About 90% of computers around the world work thanks to a Microsoft Windows operating system. Invented, with some controversy, by Bill Gates, loved and hated by its users (detested by Steve Jobs), it is undeniable that Windows had the great merit of making the PC easy to use for everyone.
The story begins way back in 1985 when Windows 1 was released followed a few years later by Windows 2 .
These were graphical interfaces for MS-DOS, the operating system that could only be used with commands to be launched via the keyboard.
READ ALSO: test old operating systems with emulators (including old Windows versions 1, 2, 3, 95, 98, XP).
1) The important step occurred with Windows 3.x, where mouse control was introduced. The system boasted large colored icons that you could click on to run the programs. The "Program Manager" was introduced to start programs and a desktop embryo that everyone knows today. The most useful feature was the "File Manager", an option to manage computer files and disks. Until then, right-clicking was useless and you could switch between programs using the keyboard shortcut Alt + Tab. It can be said that in Italy Windows was still a bit unknown and the PC era had yet to begin.
2) Windows 95
The 1995 version is the one that introduced the basic structure of the Windows graphical interface that we all used.
The Start menu from which to start programs makes its debut. Windows 95 also introduced the taskbar, shortcut icons, the Explorer tool and the My Computer folder for drives. The mouse becomes the main device for controlling the PC and by pressing the right button you can open additional options menus. The first version of Internet Explorer also makes its debut.
READ ALSO: Try Windows 95 via web on your browser
3) Windows 98 was an improved version of Windows 95, which solved several structural problems. Windows 98 is also the latest version based on MS-DOS (in reality the last one was Windows ME or Millenium, which was such a disaster that it was also disowned by Microsoft)
4) Windows XP
In 2001, when Microsoft launched XP, PCs were becoming not only tools for working, but also for surfing the internet, sending emails, listening to music and watching photos and videos. Computers, in the time of Windows XP, become common objects in everyone's homes, thanks also to the ease of use of Windows XP. The Start menu now shows "All programs", while E-mail, web, images and music are moved to the next level for easy access. Although the operating systems of the 90s had options to customize the appearance, XP is the most colorful and customizable operating system of all. Users can easily change the graphic theme, the color scheme, the screensaver, the desktop wallpaper and much more. Finally you can shut down your computer automatically, without that confirmation screen "now you can shut down your computer" in Windows 98.
5) Windows Vista
With Vista, Microsoft has restructured Windows deeply, introducing the so-called Aero style in order to create transparency between the windows. Vista had a transparent sidebar with customizable gadgets, real-time previews and previews of the applications iconized on the new application bar. The Start button is replaced by a Windows icon that integrates instant search and access to the old-fashioned Start menu. Vista also introduced Aero Flip 3D, a desktop button to quickly preview all open windows in three-dimensional mode. Vista's debut was negative because the system was significantly heavier than XP and required new and more expensive computers. For this reason it was not very successful and Microsoft had to run for cover.
6) Windows 7
Windows 7 was not a radical user interface update of the previous Vista version, it was simply the improved and more efficient, lighter and faster version. The sidebar is removed, the Aero Flip 3D button disappears (although the functionality has remained via hotkeys) and the Show desktop icon becomes a small strip to the right of the taskbar. The taskbar has the ability to "fix" applications for quick access. Some applications fixed on the lower bar may have Jump lists with quick commands that can be activated by pressing the right mouse button. The old boot menu could therefore be used less often. Windows 7 also integrates basic multitouch support.
7) Windows 8
Released on October 26, 2012, you can download and install Windows 8 as an update from XP, Vista and Windows 7 and contains many new features.
Windows 8 represents a radical change for Microsoft, which is betting everything on the spread of tablet PCs and touchscreen devices.
The new "Metro" interface offers a boot screen similar to that of the Windows Phone operating system while the traditional Start menu disappears. Windows 8 was initially a complete flop, so Microsoft tried to improve things with an update, Windows 8.1, to try to make it less different than Windows 7. The apps on the Start screen were ignored by almost every user and the store Microsoft has remained a place full of spam and useless apps.
8) Windows 10
The failure of Windows 8 led to the race for Windows 10, released on July 29, 2015, announced as the latest Windows, which receives constant updates not only for security patches, but also for the addition of features and improvement continuous. With Windows 10 the traditional Start menu returns and in a mix of the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8 the definitive system for each PC is truly announced.
Below, the video with the startup sounds of each version of Windows (those interested can download the audio files of old Windows on the Winhistory site)
