Microsoft Windows operating system. Brief description of the Windows system and its competitors
Windows is not just a set of beautiful windows, pictures and solitaire games. It is also not a part of the computer that cannot be removed, replaced, or upgraded—it is not integral. Windows is a modern operating system with graphical interface user. What does it mean?
The Universal Encyclopedia of Cyril and Methodius says that an operating system is “a complex of programs that are permanently located in the computer’s memory; organizes the control of machine devices and its interaction with the user.” Indeed, Windows is actually a collection of programs that manages the work of other programs and coordinates their activities.
For example, it is Windows that decides how to allocate memory between programs, and it is also Windows that makes sure that programs work together with the same processor, hard drive, Internet access, etc. Windows is the system that organizes interaction programs on a computer with each other and with the user, that is, with us, the people working at the computer.
Thus, if we draw an analogy with human society, the operating system in general and Windows in particular is the big boss on the computer, distributing rights and powers to other programs.
Why do people often, just as they say “photocopying” about copying documents (in fact, of course, Xerox is far from the only manufacturer of copying equipment), draw an equal sign between Windows and the computer’s operating system?
The point is that starting from Windows versions 95 this operating system dominates the market. According to various sources, from 80 to 99% of all personal computers use Windows as the main system (we are not talking about a separate segment - servers - on which Windows is much less widespread), and in Russia, where the “pirated” version is sold on almost every corner for ridiculous money, it is not taken into account that Windows costs a lot of money, in which it clearly loses to many of its competitors, which have long been free.
There are plenty of competitors. For example, this is the Linux family and operating systems built on it. There are a sufficient number of them, most are developed according to the “open source” principle (when any programmer can easily look into and even correct the functionality of the system), as a rule, they are free. The fact is that money is taken for support, since it is still much more difficult to configure Linux correctly than Windows, which is considered the most “user-friendly”.
Windows is strictly tied to a specific computer architecture - the so-called IBM PC-compatible. What does it mean? For example, personal Notebook Palm is a minicomputer that fits in the palm of your hand. It is not IBM PC compatible, so Windows will not run on it. But Palm runs a special operating system - Palm OS. And on modern smartphones (cell phones-computers) the most common is Symbian OS.
There is also Windows for these devices: Microsoft has released special version, which has in common with the “desktop” only the name, design concept and interface. In a word, “Windows are different.” Therefore, one cannot expect cell phone With Windows of that what will run on it text editor Word.
Speaking of Word, Excel and other programs, which in the Russian mentality are considered integral part Windows. Nothing of the kind - they are part of the popular Microsoft Office suite, which is sold and installed separately from Windows. Windows itself has very limited capabilities for real work, and that’s all. additional programs sold separately.
There are also many jokes about Windows and its “glitchiness,” i.e., unstable, unpredictable operation. This was partly the case in more earlier versions, especially famous for errors 95, 98, ME versions. However, today security, reliability and fault tolerance are given great importance great importance, and Windows itself (for example, versions of XP SP2) is a very stable thing, we must try to make it “glitch”.
“Glitchy”, in 99.9% of cases third party programs, users who misinterpreted technical documents or used undocumented Windows features, or simply use a software product with its own errors. In a word, Windows has nothing to do with it: talking about its instability in this situation is simply dishonest.
Another thing is “security holes”, about which information appears at least once a month, supposedly a new vulnerability has been found. There are really a lot of such vulnerabilities in Windows, because it is a very complex system with millions of connections and conditions. A person is not able to foresee absolutely all scenarios for the development of events, which is why hackers find situations where the operating system behaves inappropriately, “openly”.
Finally, I will say that in 2007 a new era of Windows begins with the release of a new version of Vista.
(June 25, 1998) - Windows 98 was the first system designed specifically for home users. It contained improved search for information on a PC and on the Internet, support for DVD and USB, and a quick launch panel for programs. It is noteworthy that this was the last system based on MS-DOS.
Windows NT family
Windows Embedded Family
Windows Security
Story
2018
Availability of commercial support for OpenJDK on the Microsoft Windows platform
A file was found in Windows that collects passwords and e-mail messages
In September 2018, it became known about the existence of secret file, which stores passwords and correspondence via e-mail. The problem is relevant for users of devices with touch screens.
Windows is no longer Microsoft's core business
In April 2018, Bloomberg published an article entitled "Microsoft is officially no longer a Windows company." Journalists noticed that operating systems do not bring the American company the greatest income compared to other products, and the software giant itself is increasingly focusing on cloud technologies.
