Windows operating systems. Windows operating system (OS) in which year the first version of Windows

A person who is very weakly disassembled in computers, and simply - had to hear the word "Windows" used in the context to the computer. What is Windows and what role does PC play?

Windows operating system.

For simplicity of understanding, the operating system (OS) is the most important program (more precisely, the program complex) on the computer automatically launched after its inclusion and self-testing. Windows provides computer interaction and user in a man-called graphic mode. Those. Windows is an intermediary translator between the car and man.

Thanks to Windows, you can use various programs (office programs, Internet browsers, various musical and video players, etc.), as incoming initially part of this operating system, and the user-established independently. The Windows operating system distributes the computer resources while using multiple programs, processes pressing the keyboard and mouse buttons, together with the video card and sound card displays the image to the monitor and sound on the speakers or headphones. But the most important thing for the regular user is not Windows control of the computer devices, but the extraordinary use of the computer by means of graphic elements, the so-called window interface. Hence the name of this OS, translated from English Windows means windows. The windows are the basis of the graphical interface of this Operations, each running program opens in its separate working field, called the window. The window can be deployed on the full screen (full screen mode of operation), have its own variable dimensions or be generally folded into the invisible mode.

It was Windows that provided an explosive growth in PC popularity. After all, earlier, in order to control the computer, it was necessary to introduce many teams from the keyboard, which was the lot of only professionals. With the emergence and development of Windows with its intuitive, simple and convenient graphic shell, the computer has become truly personal - PC.

Windows operating system is the most popular in the world, it is installed on the overwhelming majority of computers in the world. Under this OR, almost all programs and games are being developed. The advantage of this system is that it is easy to maintain, no wonder it was called the system for housewives at one time.

For a 30-year history of OS, nine main versions of the system came out: from the Windows 1.0 developed by Bill Gates to the last release under the leadership of the new CEATI Director-General. Windows is the most common OS, and it has been installed by more than 88% of personal computers in the world.

The very first Windows 1.0 was published in November 1985. In truth, the first released version was Window 1.01, since 1.0 had a serious mistake. It was the first MICROSOFT attempt to create a graphical user interface in a 16-bit architecture.

However, Windows 1.0, unlike Mac OS, was not an independent operating system and was only a graphic superstructure over DOS. Because of this, many users on inertia continued to use a "command line" to control the system, although the support of the mouse in the system was.

So that users are used to the new input system, Microsoft has come up with the game Reversi, in which it was necessary to play the mouse. Thus, users learned to move the mouse, clicking with its help to various objects on the screen. The same goal was pursued by "Supper".

The second and third versions of Windows were also a "shell" for MS-DOS, but possessed a number of innovations. In 2.0, released on December 9, 1987, it became possible to place the windows one over the other in an arbitrary order, first appeared the "control panel" (which is used to this day), as well as program description files (PIF files). She also became the first Windows platform on which Microsoft Word and Excel applications appeared.

The third version, which appeared on May 22, 1990, received "Program Manager" and "File Manager", as well as an updated version of the control panel and solitaire "Soliter", still being an integral part of Windows. In addition, the new operating system began to look much better thanks to the support of 256 colors in the VGA video adapter and changes in the graphical interface.

However, the companies are not alien experiments. Thus, at the CES exhibition in 1995, a software product was presented for Windows 3.0 Microsoft Bob, which was developed without the participation of Bill Gates. The idea was to create a "social interface", replacing the "program manager" on the cartoon house, where the corresponding applications were kept in the "rooms", and the conductor throughout the house was the default dog on his nickname.

Then its update took place, such a character appeared in Microsoft Office as a clip. It can be said that BOB anticipated the emergence of modern virtual personal assistants like Cortana and Siri. In July 2013, it was commented that the heritage of Windows Bob commented on the heritage: "We were just ahead of our time, as in the case of most of our mistakes."

The full-fledged Microsoft operating system appeared only in August 1995. Windows 95 has become a significant milestone on the way of development of Windows. Compared with 3.0, she possessed a huge number of innovations.

There are already familiar to all users of the "Start" menu, quick access icons to files and applications on the desktop. Windows 95 was used for the first time a 32-bit environment, "taskbar" and was focused on multitasking. MS-DOS still played an important role in Windows 95 and was needed to launch a number of programs and elements. Interaction with files and folders was made via icons.

Also, the Internet Explorer browser appeared in Windows 95, but it was not installed by default - the Windows 95 Plus package was required for it. In later versions of Internet Explorer, it was originally stood, since at the time Netscape Navigator and NCSA Mosaic browsers were popular.

