Windows 2.0 facts for kids
| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| OS family | Microsoft Windows |
| Source model | Closed source |
| Released to manufacturing |
December 9, 1987 |
| Latest release | 2.03 / 1988 |
| Repository |
|
| License | MS-EULA |
| Preceded by | Windows 1.0 |
| Succeeded by | Windows 2.1x |
| Official website | http://www.microsoft.com/ |
| Support status | |
| Unsupported as of December 31, 2001 | |
Windows 2.x was an important version of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It was released in 1987 and was a big improvement over the earlier Windows 1.0. Windows 2.x was one of the first computer systems that let users interact with their computer using pictures and icons, instead of just typing commands. This way of using a computer is called a Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Some people thought Windows 2.x looked a lot like the first Mac OS (Apple's operating system). Microsoft had promised a more modern look for Windows 1.0, and Windows 2.x delivered on that promise.
Contents
What Was Windows 2.x?
Windows 2.x was like the brain of a computer, helping it run programs and manage files. It was part of the early versions of Microsoft Windows, which eventually became the most popular computer operating system in the world.
This version was designed to work better with the newer, more powerful computer processors available at the time, like the Intel 286 and 386 chips.
Key Features of Windows 2.x
Windows 2.x brought several new and exciting features that made computers easier and more fun to use.
How Windows 2.x Improved Things
One of the biggest changes was that windows could now overlap each other. In Windows 1.0, windows could only be "tiled," meaning they sat next to each other like tiles on a floor. With overlapping windows, you could have many programs open at once and arrange them however you liked, just like papers on a desk.
Other improvements included:
- New icons: Programs and files had clearer, more detailed pictures.
- Better keyboard shortcuts: It was easier to use the keyboard to control programs.
- Control Panel: This was a new feature that let users change settings for their computer, like colors and fonts.
- Memory management: Windows 2.x was better at using the computer's memory, which made programs run more smoothly.
Why Was Windows 2.x Important?
Windows 2.x was a very important step for Microsoft. It was the first version of Windows that popular programs like Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word were designed to run on. This meant that more people started to use Windows because they wanted to use these powerful new applications.
It also laid the groundwork for future, even more successful versions of Windows, like Windows 3.0. It showed that a graphical interface could be powerful and easy to use for everyday computer users.
End of Support
Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 2.x on December 31, 2001. This means that after that date, Microsoft no longer provided updates or technical help for this version of Windows. Most people had already moved on to newer versions of Windows by then.
See also
In Spanish: Windows 2.0 para niños
