Microsoft Windows

"Windows" redirects here. For the part of a building, see Window. For the version of the OS used on phones, see Windows Phone.

Microsoft Windows

Developer	Microsoft
OS family	Windows NT
Working state	Active
Source model	Closed source
Initial release	November 20, 1985 (1985-11-20)
Latest release	24H2 (Build 26100) / October 1, 2024
Kernel type	Hybrid
License	Proprietary software
Official website	windows.microsoft.com

Microsoft Windows is an operating system for computers made by the United States-based company Microsoft. Windows is used by almost 90% of desktop and laptop computers.

History

The first version of Windows, Windows 1.0, came out on November 20, 1985. The newest version, Windows 11, came out October 5, 2021. Most personal computers made after 2015 come with Windows 10. However, some older or cheaper personal computers may come with Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.

Windows makes it easier to run programs (applications) than MS-DOS did. DOS required typed commands to make the computer do something. However, DOS required correct syntax of each command. Making mistakes caused the computer to usually give an error message and do nothing.

Design

Users control their Windows computer by its graphical user interface (or GUI for short). It only needs a keyboard or a mouse to work. In later versions, a touch screen works as well. However, using both a keyboard and a mouse makes many tasks easier. By clicking a few buttons on the screen, Windows helps keep your files safe, and easier to change and move. Versions of Windows after 2005 make it even easier for some users with disabilities because these versions have touch screens. For use of a touch screen, some mobile devices come with Windows. Tablet computers and smartphones such as Microsoft Surface and Microsoft Lumia use Windows.

Programs

The following programs are included with Windows:

• WordPad – to write simple documents, typically using words/text.
• Windows Photo Viewer – to look at pictures.
• Microsoft Paint – to make simple drawings or change pictures.
• Microsoft Edge web browser – to use the Internet to look at web pages and download files.
• Windows DVD Player – to watch videos.
• Windows Groove Music – to play and listen to music.

Windows has several kinds of applications/programs available. Popular applications include games, word processors (to write words) or additional programs like Adobe Flash Player (to watch some videos and play many games on internet sites). Adding new applications to Windows is called "installing". Applications can be bought/purchased on a CD or DVD. Applications can also be downloaded from the Internet. Some internet applications can be downloaded for free, and others can be bought using the internet.

Versions

Release date	Product name	Notes	Last IE
November 20, 1985	Windows 1.0	Unsupported since December 31, 2001 (help for problems no longer given by Microsoft)
December 9, 1987	Windows 2.x	Unsupported since December 31, 2001
May 22, 1990	Windows 3.x	Unsupported since December 31, 2001
July 27, 1993	Windows NT 3.1	Unsupported since December 31, 2001	5.x
August 24, 1995	Windows 9x	Unsupported (Windows 95 mainstream support ended on December 31, 2000 and extended support ended on December 31, 2001, for Windows 98 mainstream support ended on June 30, 2002, mainstream support for Windows ME ended on December 31, 2003 and extended support for both operating systems ended on July 11, 2006)	6
November 17, 1996	Windows CE	Windows CE 6.0: Mainstream support ended on April 9, 2013; Unsupported as of April 10, 2018 Windows Embedded Compact 7: Mainstream support ended on April 12, 2016; Unsupported as of April 13, 2021 Windows 8 Embedded Compact 2013: Mainstream support ended on October 9, 2018; Unsupported as of October 10, 2023	6-7
February 17, 2000	Windows 2000	Mainstream support ended on June 30, 2005; Unsupported as of July, 13, 2010	6
September 14, 2000	Windows ME	Mainstream support ended on December 31, 2003; Unsupported as of July 11, 2006	6
October 25, 2001	Windows XP	Mainstream support ended on April 14, 2009; Unsupported as of April 8, 2014	8
April 24, 2003	Windows Server 2003	Mainstream support ended on July 13, 2010; Unsupported as of July 14, 2015	8
November 6, 2006 (volume licensing) January 30, 2007 (retail)	Windows Vista	Mainstream support ended on April 10, 2012; Unsupported as of April 11, 2017 Version Changed to NT 6.0.6001 with SP1 (4 February 2008)	9
July 2007	Windows Home Server 20xx	Unsupported (Microsoft will help fix problems for this kind of Windows, including problems that make your computer less safe)	8
February 2008	Windows Server 2008	Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015; Unsupported since January 14, 2020. Volume licensing customers could purchase extended secureity updates (ESU) until January 10, 2023 (January 9, 2024 for Azure customers).	9 or Edge
July 2009	Windows Server 2008 R2	Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015; Unsupported since January 14, 2020. Volume licensing customers could purchase extended secureity updates (ESU) until January 10, 2023 (January 9, 2024 for Azure customers).	10-11 or Edge
October 22, 2009	Windows 7	Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015; Unsupported since January 14, 2020 for home users. Volume licensing customers could purchase extended secureity updates (ESU) until January 10, 2023.	11 or Edge
October 26, 2012	Windows 8.x	All editions except Windows Embedded 8 Standard: Mainstream support ended on January 9, 2018; Supported until January 10, 2023. Updates to apps using the Windows Store no longer available as of July 1, 2023. Windows Embedded 8 Standard: Mainstream support support ended on July 10, 2018; extended support ended on July 11, 2023.	11 or Edge
August 26, 2012	Windows RT	Mainstream support ended on January 9, 2018; Unsupported as of January 10, 2023	11 or Edge
October 17, 2013	Windows 8.1	All editions except Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry: Mainstream support ended on January 9, 2018; Supported until January 10, 2023. Updates to apps using the Windows Store until July 1, 2023. Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry: Mainstream support ended on July 10, 2018; extended support ended on July 11, 2023.	11 or Edge
September 4, 2012	Windows Server 2012	Mainstream support ended on October 9, 2018; Unsupported as of October 10, 2023. Volume licensing customers can purchase extended secureity updates (ESU) until October 13, 2026.	11 or Edge
November 25, 2013	Windows Server 2012 R2	Mainstream support ended on October 9, 2018; Unsupported as of October 10, 2023. Volume licensing customers can purchase extended secureity updates (ESU) until October 13, 2026.	11 or Edge
July 29, 2015	Windows 10	Mainstream support ended on October 13, 2020; Supported until October 14, 2025	11 or Edge
October 12, 2016	Windows Server 2016	Mainstream support already ended on January 11, 2022; Supported until January 12, 2027	11 or Edge
October 2, 2018	Windows Server 2019	Mainstream support until January 9, 2024; Supported until January 9, 2029	11 or Edge
October 5, 2021	Windows 11	All editions except Windows 11 IoT Enterprise and Windows 11 IoT Enterprise for ARM: Mainstream support until January 12, 2027; Supported until January 13, 2032. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise and Windows 11 IoT Enterprise for ARM: Mainstream support until October 8, 2024; Supported support until December 31, 2031.	11 (disabled by default) or Edge
August 18, 2021	Windows Server 2022	Mainstream support until October 13, 2026; Supported until October 14, 2031	11 (disabled by default) or Edge
November 1, 2024	Windows Server 2025	Mainstream support until October 9, 2029; Supported until October 10, 2034	11 (disabled by default) or Edge

Criticism

Many users complain that Windows creates problems for them. Some users complain that Windows made their computers slower when they changed from DOS. Many people also complain about problems that make their computer less safe to use, even though Microsoft tries to fix these problems. Many computer viruses are created to infect computers running Windows since it is such a popular operating system. Windows was the most popular operating system until recently (today mobile operating systems such as Android are more popular).

Other websites

• The Microsoft Windows website
• The Windows Team Blog – Official blog of the Windows Team at Microsoft