What is MS-WINDOWS

INTRODUCTION TO MS - WINDOWS

MS - Windows operating system is software that helps to establish an interface between the user and the hardware components.  It performs many functions according to the need of the user.  It con trols the overall activity of the computer.  It also helps us to understand the computer instructions as they are represented in a graphical format.  It is a very powerful software tool that executes many important programs to carry out a large number of tasks. 

          Microsoft Windows are preferred over MS - DOS.  With the introduction of MS - Windows the usage of MS - DOS decreased due to the following reasons:

1. The processing speed of computers using MS - Windows as the software tool was very fast in comparison to all the software available previously. 

2. Since it is a Graphical User Interface it provides a convenient platform to execute a number of applications.  There was no need of remembering lengthy and complex commands. 

3. Multitasking feature helps it to perform more than one task at the same time with all these advantages over the previously available software tools.  The Windows software was easily accepted by the people.  Even a layman could also easily understand its usage. 

With the improvements in the technology, various modifications were made in the Windows The various versions of Windows that evolved from time to time are as follows:

1. MS-Windows 1.0	8. MS-Windows NT
2.  MS-Windows 2.0	9. MS-Windows 2000
3.  MS-Windows 3.0	10. MS-Windows XP
4. MS-Windows 3.11	11. MS-Windows Vista
5. MS-Windows  95	12. MS-Windows 7
6. MS-Windows 98	13. MS-Windows 8
7. MS-Windows Me	14. MS-Windows 10

MS - Windows 1.0 and MS - Windows 2.0 were not operating systems but they were user friendly editors that could handle the files and directories conveniently. 

         Then MS - Windows 3.0, MS - Windows 3.1, MS - Windows 3.11 were launched with better features.  They were still not the operating system as we first had to boot into DOS operating system and then load windows 3.D or 3.1 or 3.11 by giving instructions to execute windows executable file.

        Later on, with the introduction of MS - Windows 95 things changed.  MS - Windows 95, MS Windows 97, MS - Windows 98, Windows Me (Collectively known as Windows 9x) and higher versions were all full - fledged operating systems having better features than previously available versions.  Now computers could directly boot in these operating systems.  They also supported the feature of networking which helped to connect two or more computers.  MS - Windows 7 is among the latest version of MS Windows operating system. 

           With the introduction of Windows, the life style of computer industry had changed.  Computers now have reached a common person as it is very easy to run programs, enter and move the data around and perform all tasks with the help of the mouse.

HISTORY OF WINDOWS

Microsoft first began development of the Interface Manager (later renamed Microsoft Windows) in September 1981. Although the first prototypes used Multiplan and Word - like menus at the bottom of the screen, the interface was changed in 1982 to use pull-down menus and dialogs, as used on the Xerox Star.  Microsoft finally announced Windows in November 1983, with pressure from just released Vision and impending Top View.  Windows promised an easy - to - use graphical interface, device independent graphics and multitasking support. 

        The development was delayed several times, however, and the Windows 1.0 hit the store shelves in November 1985. The selection of applications was sparse, however, and Windows sales were modest.  Windows 1.0 package, included: MS - DOS Executive, Calendar, Cardfile, Notepad, Terminal, Calculator, Clock, Reversi, Control Panel, PIF (Program Information File) Editor, Print Spooler, Clip board, RAMDrive, Windows Write, Windows Paint. 

       When Windows / 386 was released, Microsoft renamed Windows 2.0 to Windows / 286 for consistency. Windows 2.0.  introduced in the fall of 1987, provided significant usability improvements to Windows.  With the addition of icons and overlapping windows, Windows became a viable environment for development of major applications (such as Excel, Word for Windows, PageMaker and Micrografx Designer), and the sales were spurred by the runtime ("Single Application Environment") versions.  supplied by the independent software vendors.

            In late 1987, Microsoft released Windows / 386. While it was functionally equivalent to its sib ling, Windows / 286.in running Windows applications, it provided the capability to run multiple DOS applications simultaneously in the extended memory  .

            Windows 3.0, released in May, 1990, was a complete overhaul of the Windows environment. With the capability to address memory beyond 640K and a much more powerful user interface, independent software vendors started developing Windows applications with vigor. 

             Windows 3.1, released in April, 1992 provides significant improvements to Windows 3.0.  Windows 3.11, added no new features but corrects some existing, mostly network - related problems.