In 2012, the then incumbent general director Microsoft Steve Ballmer said that for the company "there is nothing more important than Windows" During one of the conferences, he emotionally chanted: “Windows! Windows! Windows!
Microsoft has released regular updates less often and has also made them part of the cost of buying a new computer or a PC contract for companies, rather than having customers pay for new hardware or upgrade the operating system when the next version comes out.
Every year, no more than 15% of sales of smartphones, tablets and computers combined come from devices running Windows, and the OS is not expanding into new areas such as self-driving cars or smart home systems.
2014
Windows XP leads in the number of installations in enterprises
Windows 10 release
Windows 10 will support various types of devices:
- desktop PCs,
- laptops,
- tablets,
- TVs.
Windows 3.0 had nice graphics user interface(compared to what had hitherto appeared for the IBM PC), provided a significant range of services, operated with the entire amount of memory addressable by the microprocessor 80286, 80386 and higher. With 32-bit microprocessors (80386 and higher) and at least 2 MB available Windows memory 3.0 could use virtual memory, this mode of operation was called extended (386 Enhanced Mode).
1988-1993: Lawsuit with Apple over visual interface
1983: Start of development and prototype of the graphical OS
On November 10, 1983, Microsoft announced the start of development of a graphical operating shell for Windows, although back in late 1982, Microsoft programmers began creating a universal set of graphical procedures called the Computer Graphic Interface (CGI).
By the November 1983 COMDEX exhibition, the first Windows prototype was ready. When presenting the first Windows variant It was promised that commercial sales would begin in May 1984. In the spring of 1984, the sales start date was pushed back to November. In November 1984, this date was moved to June 1985.
Windows and piracy
In 2007, Microsoft published interesting statistics. According to the data obtained from the results of the work Windows programs Genuine Advantage, one in five (22%) Windows in the world is unlicensed. At the same time, according to the analytical company Business Software Alliance, the percentage of use of pirated copies of the OS is much higher, amounting to about 35%.
Microsoft is actively fighting against illegal use of its operating system. So, in 2007, Microsoft provided corporate users with the opportunity to switch from pirated windows, to a licensed one, paying only for the “license”. By participating in this action, organizations were exempt from penalties for using pirated Windows.
In December 2008, Microsoft filed 63 lawsuits against sellers of counterfeit software from 12 countries. They were accused of selling pirated copies of the Windows XP operating system. By according to Microsoft, sellers offered the Windows XP Blue Edition operating system at online auctions. Buyers were informed that the Blue Edition was a special licensed version of Windows XP with a low price.
Around the same time, the Frunzensky District Court of Vladivostok sentenced a local resident to one year of suspended imprisonment and a fine of 117 thousand rubles for illegally installing the Windows XP operating system and package office applications Microsoft. Then, the investigation established that the defendant, for 2 thousand rubles, installed counterfeit computers on four computers. Microsoft programs Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Office XP.
Initially, the project of a graphical add-on for MS-DOS was called Interface Manager. Roland Hanson, the company's chief marketer, suggested changing the name to Windows.
The first officially released version of Windows was Windows 1.01. Version 1.0 was never released due to a serious bug.
Over the 30-year history of the OS, nine major versions of the system have been released: from Windows 1.0 developed by Bill Gates to the latest release under the leadership of the new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Windows is the most common operating system and is installed on more than 88% of personal computers in the world.
The very first Windows 1.0 came out in November 1985. In truth, the first version released was Window 1.01, as 1.0 had a serious bug. This was Microsoft's first real attempt at creating a graphical user interface on a 16-bit architecture.
However, Windows 1.0, unlike Mac OS, was not an independent operating system and was only a graphical add-on over DOS. Because of this, many users continued to use “ Command line"to control the system, although there was mouse support in the system.
To get users used to new system input, Microsoft came up with the game Reversi, which had to be played with the mouse. In this way, users learned to move the mouse by clicking on various objects on the screen. “Sapper” also pursued the same goal.
The second and third versions of Windows were also a “shell” for MS-DOS, but had a number of innovations. In 2.0, released on December 9, 1987, it became possible to arrange windows one above the other in any order, the “Control Panel” (which is still used today), and also program description files (PIF files) appeared for the first time. It also became the first Windows platform to feature Microsoft applications Word and Excel.
