Microsoft Windows
In 1983, Bill Gates announced that Microsoft was working on a graphical interface. The idea was nothing truly novel—Xerox had already explored this path at PARC, Apple had just released Lisa and was preparing the Macintosh. But Microsoft wanted its piece of the pie and fully intended to transform the user experience on PC.
November 1985 saw the birth of the first version of Windows. The result disappointed. This graphical layer placed on top of MS-DOS offered windows, pull-down menus, and a few icons. Users, accustomed to typing their commands, struggled to adopt this novelty. Sales remained minimal.
Two years later, Windows 2.0 corrected several flaws. Windows could now overlap instead of neatly aligning in a mosaic pattern. Microsoft was then collaborating with IBM on OS/2 and seeking visual consistency between its different projects. This version went largely unnoticed.
The real takeoff occurred in 1990 with Windows 3.0. This time, Microsoft had a product that worked. The interface displayed 16 colors, exploited the capabilities of 386 processors, and offered three components that would make history: Program Manager, File Manager, and Print Manager. These tools simplified users' lives and made the computer accessible to the general public. Sales soared and caught up with Apple's.
Windows 3.1 arrived in 1992 with enhanced stability. OLE technology made its debut by enabling the integration of objects from one application into another. The first multimedia elements appeared on PC. Windows for Workgroups 3.11 added network functions essential to companies that were beginning to connect their machines.
Microsoft developed Windows NT in parallel, a system designed for professionals. Released in 1993, NT broke with MS-DOS and offered an entirely new architecture. The company targeted the server market, UNIX's stronghold. NT's robustness earned it C2 certification from the U.S. government, a mark of credibility in the corporate world.
August 1995 marked a milestone in personal computing history. Windows 95 arrived with its Start menu and taskbar, two elements that would become familiar to millions of users. "Plug and Play" simplified hardware installation. The 32-bit architecture improved performance. Microsoft spent $300 million on advertising and used "Start Me Up" by the Rolling Stones to accompany the launch. Computing definitively entered households.
Windows 98 refined the formula the following year. The Internet was gaining importance, and Microsoft facilitated connections. USB made its debut, the FAT32 format increased hard drive capacity. The system gained stability and offered automatic maintenance tools.
In February 2000, Windows 2000 finally unified the consumer and professional branches. Based on NT, this system brought the long-awaited reliability. Active Directory revolutionized enterprise network management. Multiprocessor support became a reality on workstations.
Windows XP, released in 2001, completed this evolution. The "Luna" graphical interface modernized the system's appearance. Hardware compatibility improved, multimedia found its place. XP combined the user-friendliness of home versions with the robustness of professional editions. This version would remain popular for a decade.
The 2000s brought new concerns. The Internet was becoming widespread but brought its share of viruses, Trojan horses, and other malware. Microsoft responded with regular patches and strengthened security. XP's Service Pack 2 introduced an integrated firewall and security center. The war against computer threats began.
This technical history was accompanied by commercial controversies. The integration of Internet Explorer into Windows prompted antitrust lawsuits in the United States and Europe. Competitors denounced Microsoft's practices and dominant position. These legal battles marked the 1990s and 2000s.
Windows's evolution reflected that of personal computing as a whole. From the austere text mode of MS-DOS to modern colorful interfaces, Microsoft managed to maintain compatibility with existing applications while innovating. This continuity partly explains the system's persistent dominance.
Windows runs on 72% of personal computers worldwide in 2025. Four decades after its creation, Microsoft's system withstands assaults from its competitors. Smartphones and tablets have disrupted the market, but Windows maintains its place on desktops and in enterprises.