Microsoft Windows facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Microsoft Windows

Logo as of October 2021
Company / developer	Microsoft
Source model	Closed-source Source-available (through Shared Source Initiative)
Initial release	November 20, 1985; 39 years ago (1985-11-20)
Latest stable release	23H2 (10.0.22631.3737)  (June 11, 2024; 12 months ago (2024-06-11) )
Latest unstable release	Release Preview Channel 24H2 (10.0.26100.712)  (May 22, 2024; 12 months ago (2024-05-22) ) Beta Channel 23H2 (10.0.22635.3720)  (June 7, 2024; 12 months ago (2024-06-07) ) Dev Channel 24H2 (10.0.26120.770)  (June 7, 2024; 12 months ago (2024-06-07) ) Canary Channel 10.0.26236.5000  (June 12, 2024; 12 months ago (2024-06-12) )
Marketing target	Personal computing
Available language(s)	110 languages
Update method	Windows Update Microsoft Store Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
Package manager	Windows Installer (.msi, .msp), App Installer (.msix, .msixbundle), Microsoft Store (.appx, .appxbundle), Windows Package Manager
Supported platforms	IA-32, x86-64, ARM, ARM64 Previously: 16-bit x86, DEC Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC, Itanium
Kernel type	Windows NT family: Hybrid Windows Embedded Compact/Windows CE: Hybrid Windows 9x and earlier: Monolithic (MS-DOS and VMM32)
Default user interface	Windows shell
License	Proprietary commercial software

Microsoft Windows is a group of computer operating systems made by Microsoft. An operating system is the main software that runs your computer. Windows helps you use your computer with a friendly picture-based system.

Windows comes in different types for different needs. There's Windows for home computers, Windows Server for big computer networks, and Windows IoT for smart devices. Some older versions, like Windows 9x and Windows Mobile, are no longer used.

The very first Windows came out on November 20, 1985. It added a visual layer to an older system called MS-DOS. People liked using pictures and icons instead of just typing commands.

Windows is the most popular operating system for desktop computers. In March 2023, about 70% of desktop computers used Windows. However, if you include phones, Android is used more overall.

As of 2024, the newest Windows for home computers is Windows 11. For businesses, there's Windows 11 Enterprise. For big computer servers, it's Windows Server 2022.

Different Types of Windows

As of 2024, the main type of Windows is called Windows NT. This version was first made for powerful computers and servers. Now, it has grown into several different kinds of Windows, all sharing the same core system.

• Windows (for home computers): This is the Windows you probably know best. It's for personal computers and tablets. The latest version is Windows 11. Other popular systems for home computers include macOS (from Apple) and iPadOS or Android for tablets.
• Windows Server: This version is made for powerful computers called servers. Servers manage networks and store information for many users. The newest version is Windows Server 2022. Linux is a main competitor for Windows Server.
• Windows PE: This is a small, simple version of Windows. It's used to install Windows on new computers or to fix problems. It can run directly from a USB drive or disc.
• Windows IoT: (IoT stands for "Internet of Things"). This Windows is for smart devices and specialized computers. Think of smart home devices or industrial machines. The latest is Windows 11 IoT Enterprise. Linux is also a main competitor here.

Some older Windows types are no longer being developed:

• Windows 9x: This was for home users. It started with Windows 95 and included Windows 98 and Windows Me. Many people found Windows Me to be quite buggy. These versions used MS-DOS as their base.
• Windows Mobile: This was an operating system for early mobile phones and PDAs. It was replaced by Windows Phone.
• Windows Phone: This was made for smartphones. Versions included Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 8. It was later replaced by Windows 10 Mobile, which is also no longer supported.
• Windows Embedded Compact: Also known as Windows CE, this was for small devices with limited power and memory. It was used in things like navigation systems.

Windows Through the Years

Windows has changed a lot over time. Here's a look at some of its key versions.

