list of Windows versions

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Microsoft Windows

Microsoft’s Windows operating system (OS) is ubiquitous today, but how has it evolved over the
years? Windows has faced stiff competition from IBM, Apple, the Linux Foundation, and other
organizations that have sought to popularize their systems. However, Windows has persevered,
and as of 2024 it is the most widely used OS in the world, accounting for almost 70 percent of
the market. Here is a list of every version of Windows (not including minor iterations) released
since its early days.

Windows 1.0
 Release date: November 20, 1985

The very first Windows version was somewhat successful but nothing especially memorable.
Unlike other Windows versions, the software supported “tiling,” which did not allow windows to
overlap on users’ screens. (Minor exceptions existed, such as for pop-up windows.)

Windows 2.0
 Release date: December 9, 1987

Windows 2.0 allowed users to have overlapping windows. The version also supported both
Microsoft Office Word and Excel, which had not been supported in Windows 1.0. However, it
was not significantly different from Windows 1.0. Indeed, one critic noted, “The best that can be
said for this…was that Windows remained a work in progress.”

Windows 3.0
 Release date: May 22, 1990

This version finally popularized Windows as an operating system. Windows 3.0 allowed users to
use more than 1 MB (megabyte) of RAM (random access memory; short-term memory used by a
computer to multitask). In fact, the version let programs use up to 16 MB, more than had ever
been allowed on prior OS versions. This capacity was instrumental in letting users operate
multiple programs simultaneously.

Windows 95
 Release date: August 24, 1995

The “Start” menu was introduced in this version of Windows and has stuck around ever since,
providing a convenient portal to access programs, the file manager, and device settings. The
popular Windows task bar was also included in Windows 95. In addition, users could minimize
and maximize windows to reduce screen clutter. Windows 95 was considered to be more
pleasing to the eye than previous versions because of its colorful, user-friendly interface, and it
was the first 32-bit OS version (referring to the amount of data that can be processed without
issue in a single operation).

Windows XP
 Release date: October 25, 2001

Windows XP abandoned the long-used Windows 95 kernel (core software code) for a more
powerful code base and offered a more practical interface and improved application and memory
management. Another significant change was the addition of the Windows Error Reporting
service, which allowed users to send reports to Microsoft when their systems malfunctioned. XP
was released during the “golden age” of Microsoft innovation and remained in service far past its
predicted lifespan. Although it ended technical support for the version in 2009, Microsoft
released security updates for a number of years thereafter.

Windows Vista
 Date released: January 30, 2007

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Vista experienced a troubled rollout and was met with considerable marketplace resistance,
quickly acquiring a reputation for being a large, slow, and resource-consuming OS version.
Microsoft’s security advancements, designed to improve the user experience instead led to
frustration when users attempted to download third-party applications. Additionally, though
Vista’s graphical interface was intended to be an upgrade, many machines struggled to run its
graphics because of issues with system requirements, making for an unpleasant visual display.

Windows 7
  Date released: October 22, 2009

Although Windows 7’s interface was similar to that of Vista, it was met with enthusiasm because
of its noticeable speed improvement and its modest system requirements. Moreover, Windows 7
allowed users to “pin” applications to the task bar. Whereas Windows 1.0 did not even allow
users to have overlapping windows, Windows 7 offered the “Snap” feature for the first time,
which automatically resized windows to fit users’ screens.

Windows 8
 Date released: October 26, 2012

Windows 8 offered a Start screen (in lieu of the Start menu), with applications appearing as tiles
on a grid and the ability to synchronize settings so users could log on to another Windows
8 machine and use their preferred settings. However, users complained that the new tiles
interface was confusing, comparing it unfavorably to the simplicity of the Start menu in previous
versions of Windows.

Windows 10
 Date released: July 29, 2015

The older style of the Windows Start menu returned with Windows 10, which also came
with Cortana, a digital personal assistant like Apple’s Siri, and the Web browser Microsoft Edge,
which replaced the clunky, outdated Internet Explorer. Additionally, Windows 10 was the first
OS version to be equally optimized for tablets, which had been steadily growing in popularity.

