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Microsoft Windows facts for kids

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Microsoft Windows
Windows logo and wordmark - 2021.svg
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
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
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 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 workspace
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.

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11 mit 9 Setup HD-Disketten
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 (1992-2001)
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

Windows logo variant (2003)
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 and wordmark - 2012-2015
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 wordmark darkblue 2015
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 and wordmark - 2021
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 logo and wordmark - 2021.svg Version market share
As a percentage of desktop and laptop systems using Microsoft Windows, according to StatCounter data as of September 2023.

Desktop OS StatCounter
other versions 0.03%
Windows XP 0.34%
Windows Vista 0.08%
Windows 7 3.33%
Windows 8 0.35%
Windows 8.1 0.61%
Windows 10 71.62%
Windows 11 23.64%

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

Legend:
Old version
Older version, still maintained
Latest version
Latest preview version
Future release
Table of Windows versions
Product name Latest version General availability date Codename Support until Latest version of
Mainstream Extended IE DirectX Edge
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 1.0 1.01 November 20, 1985 Interface Manager December 31, 2001 N/A N/A N/A
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 2.0 2.03 December 9, 1987 N/A December 31, 2001
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 2.1 2.11 May 27, 1988 N/A December 31, 2001
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 3.0 3.0 May 22, 1990 N/A December 31, 2001
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 3.1 3.1 April 6, 1992 N/A December 31, 2001 5
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows For Workgroups 3.1 3.1 October 1992 Sparta, Winball December 31, 2001
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows NT 3.1 NT 3.1.528 July 27, 1993 N/A December 31, 2001
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows For Workgroups 3.11 3.11 August 11, 1993 Sparta, Winball December 31, 2001
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 3.2 3.2 November 22, 1993 N/A December 31, 2001
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows NT 3.5 NT 3.5.807 September 21, 1994 Daytona December 31, 2001
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows NT 3.51 NT 3.51.1057 May 30, 1995 N/A December 31, 2001
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 95 4.0.950 August 24, 1995 Chicago, 4.0 December 31, 2000 December 31, 2001 5.5 6.1
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows NT 4.0 NT 4.0.1381 July 31, 1996 Cairo June 30, 2002 June 30, 2004 6 N/A
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 98 4.10.1998 June 25, 1998 Memphis, 97, 4.1 June 30, 2002 July 11, 2006 6.1
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 98 SE 4.10.2222 May 5, 1999 N/A June 30, 2002 July 11, 2006
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 2000 NT 5.0.2195 February 17, 2000 N/A June 30, 2005 July 13, 2010 9.0c
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Me 4.90.3000 September 14, 2000 Millennium, 4.9 December 31, 2003 July 11, 2006
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows XP NT 5.1.2600 October 25, 2001 Whistler April 14, 2009 April 8, 2014 8
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows XP 64-bit Edition NT 5.2.3790 March 28, 2003 N/A April 14, 2009 April 8, 2014
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Server 2003 NT 5.2.3790 April 24, 2003 Whistler Server July 13, 2010 July 14, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition NT 5.2.3790 April 25, 2005 N/A April 14, 2009 April 8, 2014
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs NT 5.1.2600 July 8, 2006 Eiger, Mönch April 14, 2009 April 8, 2014
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Vista NT 6.0.6003 January 30, 2007 Longhorn April 10, 2012 April 11, 2017 9 11
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Home Server NT 5.2.4500 November 4, 2007 Quattro January 8, 2013 8 9.0c
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Server 2008 NT 6.0.6003 February 27, 2008 Longhorn Server January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020 9 11
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 7 NT 6.1.7601 October 22, 2009 Windows 7 January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020 11 109
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Server 2008 R2 NT 6.1.7601 October 22, 2009 Windows Server 7 January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Home Server 2011 NT 6.1.8400 April 6, 2011 Vail April 12, 2016 9
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Server 2012 NT 6.2.9200 September 4, 2012 Server 8 October 9, 2018 October 10, 2023 11 11.1
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 8 NT 6.2.9200 October 26, 2012 N/A January 12, 2016 10
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows 8.1 NT 6.3.9600 October 17, 2013 Blue January 9, 2018 January 10, 2023 11 11.2
Old version, no longer maintained: Windows Server 2012 R2 NT 6.3.9600 October 18, 2013 Server Blue October 9, 2018 October 10, 2023
Older version, yet still maintained: Windows 10 NT 10.0.19045 July 29, 2015 Various October 14, 2025 12 121
Older version, yet still maintained: Windows Server 2016 NT 10.0.14393 October 12, 2016 N/A January 11, 2022 January 12, 2027
Older version, yet still maintained: Windows Server 2019 NT 10.0.17763 October 2, 2018 N/A January 9, 2024 January 9, 2029
Current stable version: Windows Server 2022 NT 10.0.20348 August 18, 2021 N/A October 13, 2026 October 14, 2031
Current stable version: Windows 11 NT 10.0.22631 October 5, 2021 N/A November 10, 2026 N/A
Future release: Windows Server 2025 NT 10.0.26100 2024 N/A N/A N/A
Timeline of Windows versions
Windows 1.0 Windows 2.0 Windows 2.1x Windows 3.0 Windows 3.1x Windows 3.1x Windows NT 3.1 Windows NT 3.5 Windows NT 3.51 Windows 95 Windows NT 4.0 Windows 98 Windows NT 4.0 Windows 2000 Pocket PC 2000 Windows Me Pocket PC 2002 Windows XP Windows XP Windows Server 2003 Windows Mobile 2003 Windows Mobile 5.0 Windows Embedded Industry Windows Server 2003 R2 Windows Mobile 6.0 Windows Vista Windows Home Server Windows Mobile 6.1 Windows Server 2008 Windows Embedded Industry Windows Mobile 6.5 Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows MultiPoint Server Windows Phone 7 Windows Home Server 2011 Windows MultiPoint Server Windows Embedded Industry Windows Server 2012 Windows 8 Windows Phone 8 Windows MultiPoint Server Windows Embedded 8 Industry Windows 8.1 Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Phone 8.1 Windows 10 (original release) Windows 10 (original release) Windows IoT Windows 10, version 1511 Windows 10 Mobile version history Windows 10, version 1607 Windows 10 Mobile version history Windows 10, version 1607 Windows IoT Windows Server 2016 Windows 10, version 1703 Windows 10 Mobile version history Windows 10, version 1709 Windows 10 Mobile version history Windows 10, version 1803 Windows 10, version 1809 Windows 10, version 1809 Windows IoT Windows Server 2019 Windows IoT Windows 10, version 1903 Windows 10, version 1909 Windows 10, version 2004 Windows 10, version 20H2 Windows 10, version 21H1 Windows Server 2022 Windows IoT Windows 11, version 21H2 Windows 10, version 21H2 Windows 10, version 21H2 Windows IoT Windows 11, version 22H2 Windows 10, version 22H2 Windows 11, version 23H2
The Windows family tree

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