Early Windows Versions

The idea for Windows started in 1981. It was first called "Interface Manager." Windows 1.0 came out in November 1985. It wasn't a full operating system but added a visual layer to MS-DOS. You couldn't overlap windows; they were all "tiled" next to each other.

Windows 2.0 was released in December 1987. It was more popular and allowed windows to overlap. This change led to a lawsuit from Apple, but Microsoft won. Windows 2.0 also added more keyboard shortcuts.

Windows 2.1 came in two versions: Windows/286 and Windows/386. Windows/386 was special because it could run several DOS programs at once.

These early Windows versions were like a graphical shell on top of MS-DOS. But they also had their own ways of handling programs and devices. They let users run several programs at the same time.

Windows 3.x

Windows 3.0, released in 1990

Windows 3.0 came out in 1990. It was a big improvement, especially in how it used computer memory. This version was the first Windows to become very popular, selling 2 million copies in just six months.

Versions before Windows 95 had to be installed from floppy disks by end users (or in professional environments with a network installation); here Windows for Workgroups with nine 3.5-inch-disks to be inserted sequentially.

Windows 3.1 was released in 1992 and looked even better. A special version, Windows for Workgroups, came out in 1993. It had built-in networking features. Support for Windows 3.1 ended in 2001.

Windows 3.2, released in 1994, was an update for the Chinese version of Windows 3.1. It fixed issues with the Chinese writing system.

Windows 9x Series

The next big Windows for home users was Windows 95, released on August 24, 1995. It was still based on MS-DOS but brought many new features. It could run newer, faster programs and allowed for longer file names.

Windows 95 also introduced the famous Start menu, taskbar, and Windows Explorer. It was a huge success for Microsoft. Later versions of Windows 95 included Internet Explorer, Microsoft's web browser.

Windows 98 came out in June 1998. It added support for USB devices, better power management, and multiple monitors. It also included Internet Explorer 4. An updated version, Windows 98 Second Edition, was released in 1999.

On September 14, 2000, Microsoft released Windows Me (Millennium Edition). This was the last Windows version based on DOS. It had a new look and faster startup times. However, many people found Windows Me to be unstable and buggy.

Windows NT Series

Windows logo (1995–2001)

In 1988, Microsoft started working on a new, more secure operating system. This project became Windows NT. It was the first Windows to use a special "hybrid kernel." This made it more stable and secure.

The first Windows NT, called Windows NT 3.1, came out in July 1993. It was for powerful workstations and servers. Later versions like Windows NT 4.0 (1996) brought the new look of Windows 95 to the NT series.

On February 17, 2000, Microsoft released Windows 2000. At this point, the "NT" name was dropped.

Windows XP

A variation of the Microsoft Windows logo used from 2001 to 2006. This revision is from 2003, and it uses the Segoe typeface. This variation was used for branding purposes, replacing the Franklin Gothic typeface.

Windows XP was a major release on October 25, 2001. It combined the home user features of Windows 9x with the stability of Windows NT. Windows XP had a fresh new look and improved features for multimedia and networking.

Windows XP came in "Home" and "Professional" versions. There were also "Media Center" for home theater PCs and "Tablet PC" for tablets. Windows XP was very popular for many years.

Windows Vista

After a long time developing it, Windows Vista was released in January 2007. It had a completely new look and many new security features. However, some people found it slower and had issues with certain programs.

Windows 7

Windows 7 was released on October 22, 2009. It was designed to be a better, faster version of Windows Vista. Windows 7 was more focused on making things work smoothly. It added multi-touch support and improved the taskbar.

Windows 8 and 8.1

Windows logo (2012–2015)

Windows 8 came out on October 26, 2012. It brought big changes, especially for touch-screen devices. It introduced the Start screen with large "tiles" that showed live information.

Windows 8 also had a new app store, the Windows Store. An update, Windows 8.1, was released in 2013. Many users missed the traditional Start menu in Windows 8.

Windows 10

Windows logo (2015–2021)

Windows 10 was announced on September 30, 2014, and released on July 29, 2015. It brought back the Start Menu, combining it with the live tiles from Windows 8. It also added virtual desktops.