Windows 11
 Date released: October 5, 2021

The newest Microsoft OS version features a redesigned Start menu and faster operating speeds.
However, Cortana was removed from the OS, because its performance lagged behind competing
virtual assistants, such as Siri and Amazon’s Alexa. Cortana was replaced, in some senses, by a
new generative artificial intelligence (AI) feature known as Copilot in 2023. Using the large
language model technology popularized by ChatGPT and Google Gemini, Copilot responds to
user commands (for example, “Create a budgeting spreadsheet”) by generating new content.
Furthermore, it is integrated into applications such as Microsoft 365 (which includes Microsoft
Word and PowerPoint, among other programs), Bing, and the Windows task bar

The Windows operating system has been around since 1985 when Windows 1.01 was first
launched to the public. It has since come a long way and has now evolved into Windows 11 (the
current latest Windows OS).
Not only that, but each Windows also had sub-variations of these versions, which were
introduced with major bi-annual feature updates. Microsoft has now shifted to annual feature
releases. For example, Windows 10 has versions 21H2, 21H1, and many others, while Windows
11 has 21H2, 22H2, and 23H2.
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Complete List of Windows Versions and History

Watch on

Complete List of Windows Versions and History

This post lists the complete timeline and highlights the significant details of each Windows
version released from the beginning of time.

Table of Contents

 Windows Timeline
 Windows History
 Closing Words

Windows Timeline
The image below is an illustration of the different Windows versions and their release point in
time.
Timeline representation of all Windows versions

Windows History
The table below briefly describes the important aspects of each of the Windows operating
systems along with some other useful information.

