Windows by Microsoft

"Windows" is a popular operating system known throughout the world. The first version (Version 1.0) was released by Microsoft in 1985. This version contained the programs MS-DOS Executive, Calendar, Cardfile, Notepad, Terminal, Calculator, Clock, Reversi, Control Panel, PIF (Program Information File) Editor, Print Spooler, Clipboard, RAMDrive, Windows Write, and Windows Paint.

Windows 2.0 was released in 1987, and included for the first time the programs Excel and Word for Windows. Version 2.0X used real mode memory which allowed a maximum of 1 MB memory.

Two new versions, Windows/286 2.1 and Windows/386 2.1, were later introduced. Windows286 ran in real mode but was the first to use HMA. Windows/386 had a protected mode kernel (win386.exe). Versions 2.03 and 3 faced legal problems from Apple.

Version 3.0 was released in 1990, and introduced a slew of new features. This version introduced "virtual memory" which allowed users to multitask MS-DOS software. This version could be run in Real, Standard, or 386 Enhanced modes by specifying a specific switch (either /r for real, /s for standard, or /3 for 386 enhanced). This was the first version to run in protected mode. A limited version was introduced later (Windows 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions) and included capabilities such as support for Sound cards, CD-ROM, and multimedia kits. The 3.x series became widely successful for the features available to the user.

Windows 3.1 was released on March 18, 1992. This version included a TrueType font system, general Program and File Manager, a limit on available modes (Could not run in Real Mode), and a Minesweeper game as a replacement for Reversi. Windows 3.1 for Central and Eastern Europe was introduced and contained European and Cyrillic fonts. Windows 3.11 was later released as an update for Windows 3.1 in December of 1993. This OS had extended support for networking and workgroups (Hence the name). This version comprised of a SMB file shring system via NetBEUI and introduced VSHARE.386, the Virtual Device Driver version of the SHARE.EXE TSR. There was also general support for 32-bit file access and full 32-bit network redirectors.

Windows NT was released in Beta form in July 1992, and was marketed as the continuation of Windows 3.1. The GUI was to Windows 3.1, though the system differed in respect to the new NTFS file system and the 32-bit API that later became known as Win32. Windows NT 4.0 was a Server operating system that was released in four versions: Workstation, Server, Server (Enterprise Edition), and Terminal Server.

Windows 95 was a 16/32-bit GUI operating system released on August 24, 1995. This version introduced a Start Menu, desktop, and taskbar, and included support for long filenames and 32-bit applications. The system utilized the VFAT file system (similar to FAT16). A series of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) patches were released to for various companies to incorporate into their setups: OEM SR 1 introduced Internet Explorer 2.0; OEM SR 2 supported Internet Explorer 3.0, FAT32, and DMA; OEM SR 2.1 supported IE 3.0, USB, FAT32, and DMA; OEM SR 2.5 supported all the above and IE 4.0. Windows 95 did not originally support more than 512 MB of RAM, unless the user implemented a variety of tweaks to do so.

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