Differences between Windows versions of operating systems and basic differences between Windows editions. This is exactly what this article will discuss.

Each subsequent version of Windows differs from the previous one in features and functionality. Let's take a closer look at the fundamental differences between all major versions of the operating system. Consider the corporation's most popular products in order of their release to the market.

Windows XP
The Windows XP version is considered outdated today. Since mid-2016, Microsoft has not released an update to this operating system. Therefore, modern programs and applications are not compatible with this version. In addition, at work software the algorithm itself is different.

First of all, it should be noted that the search is not very convenient. The system does not start searching for the desired document until you enter the entire keyword. Because of this, the time spent on the operation increases significantly. In addition, launching programs is not ergonomic. In order to find the required application, you need to know exactly where it is located. Otherwise, you can spend many minutes examining pop-up menus, turning pages, and still not find the required program.

In terms of file playback, Windows XP is also inferior to its modern counterparts. For example, when viewing videos and photos, they are projected only onto the monitor. In other words, the user does not have the opportunity to connect other devices, for example, plasma TV, to broadcast the signal.

Windows 7
Unlike Windows XP, this version of the software has more sophisticated search and control algorithms. For example, to search for files, there is an interactive form in the Start menu. To use it, just start typing the name of the file and application you are looking for. After this, the system itself will offer you several materials that match the description.

The network settings have also changed. So in Windows 7, when creating a network, settings occur automatically, while the user is only asked to select additional options. For example, saving a password. TO personal computer With the presented OS you can connect additional equipment. For example, TVs with built-in or additional tuners.

File and folder management deserves special attention. Consider a situation where you need to find and play music from the same artist, which, however, is actually located in different folders. In this case, you can sort the entire library according to specified characteristics and enjoy listening.

That's not all functional features Windows 7, because this wonderful operating system is loved by users due to its impressive functionality and compatibility with most applications. In addition, the OS is compatible even with low technical capabilities computers.

Windows 10
IN Windows design 10 the dominant trend is flat. IN Lately This design technique is especially popular among large developers and publishers from around the world. However, let's look at functionality and navigation, leaving out the aesthetic side of the issue.

So, Windows 10 has been supplemented with a new field for system messages and notifications. Here the user will be able to see important notifications in chronological order, as well as application messages (new emails, download completion, etc.). The OS can implement several desktops at once, which is extremely convenient. Imagine having different sets of applications and folders on your PC for work and leisure. It is very comfortable.

The presence of a visual assistant is also an advantage of this version. With its help, you can keep a journal and quickly search for the necessary information. Among other updates, it should be noted the absence of the usual Internet Explorer. Installed instead new browser Spartan, which comes with much more impressive functionality.

The user has extensive opportunities to synchronize data not only between browsers, but also in applications. From the point of view of installing games and add-ons, this version is preferable, because it is compatible with all new game developments. According to analysts, over the next year, Windows 10 will become the most popular operating system in the world.

Differences between editions of Windows
Along with the differences between versions, there are multiple differences between editions of the same operating system. Let's discuss these differences in more detail using Windows 10 and Windows 7 as an example.

Editions of the seventh version of Windows:
Starter is the simplest edition, intended for undemanding users.
Home – here there is a minimum range of settings necessary for comfortable work.
Professional (Professional) – the edition contains a sufficient set of tools for managing the content and functionality of the OS.
Corporate (Enterprise) – the operating system is intended for corporate use, compatible with office programs and applications. Maximum adapted for efficient work.
Maximum (Ultimate) – combines everything functionality previous editions and fully corresponds to its name.
Editions of the tenth version of Windows:
Windows 10 Home is designed for home use and contains only basic functions.
Windows 10 Professional has advanced customization tools and a list of business features.
Windows 10 Enterprise – software for large corporations and holdings.

operating system Windows has neither less nor more, but thirty years of experience, during which it went through a difficult path of development from the very first Windows 1.0, created by Bill Gates back in 1985, and to the latest this moment tenth version.

