Windows wouldn't exist if it were not for Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Bill Gates and his friend Paul Allen developed the first BASIC compiler for an Altair computer, which was a microprocessor alternative to commercial computers. They did this all without ever touching the Altair itself. When the program ran flawlessly and Altair's makers bought it from Gates and Allen, Gates dropped out of Harvard and started Microsoft, where he and other programmers began to develop other software for personal computers. Microsoft today still does the same thing, developing operating systems and software for personal computers.

The history of Microsoft Windows began on November 10, 1983. On this date Microsoft announced its new operating system that would provide multi-tasking support and a GUI (graphical user interface). The operating system was originally going to be called Interface Manager, but Bill Gates was convinced to call it Windows. There was a demand for a multi-taking operating system with a GUI and Windows was not the only contender. Other competitors included VisiCorp's VisiOn (first PC based GUI OS), IBM's Top View, and Digital Research's GEM (graphics environment manager). GEM and VisiOn lacked support from 3rd party software developers and this lead to their quick downfall. The IBM Top View project was discontinued two years after its initial release.

Microsoft released Windows 1.0 on November 20,1985, a date two years later Microsoft initially promised. Windows 1.0 was plagued with bugs and was slow and primitive. To make matters worse Apple threatened Microsoft with legal action, claiming that certain elements of Windows were stolen from Apple's Mac OS. Bill Gates entered into an agreement with Apple to license these things from them. Windows 1.0 was a start, but it badly needed work.

On December 9, 1987 Microsoft answered the problems of Windows 1.0 with Windows 2.0. This release was far superior to Windows 1.0. Windows 2.0 introduced overlapping windows, icons, and keyboard shortcuts to Windows. Apple again saw a similarity to their Mac OS and once again took legal action against Microsoft. This time, Microsoft won the lawsuit and this marked the last time Apple had dominance over Microsoft. Among other progress made, Windows 2.03 was the first Windows version to utilize the Intel protected mode.

Windows 3.0 was released in 1990. This release was the most significant Windows release to date and forever defined the look of modern GUIs. It originally offered 256 color graphical support and full support of the Intel 386 processor. Three million copies of Windows 3.0 sold in its first year of existence. In 1991 the famous Windows 3.1 was released, which sold over three million copies in its first month on the market. Windows 3.x had widespread 3rd party support and was generally accepted as the best operating system available at the time. Windows for Workgroups 3.11 networking support to Windows. Windows 3.1 marked the beginning of Microsoft's operating system dominance in the home computing market and set the standard for operating systems of the future. On a side note, Windows 3.0 was the first version of Windows to include the infamous Solitaire software.

In 1993 Microsoft released Windows NT 3.1. Windows 3.1 and earlier versions were all DOS based 16-bit operating systems. Windows NT was a project started by Microsoft in 1980 to write a new operating system from scratch. The name NT itself stands for “new technology”. NT was a 32-bit OS from its beginning. NT boasted far superior security and file management compared to the DOS based windows versions. NT became widely used in the business world while the other windows versions were still commonly used by home PC users. Windows NT Workstation 3.5 offered OpenGL graphics support standard and the greatest file security and protection yet.

In 1995 Windows 95 was released. Windows 95 added integrated TCP/IP support, dial-up networking, and plug and play capability. Windows 95 was a 32-bit operating system and was able to do many of the things Windows NT 3.5 was able to. Windows 95 was also the first Windows version to feature today's Windows GUI, which has influenced many Linux GUI designs.

In 1996 Windows NT Workstation 4.0 was released. This version of NT added the Windows 95 GUI and was again targeted at a business clientele.

In 1998 Microsoft released Windows 98. Windows 98 was the first Windows OS designed specifically for the home PC user. It added support for reading DVDs and USB devices. In 1999 Windows released Windows 98 SE (second edition). SE offered the new Internet Explorer 5.0, NetMeeting 3.0, and the DirectX 6.1 graphics API. Windows 98 SE was able to share drivers with the NT business OS.

In 2000 Microsoft released two operating systems: Windows Me (Millennium Edition) and Windows 2000. Windows Me was the follow-up operating system to Windows 98 SE. Me introduced the system restore feature which allowed users to reset their PC's to a previous day's state should they encounter a problem. Windows Me marked the end of the DOS based line of Windows operating systems. All subsequent operating systems would be NT based. Windows 2000 was intended to replace NT 4.0, 95, and 98 as the primary business operating system. It featured a more user friendly interface and plug and play support.

In 2001 Microsoft combined their home user and business operating system strategies into Windows XP. XP is essentially a blending of Windows Me with Windows 2000. XP added a new look to the GUI, file encryption, system restore, remote desktop support, and many other improvements. XP represents the current state of affairs for Windows and is the wave of the future in Windows operating systems.

Screen Shots

Windows 1.0 

 
Windows 286 (2.0)   

Windows 3.0

Windows 95/98

Sources

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa080499b.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistory/Desktop.mspx