             Windows for Workgroups 3.1, released in October, 1992, was the first integrated Windows and networking package offered by Microsoft.  It provided peer - to - peer file and printer sharing capabili ties highly integrated into the Windows environment.  The simple - to - use - and - install networking allows the user to specify which files on the user's machine could be made accessible to others.  The files can then be accessed from other machines running either Windows or DOS. 

                Windows for Workgroups also includes two additional applications: Microsoft Mail, a network mail package, and Schedule +, a workgroup schedules. 

                  On November, 1993 Microsoft shipped Windows for Workgroups 3.11.  Windows NT 3.1.94 03-01 is Microsoft's platform of choice for high - end systems.  It was intended for use in network servers, workstations and software development machines: While Windows NT's user interface was very similar to that of Windows 3.1, it was based on an entirely new operating system kernel. 

              Windows 95, was released in August of 1995. A 32 - bit system providing full pre - emptive multitasking, advanced file systems, threading, networking, Plug and Play feature to support new hard ware and more.  It included MS - DOS 7.0, but took over from DOS completely after starting.  Also included a completely revised user interface.  Unlike its predecessors (Windows 3.0, 3.1 and 3.11 collectively known as Windows 3.x) it did not require MS - DOS to be installed separately before it was installed.  It even enabled to run programs designed to work with earlier versions.  A lot of modifications were made to the GUI such as introduction to START button and Taskbar.

           Windows 98, released in June of 1998. The inclusion of Internet web browser and feature of Active Desktop gave it a major boost.  Internet Integrated Web browsing gave the desktop a browser like interface.  You could browse everything, including stuff on your local computer.  Active Desktop allowed you to setup your desktop to be your personal web page, complete with links and any web content.  You could also place active desktop items, such as a stock ticker, that would update automatically.  Multiple Displays Support could expand your desktop onto up to 8 connected monitors.  New Hardware support would support the latest technology such as DVD, Firewire, USB, and AGP.

                  Windows NT 5.0 includes a host of new features.  Like Windows 98, it integrates Internet Explorer 4.0 into the operating system.  This new interface matches up with the Distributed File System.

                 As of November 1998, NT 5.0 was known as Windows 2000, making NT a "mainstream" operating system.  Feb.  17th, 2000, Windows 2000 was released.  It provided an impressive platform of Internet, intranet, extranet, and management applications that integrate tightly with Active Directory.  You can set up virtual private networks - secure, encrypted connections across the Internet - with your choice of protocol. 

                On Thursday Sep.  14th, 2000 Microsoft released Windows Me, short for Millennium Edition, which was aimed at the home user.  The Me operating system boasts some enhanced multimedia features, such as an automated video editor and improved Internet plumbing.  But unlike Microsoft's Windows 2000 OS which offers advanced security, reliability, and networking features Windows Me is basically just an upgrade to the DOS-based code on which previous Windows versions have been built.

                  Windows XP was officially launched on October 25th.  2001. It contained the 32 - bit kernel and driver set from Windows NT and Windows 2000. It included a new three-dimensional look to the desktop with rounded corners and shading.  Some salient features include digital media support, advanced networking and communication (such as Plug and Play support and Internet Connection Sharing) and advanced Mobile Computing etc. 

                  Windows Vista was released on January 30, 2007. Windows Vista provides much more inviting interface than its predecessors do.  It has all new look, completed with stylish graphical visualizations, easier to navigate menus and enhanced personalization capabilities. 

                 The Windows Vista Starter is the most basic version aimed for majority of users.  It provides only basic TCP / IP networking and is not suitable for most of the games.  The Windows Vista Home Basic is intended for budget users with low needs.  It does not provide majority of features that higher versions provide.  The Windows Vista Home Premium provides many more features like Aero desktop experience, collaborate and share documents, use scheduled backup, easily make DVDs etc.  The Windows Vista Business is aimed for small businesses that provides support for non - Microsoft network ing protocols and Domain support.  The Windows Vista Enterprise is a premium business version that contains features such as networked backup solution, virtual PC integration and ability to encrypt entire volume of information.  The Windows Vista Ultimate is the best available version.  It is aimed at high end PC users, technology influences, gamers and students.  It helps in creating high definition movies.  provides high end gaming environment, easily helps to make DVDs etc.