And even though the first version of Windows was not an independent operating system, it paved the way for future graphic systems from Microsoft.

Windows 95

The year 1995 was marked by the release of a new multitasking graphics system Windows, which already presented its Russian version in November of the same year.

This operating system had a huge set of innovations that made it the most recognizable among similar products.

Windows 95 acquired a full-fledged graphical interface and became a truly independent system.

She was able to surprise everyone with the menu that appeared « Start», system tray, as well as the basis of all basics - the desktop.

The average user was attracted to this operating system by its extremely simple and very convenient interface.

When you press the button « Start» a small window opened with all the necessary tools, among which were « Search», « Reference», « Execute», « Stop» And « Shutdown ».

In addition, there was an item « Settings», which allowed you to customize not only the control panel and taskbar, but also printers installed by users.

Also, such an important item was added to this window as « Programs». It displayed all the programs that participated in startup, as well as standard ones, containing a decent set of necessary elements.

Some of them became a kind of calling card of Microsoft Corporation and were passed on to all subsequent versions of Windows with enviable stability.

It’s even impossible to imagine any version of this operating system without games « Sapper», « Hearts», as well as solitaire « Kerchief».

Nowadays, we also sometimes don’t mind relaxing after a hard day at work and playing cards on our home computer.

Total Windows 2000 received 4 service packs and two collections of patches.

All of them were aimed not only at correcting security flaws in the operating system, but also at solving other serious problems.

Windows XP

The next stage in the development of network operating systems was Windows XP, which during development bore the internal name Whistler.

This Microsoft product was released in October 2001 and was strictly a client system.

Windows XP was rightfully one of the most best systems in the world, as it had not only a simple and most convenient interface, but also an improved color scheme.

Almost all visual elements of this operating system had a colorful and voluminous appearance, and low system requirements any hardware making it the most popular and used operating system.

Over the years, quite a large number of versions have been released Windows XP, however, two of them were available to the Russian-speaking user - Windows XP Professional Edition And Windows XP Home Edition.

The first was intended, to a greater extent, for enterprises and all kinds of entrepreneurs and had a rich set of functions in its arsenal.

Among them it is worth noting the presence remote access to the desktop, support for multiprocessor configurations, and the ability to encrypt files.

Home Edition was released on the same kernel as Professional Edition, however, it was a stripped-down version of it.

As a result, this operating system was relatively inexpensive and was used on home PCs.

Operating room preview Windows systems Vista

Another product of the NT family was Windows Vista, which was launched in January 2007.

This system was aimed primarily at working on personal home computers and workstations.

Compared to XP Vista began to have a new interface design and updated input and output controls.

In addition, Vista has introduced a new sleep mode feature based on “hibernation files.”

This function made it possible to restore the computer’s operation not only using RAM data, but also a copy of it, which was saved on the computer’s hard drive.

The operating system added a transparent sidebar that the user could fill with the mini-applications they liked.

To avoid infecting the operating system with viruses from external media (USB devices), Windows Vista By default, their autorun function was disabled.

A rather interesting and useful option was the function parental controls, with which it was possible to restrict children’s access not only to certain sites, but also to the use of certain programs.

(June 25, 1998) - Windows 98 was the first system designed specifically for home users. It contained improved search for information on a PC and on the Internet, support for DVD and USB, and a quick launch panel for programs. It is noteworthy that this was the last system based on MS-DOS.

Windows NT family

Windows Embedded Family

Windows Security

Story

2018

Availability of commercial support for OpenJDK on the Microsoft Windows platform

A file was found in Windows that collects passwords and e-mail messages

In September 2018, it became known about the existence of a secret file in Windows that stores passwords and correspondence via e-mail. The problem is relevant for users of devices with touch screens.

Windows is no longer Microsoft's core business

In April 2018, Bloomberg published an article entitled "Microsoft is officially no longer a Windows company." Journalists noticed that operating systems do not bring the American company the greatest income compared to other products, and the software giant itself is increasingly focusing on cloud technologies.

