The History of Windows Operating Systems, 2001 to 2015 [Detailed]

Microsoft Windows is a family of operating systems. Lets continue looking at the history of Microsoft's Windows operating systems (Windows OS) from 2001 to 2015 .

Summary: History of Microsoft Windows Operating System from 1987 - 2015 summary

2001–2005: Windows XP—Stable, usable, and fast

On October 25, 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP (codenamed "Whistler"). The merging of the Windows NT/2000 and Windows 95/98/Me lines was finally achieved with Windows XP. Windows XP uses the Windows NT 5.1 kernel, marking the entrance of the Windows NT core to the consumer market, to replace the aging 16/32-bit branch. The initial release met with considerable criticism, particularly in the area of security, leading to the release of three major Service Packs. Windows XP SP1 was released in September 2002, SP2 came out in August 2004 and SP3 came out in April 2008. Service Pack 2 provided significant improvements and encouraged widespread adoption of XP among both home and business users. Windows XP lasted longer as Microsoft's flagship operating system than any other version of Windows, from October 25, 2001 to January 30, 2007 when it was "succeeded" by Windows Vista.

Windows XP is available in a number of versions: Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Home Edition N, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE), released in October 2002, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, released on October 12, 2004, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, for tablet PCs, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, for tablet PCs, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, Windows XP Embedded, for embedded systems, Windows XP Starter Edition, for new computer users in developing countries, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, released on April 25, 2005, Windows XP 64-bit Edition.

According to me Windows XP is the most stable, usable and fast Windows OS compared with other Windows versions like Windows 7 - 10 and that is why I have always loved Windows XP up to date.

2006 - 2008: Windows Vista - Smart on security

Windows Vista is released in 2006 with the strongest security system yet. Design plays a big role in Windows Vista, and features such as the taskbar and the borders around windows get a brand new look. User Account Control helps prevent potentially harmful software from making changes to your computer. In Windows Vista Ultimate, BitLocker Drive Encryption provides better data protection for your computer, as laptop sales and security needs increase. Windows Vista also features enhancements to Windows Media Player as more and more people come to see their PCs as central locations for digital media. Here you can watch television, view and send photographs, and edit videos.

Windows Vista introduces new editions that each have a different mix of features. It's available in 35 languages. The redesigned Start button makes its first appearance in Windows Vista.

2009: Windows 7 introduces Windows Touch

Windows 7 is released for the wireless world of the late 2000s. Laptops are outselling desktops, and it's become common to connect to public wireless hotspots in coffee shops and private networks in the home.

Windows 7 includes new ways to work with windows—like Snap, Peek, and Shake—that improves functionality and makes the interface more fun to use. It also marks the debut of Windows Touch, which lets touchscreen users browse the web, flip through photos, and open files and folders.

2012: Windows 8 features apps and tiles

Windows 8 is a reimagined operating system, from the chipset to the user experience, and introduces a totally new interface that works smoothly for both touch and mouse and keyboard. It functions as both a tablet for entertainment and a full-featured PC for getting things done. Windows 8 also includes enhancements of the familiar Windows desktop, with a new taskbar and streamlined file management.

Windows 8 features a Start screen with tiles that connect to people, files, apps, and websites. Apps are front and center, with access to a new place to get apps—the Windows Store—built right in to the Start screen.

Along with Windows 8, Microsoft also launches Windows RT, which runs on some tablets and PCs. Windows RT is designed for sleek devices and long battery life, and exclusively runs apps from the Windows Store. It also comes with a built-in version of Office that's optimized for touchscreens.

2013-2014: Windows 8.1 expands the Windows 8 vision

Windows 8.1 advances the Windows 8 vision of providing a powerful collection of apps and cloud connectivity on great devices; it’s everything people loved about Windows 8, plus some enhancements.

Windows 8.1 combines Microsoft's vision of innovation with customer feedback on Windows 8 to provide many improvements and new features: more Start screen personalization options that sync across all devices, the option to boot directly to the desktop, Bing Smart Search so you can find what you're looking for across the PC or the web, a Start button to navigate between the desktop and Start Screen, and more flexible options for viewing multiple applications at once on one or all screens. There are also several new built-in apps such as Bing Food & Drink, Bing Health & Fitness, and great utility apps like Reading List, Calculator, and Alarms. Many of the great apps shipped in Windows 8 are back and even better, making your experience more enjoyable right from the start.

In addition to these user experience changes, Windows 8.1 includes new and improved features like Workplace Join and Work Folders that enable Windows devices to connect more easily to corporate resources.

2015: Windows 10 - The best Windows yet combining 7 and 8 features

Windows 10 is the current release of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Unveiled on August 30, 2014, it was released on July 29, 2015. It was distributed without charge to Windows 7 and 8.1 users for the first year. A number of new features like Cortana, the Microsoft Edge, Windowed Windows Store apps, Virtual desktops/Task View, Action Center, Revamped core apps, The Xbox app, Continuum, Unified settings, and more first appeared in the latest edition.

Microsoft made early versions of the operating system available to enthusiasts via the Windows Insider Program, inviting customers to contribute to the development and future of Windows 10. Devices worldwide are super‑connected and sharing content at incomparable speeds, and Windows 10 works to make that collaboration seamless and delightful. The Windows Insider Program plays an important part in making Windows 10 great. Insiders explore and respond to preview builds, which means Microsoft can develop solutions in response to direct feedback from the consumers who use Windows every day.

Microsoft Edge is the new web browser of Windows 10 which is specially designed to be a lightweight web browser. Given the kernel number of 10, this operating system has no service packs. It has, however, gone through one big update on November 10, 2015, with the version number 1511.Windows 10 arrives early in 2015 but not all at once.