Exactly 20 years later, the prominent operating system is still a popular choice among PC users and it's releasing its 20th version: Windows 10.
In honor of the 20th anniversary, the Daily News has put together a timeline that shows the evolution of Windows operation system:
Windows 95
Windows 95 was not the very first Windows. In fact, Microsoft had already worked on 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 before '95 was launched into the business/consumer market. Windows 95 was a game changer in the PC world and introduced us to the iconic Start button.
Windows NT
Windows NT
The second consumer version of Windows was the first 32-bit version of the operating system. Windows NT was released on July 27, 1993 and focused mostly on being a strategic business platform.
Windows 98
Windows 98
Unlike its previous two versions that were very business-centric, Windows 98 was the first version that fully focused on the consumer experience. Windows 98 was specifically designed for the typical PC found at home, work and even Internet cafes. Windows 98 was released on June 25, 1998 and its slogan was "Works Better, Plays Better."
Windows 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 was essentially an upgraded Windows NT. The 2000 version added extra speed, stability and it was aimed at large businesses.
Windows ME
Windows ME
Microsoft released two different Windows versions in the year 2000. The first was Windows 2000, which was for businesses and the second was Windows ME, which was meant for home computers. Windows ME—also known as the Millennium Edition—had several music, photo and video enhancements that set it apart from previous versions.
Windows XP
Windows XP
Microsoft was on top of its game when it released Windows XP on October 25, 2001. The new OS had a completely new user interface and design that was centered on usability. It also had several help and support services that made navigating the system much easier.
Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista was the first OS ideal for both business and home computers. The 2006 version of Windows had a really strong security system and great User Account Controls that allowed owners to protect their computer against malware.
Windows 7
MICROSOFTWindows 7
Windows 7 kept all the great tools and features from previous versions and presented them with a new look. Windows 7 also introduced Windows Touch, which made it easier to use the OS on laptops with touchscreens. Although Windows 7 was released in 2009, many PC owners have been afraid of upgrading due to bad reviews for Windows 8. Therefore, Windows 7 is still used by many businesses and households.
Windows 8
Windows 8
Windows 8 was released in October 2012 and it introduced a completely different user interface that relied mostly on applications. The new UI had a tiled Start screen and it worked on hybrid computers, such as laptops that flip. Many users did not like the change in design and decided to stick with Windows 7.
Windows 10
Windows 10.
Windows 10 is the latest version of Microsoft's OS and it promises to be the best one yet. Windows 10 kept a similar UI of Windows 8, but redesigned it. Windows 10 also enhanced its UI with the intelligent voice assistant Cortana and cross platform compatibility-including the Xbox One. Microsoft's Edge Browser also comes preinstalled with the software.
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