Microsoft

WindowsBy: Aubrey Cristine Jude B. Neri

ACT - 1

What is Microsoft windows ? Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced

by Microsoft.

It is also the most popular operating system in the world.

Windows originated from MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) in 1982.

The Windows operating system on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). 

› Over the years, there have been many different versions of Windows, but the most popular ones are : Windows 7 (released in 2009) Windows Vista (2007), and  Windows XP (2001).

Windows comes preloaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

ADVANTAGE OF WINDOWS :

1.Microsoft has made several advancements and changes that have made it a much easier to use Operating System, and although arguably it may not be the easiest Operating System, it is still Easier than Linux.

2.Because of the large amount of Microsoft Windows users, there is a much larger selection of available software programs, utilities, and games for Windows.

3.Microsoft Windows includes its own help section, has vast amount of available online documentation and help, as well as books on each of the versions of Windows.

4. Lots of software and games are developed for windows.

5. Windows is also somewhat user friendly.

DISADVANTAGE OF WINDOWS :1.Microsoft Windows can run between $50.00 - $150.00 US dollars per each license copy.

2.Although Microsoft Windows has made great improvements in reliability over the last few versions of Windows, it still cannot match the reliability of Linux.

3.Although Windows does have software programs, utilities, and games for free, the majority of the programs will cost anywhere between $20.00 - $200.00+ US dollars per copy.

4.Although Microsoft has made great improvements over the years with security on their Operating System, their Operating System continues to be the most vulnerable to viruses and other attacks.

History of Microsoft Windows

Windows 1.0

› The first independent edition of Microsoft Windows, known as Windows 1.0 was released on November 20, 1985 as an expansion of the original MS-DOS system.

› It was sold only on floppy disks and required that MS-DOS was installed first.

› Early programs include a calculator, an analog clock, reversi game, MS Paint, Write (modern day WordPad), Notepad, Control Panel, and more. MS-DOS Executive programs are all listed as .EXE files.

› Microsoft Windows had the ability to display color as long as your hardware was compatible, unlike Macs at the time, which were only black and white.

Windows 2.0

› Windows 2.0 was released on December 9, 1987.

› With improved graphics support, you can now overlap windows, control the screen layout, and use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work.

› The “Minimize” and “Maximize” we all know today was also introduced.

› Aldus PageMaker, an application previously only available to Macs, was now available to Windows.

› Aldus PageMaker is now know as Adobe PageMaker.

Windows 3.0

› Windows 3.0 was released on May 22, 1990 and was very successful with improved multi-tasking abilities.

› Windows 3.0 also supported 256 colors rather than just the previous 16 colors.

› It introduced the Solitaire card game, Hearts, and Minesweeper and a macro recorder as well as a greatly improved Paint known as Paintbrush as the time.

Windows 3.1

› Windows 3.1 was released on April 6, 1992.

› It supported 32-bit disk access. The Reversi game was also dropped in favor of Minesweeper.

› Its also interesting how Minesweeper looked exactly the same in Windows 3.1 as it does in Windows XP.

› An extension known as Windows for Workgroups featured additional networking capabilities.

Windows 95

› Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995.

› Selling has a record-setting 7 million copies in the first five weeks.

› This is the era of fax/modems, e‑mail, the new online world, and dazzling multimedia games and educational software.

› Windows 95 has built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities that make it easy to install hardware and software.

› “The Internet Tidal Wave,” and declares the Internet as “the most important development since the advent of the PC.”

Windows 98› Windows 98 was released on June 25, 1998.

› Windows 98 is described as an operating system that “Works Better, Plays Better.”

› Windows 98 introduced a line of system tools that are present in modern day Windows including: Disk Defragmenter, Windows Configuration Utility (MsConfig), and Registry Editor (Regedit).

› Other improvements include the ability to open and close programs more quickly, and support for reading DVD discs and universal serial bus (USB) devices.

› Another first appearance is the Quick Launch bar, which lets you run programs without having to browse the Start menu or look for them on the desktop.

Windows 98 SE (Second Edition)

› It was released on May 5, 1999

› Introduces some minor fixes along with improved USB support and including Internet Explorer 5.0 (replaces 4.0) as well as Internet Connection Sharing.

› Windows 98 was supported by Microsoft with security updates until July 11, 2006 because of its popularity among users.

Windows 98

Windows 2000

› Windows 2000 was released on February 17, 2000.