Windows 98, the release of which was held on June 25, 1998, was even more consumer-oriented than the previous Windows 95. It was implemented in it a number of user interface improvements through the Windows desktop update center in Internet Explorer 4, including the "fast launch panel" , active desktop, the ability to minimize the window by clicking on the window header, as well as the "Back" and "forward" buttons and the address string in Windows Explorer.

In 2000, the company introduced at once two completely different OS - Windows 2000 and Windows ME. The first belonged to the family of NT operating systems (new technologies), the second was built on the Windows 9X platform. Windows Millennium can be called the next stage in the development of Windows 98 with the addition of some elements of the Windows 2000 interface and maximum simplification for modern home use.

Windows ME was strongly criticized by users because of its instability and unreliability, frequent hanging and emergency completions. Some users have deciphered ME as Mistake Edition (error edition). This version is still considered one of the worst products from Microsoft.

Windows 2000 was focused on business customers, and subsequently she became the basis for Windows XP.

In Windows 2000, automatic updates played an important role. In addition, it first appeared hibernation mode. In Windows 2000 Professional, numerous improvements were implemented, such as the concept of "plug and work": when a new peripheral device was connected, the operating system itself found the necessary drivers for it, and it began to work.

The release of the triumphal Windows XP took place in October 2001. The new system was a symbiosis of Windows 2000 and Windows ME. Like Windows 2000, it was based on Windows NT, but it added customer-oriented elements from Windows ME.

A new design of the graphical interface was implemented in the new OS, smoothing text on LCD monitors, the possibility of quick switching between users, as well as many other pleasant features. Windows XP is a "long-liver" among operating systems: three large-scale updates came out for it, and OS support stopped only in 2014, that is, 13 years after release - this service life is the longest among all Windows operating systems.

Windows XP was a combination of 2000 and me

There were a system and disadvantages. For example, when installing OS, the user is invited to create an account with the administrator's rights to work, which leads to the potential vulnerability of the system to viruses. Also, the disadvantages include sufficiently high system requirements: a processor at least 500 MHz and more than 128 MB of RAM.

After the Grand Success of Windows XP, Microsoft manufactures Windows Vista. The release of the system took place in 2007. The new OS was a kind of attempt to make a revolution in the design of the graphical interface. Also in Microsoft tried to eliminate the shortcomings in the security system, so annoying XP users.

However, the new system was extremely mediocre. This is said to at least that OS ranked first in the "Fall of the Year" contest in 2007.

Users were also disappointed in a new product from Microsoft. Especially allocate problems with speed, incompatibility with many old programs, as well as overestimated system requirements that are superior to the stated. The new AERO interface also did not come to the soul users. After the release of Windows 7 in 2009, Vista, and so did not become popular, almost completely "extinct". For 2015, the share of the Windows Vista market is less than 2%.

The new AERO interface in Windows Vista did not come to users

Microsoft's next operating system - Windows 7 was represented on October 22, 2009. She had to eliminate all the shortcomings in Vista. The design of Aero was strongly finalized, supported by old programs inaccessible to run on Windows Vista. Also in Windows 7, Windows XP Mode appears, allowing you to run old applications in the Windows XP virtual machine, which provides almost complete support for old applications.

An important feature of the new system is closer integration with driver manufacturers: Most are determined automatically. As a result, an operating system came out from under Microsoft feather: in taste to a large number of users: in the first eight hours, the number of pre-orders exceeded the demand that Windows Vista had in the first 17 weeks.

But here it was not without a spoon of tar. The main disadvantage of the system is again high system requirements, which is why the autonomy of laptops in some cases has decreased to 30%. Despite this, the system remains popular to this day: for September 2015, the share of Windows 7 takes more than 55% of the market.

In October 2012, Microsoft presents another product - Windows 8. The new system has received a fundamentally new interface, more "sharpened" to use on tablets. So, the "Start" button disappeared in Windows 8, on the place of which access to the Metro interface is located.

The interface was a tiled platform. Also in the new system there is a Windows Store Application Store, similar to the Play Market and App Store. The main innovations of Windows 8, in addition to the new interface, can be considered native Support USB 3.0, improved search and new task manager.

In Windows 8, the company once again changed the interfes system

However, most users did not appreciate the system: Microsoft made too large bias toward the touch control. This affected the convenience of managing the system on desktops.

The new version of Windows 8.1 was an attempt to correct the shortcomings. The "Start" button returned to your rightful place and it was possible to set the default standard desktop launch. Despite the attempt to correct the errors performed in Windows 8, the update was also perceived without enthusiasm.

