00:00Have you ever stopped to think about the window on your screen for nearly four decades?
00:04Microsoft Windows has been the digital window through which billions of people work, play, and connect.
00:09It's more than just an operating system, it's a cultural phenomenon that has shaped the modern world.
00:13Today, we're diving deep into the complete history of Microsoft Windows,
00:17from a humble graphical shell to a sophisticated AI-powered platform.
00:20Our story begins in the early 1980s.
00:23The world of computing was dominated by text-based interfaces like MS-DOS.
00:27You had to type commands to get anything done, but a revolution was brewing.
00:31Inspired by graphical user interfaces from Xerox PARC and APA's Lisa,
00:35a young Bill Gates envisioned a more intuitive way to interact with computers.
00:38He called it Windows.
00:40On November 20, 1985, after two years of development and much anticipation,
00:45Microsoft launched Windows 1.0.
00:47It wasn't a standalone operating system but a graphical environment that ran on top of MS-DOS.
00:52It introduced features we now take for granted, drop-down menus, scroll bars, icons,
00:57and the ability to switch between programs without quitting and restarting.
01:00It even had a mouse for pointing and clicking.
01:03Early applications included MS-DOS Executive, a calendar, a clock, and the now legendary programs.
01:08Paint and Notepad
01:10While revolutionary in concept, Windows 1.0 was slow, required expensive hardware,
01:15and had limited software support.
01:17It was a bold first step, but not a commercial smash hit.
01:20The journey continued with Windows 2.0 in 1987, which brought overlapping Windows and improved
01:26performance.
01:26This was also the version that saw the first appearances of Microsoft Word and Excel for
01:31Windows, building the foundation for the future Microsoft Office suite.
01:35Then, in 1990, came the game-changer.
01:37Windows 3.0
01:39Windows 3.0
01:40Windows 3.0 in its popular update 3.1, was the first truly successful version of Windows.
01:44It boasted a much improved user interface with 16 color VGA graphics, a new program manager,
01:50and file manager, and better memory management.
01:52Crucially, it came pre-installed on many new PCs, making it accessible to millions.
01:57And let's not forget the included games, Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts.
02:01These weren't just for fun.
02:02They were clever tutorials, teaching users essential mouse skills like dragging, dropping,
02:07and double-clicking.
02:08Windows 3.1 sold millions of copies, firmly establishing Microsoft as the dominant force
02:13in PC software.
02:14But the biggest leap was yet to come.
02:16On August 24, 1995, Microsoft launched Windows 95 with an unprecedented marketing blitz.
02:23The world was introduced to the start menu, the taskbar, and the concept of plug-and-play
02:27for easier hardware installation.
02:29For the first time, Windows was a true 32-bit operating system that integrated MS-DOS, rather
02:34than just running on top of it.
02:36It supported long filenames and introduced Internet Explorer, marking the beginning of
02:40Microsoft's deep integration with the burgeoning World Wide Web.
02:43The launch was a global event.
02:45A cultural moment, Windows 95 was a monumental success, selling 7 million copies in its first
02:50five weeks and defining the user experience for a generation.
02:53The late 90s saw the release of Windows 98, which improved on 95 with better USB support
02:58and web integration, and the less-loved Windows Me, or Millennium Edition, which was notoriously
03:03unstable.
03:04At the same time, Microsoft was developing a separate, more robust line of operating systems
03:09for business and servers called Windows NT.
03:11This dual approach culminated in one of the most beloved operating systems of all time.
03:16Windows XP, launched in 2001.
03:18XP, short for experience, merged the stability of the NT architecture with the user-friendly
03:23interface of the Windows 9X line.
03:25It introduced a redesigned, colorful look named Luna, with its iconic green start button
03:30and blissful Green Hill wallpaper.
03:32XP was fast, stable, and visually appealing.
03:35It became the standard for homes and businesses alike, enjoying an incredibly long lifespan.
03:40Even after its support ended in 2014, millions held onto it, a testament to its reliability and
03:45familiarity.
03:46After the soaring success of XP, Microsoft's next step, Windows Vista in 2007, was a stumble.
03:52Vista introduced the aerographical interface with translucent glass-like effects and a new security
03:57system called user account control.
03:59While visually ambitious, it was plagued by performance issues, hardware incompatibilities,
04:03and constant security prompts that annoyed users.
04:06Vista was a commercial disappointment and a lesson in managing user expectations.
04:10Learning from Vista's mistakes, Microsoft went back to the drawing board.
04:14The result was Windows 7, released in 2009.
04:17Windows 7 was everything Vista should have been.
04:20It refined the aero interface, improved performance dramatically, and made the system more intuitive.
04:24It introduced features like snapping Windows, jump lists, and a streamlined task.
04:29Users and critics loved it.
04:31Windows 7 was a massive success, quickly replacing XP as the world's most popular operating system
04:36and restoring faith in the Windows brand.
04:38But Microsoft wasn't done innovating, or perhaps, taking risks.
04:42In 2012, they released Windows 8.
04:45In a radical departure, it removed the classic start menu and desktop in favor of a touch-first
04:50tile-based start screen, designed for the emerging tablet market.
04:53This was a jarring change for the billions of mouse and keyboard users.
04:56The dual interface felt disjointed, and the learning curve was steep.
05:00While an update, Windows 8.1, brought back a start button of sorts, the damage was done.
05:05Windows 8 remains one of the most controversial releases in the platform's history.
05:09This led to another course correction.
05:11In 2015, Microsoft skipped a number and jumped straight to Windows 10, signaling a fresh start.
05:17They called it Windows as a Service, a continuously updated platform that would be the last version
05:22of Windows.
05:22It brought back a refined start menu that blended the classic list with modern live tiles.
05:27It introduced the Cortana Digital Assistant, the new Microsoft Edge browser, and a unified
05:32experience across desktops, tablets, and even Xbox.
05:35Windows 10 was offered as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8 users, a strategy that led to
05:40rapid and widespread adoption.
05:42For six years, it was the cornerstone of the Microsoft ecosystem.
05:45Then, in a surprise move, Microsoft announced Windows 11 in 2021.
05:50This last version of Windows had a successor, after all.
05:54Windows 11 brought a significant visual overhaul, with a centered start menu and taskbar, rounded
05:59corners, and a clean modern aesthetic.
06:01It focused on productivity, with new features like Snap, layouts for better multitasking, and
06:06deeper integration with Microsoft Teams.
06:08It also promised better performance and security, along with the ability to run Android apps.
06:13From a clunky shell running on MISDOS to a sophisticated, cloud-connected, AI-integrated platform.
06:18The history of Microsoft Windows is a story of bold innovation, occasional missteps, and
06:23relentless adaptation.
06:24It has democratized computing, powered businesses, and been the backdrop for countless hours of
06:29human creativity and connection.
06:30As we look to the future with AI becoming more integrated through features like Copilot,
06:35one thing is certain, the window to our digital world will keep evolving, and Microsoft
06:39will be there trying to shape what we see through it.
06:41Thanks for watching our journey through the history of Windows.
06:44Which version was your favorite?
06:46Let us know in the comments below.
06:47And if you enjoyed this deep dive, be sure to like this video, and subscribe for more tech
06:51history.
06:52See you in the next one.
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