How Windows Has Changed Over the Years

Windows is the most used operating system on the planet, powering billions of PCs around the world. Whether you’re using a laptop, desktop or tablet, odds are you’re running an edition of the software that’s been around since 1985. The OS is so pervasive that it’s easy to forget that, just a few decades ago, computers didn’t even have graphics capabilities, and most didn’t have the ability to run multiple programs simultaneously. Windows was the first major operating system to change that. It allowed users to navigate a virtual desktop and open graphical “windows” to display the contents of electronic folders and files, rather than having to type command lines or directory paths into a text prompt.

It wasn’t without its problems, though. The most infamous dud from Microsoft’s back catalog is the unloved Windows ME, which was so bad that it prompted users to install Mac OS on their computers in droves. But if you can overlook the disaster that was ME, you’ll find that the original version of Windows had plenty to offer. The software pioneered the ability to pin applications to the taskbar, stack windows for better organization, preview window content with taskbar thumbnails, and snap windows to different portions of the screen. And it worked with older hardware and software that wasn’t designed to work with other versions of Windows.

Building on the successes of previous releases, Windows 3.0 was a breakout hit that helped IBM PCs become affordable enough for families to purchase. It was the first version of Windows to really make good use of the mouse as an interface device and opened up new possibilities for multitasking by allowing you to visually navigate the system with a graphical user interface rather than typing commands into a text prompt. This release also brought a host of improvements including graphical upgrades, TrueType font support for desktop publishing, and multimedia support so that you could play MIDI and other music files without special software. It also ushered in the era of the colorful Windows icons and a color scheme called Hot Dog Stand.

Microsoft was on a roll with the series of rock-solid home versions of its Windows NT operating system starting with 2000. While the slicker Windows Vista had its moments, it was essentially a rehash of 2000 and, therefore, didn’t get the praise it deserved. This one introduced a number of key features that are still standard in current versions of the software, including support for a wider range of multimedia formats and the ability to encrypt and password-protect drives.

Windows 7 was the last time that Microsoft innovated its design, and while it wasn’t a perfect operating system, it did feature excellent networking capabilities, robust anti-virus protection, and fast startup and shutdown times. Unfortunately, it appears as if Microsoft is winding down its innovation efforts and instead focusing on improving Windows 10’s usability and stability. It’s not nearly as good as it once was, but it’s still a lot better than Windows ME or anything that came after it.

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