was introduced in February 2008.

Windows 7[]

In October 2009, Windows 7 was launched as the successor to Vista, and is considered to be a lot more stable and usable than its predecessor. At the same time, Windows Server 2008 R2 was launched as an update to the server line.

Windows 8[]

In October 26, 2012, Windows 8 was launched as the successor to Windows 7 and introduced major changes to the OS’s platform and user interface to improve experience on mobile devices, because Windows was now competing with mobile OS’s. Windows Server 2012 was also released.

Windows 8.1[]

Windows 8.1 was released on October 17, 2013 to address complaints of Windows 8. It included visual enhancements, new apps, and support for new technologies. It received more acceptance than Windows 8. Windows Server 2012 R2 was released at that time.

Windows 10[]

Windows 10 was released on July 29, 2015 as the successor to Windows 8.1, and addresses shortcomings in the user interface first introduced with Windows 8. Changes include the return of the Start menu, a virtual desktop system, and the ability to run Windows Store apps within windows on the desktop instead of in full-screen mode. The user interface is designed to handle changes between mouse and touchscreen interfaces. The server equivalents for Windows 10 are Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019. The current version of Windows 10 is version 21H1, released in May 2021.

Windows 11[]

Windows 11, codenamed «Sun Valley«, was leaked on June 15, 2021 and was formally announced on June 24 as the successor to Windows 10 during a livestream. Preview builds began being released through the Windows Insider Program on June 28, demonstrating the return of a rounded user interface and a Start Menu and Taskbar that are centered by default.[5] Windows 11 was released as a free upgrade to eligible customers on October 5, 2021.[4][6] A phased rollout of the Windows 11 2022 Update (22H2) began on September 20, 2022.[7] The next annual update is codenamed «Copper» (23H2) and is scheduled for release in 2023. New features in development include the ability to expand the view of Widgets, an improved Xbox Game Pass Widget, redesigned «Rename this PC» and date/time picker UI.[8]

Future[]

Microsoft announced that major new versions of Windows are being scheduled for release every 3 years, placing the next such version in 2024.[9] Upcoming features from a prototype build that was demonstrated at Microsoft Ignite 2022 included a rounded floating Taskbar, weather information and system icons at the top corners, an elongated pill-shaped search bar at the top center, and a working codename of «Next Valley«.[10] In December 2022, Microsoft began the Zinc (24H2) development semester.[11] On March 8, 2023, the Windows Insider Program initiated the Canary Channel to begin separate testing of experimental features believed to be intended for Windows 12.[12]

Interface[]

Microsoft Office apps in Windows 11.

The most obvious feature of Windows is a window or a container for other graphical objects. A Window in Microsoft Windows typically contains a status bar, title bar, minimize and maximize buttons, close button, and system menu (also called the windows menu or control menu). Another prominent feature since Windows 95 and NT 4.0 is the desktop, which holds various icons that the user can double-click to open. The Start Button and Start Menu, attached to the taskbar and typically below the desktop, gives users access to installed programs and many of the other features of the operating system.

Due to these and features, Windows makes it possible to perform most common tasks, some quite complex, with very little computer knowledge. Windows also comes with features to help the disabled through its accessibility options. Under Windows XP, these features include the Narrator, Magnifier, and contrast display mode.

Logo timeline[]

1985-2001 as Microsoft Windows 1.0x-2.x

1988-2001 as Microsoft Windows 3.0

1991-2010 as Microsoft Windows 3.1-2000

1995-2006 as Microsoft Windows 9x

2001-2014 as Windows XP

2006-2012 as Windows Vista-7

2012-2015 as Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

2015-2021 as Windows 10

2021-present as Windows 11

Widespread usage[]

Microsoft Windows is installed on the vast majority of personal computers. A July 2005 poll of Network Computing magazine readers found that 90% of their organizations used Microsoft’s desktop operating systems. It has achieved enormous market penetration due to the domination of MS-DOS in the early days of PC compatible computers (IBM PC clones). It is also the primary platform for Microsoft Office and most non-console computer games.

The widespread use of Microsoft’s operating system has benefited from not being tied to the success of one hardware manufacturer and from Microsoft’s willingness to license the operating system to manufacturers. This is in contrast with Apple Computer, which does not license Mac OS X to other manufacturers, and Sun Microsystems, which did not license Solaris before it was made free and open-source. However, the wide spectrum of possible hardware permutations with Microsoft Windows is also a major source of computer problems because of hardware-software incompatibilities for consumers.