The last Microsoft operating system is Windows 10 presented in July 2015. Windows 10 must combine all devices, including built-in systems, smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs and gaming consoles. Windows 10 update is available for users of Windows 7, 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 for free during the year.

The main innovations of the system are the final menu "Start", the Voice Assistant Cortana, as well as the ability to interact simultaneously with the touch interface and with traditional hybrid devices.

In Windows 10, Microsoft collects a variety of data on the use of a computer. Examples of such data are the name, email address and others. Because of this, a squall of critics collapsed on Microsoft. Part of the criticism also refers to the fact that Windows is divided by wi-fi passwords with other users. In any case, data collection can be disconnected at any time, all instructions are searched on the Internet.

Windows can rightfully be called an integral part of a whole generation of PC users. Thanks to the OS from Microsoft, millions of people discovered information technology and access to the global network. And no matter how Hayali, it will remain relevant in any case more than one year.

Today, the concepts such as a "personalized computer for home use" and "Windows software" have become for the overwhelming majority of domestic users practically synonymous. The popularity of Microsoft operating systems is really high and if the US OS X operating system, installed on computers and Apple laptops, still received proper distribution (its share is about 17.8%), then on the Russian market, Windows is an unconditional leader, not Planning to give up even tenths of their closest competitors.

On the Microsoft account, starting in 1985 by Bill Gates (Bill Gates) of the Windows 1.0 platform, there are nine full versions of the company operating system. For 30 years, a constantly criticized, so hated by many, modified by unrecognizable and improving very controversial decisions, the system was improved taking into account the trends in computer-building and user wishes, having achieved unprecedented success.

It is today that Windows marks its anniversary: \u200b\u200b30 years from the output of the first version of the eponymous graphical interface from Microsoft. We congratulate this date colleagues from Russian and international Microsoft offices and, of course, all users of the Windows operating system!

Windows: Beginning

The first graphical interface that has become the result of the works of Microsoft programmers under the leadership of the founder of Bill Gates, was presented in 1985 and received the name of Windows 1.0. Its originally created as a tool for working with MS-DOS, Windows 1.0 allowed to enter commands not only in text form from the keyboard, but also to use the peripheral accessory in the same time - a computer mouse.

Windows 1.0 could boast a simple, but convenient file manager (MS-DOS Executive), as well as perceived today as proper to applications calendar, a card file, notepad, terminal, calculator and clock. The first game integrated in the Windows-shell was reversi, whose task was to entertain users of users of computer skills.

Windows 2.0 and Windows 3.0: from the auxiliary interface to the popular operating system

The success of Windows 1.0 and the development of the industry was prompted by the emergence of the next product from Microsoft, which became announced in 1987 a graphical user interface of Windows 2.0. If in the first project, the team of Bill Gates implemented only the so-called "tile windows", then in the second version of Windows they have become overlapping. In addition to this, Windows 2.0 began maintaining 16-color graphic VGA mode.

Windows 2.0 has become no less fundamental brainchild Microsoft than its predecessor. It is in this version of the user interface for MS-DOS "control panel" for the first time, providing quick access to system settings, PIF files and office office applications - Word along with Excel.

As for Windows 3.0, the release of which was held in 1990, it became the first truly popular and received the propagation of OS from Microsoft. A system has highlighted not only much more intuitive interface friendly with respect to the user, but also effectively discontinued computational potential of Intel 286 and 386 processors algorithm.

In addition, Windows 3.0 is a new "control panel", own "program manager" and "File Manager", as well as support for 256 colors. And, of course, Windows 3.0 is Solitaire "Soliter", which was for many faithful and exciting way to pass a hourly hour free time.

Windows For Pen Computing 1.0: Down keyboard, because we have an on-screen entry

All new is well forgotten old. The current tablet computers, practically devoid of physical keys, simply do not need a separate QWERTY keyboard. Her place was taken by a virtual analogue of the keyboard, entering the text from which is carried out thanks to the touchscreen display - by pressing the digital keys on the screen. The first tablets - devices with inflative input - began to be actively developed in the 90s. And the Windows For Pen Computing 1.0 interface is designed for a new "portable" electronics for Penpoint OS, shown by Microsoft in 1992, just had a notepad for writing notes with a stylus, a convenient on-screen keyboard and a number of other unlocked under the designated application segment.

Windows 95: Start, without which Windows is not Windows

For seen the light in 1995, Windows 95 was carefully thought out by an advertising campaign: Microsoft's management turned then to a PR and attracting attention to its products to the popular music team of Rolling Stones and the actors of the "Friends" series. As for the platform itself, the "ninety-fifth" developers made a bet on multitasking and Plug and Play technology, which allowed the system to automatically select the driver for the peripheral connected to the computer.

