John Ndlovu
THE GIANT MICROSOFT COMPANY has made such huge strides in the technology industry world from its inception as it has released over nine major Windows versions dating back from 1985.
The computer software giant has brought in versions from Windows 1 to the current Windows 11.
Microsoft Windows refers to a graphical operating system which was developed by Microsoft Corporation (a company which was co-founded by childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen on the 4 April in 1975 and released in 1985 as an extension of Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS).
A graphical operating system is an operating system that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to interact with the computer. Instead of typing text commands, users can use a mouse or touch-pad to navigate menus, windows, and applications. The GUI simplifies the user’s interaction with the computer, making it more intuitive and accessible. Examples of graphical operating systems include Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Fedora.
An operating system is a software program that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs. It acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware, thus controlling and allocating resources such as memory, Central Processing Unit time and disk space.
Before the introduction of Windows, the Microsoft Corporation used Microsoft Disk Operating System which was a command-line based operating system that was widely used in the 1980s and early 1990s. It was used to manage computer hardware and software resources as well as to run various applications and games. It was mainly used on International Business Machines (IBM) Personal Computer (PC) compatible machines (computers).
Users had to type commands in order to perform tasks such as copying files, formatting disks and running programs through use of floppy disks.
International Business Machines is a multinational computer and information technology company that helped in pioneering computer technologies, from punched cards in the early 20th Century to microprocessors in the late 20th Century.
Microsoft’s main aim was to manufacture computers for people thus for personal and home use so the developers introduced Microsoft Windows in a bid to make ensure that they make computer suitable for everyone use, hence that is where they brought in the name Personal Computer (PC).
The first version of Windows was Windows 1.0 which was released in 1985 with a graphical user interface in 16-bit. Here computers were typically operated using command-line interfaces (CLI). CLI interfaces relied on text based commands entered via a keyboard to interact with the computer’s operating system and software.
Two years later Microsoft Windows brought in the concept of enabling Windows to overlap and being able to minimize or maximizing them instead of iconising or zooming. This was enhanced by the release of Windows 2 in December 1987. At this stage Microsoft also introduced Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, the computer applications which have been widely used presently for home, office and even educational purposes.
The computer giant then saw it prudent enough to introduce the first Windows that required a hard drive, this was Windows 3.0 that was released in 1990. Again at this stage the graphical operating system had new specifications such as colour, which brought in a stiff challenge to Apple’s graphical user interfaces Mancitosh, Commodore Amiga.
In 1992 Microsoft then introduced Windows 3.1 into the fold which became the pace-setter Operating System to be distributed on a Compact Disk Read-Only Memory that occupied up to 10- 15 Mega bites (MB) of space.
The Bill Gates led PC and software maker consolidated its grip on the computer market through upgrading it’s graphics by installing first ever start button and start menu in Windows 95 that was introduced and released in August 1995. Other specifics such as the concept of ‘plug and play’, a 32 bit environment, a task bar multi tasking and the debut of the Internet Explorer which was introduced in a bid to enable users to research online and even to use the it for recreational purposes.
Windows further upgraded its scope as it brought in the fourth generation of Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Address Book, Microsoft Chat and Net Show Player. This came in with the Windows 98 version that was premised in 1999. Storage devices were also further upgraded as the Universal Serial Bus (USB) support was more advanced at this generation, this therefore led to widespread adoption of USB hubs and USB mice.
The seventh edition of the graphical user operating system released by the global ICT giant called Windows Millennium Edition became the last Windows to rely on Microsoft Disk Operating System. It was released in September 2000 intertwined with Windows 2000 with an aim of boosting the enterprise market. Windows Millennium brought in important concepts for consumers and more automated system recovery tools. New utilities such as Windows Media Player 7 and Windows Movie Maker were premised in this edition.
Microsoft in February 2000 released Windows 2000 whose main focus was business oriented system known as Windows NT, it also became the pioneer to support hibernation.
In October 2001 Windows XP was released which is termed as one of the best versions of Windows. It was a combination of Microsoft’s enterprise line and consumer line of operating systems. Compact Disk burning, auto-play and automated update and recovery tools were also introduced in this operating system. It was also the longest serving running MS-OS. However it’s main disadvantage was security as it’s built-in firewall was turned off by default, hence it seriously undermined computer’ security from Malware.
In a bid to solve security problems and software graphics, Microsoft Vista was released in January 2007 as Windows Media Player was upgraded to 11, while internet explorer was also upgraded up to IE7, Windows Defender was initiated to solve security problems. Windows Vista also brought in speech recognition, Windows DVD maker and Photo Gallery to cater for it’s stakeholders and customers. It also became the first Windows to be distributed on DVD.
Both Windows XP and Windows Vista were installed through setting a dual boot system. One had to start by booting their computer to the Windows Vista through installing a DVD, selecting and install the software on a separate partition or physical drive.
In a bid to further expand its customer base Microsoft then brought in a new software which was much faster and more stable to use in October 2009, this was called Windows 7. Handwriting recognition was initiated here. Installation of the software was automated as one could install Windows 7 by automatic updating in Windows update or by downloading it from the Microsoft website. The product key could be obtained by purchasing it or using an existing one.
A Windows product key refers to a 25-character code used to activate and authenticate a copy of Windows Operating System. It’s main aim is to confirm the legitimacy of the copy of the operating system installed on a computer.
Microsoft then shifted its focus to touch than keyboard in a bid to catch up with trends of the time when it released Windows 8. This OS also introduced Windows Store offering Windows Applications running in full screen mode. Windows RT, which was running of ARM-based processors found in smartphones and Non-Personal Computer tablet was also introduced simultaneously with Windows 8.
Microsoft then further expanded its grip in the industry as it facilitated conglomeration of all Windows platforms across multiple devices such as Windows phone, and tablets containing universal applications downloadable from the Windows store and which can be run on all Windows devices. This was all done when Windows 10 was released on the 29th of July 2015.
Windows 11 then came to the fold on October 2021 which is the latest desktop operating system. This operating system has a redesigned interface and a simplified user experience. It requires a minimum of 8 Gigabyte Random Access Memory.
Installation of Windows 11 is mostly focused on ensuring that one’s PC meets the minimum system requirements which include a processor of 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC), a memory of 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater and a storage of 64 GB or greater of available disk space.
Zim GBC News spoke to the general public and technology experts to air their views on the subject and received mixed views.
Givemore told this reporter that he sees Windows 7 as the best edition which was introduced by Microsoft.
“I prefer Windows 7, I really give thumbs up to the developers as they took their time to manufacture and release it one can really see with the way it functions on computers that the developers were not in a rush.”He said
Ovas Matanhire who is an IT lecturer at a local college in the City of Bulawayo told this reporter that Microsoft has indeed made strides in terms of developing Windows and making it accessible to all people due to it’s specifics.
“Windows has indeed made good progress in the technology sector as it has tried by all means to cater for all people whether business, school and recreational purposes through unleashing different utilities catering for a wide pool of people.”Matanhire said
Windows 7 was popular among users for its stability and simplicity while Windows 8 was designed for touch screen devices and had quite a different interface than previous versions of Windows. Windows 10 is the latest and most widely used version of Windows as it offers improved security features, regular updates and a user-friendly interface.
Indeed Windows has really advanced and therefore this has made it to have a nod over its competitors in terms of having a wide customer base.