In the past, companies who wanted to be in the computer business had to create their own operating systems (such as the Amiga, BBC Micro or ZX Spectrum) or choose another OS; even an exclusive license with one vendor was significantly cheaper than developing and supporting a new operating system and software base.

Due to Microsoft’s extensive licensing agreements with many computer vendors, Windows presently comes pre-installed on most computers as a bundled OEM version, making it the default or only choice for most of the market.

For some consumers, Windows is the only valid option for a computing environment, or it is mandated by their workplace; additionally, an unfamiliarity with other operating systems results in a lack of desire to switch to other operating systems. A significant percentage of computer users simply lack the technical knowledge needed to install an operating system.

Finally, the large base of software available exclusively for the Windows family of operating systems has become the single largest self-perpetuating reason for the popularity of Windows. In recent years, many companies have been started with the sole intention of releasing Windows software; the fact that there is already a large customer base in place is reason enough for such companies to spend their resources solely on Windows software development. As a result, the fact that many companies are supporting Windows exclusively is a self-reinforcing reason for customers to choose Windows.

Maintaining compatibility in a new release of Windows with this large collection of software designed to run on older flavors of Windows consumes a large part of the resources of the Windows development team.

Security[]

The Windows XP Security Center supplied in Service Pack 2.

Security has been a major weakness of Windows for many years, and even Microsoft itself has been the victim of cracks and hacks. Due to the widespread usage of Windows on personal computers, many crackers (also known as black hat hackers) have targeted Windows rather than the lesser-used operating systems such as Linux, Unix, Mac OS X, and FreeBSD. Some believe that due to being designed for security in a multi-user and/or networked environment some other operating systems have a relatively small number of security issues. Windows was originally designed for ease-of-use on a single-user PC without a network connection and did not have security features built-in from the outset. Combined with occasionally flawed code (such as buffer overflows), Windows is a continuous target of worms and virus writers. Furthermore, until Service Pack 2 of Windows XP most versions of Windows were shipped with important security features disabled by default, and vulnerable albeit useful system services enabled by default. In June 2005, Bruce Schneier’s Counterpane Internet Security reported that it had seen over 1,000 new viruses and worms in the previous six months.

Microsoft publicly admitted their ongoing security problems shortly after the turn of the century and now claims to regard security as their number one priority. As a result, Service Pack 2 for Windows XP greatly increased the security of the operating system. Microsoft releases security patches through its Windows Update service approximately once a month (usually the second Tuesday of the month), although critical updates are made available at shorter intervals when necessary. In Windows 2000 (Service Pack 3 and later), Windows Me, and Windows XP, updates can be automatically downloaded and installed if the user selects to do so.

As another step in their focus on security, Microsoft has released Windows Defender (formerly Windows AntiSpyware and Giant AntiSpyware) a free program designed to protect against spyware and other unwanted software.

A study conducted by Kevin Mitnick and marketing communications firm Avantgarde found that an unprotected and unpatched Windows XP system lasted only 4 minutes on the Internet before it was compromised. The AOL/National Cyber Security Alliance Online Safety Study of October 2004 determined that 80% of Windows users were infected by at least one spyware/adware product. Much documentation is available describing how to increase the security of Microsoft Windows products. Typical suggestions include deploying Microsoft Windows behind a hardware or software firewall, running anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and installing patches as they become available through Windows Update.

See also[]

  • General
    • Microsoft
  • Further reading
    • Architecture of the Windows NT operating system line
    • History of Microsoft Windows
    • List of Microsoft Windows components
    • Microsoft Windows topics
    • Windows Explorer
    • Windows Genuine Advantage
    • Windows Media

References[]