In the 32-bit shell of the 95 year of release, it was possible to detect the Internet Explorer browser, which was to be interested in the few users of the World Wide Network and to compete with such tools for web surfing as Netscape Navigator and NCSA Mosaic.

Microsoft Bob: Serious OS in "Cartoon" wrapper

If you save the basic idea, taken as a basis when creating an operating system, and instead of a strict and classic interface, you will offer a very unusual addition to the user, then the output will be a very unusual addition, like the Microsoft BOB graphical interface for Windows 3.1.

By the way, the notorious character in the form of a paper clip "Strays" and other virtual helpers from Microsoft Word appeared thanks to Microsoft Bob.

Windows 98: Concept - the same, but with a fair amount of improvements

Windows 98 came out in 98 and brought a whole wipes of pleasant additions and improvements in the already familiar interface. The list of changes contained the appearance of the "quick start panel", the "active desktop", the navigation buttons "back" and "forward". Internet Explorer 4 browser acquired, in turn, the address bar.

Windows 2000: Enter business with Microsoft products

The Windows 2000 operating system based on Windows NT, which has become available in 2000, was focused primarily on a business segment, and not on home use. Nevertheless, it is this OS that became a prototype for the Windows XP platform, which replaced it in the client sector.

Windows 2000 was produced in four publications: Professional, Server, Advanced Server and Datacenter Server, designed for servers, workstations and advanced users. It is also worth mentioning about exclusive editions - Windows 2000 Advanced Server Limited Edition and Windows 2000 Datacenter Server Limited Edition, aimed at disclosing the potential of 64-bit microprocessors Intel Itanium.

Windows 2000 has highlighted the automatic update function and the presence of such a useful option as hibernation - "sleep mode".

Windows XP: all the best in one bottle

2001 brought all PC users and laptops to send the Windows XP output, which is rightfully considered to be a real long-liver among all ever released Microsoft operating systems. The release of updates for Windows XP was officially suspended only in 2014, after 13 years after the announcement of the platform, which caused the storm of indignations from corporate clients.

The recycled Windows XP style, closed in "soft forms" and a bright color gamut, straightening up on gray Windows 98: Green button "Start", blue "Taskbar" in a set with a number of pleasant eye visual interface ornaments without any functional load Initially predisposed to themselves. ClearType technology to smooth out the LCD panel of text, an integrated CD record wizard, a quick switching mechanism between users, "Remote Assistant", which provided simple and fastest access to third-party system, customizable depending on the requirements and personal preferences of the toolbar - These innovations and remembered Windows XP. Well, of course, the "Restoring System" function is the OS rollback to the user-chosen point, usually practicing in order to return the system to its initial working condition when errors occur, failures and a number of other problems.

According to statistics, relevant for 2014, approximately 430 million computers installed Windows XP operating system, despite the release of more recent Vista platforms, Windows 7 and 8.

Windows Vista: Moderate to recognize errors

Six years of expectations, criticizing Microsoft for attempts to implement not just controversial, but irrational decisions, a number of accompanying problems, due to which the final version of the OS lost part of the stated initially options, led to the appearance of unambiguously failure and frankly passage shell of Windows Vista.

NOT saved Windows Vista neither translucent design of the user interface, nor the promised reduction in loading time and outlet mode, nor instant file search, nor a corporate transparent side panel, or even a relatively high level of security with a set of tools to prevent hacking and ensuring reliable protection of personal data .

Microsoft recognized what users were told on the network: Windows Vista failed to surpass Windows XP. This was confirmed by the popularity among product buyers with a pre-installed Windows Vista trend, when those intend to remove the licensed OS and returned even to "pirate", but much more stable and understandable Windows XP.

Windows is again in numbers: a magnificent "seven", strange « eight "And saving" 8.1 »

After unfinished Windows Vista and abundance of criticism, sprinkled on the developers' heads, Microsoft simply did not have the right to re-error. The result of a thorough analysis of the disadvantages of "Vista" was Windows with the number "7", announced in 2009. Externally, the platform still has changed not so much as the furious users were expected, and the bet was made to maximize productivity optimization and the correction of a considerable number of errors. The ergonomics was improved, which now completely seemed to be customer-oriented, who wished on Windows 7 times and forever spread with such horrors of Windows Vista, as countless pop-ups.

In Windows 7, there was a set of own unique features, among which the handwriting recognition algorithm, multi-touch control mode, quick access to multimedia content through "transition lists", simplified customizing the home network and a simple connection to the wireless coating. But the main thing is that Windows 7 looked more stable, faster (in fact, the difference with Windows Vista was not so significant), as well as much easier to operate.

