Microsoft Windows facts for kids
![]() Logo as of October 2021
|
|
Company / developer | Microsoft |
---|---|
Source model |
|
Initial release | November 20, 1985 |
Latest stable release | 23H2 (10.0.22631.3737) (June 11, 2024 ) |
Latest unstable release |
24H2 (10.0.26100.712) (May 22, 2024 )
23H2 (10.0.22635.3720) (June 7, 2024 )
24H2 (10.0.26120.770) (June 7, 2024 )
|
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.
Contents
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 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.

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
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 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 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 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 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
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
Table of Windows versions | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Product name | Latest version | General availability date | Codename | Support until | Latest version of | |||
Mainstream | Extended | IE | DirectX | Edge | ||||
Windows 1.0 | 1.01 | November 20, 1985 | Interface Manager | December 31, 2001 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Windows 2.0 | 2.03 | December 9, 1987 | N/A | December 31, 2001 | ||||
Windows 2.1 | 2.11 | May 27, 1988 | N/A | December 31, 2001 | ||||
Windows 3.0 | 3.0 | May 22, 1990 | N/A | December 31, 2001 | ||||
Windows 3.1 | 3.1 | April 6, 1992 | N/A | December 31, 2001 | 5 | |||
Windows For Workgroups 3.1 | 3.1 | October 1992 | Sparta, Winball | December 31, 2001 | ||||
Windows NT 3.1 | NT 3.1.528 | July 27, 1993 | N/A | December 31, 2001 | ||||
Windows For Workgroups 3.11 | 3.11 | August 11, 1993 | Sparta, Winball | December 31, 2001 | ||||
Windows 3.2 | 3.2 | November 22, 1993 | N/A | December 31, 2001 | ||||
Windows NT 3.5 | NT 3.5.807 | September 21, 1994 | Daytona | December 31, 2001 | ||||
Windows NT 3.51 | NT 3.51.1057 | May 30, 1995 | N/A | December 31, 2001 | ||||
Windows 95 | 4.0.950 | August 24, 1995 | Chicago, 4.0 | December 31, 2000 | December 31, 2001 | 5.5 | 6.1 | |
Windows NT 4.0 | NT 4.0.1381 | July 31, 1996 | Cairo | June 30, 2002 | June 30, 2004 | 6 | N/A | |
Windows 98 | 4.10.1998 | June 25, 1998 | Memphis, 97, 4.1 | June 30, 2002 | July 11, 2006 | 6.1 | ||
Windows 98 SE | 4.10.2222 | May 5, 1999 | N/A | June 30, 2002 | July 11, 2006 | |||
Windows 2000 | NT 5.0.2195 | February 17, 2000 | N/A | June 30, 2005 | July 13, 2010 | 9.0c | ||
Windows Me | 4.90.3000 | September 14, 2000 | Millennium, 4.9 | December 31, 2003 | July 11, 2006 | |||
Windows XP | NT 5.1.2600 | October 25, 2001 | Whistler | April 14, 2009 | April 8, 2014 | 8 | ||
Windows XP 64-bit Edition | NT 5.2.3790 | March 28, 2003 | N/A | April 14, 2009 | April 8, 2014 | |||
Windows Server 2003 | NT 5.2.3790 | April 24, 2003 | Whistler Server | July 13, 2010 | July 14, 2015 | |||
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition | NT 5.2.3790 | April 25, 2005 | N/A | April 14, 2009 | April 8, 2014 | |||
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs | NT 5.1.2600 | July 8, 2006 | Eiger, Mönch | April 14, 2009 | April 8, 2014 | |||
Windows Vista | NT 6.0.6003 | January 30, 2007 | Longhorn | April 10, 2012 | April 11, 2017 | 9 | 11 | |
Windows Home Server | NT 5.2.4500 | November 4, 2007 | Quattro | January 8, 2013 | 8 | 9.0c | ||
Windows Server 2008 | NT 6.0.6003 | February 27, 2008 | Longhorn Server | January 13, 2015 | January 14, 2020 | 9 | 11 | |
Windows 7 | NT 6.1.7601 | October 22, 2009 | Windows 7 | January 13, 2015 | January 14, 2020 | 11 | 109 | |
Windows Server 2008 R2 | NT 6.1.7601 | October 22, 2009 | Windows Server 7 | January 13, 2015 | January 14, 2020 | |||
Windows Home Server 2011 | NT 6.1.8400 | April 6, 2011 | Vail | April 12, 2016 | 9 | |||
Windows Server 2012 | NT 6.2.9200 | September 4, 2012 | Server 8 | October 9, 2018 | October 10, 2023 | 11 | 11.1 | |
Windows 8 | NT 6.2.9200 | October 26, 2012 | N/A | January 12, 2016 | 10 | |||
Windows 8.1 | NT 6.3.9600 | October 17, 2013 | Blue | January 9, 2018 | January 10, 2023 | 11 | 11.2 | |
Windows Server 2012 R2 | NT 6.3.9600 | October 18, 2013 | Server Blue | October 9, 2018 | October 10, 2023 | |||
Windows 10 | NT 10.0.19045 | July 29, 2015 | Various | October 14, 2025 | 12 | 121 | ||
Windows Server 2016 | NT 10.0.14393 | October 12, 2016 | N/A | January 11, 2022 | January 12, 2027 | |||
Windows Server 2019 | NT 10.0.17763 | October 2, 2018 | N/A | January 9, 2024 | January 9, 2029 | |||
Windows Server 2022 | NT 10.0.20348 | August 18, 2021 | N/A | October 13, 2026 | October 14, 2031 | |||
Windows 11 | NT 10.0.22631 | October 5, 2021 | N/A | November 10, 2026 | N/A | |||
Windows Server 2025 | NT 10.0.26100 | 2024 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Timeline of Windows versions |
---|
![]() |
|
- Wintel