Timeline: Windows turns 29 today: A timeline

When few had heard of microcomputers, Microsoft introduced the world to personal computing. From MS-DOS to Windows 10, Microsoft’s computer software has been the most used as well as the most trusted. And now, on November 20, 2014, Microsoft reaches another milestone, completing 29 years of Windows operating system.

Below is the journey of Microsoft from the inception of MS-DOS till the birth of the latest Windows operating system:

• In the 1970s, two young computer enthusiasts, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, saw that personal computing was a path to the future. In 1975, Gates and Allen formed a partnership called Microsoft.

• ?In June 1980, Microsoft focused on a new operating system, it was the foundation on which computer programs ran. They named the new operating system "MS-DOS".

• Though, MS-DOS was effective, but it proved difficult to be understood by many people. Realizing that, Microsoft began working on the first version of a new operating system. On November 20, 1985, Microsoft shipped Windows 1.0.

• On December 9, 1987 Microsoft released Windows 2.0 with desktop icons and expanded memory. With improved graphics support, you could now overlap windows, control the screen layout, and use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work.

• In 1988, Microsoft became the world’s largest PC software company based on sales. Computers started to become a part of daily life for some office workers.

• On May 22, 1990, Microsoft announced Windows 3.0, followed shortly by Windows 3.1 in 1992. Taken together, they sold 10 million copies in their first two years, making it the most widely used Windows operating system yet.

• When Windows NT released on July 27, 1993, Microsoft met an important milestone: the completion of a project begun in the late 1980s to build an advanced new operating system from scratch. Windows NT 3.1 was a 32-bit operating system that supported high-end engineering and scientific programs.

• On August 24, 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, selling a record-setting 7 million copies in the first five weeks. Windows 95 had a built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities. It was the most publicized launch Microsoft had ever taken on. Television commercials featured the Rolling Stones singing "Start Me Up" over images of the new Start button.

• In the early 1990s, tech insiders were talking about the Internet—a network of networks that had the power to connect computers all over the world. In 1995, Bill Gates delivered a memo titled “The Internet Tidal Wave,” and declared the Internet as “the most important development since the advent of the PC.”

• In the summer of 1995, the first version of Internet Explorer was released. The browser joined those already vying for space on the World Wide Web.

• By late 90s, PCs were common at work and home. New cyber café were popping up where one could access the Internet. On June 25, 1998, Microsoft released Windows 98, the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers.

• After Windows 98, Microsoft released two more operating system, the Windows Me and the Windows 2000 Professional. The Windows Me offered numerous music, video, and home networking enhancements and reliability improvements compared to previous versions.

• More than just the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional was designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. Built on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows 2000 added major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing.

• On October 25, 2001, Windows XP was released with a redesigned look and feel that was centred on usability and a unified Help and Support services centre. For Microsoft, Windows XP became one of its best-selling products in the coming years. It was both fast and stable.

• From 2001-2005, Microsoft released several versions of Windows XP, like Windows XP 64-bit Edition (2001), Windows XP Media Center Edition (2002) and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (2002).

• In 2006, Microsoft released an operating system that was smart on security. Windows Vista released in 2006 was the strongest security system yet. In Windows Vista Ultimate, BitLocker Drive Encryption provided better data protection for computer, as laptop sales and security needs increased.

• And then in late 2000s, with the increasing trend of wireless computing, Microsoft released Windows 7. The new operating system included new ways to work with windows—like Snap, Peek, and Shake—that improved functionality and made the interface more fun to use.

It also marked the debut of Windows Touch, which let touch-screen users browse the web, flip through photos, and open files and folders.

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• In 2012, Microsoft completely re-imagined the operating system, from the chipset to the user experience, and introduced a totally new interface that worked smoothly for both touch and mouse and keyboard. Microsoft launched the Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.

• Along with Windows 8, Microsoft also launched Windows RT, which ran on some tablets and PCs. Windows RT was designed for sleek devices and long battery life, and exclusively ran apps from the Windows Store. It also came with a built-in version of Office that was optimized for touchscreens.

• In 2013, Microsoft expanded the Windows 8 vision with Windows 8.1. The new operating system provided a powerful collection of apps and cloud connectivity; it was everything people loved about Windows 8, plus some enhancements.

• And then finally in October 1, 2014, Microsoft released the latest version of the Windows operating system, the Windows 10. The company skipped version 9 to emphasize the advances it is making towards a world centered on mobile devices and Internet services. The upgraded version of Windows came with Start menu, personalised apps, live tiles and more interesting features.

Microsoft has come a long way with one of its best products, Windows. Tommorrow, on November 20th, Microsoft will celebrate 29 years of Windows and we wish Windows many more such years to come. Happy Birthday Windows!

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