Introduction
Microsoft Windows has produced a series of most powerful operating systems. It is one of the leading providers of computer companies and internet services. The most apical advantage of Windows is that they are compatible with almost all type of hardware and software due to their high prevalence of use. Few of the many reasons of their popularity is that they are reliable, cost effective, easy to use, come with firewalls, have automatic updates, have features like burning CDs o DVDs without having to install a specific software, and are under constant improvisation. Microsoft Windows release countless operating systems like Windows 95, 2000, XP, Vista and currently 7 with advanced and better features.
History
In 1975 Bill Gates and Paul Allen partnered up and formed a company called Microsoft. During 1980s, IBM contacted Microsoft and requested for a new operating system. MS-DOS was designed which turned out to be effective as it could control and operate both the hardware system and software programs of a computer. However, many users found it hard to understand and manage due to its long cryptic commands. In 1985, a new Windows release named Windows 1.0 which proffered Graphics User Interface (GUI) rather than the DOS commands. It achieved little success. Later, versions 2.0 and 3.0 of Windows release. Windows NT hit the shelves during 1990s and had many advanced features unlike its predecessors. It was not derived from the older versions and was designed to be operated on 32 bits (the previous Windows functioned on 16 bits). Windows NT 95 had five different versions. It supported dial up, networking and let the users browse World Wide Web (WWW). It also included a Plug and Play feature which was created to make installation a simple task. 98 Windows release was an instant success in the market. It was an upgraded version of 95 and supported disk partitions, had faster performance, a quick launch and allowed the use of external drives. It was the last OS based on MS-DOS. Other Windows release like ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7 were made for home use instead for only business. They have enhanced performances, wireless support and offers more media and entertainment features.
Features
The major and current Windows release is Windows 7. It was released in October 2009 and got millions of positive reviews. It is loaded with many awesome details and new features like hand writing recognition, virtual hard disc and multiple graphic cards support, additional formats and platforms, improved kernel and amazing boot performance. It has a new taskbar known as Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, extended themes and to the delight of many users, a desktop slideshow. It has libraries that include shared folders and present them in a unified way. The library consists of four main types: Music, Pictures, Documents and Videos. Windows 7 has pinned applications, Thumbnails previews, Jump lists and notification balloons. Minimum hardware requirements are 32 bits OS, 16 GB space on drive, 1 GB RAM, DVD drive and 1 GHZ processor. Sad news for XP users is that they cannot upgrade directly to 7 as the later has to be installed from scratch. With so many amazing characteristics and a brand new look to it, Windows 7 has rightly become an OS of choice. The most recent mobile version of Windows is 7.5.
Tips and comments
Windows 8 is an upcoming OS of Microsoft and its Beta version is set out to release sometime this year. It has been designed to support touchscreen, a metro style interface, a great platform for full screen applications and a 128 bit processor. It does not end here and the list of new cool stuff goes on and on. Hopefully Microsoft Windows will continue creating awesome and inspiring operating systems for us.
