Happy Birthday, Windows!

November 20, 1985, that is, exactly 27 years ago, Microsoft introduced Windows 1.0. A new era has begun in the history of computers, although, as is often the case, almost no one has noticed. But there is nothing surprising, many people still have not noticed the Internet. And only 10 years later it became clear that the world of computers finally turned to a simple user, not burdened with special knowledge.

From 1982 to 1985, Microsoft worked enthusiastically on a new operating system. Its working name was Interface Manager. It was expected that this would be the name of a ready-made operating system. But they chose the well-known name of the whole world today, Windows, which best reflects the essence of presenting information on a computer screen in the form of windows. Windows appeared in 1983, but needed some work. Skeptics even called them a “ghost system,” an operating system that does not exist.

But on November 20, 1985, two years after the preliminary announcement, Microsoft showed Windows 1.0 to the world, although the world was not particularly enthusiastic. Since then, a new way to interact with the computer. Instead of typing commands on a black MS-DOS screen, it was enough to hover the mouse over an object and click on it, as well as move between program screens or “windows”. Bill Gates said then:

This is a unique software for serious PC users.

In the very first Windows, there were already many things, without which modern users do not think of working from computers: drop-down menus, scroll bars, icons and dialog boxes. All this allowed ordinary people to accelerate the development of computer wisdom. A user could switch between multiple programs without having to exit one and start another. The new operating system was multitasking and it amazed the users who were not spoiled by computer comfort.

Windows 1.0 included several pre-installed programs, including a file manager, a paint graphic editor, as well as text editors Windows Writer and Notepad (also known as Notepad). She also had a calculator, a calendar, contact cards and a clock. All this could be used as an organizer and helped streamline everyday tasks. There was a game there, the famous Reversi.

Dear readers, do you remember floppy disks (they are also floppy disks), which recently were the main means of transferring information from computer to computer? So, in 1985, they were considered a fairly advanced data carrier. Windows 1.0 was at that time gigantic and resource-intensive. Just imagine, it (at least) occupied 256 kilobytes, it required two double-sided floppy disks and a graphics adapter. It was desirable the presence of such luxury as a hard disk and RAM of 512 kilobytes. Yes, the first Windows did not know how to save the precious resources of weak computers, its contemporaries.

Source: Windows.microsoft.com

The article is based on materials https://hi-news.ru/computers/s-dnem-rozhdeniya-windows.html.