Release Currently
Name Codename Version Editions Details
year Supported
The first client Windows
Windows Interface
1985 1.01 – No OS introduced the MS-
1.01 Manager
DOS Executive
Windows
– 1986 1.02 – No –
1.02
2 moderately-different
Windows versions exist with a
– 1986 1.03 – No
1.03 difference in the
USER.EXE file
Windows Additional support for
– 1987 1.04 – No
1.04 IBM drivers
Introduced overlapping,
resizable windows and
Windows
– 1987 2.01 No could run multiple DOS
2.01
applications
simultaneously
Introduced 386 enhanced
Windows mode, which allows
– 1987 2.03 – No
2.03 Windows to use memory
beyond 640k
Required hard disk
Windows
– 1988 2.1 – No drives to take advantage
2.1
of some Intel processors
AppleTalk support and
Windows
– 1989 2.11 – No faster printing with
2.11
updated printer drivers
Windows A new, colorful user
– 1990 3.0 – No
3.0 interface introduced
Windows
– 1992 3.1 – No More stable and faster
3.1
Includes native
Windows Winball / Windows for networking support and
1992 3.1 No
3.1 Sparta Workgroups introduced the Hearts
card game
Windows The first OS with 32-bit
Razzle 1993 NT 3.1 – No
NT 3.1 architecture
Mostly containing bug
Windows
– 1993 3.11 – No fixes and improvements;
3.11
no major new features
Windows Snowball 1993 3.11 Windows for No Mostly focused on 32-bit
 networking: 32-bit file
3.11 Workgroups access and 32-bit full
network redirectors
Windows Focused on Simplified
– 1993 3.2 – No
3.2 Chinese language
Windows Windows NT 3.5 Included Winsock and
Daytona 1994 NT 3.5 No
NT 3.5 Workstation TCP/IP support
Provides client/server
Windows Windows NT
Daytona 1995 NT 3.51 No support for interoperating
NT 3.51 3.51 Workstation
with Windows 95
Drastically improved
Windows
Chicago 1995 4.00 – No GUI and plug-and-play
95
capabilities
Shell
Windows Windows NT 4.0 Introduced the concept of
Update 1996 NT 4.0 No
NT 4.0 Workstation system policies
Release
Major cosmetic UI
Windows
Memphis 1998 4.10 – No upgrades, highly web
98
integrated
Windows Mostly included bug
98 Second fixes and minor
– 1999 4.10 – No
Edition improvements. IE 4.0
(SE) was replaced with IE 5.0
Introduced NTFS 3.0,
Windows Windows Windows 2000 Encrypting File System,
2000 NT 5.0 No
2000 NT 5.0 Professional basic and dynamic disk
storage
Initially included IE 5.5,
Windows
Millennium 2000 4.90 – No Windows Movie Maker.
ME
Designed for home users
Increased performance
Starter, Home, and stability, intuitive
Windows
Whistler 2001 NT 5.1 professional, 64- No UI, improved hardware
XP
Bit Edition support, expanded
multimedia capabilities
Windows Media Center Inclusion of the
Freestyle 2002 NT 5.1 No
XP Edition Windows Media Center
Windows XP Service
Windows Media Center Pack 2 upgrades earlier
Harmony 2003 NT 5.1 No
XP Edition 2004 versions of MCE to this
one
Includes support for
Windows Media Center Media Center Extenders,
Symphony 2004 NT 5.1 No
XP Edition 2005 and CD/DVD-Video
burning support
 Adds support for
Media Center the Xbox 360 as a media
Windows
Emerald 2005 NT 5.1 Edition 2005 No center extender, DVB-
XP
Update Rollup 2 T broadcasts, and
two ATSC tuner cards
Windows Professional x64
Anvil 2005 NT 5.2 No –
XP Edition
Starter, Home
Basic, Home Updated GUI, Windows
Windows Premium, Search, redesigned
Longhorn 2007 NT 6.0 No
Vista Business, networking, audio, print,
Enterprise, and display sub-systems
Ultimate
Touch and handwriting
recognition
Starter, Home improvements, support
Basic, Home for virtual hard disks,
Windows Premium, improved multi-core
– 2009 NT 6.1 No
7 Business, processor performance,
Enterprise, improved boot
Ultimate performance,
DirectAccess, and kernel
improvements
Major changes to the UI,
Windows Professional, optimized for tablets,
– 2012 NT 6.2 No
8 Enterprise touch-optimized
Windows shell
additional customization
options for Start menu,
Start button on the
Windows Professional,
Blue 2013 NT 6.3 Yes desktop restored, ability
8.1 Enterprise
to snap up to four apps
on display, ability to boot
directly to desktop
Windows Windows 8.1 Bing-based unified
Blue 2014 NT 6.3 Yes
8.1 with Bing search system was added
Home, Pro,
Education, Significant changes to
Windows Enterprise, Pro the UI and OS
Threshold 2015 NT 10.0 No
10 v1507 for Workstations, functionality, offered in
Pro Education, S, various editions
Enterprise LTSC
Windows Threshold 2 2015 1511 Home, Pro, No Preinstalled Skype,
10 v1511 Education, Microsoft Edge
Enterprise, Pro synchronization
 for Workstations,
capability, tab previews
Pro Education, S,
in Edge
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro,
Education,
Windows Enterprise, Pro Visual and functional
Redstone 1 2016 1607 No
10 v1607 for Workstations, improvements
Pro Education, S,
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro,
Education,
Windows Enterprise, Pro Visual and functional
Redstone 2 2017 1703 No
10 v1703 for Workstations, improvements
Pro Education, S,
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro,
Education,
Windows Enterprise, Pro Visual and functional
Redstone 3 2017 1709 No
10 v1709 for Workstations, improvements
Pro Education, S,
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro,
Education,
Windows Enterprise, Pro Visual and functional
Redstone 4 2018 1803 No
10 v1803 for Workstations, improvements
Pro Education, S,
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro,
Education,
Windows Enterprise, Pro Visual and functional
Redstone 5 2018 1809 No
10 v1809 for Workstations, improvements
Pro Education, S,
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro,
Light theme introduced,
Education,
separate Search and
Windows Enterprise, Pro
Vanadium 2019 1903 No Cortana, Windows
10 v1903 for Workstations,
Sandbox, recommended
Pro Education, S,
troubleshooting tips
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro, Create events from
Education, Calendar flyout,
Windows Enterprise, Pro improved notification
Vibranium 2019 1909 No
10 v1909 for Workstations, management, OneDrive
Pro Education, S, integration with File
Enterprise LTSC Explorer search
 Home, Pro,
Education,
Better Your Phone
Windows Enterprise, Pro
Vibranium 2020 2004 No experience, DirectX 12
10 v2004 for Workstations,
Ultimate, WSL 2
Pro Education, S,
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro,
Education, Chromium-based
Windows Enterprise, Pro Microsoft Edge, theme-
– 2020 20H2 No
10 v20H2 for Workstations, aware Start menu tiles,
Pro Education, S, and other improvements
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro,
Education, News and Interests in
Windows Enterprise, Pro taskbar, improvements to
– 2021 21H1 No
10 v21H1 for Workstations, Windows Defender (now
Pro Education, S, Windows Security)
Enterprise LTSC
Home, Pro,
Support for Wi-Fi 6E,
Education,
new simplified
Windows Enterprise, Pro Yes
– 2021 21H2 passwordless deployment
10 v21H2 for Workstations, (Extended)
modes for Windows
Pro Education, S,
Hello for Business
Enterprise LTSC
Major UI changes,
Home, Pro,
modern look, widgets
Education, Pro
Windows included, integrated
Sun Valley 2021 21H2 Education, Pro Yes
11 v21H2 Microsoft Teams,
for Workstations,
redesigned taskbar,
Enterprise, SE
updated backgrounds
Changes to servicing
Home, Pro, schedules, minor UI
Education, changes, TLS 1.0 and 1.1
Windows
Enterprise, Pro will be disabled by
10 2022 – 2022 22H2 Yes
for Workstations, default, ability to consent
Update
Pro Education, S, to receiving urgent
Enterprise LTSC notifications when Focus
Assist is on
Spotlight for Desktop,
Home, Pro, new Media Player, UI
Windows Education, Pro improvements, live
Sun Valley
11 2022 2022 22H2 Education, Pro Yes captions, improved
2
Update for Workstations, Narrator and Voice
Enterprise, SE Access, Windows
Subsystem for Android
Windows Sun Valley 23H2 Home, Pro, Yes Windows AI Copilot,
 dynamic lighting, hide
the date and time on
Taskbar, native support
Education, Pro for new formats
11 2023 Education, Pro including 7-zip, RAR,
3
Update for Workstations, gz, Backup and restore
Enterprise, SE apps, taskbar regrouping,
improved volume mixer,
improved sharing
experience

