A great 10-minute video has been put together documenting the upgrade process from Microsoft’s first Windows 1 version right up to their latest Windows 7. This video showcases the evolution that has taken place over the years and explains the surprising number of features that have remained in the OS since its version 3.1 release back in March 1992.
The only missing Microsoft OS is Windows ME which had a short shelf-life of just over a year, but the less said about ME the better. The complete upgrade process detailed in the video is as follows:
MS-DOS 5 > Windows 1 > Windows 2 > Windows 3 > Windows 3.1 > Windows 95 > Windows 98 > Windows 98 SE > Windows 2000 (NT!!) > Windows XP SP2 > Windows Vista > Windows 7.
The Evolution of Windows Operating Systems
The journey from Windows 1 to Windows 7 is a fascinating one, showcasing the technological advancements and design changes that have occurred over the decades. Windows 1, released in 1985, was Microsoft’s first attempt at a graphical user interface (GUI) operating system. It was a significant departure from the command-line interface of MS-DOS, offering users the ability to use a mouse to navigate the system, albeit in a very rudimentary form.
Windows 2, released in 1987, built upon the foundation laid by Windows 1, introducing overlapping windows and improved graphics support. However, it wasn’t until Windows 3, and more specifically Windows 3.1, that Microsoft began to see widespread adoption of their GUI-based operating system. Released in 1992, Windows 3.1 introduced TrueType fonts, making it a viable platform for desktop publishing, and included the first version of the Windows Registry, a centralized database for configuration settings.
Windows 95 marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the Windows operating system. Released in 1995, it introduced the Start menu, taskbar, and a more intuitive user interface. It was also the first version of Windows to support long file names, a feature that was sorely lacking in previous versions. Windows 95 was a commercial success and set the stage for future versions of the operating system.
Key Features and Legacy
Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE continued to build on the success of Windows 95, introducing features such as the Windows Driver Model, which improved hardware compatibility, and Internet Explorer 4, which integrated web browsing into the operating system. Windows 2000, based on the Windows NT kernel, brought increased stability and security, making it a popular choice for business users.
Windows XP, released in 2001, was a game-changer. It combined the stability of the Windows NT kernel with the user-friendly interface of Windows 95/98. Windows XP introduced a host of new features, including a more modern look and feel, improved hardware support, and better networking capabilities. It remained the dominant operating system for many years, even after the release of its successor, Windows Vista.
Windows Vista, released in 2006, was met with mixed reviews. While it introduced several new features, such as the Aero graphical user interface and improved security, it was criticized for its high system requirements and compatibility issues. Microsoft addressed many of these concerns with the release of Windows 7 in 2009. Windows 7 was praised for its performance improvements, user-friendly interface, and enhanced security features, making it a worthy successor to Windows XP.
The video was created as an experiment to see the effects of installing every major upgrade version of Windows, in order, on the same machine. Enjoy!
Via Download Squad
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