The third version, which appeared on May 22, 1990, received the Program Manager and File Manager, as well as an updated version of the Control Panel and Solitaire, which is still an integral part of Windows. In addition, the new operating system looks much better thanks to support for 256 colors in the VGA video adapter and changes to the graphical interface.
However, the company is no stranger to experimentation. Thus, at the CES exhibition in 1995 it was presented software for Windows 3.0 Microsoft Bob, which was developed without the participation of Bill Gates. The idea was to create a “social interface” by replacing the “Program Manager” with a cartoon house, where the corresponding applications were stored in “rooms”, and a dog named Rover served as the default guide around the house.
Photo report: Bill Gates turns 60
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Then it was updated, and a character called Paperclip appeared in Microsoft Office. We can say that Bob anticipated the advent of modern virtual personal assistants like Cortana and Siri. In July 2013, Bill Gates commented: Windows legacy Bob: "We were simply ahead of our time, as with most of our mistakes."
Full operating room Microsoft system appeared only in August 1995. Windows 95 was a significant milestone in the development of Windows. Compared to 3.0, it had a huge amount innovations.
The Start menu and icons already familiar to all users have appeared quick access to files and applications on the desktop. Windows 95 was the first to use a 32-bit environment, the "Taskbar" and was focused on multitasking. MS-DOS still played an important role in Windows 95 and was needed to run a number of programs and items. Interaction with files and folders was carried out using icons.
Also appeared in Windows 95 Internet browser Explorer, however it was not installed by default - it required Windows package 95 Plus. In later Internet versions Explorer was originally installed because Netscape Navigator and NCSA Mosaic browsers were popular at that time.
Windows 98, released on June 25, 1998, was even more consumer-oriented than its predecessor, Windows 95. It introduced a number of user interface improvements through Windows Desktop Update in Internet Explorer 4, including the Quick Launch Toolbar. , active desktop, the ability to minimize a window by clicking on the window title, as well as the “Back” and “Forward” buttons and the address bar in Windows Explorer.
In 2000, the company introduced two completely different operating systems - Windows 2000 and Windows ME. The first belonged to the NT family of operating systems (new technologies), while the second was built on Windows platform 9x. Windows Millennium can be called the next step in Windows development 98 with the addition of some elements of the Windows 2000 interface and maximum simplification for modern home use.
Windows ME was heavily criticized by users due to its instability and unreliability, frequent freezes and crashes. Some users deciphered ME as Mistake Edition (erroneous edition). This version is still considered one of the worst products from Microsoft.
Windows 2000 was aimed at business customers, and it later became the basis for Windows XP.
In Windows 2000, they played an important role automatic updates. In addition, it introduced a hibernation mode for the first time. Windows 2000 Professional introduced numerous improvements, such as the "plug and play" concept: when a new peripheral device was connected, the operating system itself found necessary drivers for him, and it began to work.
The triumphant release of Windows XP took place in October 2001. The new system was a kind of symbiosis of Windows 2000 and Windows ME. Like Windows 2000, it was based on Windows NT, but it added client-centric elements from Windows ME.
The new OS featured a new graphical interface design, text smoothing on LCD monitors, and the ability fast switching between users, as well as many other nice features. Windows XP is a “long-liver” among operating systems: three large-scale updates were released for it, and support for the OS ceased only in 2014, that is, 13 years after its release - this support period is the longest among all Windows operating systems.
The system also had its shortcomings. For example, when installing an OS, the user is prompted to create a account with administrator rights, which leads to potential vulnerability systems to viruses. Also, the disadvantages include quite high at that time system requirements: processor at least 500 MHz and more than 128 MB random access memory.
After the grand Windows success Microsoft releases XP Windows Vista. The system was released in 2007. The new OS was a kind of attempt to revolutionize the design of the graphical interface. Microsoft also tried to eliminate the security flaws that plagued XP users.
However, the new system turned out to be extremely mediocre. This is evidenced by the fact that the OS took first place in the “Failure of the Year” competition in 2007.
Users were also disappointed in the new product from Microsoft. Particularly noteworthy are problems with performance, incompatibility with many old programs, as well as inflated system requirements that exceed those stated. Users also did not like the new Aero interface. After the release of Windows 7 in 2009, Vista, already unpopular, almost completely died out. As of 2015, Windows Vista's market share is less than 2%.
Microsoft's next operating system, Windows 7, was introduced on October 22, 2009. It was supposed to eliminate all the shortcomings that existed in Vista. Aero's design has been greatly improved, and support for older programs that were not available to run on Windows Vista has been implemented. Also appeared in Windows 7 Windows mode XP mode, which allows you to run old applications in virtual machine Windows XP, which provides almost complete support for older applications.
