The most popular operating system in the world is 20 years old

Many Windows PC users start in 1990 when Microsoft released OS version 3.0. However, Bill Gates' group mentioned this software 7 years ago and officially launched it in November 1985.

Here are 20 important milestones in the process of building and developing Windows operating systems (a software that has a great impact on the world in the past two decades) on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of version 1.0:

1. Bill Gates wanted to call version 1.0 as Interface Manager but Rowland Hanson market manager convinced that Windows sounded much more impressive.

2. Microsoft began building Interface Manager in 1981, although it lacked a graphical user interface (GUI) at the time and many other features that later appeared in Windows.

3. Interface Manager models initially had a menu designed at the bottom of the screen, consistent with Word's user interface and some other popular programs in DOS.

4. Microsoft introduced Windows 1.0 "draft" in November 1983, two years before the official operating system was completed.

5. In 1983, Microsoft praised Windows as a potential GUI interface for Atari's ST computer system. However, Atari did not appear so salty and did not have the patience to wait until the show came out. They signed an agreement with GEM of Digital Research (USA).

6. Although considered a copy of the Mac operating system (or Lisa), according to some documents, the real inspiration for developing Windows is the VisiOn desktop environment, introduced at the Comdex exhibition in 1982. Bill Gates was impressed with the system demo and with other experts conducting VisiOn research.

7. Requirements for the system to run on Windows 1.0 are RAM 256 KB, DOS 2.0 and 2 floppy drives.

8. After reviewing the 1983 version, Byte Magazine stated that Windows is an "open, flexible, highly configurable, inexpensive hardware requirement and lowest cost".

9. Windows 1.0 uses the MS-DOS Executive file manager. Later versions of this program (not much changed from the original) still work in Windows XP.

10. Windows 1.0 provides the ability to perform multiple operations but does not allow overlap.

11. Microsoft has integrated calculators, clocks, calendars, notepad and a few other small applications, including Reversi games, for Windows 1.0.

12. Although limiting the number of applications, the initial ads of the operating system claim that "Windows is a collection of extremely useful applications" for the system.

13. Not only has it failed to entice other companies to create applications for Windows 1.0, Microsoft is also slow to include their own programs in Windows. Excel and Word were available in the Mac since 1985, but it was not until mid-1987 - 1989 that it was installed on Microsoft's operating system.

14. Among the first published Windows applications is a terminal run session, used to track stock information, including information from IBM, Compaq and Apple. Microsoft was not included simply because until 1986 they were listed on the stock market.

15. In 1984, PC World magazine identified Windows as having "an inexpensive and efficient and simple user interface". This alone is enough for Microsoft to entice strong customer support and turn the product into an unofficial standard on the personal computer market.

16. As soon as it was officially released, PC Magazine commented on Windows 1.0: "If you've just complained about DOS and want a more mature, more productive program, Windows will meet that requirement. It helps the DOS process to take place in a blink of an eye and a host of new capabilities, unless you're a DOS expert, you'll wonder what to do if you're missing Windows. "

17. Windows launched (November 20, 1983) only about two weeks before Microsoft built version 1.01 to patch some vulnerabilities, starting with service pack releases and long-running bug fixes. until today.

18. The image of advertising for Windows 1.0 (pictured) is the scene of Bill Gates relying on a computer screen. Behind him are several other PC systems, including IBM PC and Mac.

19. From the beginning, Windows was able to display colors if installed on a color screen, while the Mac was still narrow in black and white. This feature makes PC Mag believe "even most Mac fan users will think about switching."

20. Retail price of Windows 1.0 is 100 USD, equivalent to 177 USD based on the current monetary value. This price is approximately the same amount you have to buy a full retail version of Windows XP Home.

Released Windows versions
1985: Windows 1.0

1987: Windows 2.0

1990: Windows 3.0

1993: Windows NT 3.1

1993: Windows for Workgroups 3.11

1994: Windows NT Workstation 3.5

1995: Windows 95

1996: Windows NT Workstation 4.0

1998: Windows 98

1999: Windows 98 Second Edition

2000: Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me)

2000: Windows 2000 Professional

2001: Windows XP

2001: Windows XP Professional

2001: Windows XP Home

2001: 64-bit Windows XP

2002: Windows XP Media Center

2002: Windows XP Tablet PC

Hai Nguyen