list of Windows versions

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