The History of MS Windows timeline

This is Where it all started for Windows. It was Microsoft's first true attempt at a graphical user interface in 16-bit.

Two years after the release of Windows 1, Microsoft’s Windows 2 replaced it. The big innovation for Windows 2 was that windows could overlap each other, and it also introduced the ability to minimize or Maximilian windows instead of “iconising” or “zooming”.

The first Windows that required a hard drive. Windows 3 was the first version to see more widespread success and be considered a challenger to Apple’s Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga graphical user interfaces, coming pre-installed on computers from PC-compatible manufacturers including Zenith Data Systems.

It is notable because it introduced TrueType fonts making Windows a viable publishing platform for the first time. It required 1MB of RAM to run and allowed supported MS-DOS programs to be controlled with a mouse for the first time. Windows 3.1 was also the first Windows to be distributed on a CD-ROM, although once installed on a hard drive it only took up 10 to 15MB (a CD can typically store up to 700MB).

it brought the first ever Start button and Start menu. It also introduced the concept of “plug and play” – connect a peripheral and the operating system finds the appropriate drivers for it and makes it work. It also introduced a 32-bit environment. Internet Explorer also made its debut.

It built on Windows 95 and brought with it IE 4, Outlook Express, Windows Address Book, Microsoft Chat and NetShow Player, which was replaced by Windows Media Player 6.2 in Windows 98 Second Edition in 1999. It introduced the back and forward navigation buttons and the address bar in Windows Explorer, among other things. One of the biggest changes was the introduction of the Windows Driver Model for computer components and accessories – one driver to support all future versions of Windows.

The enterprise twin of Windows ME, Windows 2000 was based on Microsoft’s business-orientated system Windows NT and later became the basis for Windows XP. Microsoft’s automatic updating played an important role in Windows 2000 and became the first Windows to support hibernation.

IE 5.5, Windows Media Player 7 and Windows Movie Maker all made their appearance for the first time. Autocomplete also appeared in Windows Explorer, but the operating system was notorious for being buggy, failing to install properly and being generally poor.

It brought Microsoft’s enterprise line and consumer line of operating systems under one roof. It was based on Windows NT like Windows 2000. Also the Start menu and task bar got a visual overhaul, bringing the familiar green Start button, blue task bar and vista wallpaper, along with various shadow and other visual effects. Windows XP was the longest running Microsoft operating system. Windows XP was still used on an estimated 430m PCs when it was discontinued. Its biggest problem was security.

PC gamers saw a boost from Vista’s inclusion of Microsoft’s DirectX 10 technology. Windows Media Player 11 and IE 7 debuted, along with Windows Defender an anti-spyware programme. Vista also included speech recognition, Windows DVD Maker and Photo Gallery, as well as being the first Windows to be distributed on DVD. Later a version of Windows Vista without Windows Media Player was created in response to anti-trust investigations.

It was said to fix all the problems faced by Vista. It was faster, more stable and easier to use, becoming the operating system most users & business will upgrade to, from Windows XP. The ability to “snap” windows to the top or side of the screen, allowing faster more auto window sizing. It saw Microsoft hit in Europe with antitrust investigations over the pre-installing of IE, it led to a browser ballot screen shown to new users allowing them to choose, which browser to install on first boot.

was Microsoft’s most radical overhaul of the Windows interface, ditching the Start button and Start menu in favour of a more touch-friendly Start screen. The new tiled interface saw programme icons and live tiles. It was faster than previous versions of Windows and included support for the new, much faster USB 3.0 devices. The Windows Store, which offers Windows apps that run in a full-screen mode was introduced.

It marked a shift towards yearly software updates from Microsoft and included the first step in Microsoft’s U-turn around its new visual interface. It re-introduced the Start button, which brought up the Start screen from the desktop view of Windows 8.1. Users could also choose to boot directly into the desktop of Windows 8.1, which was more suitable for those using a desktop computer with a mouse and keyboard than the touch-focused Start screen.

It has only been released as a test version for keen users to try. It is still a work in progress, but It represents another step in Microsoft’s U-turn, bringing back the Start menu and more balance to traditional desktop computer users. Despite being the 9th version of Windows, It is designed to unify all Windows platforms across multiple devices, including Phones & tablets, with apps that can be downloaded from the Windows Store and run on all devices. It wasn't available until 2015.