Windows 10 was offered as a free upgrade for many Windows 7 and 8.1 users. Microsoft announced that support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025.

Windows logo (2021-present)

Windows 11

Windows 11 was announced on June 24, 2021, and released on October 5, 2021. It has a fresh, modern design and is meant to be easier to use. Windows 11 is a free upgrade for Windows 10 users whose computers meet the requirements.

Windows 365

In July 2021, Microsoft launched Windows 365. This service lets you use a virtual Windows computer over the internet. You can access it from almost any device, like an Apple or Android tablet, using a web browser. It's like having your Windows computer in the cloud.

Multilingual Support

Windows has supported many languages since Windows 3.0. You can change the keyboard and the entire Windows interface language. Microsoft offers "Language Interface Packs" (LIPs) that translate most of Windows. Full Language Packs translate everything.

Since Windows 8, it's easier to change languages from a central place in the Control Panel.

Platform Support

Windows NT versions used to support many different computer chips, like PowerPC and MIPS. But over time, Windows mainly focused on x86 chips (like Intel and AMD).

In 2005, Microsoft released 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Server 2003. Now, 64-bit (x64) is the standard. Windows 8 also had a special version, Windows RT, for devices with ARM chips. Newer Windows 10 and 11 versions also support ARM-based PCs.

Windows CE and Xbox OS

Windows CE (now called Windows Embedded Compact) is a version of Windows for small, simple devices. This includes things like satellite navigation systems. Device makers can change how it looks and works. Windows CE was the base for Windows Mobile.

Xbox OS is the name for the Windows version that runs on Xbox game consoles. From the Xbox One onwards, it uses a special setup with three operating systems running at once. This includes a core system, one for games, and a Windows-like environment for apps. Microsoft updates the Xbox OS regularly.

How Windows is Used

Windows 10 became more used than Windows 7 around early 2018.

For desktop and laptop computers, Windows is the most used operating system. In August 2021, it had about 76% to 91% of the market share. This means most people using a desktop or laptop computer use Windows.

If you include all types of personal computers (desktops, laptops, phones, game consoles), Windows is still very popular. However, Android is used more overall because of how many smartphones there are.

These numbers usually don't include servers or cloud computing. In those areas, Linux is often used more than Windows.

Keeping Windows Safe

Older versions of Windows were not designed with strong security in mind. They didn't have many features to protect your files from other users or programs. This made them more vulnerable to malware like viruses.

The Windows 9x series let you have different user profiles. But it didn't stop one user from changing another's files. Also, a faulty program could crash the whole system.

Windows NT and its newer versions were much more secure. They protected files and memory better. However, for a long time, the main user account was usually an "administrator." This meant any program you ran had full control of your computer. This made Windows a common target for viruses.

In 2002, Microsoft's Bill Gates said that security should be their top priority.

Windows Vista introduced a system called User Account Control (UAC). When you run a program that needs special permissions, UAC asks for your approval. This helps protect your computer from unwanted changes. Even if you're an administrator, programs usually run with limited permissions until you approve them.

Microsoft regularly releases security updates for Windows. These updates fix problems and help keep your computer safe. They are usually released once a month, but critical updates can come out faster.

Windows also includes built-in security features like Windows Defender (antivirus), a firewall, and ransomware protection.

Other Ways to Use Windows Programs

Because Windows is so popular, other software has been made to help run Windows programs on different operating systems.

• Wine: This is a free program that lets you run many Windows applications on systems like Linux and macOS. It's a "compatibility layer" that makes other systems act like Windows.
  • CrossOver: This is a commercial version of Wine with extra features.
  • Proton: This is a version of Wine made by Valve to help run Windows games on Linux.
• ReactOS: This is an open-source operating system that aims to run the same software as Windows. It has been in development for a long time.

Timeline of Windows Releases

Timeline of Windows versions

The Windows family tree

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