Microsoft Windows History

Windows 1.0

Nov 20, 1985

It is the very first version of Microsoft Windows, It is an important milestone of computer history and Windows. Which ended the support on December 21, 2001

Windows 3.0

May 22, 1987

Windows 3.0 became the most successful version of Microsoft Windows and were a rival Apple Macintoch and Commodore Amiga. The support ended on December 21, 2001.

Windows 2.0

Dec 9, 1987

Windows 2.0 was the next major version of Windows. It did better than the Windows 1.0 in terms of features and popularity. And also ended the support on December 21, 2001.

Windows 3.1

Apr 6, 1992

Windows 3.1 improved system stability, expanded support of multimedia, TrueTypes fonts, and workgroup networking. The support ended on December 21, 2001. OEM licensing for Windows 3.11 on embedded systems continue until November 1, 2008.

Windows 95

Aug 24, 1995

Windows 95 is a successor of Windows 3.1 and the first of the Windows 9x series. It introduced such as the Windows Desktop, Start Menu and the way the user navigates. The support ended on December 21, 2001.

Windows NT 4

Aug 24, 1996

Windows NT 4 is a major version of Windows NT based on Windows 95. It also included the Windows Task Manager. SP6 is the most current service pack. Support is ended on these versions: Workstation ( June 30, 2004) Server (December 31, 2004).

Windows 98

Jun 25, 1998

Windows 98 is the second version of the Windows 9x series. It improves things such as Windows Explorer and the enchantments of the Windows Desktop Update. Mainstream support ended on June 30, 2002 and extended support ended on July 21, 2006.

Windows 2000

Feb 17, 2000

The last version of Windows to display the "Windows NT" designation. It is a major release of Windows, with 4 editions. Mainstream support ended on June 30, 2005. Extended support ended on July 2, 2010.

Windows XP

Oct 25, 2001

This version of Windows became the most widely used operating system. Before Windows 7 surpassed it's record. It held a big improvement over the past versions. Most notably the Start Menu. The support ended on April 8, 2014.

Windows Server 2003

Apr 24, 2003

A Windows Server version based on Windows XP. Support ended on July 14, 2015.

Windows Vista

Jan 30, 2007

Support ended on April 11, 2017

Windows 7

Oct 22, 2009

Very successful version of Windows, Overtaking Windows XP's market share with 60.75% usage (July 2015).

Windows 8

Oct 26, 2012

Introduced the unpopular Metro UI, but also introduced popular features mounting ISOs, an imporved Windows Explorer, improved file progress (copy-delete) dialog, and a new task manager.

Windows 8.1

Oct 17, 2013

Reintroduced the start button, and improves stability. Support ends on January 10, 2023

Windows Server 2012 R2

Oct 17, 2013

Support ends on January 10, 2023

Windows 10

Jul 29, 2015

Reintroduced the Start Menu, became a "service", introduced Microsoft Edge and Cortana and full-screen apps that were once on Windows 8.1 are now Windowed. There are also virtual desktops on this version.
Support ends on October 14, 2025