The ultimate guide to Windows versions: the best and worst

In many ways, the history of Microsoft Windows is the history of the personal computer market.

The operating system has developed dramatically in functionality and security since Windows 1.0, a graphical user interface for MS-DOS, was launched in 1985.

Recent updated Windows versions have resulted in the ecosystem becoming a formidable three-pronged solution for use in enterprise.

You can see all three and other Windows FAQs below.

A quick history of Microsoft Windows versions

Windows has, with the passing of the years, introduced more and more new features to further bolster its usefulness to the enterprise.

For example, Windows 2.0, released in 1987, allowed Windows to overlap each other for easier multitasking, while 1992’s Windows 3.1 brought Truetype font support, making the operating system more suitable for office work. Later enhancements included the tablet-friendly features introduced with Windows 8 in 2012.

With all of these difference features, we’ve compiled them into one infographic that contains all Windows versions, see here:

Windows is a powerful three-pronged solution

While the infographic above demonstrates the value of Windows from the perspective of productivity, its reach is far greater.

We see there to be three comprehensive Windows-based solutions that are so appealing to businesses. These are as follows:

• Windows 10
• Windows Server 2016
• Microsoft & Citrix VDI

Windows 10: a game-changer in enterprise security

While keeping an intuitive user experience, Windows 10 has brought major security enhancements over its predecessors. Although many users still investigate and use the Best VPN for Windows, the Windows software itself has a strong security barrier, better than ever before.

It really is the best of all previous Windows versions.

For example, multi-factor authentication keeps information safe should the device be lost or stolen, while biometrics can be utilised for more secure login. Windows 10 also maintains a similar user experience across a wide range of devices, including desktop and mobile devices, thus removing tricky learning curves that could hamper your corporate operations.

Windows 10 also allows businesses to choose the rate at which they innovate. You can choose the rate that fits your needs and those of your customers. Functions including locking down business critical environments and keeping segmented user bases well-supplied with updates are possible, while you can even improve your IT management’s cost-efficiency.

The arrival of Windows Server 2016

In addition, there is the release of Windows Server 2016 to general availability.

This is “a cloud-ready OS” that “inherently enables hybrid cloud”, as declared in a blog post on Microsoft’s website.

The hybrid cloud that Microsoft enables with Windows Server 2016 can connect businesses across cloud environments, but also provide a consistent user experience where the resource’s location does not lead that experience to differ between IT professionals, developers and end users.

This consistency also allows businesses to draw upon the right cloud resources when they need them and developers to build applications and services that can be easily deployed in different locations based on corporate rules and technical needs.

A promising new collaboration between Microsoft and Citrix

In August, Microsoft revealed that it would “gradually wind down the delivery of Azure RemoteApp”.

We had previously described RemoteApp as “a modern alternative to traditional VDI” (Virtual Desktop Infrastructures). However, while many businesses had opted for VDI, solutions in this area could be expensive to use correctly. Therefore, it was not always convenient to consume high-quality media and collaboration content from a VDI deployment in particular.

Microsoft has announced that it is partnering with Citrix to develop an alternative service to RemoteApp – and we have suggested that it “might give us the best of both worlds”.

What worlds?

It could enable businesses to both access their desktops from anywhere and, on other occasions, take their desktops with them to ensure that they can reach their data and apps from anywhere.

Windows FAQs

1. Who Invented Windows?
Bill Gates and Paul Allen invented Microsoft Windows in 1983, and Windows 1.0 was ready for use by 1985. It was named “Windows” because the user was able to change between screens, similar to how would look out a different window. Source

2. What Year Was Windows Released?
November 20, 1985

3.Why is Windows Called Windows?

In early 1980s Microsoft works on the first version of a new operating system. Interface Manager is the code name and is considered as the final name, but Windows prevails because it best describes the boxes or computing “windows” that are fundamental to the new system. Source

4.When Did Windows Come to MAC?
Bootcamp is most commonly used to run windows on MAC. The first version launched in 2006 which was after the release of Windows XP.

5.How Many Versions of Windows Are There?
18

6. How Many Computers Run Windows?
In 2011 1.25 billion computers were running windows. Today Microsoft accounts for 91% OS share of all computers worldwide.

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