Microsoft Windows facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Microsoft Windows
Company / developer	Microsoft
OS family	Windows NT
Working state	Active
Source model	Closed source
Initial release	November 20, 1985 (age 35)
Latest stable release	10.0.18362.116 / May 21, 2019
Kernel type	Hybrid
License	Proprietary software

"Windows" redirects here. For the part of a building, see Window. For the version of the OS used on phones, see Windows Phone.

Microsoft Windows is an operating system for computers made by the United States-based company Microsoft. Windows is used by almost 90% of desktop and laptop computers.

History

The first version of Windows, Windows 1.0, came out on November 20, 1985. The newest version, Windows 10, came out July 29, 2015. Most new personal computers 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 (applications) than MS-DOS did. DOS, required typed commands to make the computer do something. 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 (or GUI for short). 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 to play and listen to music

Windows has several kinds of applications/programs available. Popular applications include games, word processors (to write words) or additional programs like Adobe Flash Player (to watch some videos and play many games on internet sites). Adding new applications to Windows is called "installing". Applications can be bought/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

Release date	Product name	Notes	Last IE
November 20, 1985	Windows 1.0	Unsupported (help for problems no longer given by Microsoft)
December 9, 1987	Windows 2.x	Unsupported
May 22, 1990	Windows 3.x	Unsupported
July 27, 1993	Windows NT	Unsupported	5.x
August 24, 1995	Windows 9x	Unsupported	6
November 17, 1996	Windows CE	Unsupported	6
February 17, 2000	Windows 2000	Unsupported	6
September 14, 2000	Windows ME	Unsupported	6
October 25, 2001	Windows XP	Unsupported	8
November 30, 2006 (volume licensing) January 30, 2007 (retail)	Windows Vista	Unsupported Version Changed to NT 6.0.6001 with SP1 (4 February 2008)	9
July 2007	Windows Home Server 20xx	Supported (Microsoft will help fix problems for this kind of Windows, including problems that make your computer less safe)	8
February 2008	Windows Server 2008	Unsupported	9
October 22, 2009	Windows 7	Unsupported	11
October 26, 2012	Windows 8.x	Supported (Microsoft will help fix problems for this kind of Windows, including problems that make your computer less safe)	11
August 26, 2012	Windows RT 8.x	Supported	11
September 4, 2012	Windows Server 2012	Supported
July 29, 2015	Windows 10	Supported	11 or Edge

Windows 11 will be available late in 2021.

Criticism

Many users complain that Windows creates 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 created 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).

Images for kids

Windows 1.0, the first version, released in 1985
Windows 3.0, released in 1990
Windows Embedded Compact 7 displaying a concept media player UI