In 2012, then-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that “nothing is more important than Windows” for the company. During one of the conferences, he emotionally chanted: “Windows! Windows! Windows!

Microsoft has released regular updates less often and has also made them part of the cost of buying a new computer or a PC contract for companies, rather than having customers pay for new hardware or upgrade the operating system when the next version comes out.

Every year, no more than 15% of sales of smartphones, tablets and computers combined are made up of devices running Windows control, and the OS is not expanding into new areas, such as self-driving cars or smart home systems.

2014

Windows XP leads in the number of installations in enterprises

Windows 10 release

Windows 10 will support various types of devices:

• desktop PCs,
• laptops,
• tablets,
• TVs.

Windows 3.0 had nice graphics user interface(compared to what had hitherto appeared for the IBM PC), provided a significant range of services, operated with the entire amount of memory addressable by the microprocessor 80286, 80386 and higher. With 32-bit microprocessors (80386 and higher) and at least 2 MB available Windows memory 3.0 could use virtual memory, this operating mode was called extended (386 Enhanced Mode).

1988-1993: Lawsuit with Apple over visual interface

1983: Start of development and prototype of the graphical OS

On November 10, 1983, Microsoft announced the start of graphical development operating shell Windows, although at the end of 1982 Microsoft programmers began to create a universal set of graphics procedures called the Computer Graphic Interface (CGI).

By the November 1983 COMDEX exhibition, the first Windows prototype was ready. When the first version of Windows was presented, it was promised that commercial sales would begin in May 1984. In the spring of 1984, the sales start date was pushed back to November. In November 1984, this date was moved to June 1985.

Windows and piracy

In 2007, Microsoft published interesting statistics. According to the data obtained from the results of the work Windows programs Genuine Advantage, one in five (22%) Windows in the world is unlicensed. At the same time, according to the analytical company Business Software Alliance, the percentage of use of pirated copies of the OS is much higher, amounting to about 35%.

Microsoft is actively fighting against illegal use of its operating system. So, in 2007, Microsoft provided corporate users with the opportunity to switch from pirated Windows to a licensed one, paying only for the “license”. By participating in this action, organizations were exempt from penalties for using pirated Windows.

In December 2008, Microsoft filed 63 lawsuits against sellers of counterfeit software from 12 countries. They were accused of selling pirated copies of the Windows XP operating system. According to Microsoft, sellers were offering the Windows XP Blue Edition operating system at online auctions. Buyers were informed that the Blue Edition was a special licensed version Windows XP with low price.

Around the same time, the Frunzensky District Court of Vladivostok sentenced a local resident to one year of suspended imprisonment and a fine of 117 thousand rubles for illegally installing the Windows XP operating system and a suite of Microsoft office applications. Then, the investigation established that the defendant, for 2 thousand rubles, installed counterfeit computers on four computers. Microsoft programs Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Office XP.

Initially, the project of a graphical add-on for MS-DOS was called Interface Manager. Roland Hanson, the company's chief marketer, suggested changing the name to Windows.

The first officially released version of Windows was Windows 1.01. Version 1.0 was never released due to a serious bug.

Many people prefer to have the Windows operating system on their computers. Now more and more new versions are constantly appearing, but once upon a time there was a first time for everything. Have you ever wondered how Windows came into being? Or, for example, what was the very first Windows like? Especially for this, we have written an article that covers all these issues, and also consider the chronology of the appearance of versions of this operating system.

It all started in 1975. Bill Gates and Paul Allen decide to create Microsoft. The company sets itself a global goal - to every home!

The emergence of MS-DOS.

The appearance of the Windows OS was preceded by the appearance of the no less famous MS-DOS OS. In 1980, Microsoft received an order from IBM and work began on creating software that was supposed to control the operation of the PC and be a link between hardware and programs. This is how MS-DOS was born.

The emergence of Windows 1.0.