After three years, at the wave of commercial success of Windows 7, Microsoft specialists prepared in 2012 to release Windows 8. However, the radical changes on which the developers themselves felt like everyone else. And it is not even about the missing button and the "Start" menu, which are offered to use the initial screen focused on the tablets with Windows 8 "on board".

There was a feeling that in an attempt to create a unified platform for various devices - desktops and tablets with a touch display - the idea of \u200b\u200bthe initial and dominant orientation on the PC sector went to the background. "Live tile" in Windows 8, moved from the Windows Phone mobile system and replaced the usual badges and shortcuts to start the installed applications, was clearly not understood or simply underestimated by users.

Of course, Windows 8 as a whole was good: the purchases could be made immediately in a digital store, a high-speed USB 3.0 data transmission interface has appeared. The system worked quickly and did not give trouble to his owner, but the owners of screens without supporting the sensory input ignored the new OS, wishing to work comfortably in the usual environment using a conventional keyboard and mouse.

I solved a free update to Windows 8.1 problem, the download of which began in October 2013. After exactly a year after the release of Windows 8, the "Start" button returned to the place to call the corresponding menu on the desktop, and the desktop itself is a familiar look, which in favor of the tablet owners was rethought and modified, - now you could download the default.

Windows 10: Instead of Windows 9 and the next step forward - jump and access to a better level

The author of this article, just a few months ago, updated its Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for free. So far, to give an objective assessment, based on the advantages and disadvantages of Windows 10 detected for such a short period of time, it seems clearly a hasty solution. Nevertheless, the subjective feeling is expressed quite concise: "Like!"

Among the innovation is to celebrate the Microsoft Edge browser, which came to replace the slow and in a number of nuances of an extremely incomplete "old man." Internet Explorer. Help to understand the entire implemented manifold is designed by the personal digital Cortana Assistant, which is responsible for performing your voice commands. Windows 10 is also ready to please all gamers support DirectX 12 / WDDM 2.0 to display computer games to a new graphic level with an unattainable image realistic image.

The most recent version of the Microsoft platform seems extremely universal without prejudice to any of the parties, ready to offer comfortable interaction with all types of modern devices regardless of their size - tablets, laptops of various diagonals, desktop systems, widescreen panels for Surface Hub presentations.

Welcome to the Windows Universe! Microsoft Windows operating system, beyond doubt, has become a milestone in the development of not only the information industry, but also of humanity. In many respects, precisely thanks to Windows on the tables of hundreds of millions of people around the world, personal computers and laptops are installed. Thanks to Windows, working with a computer has become available absolutely to everyone, from children of preschool age to the honorable pensioners. The most complex computer systems, once used by engineers and scientists, are used in our time for a wide variety of tasks, work and entertainment, study and knowledge of the world.

For many years, Windows has been in the world overwhelmingly in the market of operating systems. In February 2009, the share of Windows was more than 88.41%. Its nearest competitor, the OS OS operating system, installed on Apple computers, got 9.61%, and the Linux operating system is miserable 0.88%. In other words, speaking a "home" or "working" computer, we obviously mean the computer on which the one or another version of Windows is installed.

But Windows is not only an environment to play solitaire or work with Word. In parallel with the operating system for home computers in Microsoft, a Windows server was developed for companies and corporations. This version was named Windows NT, and then Windows Server. This family of operating systems has gained considerable popularity and seriously pressed the former king of servers - the UNIX operating system.

The history of Windows resembles a victorious procession that began in the distant 1985, when the first Windows was published with number 1.01. However, Microsoft's history begins even earlier, as well as in 1975, when a young student Bill Gates created a version of the Basic software for one of the first personal computers, Altair 8800 models.

In general, the story of one of the richest people of the planet (and for many years he headed this pedestal) is undoubtedly a great interest and is described in a variety of books. Several films were shot, tens of thousands of articles were written, and all this attempts to explain the Microsoft phenomenon as a whole and Windows in particular.

We will not deepen in the affairs of distant days. If you are wondering how Bill Gates from a shy student "Botany" turned into someone he is now, it is enough to run a computer, go online and find all the necessary information. It is significant that you will most likely use a personal computer with one of Windows versions.

Yes, and the Internet itself has become such a popular not least because the personal computers have become the same part of our life as teapots, cars and sneakers. This is the merit of Windows is indisputable.

The history of the development of versions of Windows is out of doubt, a curious topic that deserves a separate book. Therefore, we will not carefully turn the dusty foliants of history and only briefly read the key events from the life of Microsoft Windows.

