Evolution of Microsoft operating systems: from MS-DOS to Windows 11

Without Microsoft, the world of modern computer technology would not be the same as we know it. Next year, Microsoft turns 50 years old, so it’s worth looking back at the megacorporation’s significant achievements ahead of the milestone. Starting with simple text-based MS-DOS interfaces in the early 1980s and reaching modern, intuitive, and powerful solutions like Windows 11, the corporation has come a long and fascinating way, which we will discuss in more detail.

MS-DOS

In 1981, MS-DOS became Microsoft’s first operating system, bringing the company worldwide recognition. This «black screen» was developed for the IBM PC, and it was based on 86-DOS, which Microsoft acquired from Seattle Computer Products. MS-DOS had a text-based interface and operated via the command line, which required a detailed study of the manual.

• The main interaction was through the input of commands.
• It did not have multitasking or a graphical interface.
• It became the basis for future versions of Windows.

Windows 1.0

Five years later, a revolutionary operating system was born, which «borrowed» some ideas from the creations of Steve Jobs and his team. Windows 1.0 was Microsoft’s first attempt to create a graphical user interface for MS-DOS. Technically, it was not a fundamentally new system, but only a graphical shell that ran on top of MS-DOS. But it was enough to lower the barriers to entry for computers and make «miracle» Microsoft a hit.

• A graphical interface with windows, which became the basis for the name.
• Built-in applications such as Paint, Calculator, Notepad, and a prototype of Word.
• The mouse has become a much more important input device.

Windows 2.0

In 1987, an updated version of Windows 2.0 brought significant improvements in the form of support for overlapping windows and hotkeys. This system could be called Windows 1.1, although the current Android 13 > 14 transitions bring far fewer critical changes.

• Support for more graphics adapters.
• Introducing the first versions of Word and Excel for Windows.
• It is now possible to minimize and maximize windows.

Windows 3.0

Windows version 3.0 was a major breakthrough in 1990. Thanks to an improved graphical interface and better support for multitasking, the system gained popularity among users and companies. Most importantly, the system gained commercial interest, meaning that Windows 3.0 provided a kind of financial stability for Microsoft.

• Support for virtual memory.
• Improved graphical interface with icons and menus.
• It was the first system to receive wide support from software developers.

Windows 3.1

Two years have passed, and the world has seen the minor update of Windows 3.1. The system became even more popular due to its stability and better multimedia support. Computers were no longer associated with typewriters, so intensive movement in the multimedia direction was imperative.

• Support for TrueType fonts, which has made Windows popular for typography.
• Built-in support for multimedia and network connection via TCP/IP.
• Improved stability and performance.

Windows NT

Before we move on to 9x systems, it’s worth mentioning the special versions of Windows NT. There were three of them in total: Windows NT 3.1, NT 3.5, NT 4.0. These OSes were developed for the corporate segment, and the graphical interface was similar to the classic versions of Windows 3.x.

• Enter the button «Start», the taskbar and file manager «Explorer».
• Support for 32-bit architecture and wide hardware compatibility.
• Access to the Internet via Microsoft Internet Explorer (from version 95 OSR2).

Windows 98

Many important innovations in Windows 98 were key and literally moved the entire home PC industry forward. The system was built on the success formula of Windows 95, focusing on integration with the Internet and support for new hardware technologies. The latter is very important because back then, computers were becoming obsolete literally before our eyes.

• Built-in USB support.
• Introduction of the Active Desktop feature, which allowed web pages to be used as part of the desktop.
• Improved stability and compatibility with new hardware.

Windows ME

The end of the MS-DOS era was called Windows ME because it was the last version built on top of Windows 9x (MS-DOS). It was created with an emphasis on multimedia capabilities for home users, but the system was criticized for its instability. It’s good that nowadays most of the problems can be fixed with updates via the Internet, but back then it was a serious obstacle.