MS-DOS was an efficient, but difficult to learn, operating system. It was necessary to improve the interaction between the user and the OS.
In 1982, work began on creating a new OS - Windows. An interesting fact is that the name “Interface Manager” was originally proposed, but this name did not describe well what the user saw on the screen, so the final name was “Windows”. Announcement new system took place in 1983. Skeptics criticized it, as a result of which the market version of “Windows 1.0” was released only on November 20, 1985.
The new OS has a lot of unique elements:
1) navigation through the interface using the mouse cursor;
2) drop-down menus;
3) scroll bars;
4) dialog boxes;
It became possible to work with several programs simultaneously. Windows 1.0 included a number of programs: MS DOS (file management), Paint (graphics editor), Windows Writer, Notepad (notepad), calendar, calculator, clock. For entertainment, the game “Reversi” appeared.

The emergence of Windows 2.0.

On December 9, 1987, Windows 2.0 was released.
It has increased memory capacity and desktop icons. It becomes possible to move windows and change appearance screen. Windows 2.0 was designed for the Intel 286 processor.

The emergence of “Windows 3.0” – “Windows NT”.

Windows 3.0 was released on May 22, 1990, and two years later Windows 3.1 (32-bit OS) appeared.
In this version, much attention was paid to system performance and graphics. This version was “tailored” for the Intel 386 processor. In Windows 3.0, file, print and program managers have been created, and the list of mini-games has been increased. The OS also comes with new development tools for programmers specializing in creating programs for Windows.
On July 27, 1993, “Windows NT” appears.

The emergence of Windows 95.

Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995.
It included Internet support and dial-up network support. Plug and Play function ( quick installation equipment and software) received new capabilities. Improved technologies have appeared for working with video files and mobile devices. The following appear for the first time in the new OS:
1) Start menu;
2) taskbar;
3) window control buttons;
For Windows 95 to work, memory of at least 4 MB and an Intel 386DX processor were required.

The appearance of “Windows 98”, “Windows 2000”, “Windows Me”.

On June 25, 1998, “Windows 98” appears.
This system was developed specifically for the consumer, since the speed of working with the Internet was increased, and it became easier to find the necessary information. Innovations include support for DVD format discs and support for USB devices, and a quick launch panel has appeared.
Windows Me OS was developed specifically for home PCs. It has become more convenient to work with video and music. Appeared useful feature“System Restore”, thanks to which you can return the state of the OS to a certain date.
When creating Windows 2000, they took Windows NT Workstation 4.0 as a basis. This OS simplifies hardware installation by supporting self-configuring devices.

The emergence of Windows XP.

Windows XP was introduced on October 25, 2001.
The design of this OS is aimed at user convenience when working. This version has become one of the most stable in the Windows product line. Increased attention was paid to safety when working on the Internet.

The emergence of Windows Vista.

Windows Vista went on sale in 2006.
It introduced user account control, which increased the level of security. Updates to the Windows Media program have appeared, and the design of the OS has changed.

Hello dear readers, Trishkin Denis is with you.
I try to share with you interesting information, which is associated with Windows operating system tools. Today I wanted to tell you directly about the shell itself. From the article you can find out how the story began creating Windows, as well as its rapid evolution. I think this will be interesting to everyone.

Windows is an operating system from Microsoft Corporation, which without a doubt has become one of the key factors in the development of not only computer technology, but also of all humanity. It is because of it that millions of people around the world use laptops and desktop machines.

Windows is installed on almost 90% of all computers in the world, while its closest rival, Mac OS, boasts only 9%.

Windows 1.0

So where did it all start? In short, the first version of Windows was a graphical add-on for MS-DOS. It was designed to make work easier command line. And many users at first could not understand such changes.

It is generally accepted that the history of Windows began in November 1985. It was then that the first version with index 1.0 saw the world. She had a small set various programs, which helped expand the available capabilities in DOS. In addition, as planned by the creators, it was supposed to simplify the work of users.

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Next stages of development( )

Windows 2.0

After some time it appeared updated version – 2.0.

But it was not accepted by clients at all, and completely passed by the computer world.