Versions of Windows
Versions of Windows- Windows 1.0

Release Date

It was released on November 20, 1985.

Features

 It was the first attempt by Microsoft to design a graphical user interface(GUI) in 16-bit.
 It comprises Simple Graphics.
 Limited multitasking was offered and expected to have a more reliable future potential.
 Various versions like 1.02, 1.03, and 1.04 were also released.

Learn about the Types of Computers here.

Versions of Windows- Windows 2.0

Release Date

It was released on December 9, 1987.

Features

 16-bit Graphic User Interface (GUI) based working environment.

 The first version of Microsoft Word and Excel were practised for the first time on Windows 2.
 The control panel feature where various system settings and configuration choices were
available in one place.
 Unlike Windows 1.0, it came with additional features such as; it allows applications to overlap
each other.
 Versions like 2.10 and 2,11 were also released.
Versions of Windows- Windows 3.0

Release Date

It was launched by Microsoft on 22 May 1990.

Features

 It was the first Windows that required a hard drive.

 It uses 8086 microprocessors.
 It was the first version of Windows to find significant appreciation.
 It was also capable of executing the MS-DOS program in Windows that supported multitasking
in programs.
 It possesses both, conventional and expandable memory.
 Further versions like 3.1 and 3.2 were launched.

Versions of Windows- Window 95

Release Date

It was released on 15 August 1995[August 24, 1995 (Availability)].

Features

 It came as the first complete Operating System.

 Windows 95 offered a completely distinct environment with its new Start button and Start menu
features.
 Advanced from 16 bit GUI to 32 bit GUI with multitasking, and taskbar features.
 It blended MS-DOS and Windows products.
 Internet Explorer for the first time was used on Windows 95, but it could not be installed by
default. Later, Windows 95 improved and incorporated the IE browser by default.
 On December 31, 2001, Windows declared Windows 95, Windows 3, Windows 2, and Windows
1 versions of OS outdated and discontinued their support.
 It includes features like Device Manager to help list and control computer hardware, improved
memory handling capacity, mouse right-click feature, and more.
 It simplified plug-and-play features that enable hardware devices to be automatically installed
into the computer with the proper software and does not demand jumpers.

Know more about the Generations of Computers here.

Versions of Windows- Windows 98

Release Date

It was released to production on May 15, 1998.

Features
  Windows 98 was not a completely new version but just a developed/upgrade version of
Windows 95.
 It was released, with features like Internet Explorer 4.0, Windows Address Book, Outlook
Express, Microsoft Chat, and NetShow Player.
 The second version of Windows 98 was launched on 5 May 1999.
 In the second version of Windows 98, NetShow Player was replaced by Windows Media Player.
 The Extended support of Windows 98 closed on July 11, 2006.
 Windows 98 combines additional security for important files on the computer such as backing
up the registry automatically.
 Improved support for new devices and technologies such as ACPI(Advanced Configuration and
Power Interface), AGP(accelerated graphics port), IEEE 1394(FireWire), DVD(digital versatile disc
or digital video disc), USB(universal serial bus), and MMX(MultiMedia eXtension).
 It was a 16 bit and 32-bit product based on MS-DOS.

Versions of Windows- Windows 2000

Release Date

On 17 February 2000, it was launched.

Features

 It was officially issued on February 17, 2000, though its construction was started in late 1999.
 Windows 2000 is based on the Windows NT kernel and is also referred to as Windows NT 5.0.
 A core set of features was developed for manufacturing Windows 2000 but in four different
editions, targeting varied sectors.
 These incorporated; Server, Professional, Advanced Server, and Datacenter Server.
 It was acknowledged as one of the most secure OS ever.
 Multilingual User Interface which supported various languages.
 Multilingual version enables for User Interface and aids to switch, based on login.
 The automatic updating characteristic made its presence for the first time on Windows 2000,
and it was the first operating system to support hibernation.
 Windows 2000 later provided the base for Windows XP also.
 Extended support closed on July 13, 2010.