• Added Windows Movie Maker, the first video editing program on Windows.
• The System Restore function was introduced, which allowed restoring the system to a previous state.
• Improved multimedia support with Windows Media Player 7.

Windows 2000

An operating system for the corporate segment based on the Windows NT kernel. Windows 2000 provided high stability and security for servers and workstations, but few people among «mere mortals», i.e. home users, were familiar with it.

• Support for Active Directory, which first appeared in Windows Server.
• High stability due to the use of NTFS as the main file system.
• Improved network integration and VPN support.
• It is focused on the corporate sector, with extensive administration capabilities.

Windows XP

A popular favorite and phenomenon of the 2000s, Windows XP has become one of Microsoft’s most successful and popular operating systems ever. Although XP is built on the Windows NT kernel, it combines the stability of Windows 2000 with a much more user-friendly interface for end users. Compared to its predecessors, this OS was unbreakable and rock solid — it was hard to «break», and integration with the Internet reached a whole new level.

• New interface with soft colors and transparent elements.
• Improved multimedia and Internet support, including Windows Update.
• It is divided into Home Edition (for home users) and Professional Edition (for business).
• Windows XP remained popular for many years after its release, and support ended in 2014.

Windows Vista

The incredibly beautiful but surprisingly demanding Windows Vista in 2006 introduced a radically updated interface and many new features, but was criticized for performance issues. At the time of its release, most users’ old computers literally couldn’t «pull off the new product, so disappointed owners of single-core processors and DDR1 memory went back to Windows XP. Nevertheless, Vista set the right direction for development, which was adopted by its successor.

• Introducing the Aero interface with transparency effects and animations.
• Enhanced security and User Account Control (UAC) to protect against unauthorized actions.
• New features such as Windows Search, Sidebar, and BitLocker.
• High system requirements and poor compatibility with older software.

Windows 7

A phenomenally stable and high-quality system in 2009 that can be used in 2024 – Windows 7 corrected Vista’s shortcomings, becoming one of Microsoft’s most successful operating systems. It provided stability, performance, and usability for a wide range of users, and «digested» almost any hardware — there was almost nothing that wouldn’t work with Windows 7.

This system also had many editions: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, Enterprise. For almost every edition, the user could choose a 32-bit or 64-bit version, but not for Starter (only 32-bit).

• Optimized interface with improved taskbar and Aero Snap feature.
• Improved performance and compatibility with programs and hardware.
• Windows Media Center global updates, file libraries, multitouch support for touch screens.
• Widely used in both home and corporate environments.

Windows 8

The brand-new Windows 8 was Microsoft’s attempt to adapt to the world of touchscreen devices and tablets. Although at first, it received a mixed reaction due to radical changes in the interface, over time the community began to smoothly transition to the new version of the system.

The owners of transformer laptops with touchscreens, which were actively gaining momentum at the time, were especially pleased. Taking a cue from Apple and Google, Microsoft was the first to launch a branded app store, which is still active today.

• The Start Screen with «live tiles» instead of the classic «Start» menu has been introduced.
• Touchscreen orientation, gesture support, and a new interface.
• Windows Store app store to download programs.
• Built-in support for OneDrive cloud storage.

Windows 8.1

The major Windows 8.1 update fixed many bugs and showed that the company was paying attention to user criticism. Fans of «eight» began to form with this version because it brought an interesting user experience and was as stable and reliable as Windows 7.

• Return the button «Start» (not to full screen).
• Ability to boot directly to the desktop instead of the start screen.
• Improved interface and more flexibility in tile settings.
• Improved integration with Microsoft cloud services.
• It remained focused on touch devices, but became more convenient for users of traditional PCs.

Windows 10

In 2016, the system that fans of «7» and «8» dreamed of was born, as Windows 10 was Microsoft’s attempt to combine the best features of previous versions and offer a universal platform for all devices. And it was a very successful attempt because, in my opinion, it is still the best OS for computer gamers and beyond.