  1. «The Unusual History of Microsoft Windows». Retrieved April 22, 2007.
  2. Keizer, Gregg (July 14, 2014). «Microsoft gets real, admits its device share is just 14%». IDG. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. «[Microsoft’s chief operating officer] Turner’s 14% came from a new forecast released last week by Gartner, which estimated Windows’ share of the shipped device market last year was 14%, and would decrease slightly to 13.7% in 2014. [..] Android will dominate, Gartner said, with a 48% share this year»
  3. «Xbox One Architecture Finally Explained — Runs OS ‘Virtually Indistinguishable’ from Windows 8». WCCFtech. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Windows 11 available on October 5 by Aaron Woodman, Microsoft. 2021-08-31.
  5. Microsoft releases Windows 11 preview, available to download now by Tom Warren, The Verge. 2021-06-28.
  6. Windows 11 release date is October 5 by George Cox, The Spectrum. 2021-09-13.
  7. Windows 11, version 22H2 known issues and notifications, Microsoft. 2022-09-22.
  8. Windows 11 25201 gets new ‘Rename this PC’ and date/time picker UI, here is how to enable it, by Taras Buria, NeoWin. 2022-09-15.
  9. Microsoft moves to new Windows development cycle with major release every three years, feature drops in between by Zac Bowden, Windows Central. 2022-07-15.
  10. Microsoft accidentally revealed a UI design prototype for the next version of Windows at Ignite 2022 by Zac Bowden, Windows Central. 2022-10-13.
  11. Microsoft quietly stomps into Windows 11 Zinc development semester by Sayan Sen, Neowin. 2022-12-13.
  12. Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 23403 on the rebooted Dev Channel by Wayne Williams, BetaNews. 2023-03-08.

External links[]

Official[]

  • Microsoft’s Official Windows Website
  • Official Promotional Website (Windows.com)
  • Windows history time line from Microsoft
  • Windows official Twitter
  • Windows official YouTube channel

Tips and documentation[]

  • How to run multiple versions of Windows on one PC
  • Tech-Recipes Windows Guide – listing of almost 500 Windows Tutorials
  • The Windows Documentation Project (wiki)
  • Securing Microsoft Windows (for Home and Small Business Users)
  • Symantec Anti-Virus Research Center – excellent informational security resource, and Symantec are makers of Norton Anti-Virus (third party software sold separately).
  • dotwhat? — File Extension Listing – a huge listing of file extensions and the programs that use them
  • Windows – tips and tricks for Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP
  • Windows Support Script
  • The Windows Wiki
  • Vernalex’s Windows Services Utility – an unofficial list of most Windows services with detailed descriptions and recommended run states

Programming Microsoft Windows[]

  • Microsoft Development Network for programming Microsoft Windows
  • Windows API tutorial in C++

Libraries[]

  • RSWL – free Reliable Software C++ Windows API library.

Reviews and evaluation[]

  • Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows – an exhaustive evaluation of Microsoft’s products and technologies
  • «Time to Live on the Network» – a security study by Kevin Mitnick and AvantGarde (PDF)
  • Windows XP: rough around the edges – an UI review of Windows XP
  • Frank Mahler’s Interface Hall Of Shame (in German)
  • AOL/National Cyber Security Alliance Online Safety Study (October 2004) (PDF)
  • Interface Hall of Shame – an analysis of user interfaces with a focus on Windows

Other[]

  • Windows history – a Windows history time line graph by Éric Lévénez (detailed, continually updated)
  • GUIdebook: Windows Gallery – a website dedicated to preserving and showcasing graphical user interfaces
  • Windows 20th Birthday

Microsoft Windows family

Versions • Components • History
Original
DOS-based
Windows 1.0 • Windows 2.0 • Windows 2.1 (Windows/286 • Windows/386) • Windows 3.0 • Windows 3.1
Windows 9x
Windows 95 • Windows 98 • Windows Me
Windows NT
Early versions
Windows NT 3.1 • Windows NT 3.5 • Windows NT 3.51 • Windows NT 4.0 • Windows 2000
Client
Windows XP (development) • Windows Vista (editions • development) • Windows 7 (editions • development) • Windows 8 • Windows 10 • Windows 11
Windows Server
Server 2003 • Server 2008 (2008 R2) • HPC Server 2008 • Home Server • Small Business Server • Essential Business Server • Windows Server 2012 • Windows Server 2016 • Windows Server 2019 • Windows Server 2022
Specialized
Windows Embedded • Windows PE • Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs
Mobile
Windows Mobile • Windows Phone
Cancelled
Cairo • Nashville • Neptune • Odyssey • Windows 10X
Related
Metro • Midori • OS/2 • Windows Aero • Windows Setup • Windows XP themes • Microsoft Plus!

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