› Windows 2000 shipped in four different editions: Professional Server Advanced Server, and Datacenter Server

› A new line of accessibility features were included and those that were already existing in previous editions were made easier to access, including the On-Screen Keyboard Magnifier Narrator Sticky Keys, and ToggleKeys

› Among other improvements, Windows 2000 Professional simplifies hardware installation by adding support for a wide variety of new Plug and Play hardware, including advanced networking and wireless products, USB devices, IEEE 1394 devices, and infrared devices.

Windows Millennium Edition (ME)

› Windows ME was released on September 14, 2000 as a successor to Windows 98 (not Windows 2000).

› The name is based on the year 2000, the beginning of a new millennium.

› Windows Me offers numerous music, video, and home networking enhancements and reliability improvements compared to previous versions.

› Windows ME was the first system to include a built in basic video editing software, Windows Movie Maker, now Windows Live Movie Maker.

› It also included Internet Explorer 5.5. and Microsoft Windows Media Player 7 technologies, where you can find, organize, and play digital media.

› Windows ME was highly criticized because of the very frequent freezes and crashes, eventually getting the number 4 spot on PC World’s 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time, and was dubbed as “Mistake Edition”.

Windows eXPerience (XP)

› Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001.

› About 1 billion PCs have been shipped worldwide.

› It’s both fast and stable.

› Windows XP has several editions

Windows XP 64-bit Edition (2001) is the first Microsoft operating system for 64-bit processors designed for working with large amounts of memory.

Windows XP Media Center Edition (2002) is made for home computing and entertainment.

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (2002) realizes the vision of pen-based computing.

› Added new features to XP including:

Improved Wi-Fi support,

A popup blocker for Internet Explorer 6 and

The new Windows Security Center.

› It is the most popular operating system in the world at the time of writing with 66.2% of the market share.

Windows Vista

› Windows Vista was released worldwide on January 30, 2007 after a long 5+ years in development. Prior to its announcement on July 22, 2005, it was

known by the codename “Longhorn”.

› In Windows Vista Ultimate, BitLocker Drive Encryption provides better data protection for your computer, as laptop sales and security needs increase.

› Other new features of Vista include a redesigned Start Menu, a new visual style known as Windows Aero, Windows Flip 3D, Thumbnail Previews, Windows Instant Search (with new search boxes in

Explorer and the Start Menu), Windows Backup and Restore Center, Windows Photo Gallery, and much more.

› It shipped in 4 main editions:

Home Basic Home Premium Business Ultimate

› Criticism for Windows Vista included the expensive price, high system requirements, and the frequency of the User Account Control (UAC) prompts.

Windows 7› Windows 7′s release date is October 22, 2009.› It is available in different editions:

Home Premium Professional and Ultimate

› Windows 7 has been in development for 3 years and is largely based on feedback from users on Windows Vista.

› There are two possible ways to upgrade to Windows 7 from an earlier version of Windows: An in-place install (labeled "Upgrade" in the installer),

where settings and programs are preserved from an older version of Windows.

A clean install (labeled "Custom" in the installer). › Also enhances Windows Aero by adding features like:

Aero Snap Aero Shake

› Windows 7 has received generally excellent reviews and feedback saying that it is easy to use and a huge improvement over Vista.

Windows 8› The latest version of Microsoft windows

operating system.

› Windows 8 is the upcoming version of Microsoft Windows, expected to be released in 2012.

› New Features: A new authentication method allows users to sketch in

three different places over the picture to login, instead of typing a password.

Another feature expected to be introduced in Windows 8 is native USB 3.0 support, without the need to load drivers.

Windows 8 can be run from a USB-connected drive, such as a flash drive. This feature is called Windows To Go.

› The first public preview of Windows Server 8 was also shown by Microsoft at the 2011 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference

Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer market, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced in 1984. As of August 2011, Windows has approximately 82.58% of the market share of the client operating systems according to Usage share of operating systems.

SourceNet Market Share

W3Counter Global Stats W3Schools

DateSeptember 2011

September 2011

September 2011

September 2011

All versions 92.45% 79.82% 90.75% 84.8%

Windows 7 32.42% 34.88% 39.04% 42.2%

Windows XP 50.5% 34.93% 40.59% 36.2%

Windows Vista 9.09% 9.9% 11.12% 5.6%

Windows Server 2003

— — — 0.8%

Windows NT 4.0

0.23% — — —

Windows 2000 0.17% 0.11% — —

Windows 98 0.03% — — —

Windows Me 0.01% — — —

END