Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a family of proprietary graphical operating systems developed by Microsoft, first released in 1985 as a shell running on top of MS-DOS. It is the most widely used desktop operating system in the world.
Versions
- Windows 95/98/ME -- the consumer line that popularized the Start menu and taskbar
- Windows NT/2000/XP -- the more stable, business-oriented kernel line that eventually merged with the consumer line
- Windows 7 -- widely considered one of the most stable and well-liked releases
- Windows 10 -- introduced Windows as a rolling-update 'service' rather than discrete boxed releases
- Windows 11 -- redesigned interface with rounded corners, centered taskbar, and tighter hardware requirements
Features
- Deep backward compatibility with decades of existing software
- PowerShell and the classic Command Prompt for scripting and automation
- The dominant platform for PC gaming, enterprise software, and Active Directory-managed networks
- Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets users run a real Linux kernel alongside Windows
History
Windows overtook competitors like classic Mac OS and various DOS shells through aggressive OEM bundling deals with PC manufacturers in the 1990s, cementing its position as the default operating system for most personal computers.