History of Microsoft Windows

Microsoft began to develop the Windows graphical user interface program in 1983. The goal was to provide a more user-friendly program that worked within the MS-DOS operating system on IBM PCs. Over the course of time, a number of further developments came with each successive generation. By the early 21st century, Microsoft Windows became the most popular operating system in the world.
Version 1.0:
On November 20, 1985 the first version of Microsoft Windows was released. It worked as an operating environment within MS-DOS and featured a number of programs including a word processor, calendar and painting option.
Version 3.0:
Although a number of changes and modifications occurred in the interim, the next major success for Microsoft Windows was version 3.0, released in 1990. It offered increased virtual memory, which allowed users to multitask much easier.
Windows 95:
Windows 95 was released in 1995 by Microsoft in an effort to integrate new 32-bit programming capabilities. This version was the first to include Internet Explorer, the company's preferred Internet access program.
Windows 2000:
In 2000, Microsoft released its next Windows operating system. This version improved on the device manager program, Windows Media Player and DirectX. It was able to work on both servers and standard workstations.
Windows XP:
The following year, Windows XP was released. This version was troubled from the start with security problems, leading to a number of modifications that had to be sent out over the Internet or with specialized disks.
Windows Vista:
Windows Vista became the next generation operating system in 2007. Microsoft launched a number of different versions, each with its own features. The overall goal of the system was to offer better security as well as improved graphics.
Windows 7:
Windows 7 is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and media center PCs. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and reached general retail availability on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.
Unlike its predecessor, Windows Vista, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware which Windows Vista was not at the time. Presentations given by Microsoft in 2008 focused on multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements. Some standard applications that have been 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 instead offered separately at no charge as part of the Windows Live Essentials suite.