Windows Operating System
Windows Operating System, also known with its different popular names as well, such as OS, Windows, Windows OS, and Computer OS.
We will define the Windows operating system in simple words:
“A Windows Operating system is a software program which acts as a mediator between the user and computer hardware”.
Every computer must have at least one operating system to run computer systems and other programs.
There are a good number of lists of operating systems that can be installed and used for different purposes and user requirements and Windows OS in one of them.
List of Popular Operating Systems
In computer technology, the most common operating systems are:
- Windows
- MacOS
- Linux
- Unix
- Ubuntu
History of Windows Operating System
The following article is specially written for Windows OS. Will try to share maximum information on it.
The Windows operating system is designed, developed and marketed by Microsoft and launched its independent version of Microsoft Windows (version 1.0) on November 20, 1985.
Microsoft’s oldest operating system is MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System). MS-DOS is a text-based operating system instead of friendly graphical user interfaces (GUI’s). The user needs to type commands in it.
Furthermore, later there are other versions launched by Microsoft, but when they released Windows 95 (Graphical interface) code-named Chicago for users, Microsoft occupied a big share in the market around the world.
It was designed to have support only for 32-bit programs.
Here is a list of the most common Windows OS in sequence:
| Windows | Code Name | Release Date |
| Windows NT 3.1 | Razzle | 07-27-1993 |
| Windows 95 | Chicago | 08-24-1995 |
| Windows 98 | Memphis | 06-25-1998 |
| Windows 2000 | Windows NT 5.0 | 02-17-2000 |
| Windows Me | Millennium | 09-14-2000 |
| Windows XP | Whistler | 25-10-2001 |
| Windows Vista | Longhorn | 30-01-2007 |
| Windows 7 | Windows 7 | 10-22-2009 |
| Windows 8 | Windows 8 | 10-26-2012 |
| Windows 8.1 | Blue | 10-17-2013 |
| Windows 10, Ver. 1507 | Threshold 1 | 07-29-2015 |
| Windows 11 | Sun Valley | 10-05-2021 |
Windows Operating systems are launched for 32-bit and 64-bit types.
[Read: Difference between 32-bit and 64-bit System Type]
Here are some important links to download the desired Windows OS:
[Read: How to Download and install Windows XP?]
[Read: Download Windows 7 ISO Image]
[Follow: Download Windows 10 Pro Disk Image (ISO)]
Common Functions of an Operating System
An operating system (OS) performs various functions to manage and control computer hardware and software.
Lastly, here are some common functions of an operating system:
Process management: The OS manages and controls processes, which are running programs. It schedules processes, allocates system resources, and provides mechanisms for inter-process communication.
Memory management: The OS manages the computer’s memory resources, including allocating memory to processes, tracking memory usage, and handling virtual memory management.
File system management: The OS provides a file system that organizes and manages files on storage devices. It handles file creation, deletion, and access, as well as directory management and file permissions.
Device management: The OS interacts with and manages various hardware devices such as printers, keyboards, mice, disks, and network interfaces. It provides device drivers, which are software components that enable communication between the hardware and the OS.
Networking: The OS includes networking capabilities to support communication between computers and devices. It manages network connections, protocols, and configurations, enabling applications to send and receive data over the network.
Security: The OS implements security measures to protect the system and its resources from unauthorized access, viruses, and other threats. This includes user authentication, access control mechanisms, and security protocols.
Error handling: The OS detects and handles errors that occur during system operation. It provides error messages, logging capabilities, and mechanisms to recover from errors and prevent system crashes.
Task scheduling: The OS schedules tasks and determines their order of execution. It allocates system resources efficiently and ensures fair utilization among competing processes.
These functions may vary across different operating systems, but they represent the fundamental tasks performed by an operating system to facilitate the execution of applications and manage computer resources effectively.
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