Versions of Windows- Windows XP

Release Date

It was introduced on 25 October 2001.

Features

 While the construction started on August 24, 2001, the official product was issued on October
25, 2001.
 Windows eXPerience is often abbreviated as XP, Moreover Microsoft Windows XP was code-
named Whistler.
  The 64-bit version of Windows XP was launched on 28 March 2003 and the Professional x64
version was launched on 24 April 2005.
 The two primary versions of Windows XP are; Windows XP Home Edition(Full or upgrade and
only 32-bit.) and Windows XP(Full or upgrade and 32-bit or 64-bit) Professional.
 Windows XP was thought the best edition of Windows, it followed Windows ME and gave
consumer-friendly elements.
 New interface and multilingual support increased reliability compared to earlier versions of
Microsoft Windows.
 High-speed start-up.
 More conventional Graphical User Interface (GUI).
 Extended support ended on April 8, 2014.

Versions of Windows- Windows Vista

Release Date

Released to the public on January 30, 2007.

Features

 Windows Vista is recognized as the successor to Windows XP in Microsoft’s Windows.

 It had an upgraded version of Graphical User Interface or can say a completely new GUI unlike
any previous version of Windows.
 Windows Vista was codenamed as “Longhorn.”
 Windows Media Player 11 and Internet Explorer 7 made their presence for the first time on
Windows Vista, combined with Windows Defender, an anti-spyware program.
 It was the first operating system to practice DVD-ROM for installation.
 Windows Vista also gave some helpful features such as Windows DVD Maker, speech
recognition, and Photo Gallery.
 Extended support expired on April 11, 2017.

Versions of Windows- Windows 7

Release Date

It was formally published by Microsoft to the public on October 22, 2009.

Features

 It was introduced to overcome all difficulties that were faced by Windows Vista.
 It was more stable, faster, and easy to use as compared to the earlier versions.
 Faster start-up time.
 Extended hardware assistance.
 It was issued with user-friendly features and less dialogue box overload.
 It supports multi-touch screen displays.
 Extended support ended on January 14, 2020.
Versions of Windows- Windows 8

Release Date

It was launched by Microsoft on 26 October 2012.

Features

 It was featured with new programming and technology that makes it run faster than the
previous versions.
 Came installed in new devices such as Laptops, Tablets, Mobile phones, etc.
 It was issued with new features, such as a fast operating system, support for the USB 3.0
devices, and Web store.
 Internet Explorer 10 was included.
 The Web store in Windows 8 is a place from where one can download several types of Windows
applications.
 The task manager had been redesigned.
 Windows 8 is convenient to be installed either in 32-bit or 64-bit.
 New security features were included.
 Windows 8.1 was launched on October 17, 2013. It was relaunched with the start button on the
desktop that initiates the Start Screen.

Also, learn about Microsoft Office here.

Versions of Windows- Windows 10

Release Date

On 29 July 2015, Microsoft introduced Windows 10.

Features

 Windows 10 is the latest version of Microsoft Windows.

 It was planned for all Windows platforms across various devices, as well as Windows tablets and
Phones, including common applications.
 Along with Internet Explorer, a new Microsoft Edge browser for Windows 10 users, was also
included.
 Addresses faults in the user interface initially introduced in Windows 8.
 Cortana; the new voice assistant was also added to the Windows search bar.
 It is provided with a virtual desktop system.

Also, learn about Computer Fundamentals here.

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More Features of Windows

Control Panel

The control panel of windows allows the user to configure and manage the resources on their
computer. For example, one can change settings for video, audio, printers, keyboard, mouse,
network connections, power-saving options, installed applications, date and time, user accounts,
and much more.

File Explorer

File Explorer is also identified as Windows Explorer, where all the files and folders on the
computer are displayed. It allows the users to search for the inserted removable disks like pen
drives and CDs, survey for the data on the hard drive, and SSD. Moreover, the content stored in
the drives can be renamed, deleted, searched, or even transferred.
Microsoft Paint

It is easy software to view, create, or edit an image. It allows several tools to edit or draw images
like resize, crop, and save an image with a distinct file extension.

Taskbar

Windows are installed with a taskbar that illustrates currently opened programs/tabs, it also
enables users to access any particular programs. Additionally, there is a notification area on the
right side that shows volume, battery, date and time, network, and other background running
applications.

Start Menu

The start menu of Microsoft Windows is present on the left side of the taskbar which displays
programs and services that are installed on the computer.

Internet browser

The internet browser assists the users to search for anything, view pages, watch videos, do online
shopping, play games, etc.

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