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Windows 3.0

Five years after the release, in 1990, modification 3.0 was released, which was positively received by many users, and therefore was installed on a large number of machines. Its popularity was explained by several key factors:

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The interface allowed people to work with information without using special teams, which had to be entered on the line, but using intuitive actions on familiar objects, expressed graphically.

So, for example, to delete a folder, you just had to drag it to the trash.

Ability to work simultaneously with several applications.

The simplicity and convenience of writing programs for this OS led to their widespread appearance.

Work with various peripheral equipment is better organized.

The revised version (3.1) has improved security and enabled support for multimedia devices. And in 3.11, support for computer networks already appeared.

Windows NT

Along with the first developments, Microsoft began to create Windows version N.T. Its main objectives were to ensure efficient network operation and high security. At the same time, the interface was absolutely no different from model 3.0. And by 1992, NT 3.1 was released to the world, and a little later – 3.5.

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First global success( )

Windows 95

Windows 95 can easily be called a real breakthrough in the computer industry. It appeared in 1995. The operating system marked a new stage in the development of the history of the company and all computers in the world in general. Compared to its predecessor, the interface has changed noticeably.

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Most programs worked faster. It provided for automatic installation of new devices - this helped eliminate possible conflicts between them. Well, the most important thing is that developers began to take the first steps to support the Internet, which was just emerging. The interface of this version became the main one for all future modifications.

The very next year, the company pleased with the updated server system NT 4.0, which received the same interface as Win 95. In addition, it significantly improved security tools and improved interaction between users.

Operating systems of the 00s( )

Windows 98

Microsoft decided not to stop there and continued to work. The result was Windows 98, released in the same year. Compared to its predecessor, the new product has received a significantly redesigned structure.

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In addition to all the advantages of the previous OS, it was decided to introduce full-fledged tools for working with the Internet, as well as support for modern protocols for the functioning of the network. In addition, it became possible to display information on several monitors at once.

Windows Millennium and 2000

The next significant event was the release of the “axes” with the indices 2000 and Me (Millenium). They were presented almost simultaneously. The first was developed based on NT. This gave it high reliability and data security. Two versions have appeared: Server - for servers, and Professional - for user computers.

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The OS called Windows Me in fact became an extension of 98. At the same time, it received improved support for working with multimedia information. It is believed that the product turned out to be the most unfinished in the entire history of the corporation and even a failure. It was characterized by constant freezes, unstable operation and frequent crashes.

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Breakthrough( )

Windows XP

After many improvements, Windows XP was released a year later. The operating system was based on the NT kernel. That is why it clearly stood out among its predecessors due to its efficiency and high stability of operation. Support for many programs has appeared, additional functions. But the most important achievement can be safely called the redesigned attractive interface. It has become softer and more rounded.

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This product is considered to be a success in the history of the corporation. Even at the end of 2008, it was used on almost 70% of all computers in the world. Even though by this time there were already new OSes.

After this, three major updates were introduced in addition, the last of which was released in the spring of 2008. Each of them was aimed at expanding capabilities and eliminating errors. They also helped to “close” inaccuracies in the security system. XP can rightfully be called the longest-lived in the entire history of Microsoft.

Windows Server 2003

In 2003, the corporation presented the OS index Server 2003, which replaced 2000. After that, the R2 update was released. The system is said to have “set a new bar” in terms of performance and reliability. She for a long time was considered one of the most popular and successful server products from the Redmond company.

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New approach( )

Windows Vista

Even before the release of XP, the company was actively working on another project. Its code name was Windows Longhorn. Before release, it was decided to change it to Vista.

The OS was released in 2007. The productive and reliable kernel of Server 2003 was taken as the basis. The developers added new functions, and most importantly, changed the interface, which many did not like.

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But despite all this, the product received a lot of negative reviews due to insufficient support for most third-party programs and poor performance in general. It was even called a “failure.”

Just imagine, many users were happy with the excellent performance of XP (compared to previous versions), and suddenly a system appears that requires much more resources. Old machines simply could not “pull” the new software. In addition, the company simply could not implement normal compatibility with many device drivers.