Reliable, stable, versatile, works with any hardware, long-lasting and free updates, and zero piracy protection — these factors made Windows 10 the most popular desktop operating system in the world. Even the most devoted Windows 7 fans have abandoned their favorite and switched to «ten».

Even in 2024, you can still comfortably use Windows 10 without any restrictions on any PC (security updates will be available until the end of 2025). This system works well on budget tablets, thin ultrabooks, mini-PCs, or gaming computers of top workstations.

• The return of the traditional «Start» menu with the integration of live tiles.
• New Cortana feature — virtual assistant.
• New Microsoft Edge browser instead of Internet Explorer.
• Introducing Windows Hello for biometric authentication.
• Continuous updates via Windows Update instead of individual versions.
• Continuum function for a smooth transition between touch and classic mode.

Windows 11

The final version and the peak of the evolution of Microsoft desktop operating systems, some people’s favorite and some people’s most hated. Windows 11 is a modern OS with an emphasis on performance, aesthetics, and integration with Microsoft’s proprietary services, which three years after its release has failed to become the company’s most popular system (Windows 10 60% vs. Windows 11 35%).

There seem to be few fundamental differences between them, so users are in no hurry to change the system without obvious reasons. The proverbial «makes — don’t touch» is more relevant than ever for computers, but better gaming performance motivates gamers to gradually switch to Windows 11, and after Windows 10 support ends, the entire commercial sector will switch to the newer system.

• The central location of the «Start» button and new icons.
• Improved performance and optimization for modern hardware.
• Integration with Microsoft Teams and other Microsoft services.
• Support for launching Android applications using standard means.
• New hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0.
• The task scheduler has been improved, which is important for new processors.

Windows 11 still contains graphical elements from older versions, lacks a unified style, and doesn’t look great on the background Chrome OS Flex or Mac OS. Despite the telemetry wagon, numerous bugs, poor battery life of portable devices, and other drawbacks, Windows 11 is the most versatile environment of all operating systems on the market.

Conclusions

The development of Microsoft operating systems demonstrates a smooth, natural, gradual evolution from simple text-based interfaces with a basic set of commands to powerful, versatile, multifunctional platforms that meet the needs of both home and corporate users.

Since MS-DOS and the first versions of Windows, Microsoft has emphasized basic functionality and accessibility. Although these systems had limited performance and capabilities, they laid the foundation for future achievements. With the release of Windows 3.x, 95, and 98, Microsoft made Windows accessible to the general public by combining usability and performance. Innovations such as the «Start» button, taskbar, and multimedia support became the industry standard.

Windows NT and Windows 2000 brought a new level of reliability and security, especially for the enterprise segment. These operating systems laid the technological foundation for future versions, such as Windows XP. Windows XP is an example of a successful combination of NT stability and ease of use. The success of this system emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation with compatibility with new hardware, which was developing rapidly at the time.

With Windows 8, Microsoft made an attempt to adapt the OS to mobile devices and touch interfaces. Although this attempt was controversial, the company gained important experience that influenced the future development of key areas. Windows 10 and Windows 11 are focused on creating a universal platform for different types of devices. The integration of cloud services, artificial intelligence, support for modern hardware, and updated design have demonstrated Microsoft’s ability to meet the demands of the times.

Microsoft operating systems not only changed the way people interact with computers but also significantly influenced the development of technology in general. The company innovated to meet the challenges of the times and the needs of users. Although there was some theft of ideas, it was Windows OS that made them famous, popular, and rich.

We can talk about Microsoft endlessly, so in order not to inflate the material to an unreasonably large scale, we will divide the history of Microsoft OS into several series. In the next article, we’ll look at Microsoft’s operating systems for mobile devices, including the controversial Windows RT, the legendary Windows CE and Pocket PC with their continuation in Windows Mobile, and the phenomenal (and simultaneously failed) Windows Phone.