Contrary to popular belief, the first version of Windows was not at all an independent operating system. In fact, Windows was a graphic "superstructure" above the DOS operating system and was designed to simplify work with a dark and gloomy command line. Many DOS users did not understand this innovation.

Until now, the famous excerpt from the book of Soviet engineers released in 1989 is still on the Internet. The book is called "personal computer in engineering practice", and harsh engineers as follows responded about Microsoft Product.

« One example is cumbersome and, according to the authors, a useless superstructure is the integrated system of Windows Microsoft. This system takes almost 1 MB of disk memory and is designed for predominant use in conjunction with a mouse type device ... Thus, the reader has already realized that among the add-ons over Dos are quite useless systems, which only look beautiful, and actually take away user time , memory on disks and ECM RAM. The deceptive beauty of such systems, however, is strongly affected by inexperienced users who did not have work practices on the machine. The inertia of thinking is so strong that the authors had to observe how people who began to work with such a setup, subsequently, hardly force themselves to study the commands of the DOS. I want to warn with this error reader ».

Brief history of Windows

The history of Windows begins in November 1985, when the first version of the system appeared Windows 1.0.. It was a set of programs that expand the capabilities of existing operating systems for greater convenience in the work. A few years later left the second version ( Windows 2.0.), but no particular popularity has won.

Time went, and in 1990 the next version was published - Windows 3.0.which began to be used on many personal computers.

The popularity of the new version of Windows was explained by several reasons. The graphical interface made it possible to work with data not using commands entered on the command line, but using visual and understandable actions on graphic objects denoting this data. Also significantly increased the convenience and efficiency of work. The ability to simultaneously work with several programs.

Moreover, the convenience and ease of writing programs for Windows led to the appearance of more and more diverse programs running Windows. Work was better organized with a variety of computer equipment that, ultimately, also determined the popularity of the system.

Subsequent versions of Windows ensured improved reliability, as well as supporting multimedia (in Windows 3.1.) and work in computer networks (version).

In parallel with the development of Windows, Microsoft in 1988 began work on a new operating system called Windows NT.. The main task was to create a system that provides a high level of reliability and efficient support for working with the network. The Windows NT interface did not differ from the Windows 3.0 interface. In 1992, a version of Windows NT 3.1 appeared, and in 1994 - Windows NT 3.5.

In 1995, the famous appeared, which became a new stage in Windows history and generally personal computers. Compared to Windows 3.1, the interface has changed significantly, the speed of operations has increased. The new operating system made it possible to automatically adjust additional computer devices to eliminate conflicts when interacting between them. In addition, in Windows 95, the first steps were made to implement support then only an emerging Internet.

The Windows 95 interface has become the main for the entire Windows family, and in 1996 a revised version of the server operating system appears. Windows NT 4.0.having the same interface as Windows 95.

In 1998 appeared Windows 98. with significantly processed compared to Windows 95 structure. In the new version, much attention was paid to working with the Internet, as well as supporting modern network protocols. Support for working with several monitors has appeared.

The next stage in the development of Windows was the appearance and Windows Me. (MILLENIUM EDITION). The Windows 2000 system was developed on the basis of Windows NT and inherited its high reliability and security of information from foreign intervention. Two versions were released: Windows 2000 Server for servers and Windows 2000 Professional for workstations, which many installed on home computers.

The Windows ME operating system has become essentially an extended version of Windows 98 with improved multimedia support. It is believed that Windows ME has become one of the most unsuccessful versions of Windows, was distinguished by unstable work, he often "hung" and accidentally completed its work.

As a result, a new operating system appeared in a year after its release, Windows XP.. It happened in 2001.

The Windows XP operating system was based on the Windows NT kernel and therefore differed with the highest stability and efficiency of operation compared to previous versions of Windows. It also seriously reworked the graphical interface, supported new features and programs.

Surprisingly, Windows XP was so successful that even at the end of 2008 she occupied almost 70% of the operating system market. For Windows XP, three updates were released (Service Pack), the last of which came out in April 2008. Each of the packages expanded the capabilities of the operating system, eliminated the errors, made the system more reliable and protected. This system was and remains popular and rightfully became the most successful and long-lived OS from Microsoft.

In 2003, a new version was released. Windows Server 2003.who came to replace Windows 2000. After some time, the update came, received the name Windows Server 2003 R2. The Windows Server 2003 operating system has established a new standard in reliability and performance issues, becoming one of the most successful Microsoft server systems.

Even before the Windows XP output, Microsoft actively developed a new version of the operating system, which received the code name of Windows Longhorn. Then the name changed on Windows Vista.

