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Windows
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The most widely used operating system for desktop and laptop computers. Developed by Microsoft, Windows primarily runs on x86-based CPUs, although some versions run on Intel's Itanium CPUs. Windows provides a graphical user interface and desktop environment in which applications are displayed in resizable, movable windows on screen.

Windows comes in both client and server versions, all of which support networking, the difference being that the server versions are designed to be dedicated servers. The client versions of Windows may also share data over the network and can be configured to grant access to all or specific files only. Windows PCs are used to access a variety of servers on the network, including Windows servers, Unix, Linux and NetWare servers and mainframes. See operating system.

Windows How to's
All the Windows "how to's" in this Encyclopedia have a "Win" prefix in front of their name in order to group them together in the index; for example, Win Change window appearance and Win Finding files. For fundamentals on how to work with Windows, see Win abc's.

Following is a summary of Windows versions, starting with Windows Vista, the future version of Windows.

Windows NT Lineage (32 & 64 bit)

Windows Vista (code named Longhorn - expected 2006)
The code name for the next version of Windows for client and server. Some Vista features are expected to be available for Windows XP. See Windows Vista.

Windows XP (2001)
Windows XP is the current client version of Windows, which comes in Home and Professional versions, the latter adding more security and administrative capabilities. There are also versions of XP that run on AMD's 64-bit CPUs and Intel's 64-bit Itaniums. See Windows XP.

Windows 2000 (2000)
Windows 2000 is an updated version of Windows NT 4 for client and server. It added numerous enhancements including Plug and Play and Active Directory. Windows 2000 comes in one workstation version and three server versions. There are server versions that support AMD's 64-bit CPUs and Intel's 64-bit Itaniums. See Windows 2000.

Windows NT (1993)
Windows NT 3.1 was a completely new 32-bit OS with separate client and server versions. Introduced during the reign of Windows 3.1 and two years before Windows 95, it used the same Program Manager user interface as Windows 3.1, but provided greater stability. In 1996, Windows NT 4.0 switched to the Windows 95 Start menu and Taskbar interface, but did not include Plug and Play. NT Server gained significant market share, while NT Workstation (client version) was used by the professional user and did not impact the Windows 95/98 market. See Windows NT.

Windows 95 Lineage (32 bit)

Windows ME (2000)
An upgrade to Windows 98. ME had a shorter boot time but no longer could be booted into DOS only (DOS sessions could still be run in a Windows window). See Windows ME.

Windows 98 (1998)
Windows 98 was an upgrade to Windows 95 that tightly integrated the Internet Explorer Web browser with the OS. In 1999, Windows 98 Second Edition fixed numerous bugs and upgraded its applications. See Windows 98 and Windows Second Edition.

Windows 95 (1995)
Windows 95 was the first 32-bit Windows operating system and a major upgrade from Windows 3.1. It used an entirely different user interface that incorporated the now-common Start menu and Taskbar. It was also the first time the computer booted directly into Windows, rather than being loaded after booting up in DOS. See Windows 95.

Windows 3.0 Lineage (16 bit)

Windows 3.1 (1992)
An upgrade to Windows 3.0 that provided a more stable and faster environment. It evolved into Windows for Workgroups Version 3.11, which added peer-to-peer networking and was the last 16-bit Windows version. See Windows 3.1.

Windows 3.0 (1990)
The first popular version of Windows. It provided a new and colorful user interface that was far superior to earlier versions. The PC was still booted up in DOS, but Windows included a DOS extender that broke the one megabyte memory barrier, a major breakthrough for that time. Windows 3.0 was widely used to multitask DOS applications. See Windows 3.0.

The First Windows (16 bit)

Windows 2.0/286/386 (1987)
Windows 2.0 introduced overlapping, resizable windows with more flexibility. Soon after, Windows/386 was released for Intel's 386 CPU, which could run multiple DOS applications simultaneously (Windows 2.0 was then renamed Windows/286). Windows was starting to become more useful, and a handful of companies adopted it as an operating environment. See Windows 2.0.

Windows 1.0 (1985)
The first version of Windows introduced the "MS-DOS Executive," which was a DOS application that ran applications in side-by-side windows. It barely made a dent in the market. See Windows 1.0.

Word
Windows Size Year Built-in
Version (bits) Intr. Networking

Windows NT Lineage
Windows XP 32 2001 X
Windows 2000 32 2000 X
Windows NT 32 1993 X

Windows 95 Lineage
Windows ME 32 2000 X
Windows 98 32 1998 X
Windows 95 32 1995 X

Windows 3.0 Lineage
WfW 3.1 16 1992 X
Windows 3.1 16 1992
Windows 3.0 16 1990

Early Versions
Windows/386 16 1987
Windows 2.0 16 1987
Windows 1.0 16 1985