November 20, 2015 marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of the very first version of Windows -- Windows 1.0. On this day, the operating system which now runs on over 75% desktop computers worldwide made its debut, two years after the initial announcement. Windows was first announced in 1983. Today, 30 years later, Microsoft has become a household name and its co-founder Bill Gates is the world's richest person.
When they set up Microsoft in 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen had a plan that seemed outlandish at that moment in history -- that there should be a computer in every home, at a time when computers for the general public did not exist.
In 1980, the company created its very first operating system -- software that managed all the different parts of a computer, as well as running simple programs such as a word processor. Although it was complicated to use because it operated via text-based commands (the ‘command line’ that geeks swear by), MS-DOS (short for Microsoft Disk Operating System) revolutionised computing as it was integrated into the first personal computers on the market manufactured by IBM. The system just needed to be made more accessible. And that’s how Windows was born.
Initially known as Interface Manager, this new operating system was in the end called Windows, a name which describes the computing boxes which are fundamental to it. The project was announced in 1983, but it was two years before it became a reality.
On November 20, 1985, Microsoft finally launched Windows 1.0. Now users could control their computer and its peripherals with a mouse, moving through a simple graphic interface, without complex text commands, simply by clicking on icons and opening/closing windows. Windows 1.0 included several useful programs for the general public such as Write, Paint, Notepad, Calculator, plus a clock and even a game (Reversi).
Initially sold in the US for 99 dollars, followed by international markets in 1986, Windows 1.0 was not a success. Nevertheless, Bill Gates’s dream of bringing computers to the general public had begun to take shape.
In 30 years, Windows has transformed completely. Windows 10, the latest version of the opearting system, runs not only on desktops and laptops but also on tablets, smartphones, and other smart devices.
Here are some interesting facts about the world's most popular operating system --Windows.
Bill Gates wanted to call Windows as Interface Manager
If Bill Gates had his way, Windows OS would have been called 'Interface Manager'. Gates had planned to release it under the same name. However, 'Windows' name prevailed because it best describes the boxes or computing 'windows' that were fundamental to the new operating system.
Windows 1.0 apps
Bill Gates termed Windows 1.0 a "unique software designed for the serious PC user." The OS allowed users to point and click to access programmes. Applications included Paint, Calculator, Cardfile, Notepad and Write a word processor.
Less than 1MB in size
Windows 1.0 had a colour 16-bit interface and was less than 1MB in size. It required a minimum of 256 kilobytes (KB), two double-sided floppy disk drives, and a graphics adapter card.
First press kit
Microsoft reportedly sent out a press kit with a Squeegee (Window washer) and a wash cloth to announce the launch of Windows 1.0.
Microsoft becomes world's top software company
In 1988, Microsoft became the world's largest PC software company based on sales.
NT was first pure 32-bit version of Windows
The Microsoft team that developed Windows NT was originally called the "Portable Systems" group. Windows NT was designed for users and businesses needing advanced capability.
Windows Start Menu makes entry
Windows 95 represented a significant advance over its predecessor Windows 3.1. With the OS, popular features like Start Menu, Taskbar and Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons made their very first appearance.
Flight Simulator comes to Windows
In 1996, Microsoft released Flight Simulator for Windows 95 -— the first time in its 14-year history that it was available for Windows.
Last Windows OS based on MS-DOS
Released on June 25, 1998, Windows 98 was the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers. Windows 98 was also the last version based on MS-DOS.
Most 'successful' Windows version
On October 25 2001, Microsoft launched Windows XP -- its best-selling product ever. Windows XP was compiled from 45 million lines of code. XP junked the long-used Windows 95 Kernel and offered users a more friendly interface and improved application and memory management.
3 unreleased Windows versions
Some Windows versions which reportedly couldn't get released were: Windows Nashville; Windows Cairo and Windows Neptune.
When Microsoft beat Apple in customer satisfaction
Windows 7 is said to have been evaluated by 8 million beta testers worldwide before it was released. The successor to Windows Vista, Windows 7 is said to have helped Microsoft beat Apple in consumer satisfaction score.
According to YouGov Plc data, customer satisfaction for Microsoft
was at 64% the day before Windows 7 launched on October 22, 2009, rose to 67% in the following week, and grew to 73% by the end of 2009 for a total increase of 14%.
