Over the past two decades, Microsoft Windows products have evolved from a single, one-size-fits-all desktop operating system into a diverse family of operating systems and mobile technologies. Today, Windows products help people worldwide achieve their potential at work, home, and just about any place in between. This article summarizes milestones in the development of the various Windows Products.

On November 10, 1983, Microsoft announced Microsoft Windows®,an extension of the MS-DOS® operating system that would provide a graphical operating environment for PC users. With Windows, the graphical user interface (GUI) era at Microsoft had begun.

The first version of Windows provided a new software environment for developing and running applications that use bitmap displays and mouse pointing devices. Before Windows, PC users relied on the MS-DOS® method of typing commands at the C prompt (C:\). With Windows, users moved a mouse to point and click their way through tasks, such as starting applications. For a full read comprising of 8 pages, visit Microsoft. Windows 7 is yet to find a mention there however … maybe because its not ‘history’ yet!

In July 1995, Microsoft released the Windows 95 operating system, which included built-in support for dial-up networking and TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), key technologies for connecting to the Internet. In response to the growing public interest in the Internet, Microsoft created an add-on to the operating system called Internet Explorer. When Windows 95 with Internet Explorer debuted, the Internet became much more accessible for many more people.

Internet Explorer 1.0 technology originally shipped as the Internet Jumpstart Kit in Microsoft Plus! For Windows 95. Internet Explorer replaced the need for cumbersome, manual installation steps required by many of the existing shareware browsers. For more about IE, go here.

Additional Reads:
History of Microsoft – Watch video.
Visual Tour of Windows.