New operating system Windows Vista. Appeared in 2007. According to the already established tradition, the operating system for home users was based on a productive and reliable Windows Server 2003 SP1 core (just as Windows XP was based on the Windows NT kernel).

In Windows Vista, the user interface has been drastically changed, the security system is seriously improved, a lot of new features and functions have appeared. However, despite the excellent deposit, the system was contemplated cool, and some dubbed Windows Vista and at all "failure."

The reasons for such a welcoming reception are described in. Note that despite the beautiful kernel, Windows Vista turned out to be too slow and demanding to system resources. After Windows XP system, the wist requirements have shocked many, and the old computers simply were unable to provide smooth operation of this system. Added trouble and extremely bad compatibility with device drivers. Gradually, the situation has improved and Windows Vista has become suitable for use - but its reputation was forever destroyed.

In 2009, the next version was released - notable Windows 7.. What did she distinguish? Let's start with the fact that key Vista key errors were fixed in this operating system. As a result, the "seven" turned out to be very fast, reliable and productive. In fact, she became what they expected from Vista from the very beginning.

With the output of the Service Pack 1 of its position only intensified. By 2012, Windows 7 became the most popular OS in the world, finally overtaking the old Windows XP. In fact, the "seven" became the fact that XP was for many years - the main operating system that coped with all the tasks. She did not "slow down", she had almost no problems with drivers. This system from the category set - and it works, without reinstallation, as much as you need. This is a real heirs of Windows XP.

But Microsoft was a little. Losing the race in the markets of tablets and smartphones, the company desperately needed a new product that would combine all devices in the Unified Metro interface - smartphones, laptops, desktops and tablets.

And the result is the operating system Windows 8.What came out in October 2012. For the first time, Microsoft was decided on a cardinal change of the interface, which shocked much more than changes in Vista. Instead of the usual desktop of the user, we met strange tiles, and the "Start" button was completely absent. The interface of some intrigued, other scared.

For technical capabilities of Windows 8, it is an optimized version of Windows 7. The new system has become much faster loaded, however, again there are some problems with drivers and launching games - but this is a clearly temporary situation.

In 2013, the process of adopting the new system market is in full swing. So far, it is too early to talk about how much she has become successful - time will show. One can only say that the fate of Windows 8 will be difficult. Some esperts prophesy to her the fate of Windows Vista - Systems, which never recovered from a negative image.

Meanwhile, in 2014 it is expected Windows 9.. But it is not all yet - plans for the release of new versions of OS each ... year! Why, why does this refusal from Service Pack mean - all this we learn quite soon.

You can rightly call Windows. These OS since their final formation in the form in which we know them today, have won unprecedented popularity, despite the fact that they are all (except for the upgrade to Windows 10) and remain paid. However, in the post-Soviet space, this does not stop anyone, because for the system you can completely elementary find unofficial activators. But about this later.

What is Windows?

And it is perhaps to begin, perhaps, with the fact that Microsoft operating systems represent. It is necessary to clearly understand that the operating system as such is the very environment, without which no computer will work.

Not only does it communicate between the "iron" components of the computer and its own software, it also performs the function of launching user applications to perform completely different tasks, and a completely different level of complexity and presented to a computer system requirements.

But what is Windows in the sense of the operating system? At one time, when it was only the creation of an OS in C + /+ languages \u200b\u200busing object-oriented programming techniques, the focus was made to access all functions and programs for the user as simplified as possible. To do this, it was no longer necessary to enter commands, as it was previously in DOS-like systems, and the interaction was carried out by using a graphical interface in which the main elements were the windows of the programs opened. Actually, that is why the entire OS family and got its name.

The OS itself is in something similar to a major leader in a public understanding, which gives instructions to subordinate or entire departments for the implementation of certain actions, forming a unified hierarchical organization with strictly certain access rights to different functions. At the same time, such a manager not only manages all the enterprise, but also, as it may communicate with partners.

A bit of history

What is Windows Systems, a little figured out. Now consider how their evolution took place. The first in the lineup was the operating system of version 1.01, then modifications 2.0 and 3.x were followed. True, it was still far to the modern species.

A real revolutionary event was the release of Windows 95 modification. It was she who served as a prototype for all existing systems, although was far from perfection. After her recognition in the world, desktop and server versions (98, 2000, Server, Millennium, etc.) began to appear, which have already been divided into a clear orientation on the tasks performed (for example, to install one system for all terminals on the local network). To date, Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 (and its version 8.1) remain the most popular (and its version 8.1) and the newest in the form of the tenth development. Vista, however, due to its flawlessness drops out of this list, but the remaining systems are used today very widely and successfully.

