Microsoft Windows

**Microsoft Windows** is an operating system for computers made by the United States-based company Microsoft. Windows is the most popular operating system, being used by almost 51% of desktop and laptop computers. Versions are available all over the world especially in the European Union, United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

## History

The first version of Windows, Windows 1.0, came out on November 20, 1985. The newest version, Windows 11, came out October 5, 2021. Most personal computers made after 2015 come with Windows 10. However, some older or cheaper personal computers may come with Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.

Windows makes it easier to run programs, also called applications, than MS-DOS did. DOS required typed commands to make the computer do something. However, DOS required correct syntax of each command. Making mistakes caused the computer to usually give an error message and do nothing.

## Design

Users control their Windows computer by its graphical user interface (GUI). It only needs a keyboard or a mouse to work. In later versions, a touch screen works as well. However, using both a keyboard and a mouse makes many tasks easier. By clicking a few buttons on the screen, Windows helps keep your files safe, and easier to change and move. Versions of Windows after 2005 make it even easier for some users with disabilities because these versions have touch screens. For use of a touch screen, some mobile devices come with Windows. Tablet computers and smartphones such as Microsoft Surface and Microsoft Lumia use Windows.

## Programs

The following programs are included with Windows:

- WordPad – to write simple documents, typically using words/text.
- Windows Photo Viewer – to look at pictures.
- Microsoft Paint – to make simple drawings or change pictures.
- Microsoft Edge web browser – to use the Internet to look at web pages and download files.
- Windows DVD Player – to watch videos.
- Windows Groove Music – to play and listen to music.

Windows has several kinds of applications available. Popular applications include games, word processors, or additional programs like Adobe Flash Player. Adding new applications to Windows is called "installing". Applications can be bought or purchased on a CD or DVD. Applications can also be downloaded from the Internet. Some internet applications can be downloaded for free, and others can be bought using the internet.

## Versions

|abbr="release"|Release date|abbr="name"|Product name|Notes|Last IE|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Windows 1.0|Unsupported since December 31, 2001 (help for problems no longer given by Microsoft)|||||
|Windows 2.x|Unsupported since December 31, 2001|||||
|Windows 3.x|Unsupported since December 31, 2001|||||
|Windows NT 3.1|Unsupported since December 31, 2001|5.x||||
|Windows 9x|Unsupported (Windows 95 mainstream support ended on December 31, 2000 and extended support ended on December 31, 2001, for Windows 98 mainstream support ended on June 30, 2002, mainstream support for Windows ME ended on December 31, 2003 and extended support for both operating systems ended on July 11, 2006)|6||||
|Windows CE|Windows CE 6.0: Mainstream support ended on April 9, 2013; Unsupported as of April 10, 2018 Windows Embedded Compact 7: Mainstream support ended on April 12, 2016; Unsupported as of April 13, 2021 Windows 8 Embedded Compact 2013: Mainstream support ended on October 9, 2018; Unsupported as of October 10, 2023|6-7||||
|Windows 2000|Mainstream support ended on June 30, 2005; Unsupported as of July, 13, 2010|6||||
|Windows ME|Mainstream support ended on December 31, 2003; Unsupported as of July 11, 2006|6||||
|Windows XP|Mainstream support ended on April 14, 2009; Unsupported as of April 8, 2014|8||||
|Windows Server 2003|Mainstream support ended on July 13, 2010; Unsupported as of July 14, 2015|8||||
|Windows Vista|Mainstream support ended on April 10, 2012; Unsupported as of April 11, 2017 Version Changed to NT 6.0.6001 with SP1 (4 February 2008)|9||||
|Windows Home Server 20xx|Unsupported (Microsoft will help fix problems for this kind of Windows, including problems that make your computer less safe)|8||||
|Windows Server 2008|Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015; Unsupported since January 14, 2020. Volume licensing customers could purchase extended security updates (ESU) until January 10, 2023 (January 9, 2024 for Azure customers).||9 or Edge|||
|Windows Server 2008 R2|Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015; Unsupported since January 14, 2020. Volume licensing customers could purchase extended security updates (ESU) until January 10, 2023 (January 9, 2024 for Azure customers).||10-11 or Edge|||
|Windows 7|Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015; Unsupported since January 14, 2020 for home users. Volume licensing customers could purchase extended security updates (ESU) until January 10, 2023.|11 or Edge||||
|Windows 8.x|All editions except Windows Embedded 8 Standard: Mainstream support ended on January 9, 2018; Supported until January 10, 2023. Updates to apps using the Windows Store no longer available as of July 1, 2023. Windows Embedded 8 Standard: Mainstream support support ended on July 10, 2018; extended support ended on July 11, 2023.|11 or Edge||||
|Windows RT|Mainstream support ended on January 9, 2018; Unsupported as of January 10, 2023|11 or Edge||||
|Windows 8.1|All editions except Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry: Mainstream support ended on January 9, 2018; Supported until January 10, 2023.  Updates to apps using the Windows Store until July 1, 2023. Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry: Mainstream support ended on July 10, 2018; extended support ended on July 11, 2023.|11 or Edge||||
|Windows Server 2012|Mainstream support ended on October 9, 2018; Unsupported as of October 10, 2023. Volume licensing customers can purchase extended security updates (ESU) until October 13, 2026.|11 or Edge||||
|Windows Server 2012 R2|Mainstream support ended on October 9, 2018; Unsupported as of October 10, 2023. Volume licensing customers can purchase extended security updates (ESU) until October 13, 2026.|11 or Edge||||
|Windows 10|Mainstream support ended on October 13, 2020; Supported until October 14, 2025|11 or Edge||||
|Windows Server 2016|Mainstream support already ended on January 11, 2022; Supported until January 12, 2027|11 or Edge||||
|Windows Server 2019|Mainstream support until January 9, 2024; Supported until January 9, 2029|11 or Edge||||
|Windows 11|All editions except **Windows 11 IoT Enterprise** and **Windows 11 IoT Enterprise for ARM**: Mainstream support until January 12, 2027; Supported until January 13, 2032. **Windows 11 IoT Enterprise** and **Windows 11 IoT Enterprise for ARM**: Mainstream support until October 8, 2024; Supported support until December 31, 2031.|11 (disabled by default) or Edge||||
|Windows Server 2022|Mainstream support until October 13, 2026; Supported until October 14, 2031|11 (disabled by default) or Edge||||
|Windows Server 2025|Mainstream support until October 9, 2029; Supported until October 10, 2034|11 (disabled by default) or Edge||||

## Criticism

Many users complain that Windows makes problems for them. Some users complain that Windows made their computers slower when they changed from DOS. Many people also complain about problems that make their computer less safe to use, even though Microsoft tries to fix these problems. Many computer viruses are made to infect computers running Windows since it is such a popular operating system. Windows was the most popular operating system until recently (today mobile operating systems such as Android are more popular).

## Other websites

- The Microsoft Windows website
- The Windows Team Blog – Official blog of the Windows Team at Microsoft

## Infobox (os)

- **name**: Microsoft Windows
- **logo**: Windows logo and wordmark - 2021.svg
- **caption**: The Windows logo
- **source model**: Closed source
- **kernel type**: Hybrid
- **developer**: Microsoft
- **family**: Windows NT
- **working state**: Active
- **latest release version**: 24H2 (Build 26100)
- **latest release date**: October 1, 2024
- **license**: Proprietary software