What other operating systems are?

But Windows has enough competitors. If you look at the variety of operating systems, most of them have a similar graphical interface (UNIX-like OS, including Linux, Mac OS X, BEOS and even mobile systems in which, truth, the interface organization is somewhat different).

Outdated DOS-like systems go back. However, this absolutely does not mean that the computer world completely decided to abandon their use. Remember at least the Windows Command Console, which clearly resembles DOS.

In the separation of systems, you can also note the moment that the architecture has become taken into account with the advent of new processors. Today, two main - 32 and 64 bits (or x86 and x64) are adopted. Accordingly, it applies to operating systems. For example, Windows 64-bit architecture will not work on a 32-bit processor, but on the contrary - without problems. Here, the first place comes out the performance of "iron", which should ensure both the operation of the operating systems themselves and the installed applied software.

Where to download the installation distribution?

As for the installation of the system, Windows is free to download for free on the official Microsoft resource. But then the snag is that any of the currently existing Windows OS during the installation process or upon completion it is necessary to activate by entering a special license key. But for him already have to pay, if, of course, you want to get the official modification of the system.

In addition, you can immediately note the fact that the Russian language will be proposed as the main thing even when accessing the developer's corporation site. The same applies to the installation process, and the basic language of the installed system.

Drivers for Windows

But only little to install the operating system. "Iron" without drivers (special managers) will not work. Of course, at the installation and configuration stage, the Windows Systems themselves most drivers are installed from their own directory, in which most known devices are supported.

But here there are their cons. First, not all non-standard devices are determined by the system. Secondly, Windows does not know how to update the drivers. And this can cause the appearance of errors and failures associated with non-working capacity and hardware, and, as a result, software.

You can view the installed equipment in a special section called "Device Manager". The update is better to produce with programs like Driver Booster.

Useful utilities

Windows operating systems are not supplied in "pure" form. They have its own standard set of pre-installed programs. However, it is so sculpted that users have to install additional software themselves.

First of all, it concerns protective anti-virus software, various types of archivers (although Windows last versions there is a built-in ZIP utility), office programs for working with documents, additional codecs and multimedia decoders, browser extensions (for example, Flash Player), optimizers for cleaning or accelerating the system, etc.

Activation issues

As already mentioned, the same Windows 7 is free to download and install. But the license key will be requested during the installation process. Activation can be postponed, but the system will constantly remind about it, and after a while it may be generally inoperable.

You can bypass such procedures by turning off the requirements in the system registry, however, it is much easier to use the programs like KMSauto Net, although this method can be called, to put it mildly, illegal. Nevertheless, activation works, only the executable file itself cannot be deleted. Also, it should be accepted with the introduction of a task for re-activation every ten days in the "Task Scheduler".

Updates

Update packages Microsoft is published with enviable regularity, despite the former statements that they will not be provided for the tenth version of the system at all. Basically, all updates relate to pre-installed platforms (DirectX, .NET Framework, etc.), Latania rubbed in the security system, as well as installation of updates for other company software products, if such an item is involved in automatic update mode.

Why in the system periodically mistakes arise and how to deal with them?

Nevertheless, the updates themselves can cause critical errors in the system. Some packages are not improved at all. Thus, when the failures associated with updates appear, they can be deleted (section of programs and components). It is only necessary to get rid of them by one by one, producing a constant reboot of the system until the failure package is revealed.

Then the search for updates in manual mode is set, and unnecessary updates are excluded from the list.

No less common mistakes appearing due to the fact that computer trash accumulates in the system. There is no own optimization tools in Windows (except for cleaning and checking the disk, defragmentation, etc.). In some cases, it helps the installation of optimizer programs that are capable of not only cleaning and accelerating on demand, but also monitor the state of the system in real time.

The same applies to remote applications. Built-in systems of the system work extremely inefficiently, so uninstallator programs come to the rescue (for example, Iobit Uninstaller). They remove even the built-in programs that cannot be deleted (not counting the PowerShell command line and console).

Finally, and user-set applications can cause conflicts, not to mention thoughtless intervention in the settings and system parameters. But sometimes the Windows component is disconnected, it allows you to solve many problems, not to mention the use of the services partition in which you can enable or disabling individual processes along with similar actions in the "Task Manager" and autoload.

Brief results

Here is briefly everything about what Windows is and what else is OS. Naturally, all functions and all systems are simply impossible to describe. Nevertheless, each user must clearly understand that the operating system is a certain layer between the hardware and software part of the computer and the user, which focuses on the entire computer system of certain narrow-controlled tasks.