An important feature of the new system is closer integration with driver manufacturers: most are detected automatically. As a result, from the pen of Microsoft came an operating system that was to everyone's taste a large number users: in the first eight hours the number pre-orders exceeded the demand that Windows Vista had in its first 17 weeks.
But even here there was a fly in the ointment. The main disadvantage of the system is, again, high system requirements, which is why the autonomy of laptops in some cases was reduced by up to 30%. Despite this, the system remains popular to this day: as of September 2015, Windows 7 holds more than 55% of the market share.
In October 2012, Microsoft introduced another product - Windows 8. The new system received radical new interface, more “tailored” for use on tablets. Thus, in Windows 8, the Start button has disappeared, in its place is access to the Metro interface.
The interface was a tiled platform. Also in the new system there is a Windows Store application store, similar to Play Store and App Store. The main innovations of Windows 8, in addition to the new interface, can be considered native support for USB 3.0, improved search and a new task manager.
However, most users did not appreciate the system: Microsoft made too much of a bias towards touch control. This affected the ease of system management on desktops.
The new version of Windows 8.1 was an attempt to correct the shortcomings. The “Start” button has returned to its rightful place and it has become possible to set the standard desktop to launch by default. Despite an attempt to correct the mistakes made in Windows 8, the update was also received without enthusiasm.
Microsoft's latest operating system is Windows 10, introduced in July 2015. Windows 10 should bring all devices together, including embedded systems, smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs and game consoles. The upgrade to Windows 10 is available for users of devices running Windows 7, 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 free for a year.
The main innovations of the system are the improved Start menu, voice Cortana assistant, as well as the ability to interact simultaneously with a touch interface and a traditional one on hybrid devices.
In Windows 10, Microsoft collects a lot of data about your computer usage. Examples of such data are name, email address and others. Because of this, Microsoft received a barrage of criticism. Some of the criticism also relates to Windows sharing Wi-Fi passwords with other users. In any case, data collection can be turned off at any time; all instructions are searched on the Internet.
Windows can rightfully be called an integral part of an entire generation of PC users. Thanks to Microsoft's OS, millions of people have discovered information Technology and access to global network. And no matter how much they criticize it, it will in any case remain relevant for many more years.
Basics of the Microsoft Windows operating system. History of development, types of operating systems. Basic concepts of Windows, file structure. Windows Help System. Windows operating system management. Work with documents. Universal technological operations in the Windows environment
operating system is a set of programs that provide control over the operation of the computer and its interaction with the user.
From a human perspective, the operating system serves as an intermediary between humans, the computer's electronic components, and application programs. It allows a person to run programs, transfer to them and receive all kinds of data from them, control the operation of programs, change the parameters of the computer and devices connected to it, and redistribute resources. Working on a computer is actually working with its operating system. If you install only an operating system (OS) on your computer, you won’t be able to do anything meaningful on the computer either. To enter and format texts, draw graphs, calculate salaries or listen to a laser disc, special application programs are needed. But even without an OS, it is impossible to run any application program.
The operating system solves problems that can be divided into two categories:
· firstly, management of all computer resources;
· secondly, the exchange of data between computer devices, between a computer and a person.
In addition, it is the OS that provides the ability to individually configure a computer: the OS determines what components the computer on which it is installed is assembled from and configures itself to work with these components.
Not so long ago, the user had to perform setup work manually, but today manufacturers of computer components have developed plug-and-play protocol(turned it on - it worked). This protocol allows the operating system, at the time of connecting a new component, to obtain information about the new device sufficient to configure the OS to work with it.
PC operating systems differ in several ways. In particular, OSs are:
· single-tasking And multitasking;
· single-user And multi-user;
· network And non-network.
In addition, the operating system may have a command interface or a graphical multi-window interface (or both).
Single-tasking operating systems allow you to solve only one task at a time. Such systems usually allow you to run one program in main mode.
Multitasking systems allow you to run several programs simultaneously that will work in parallel.
The main difference multi-user systems from single-user is the availability of means to protect each user's information from unauthorized access by other users. It should be noted that not every multitasking system is multi-user, and not every single-user OS is single-tasking.
In recent years, a graphical multi-window interface has become the de facto standard, where the required actions and descriptions of objects are not entered in the form of text, but are selected from menus, file lists, etc.
To replace the MS DOS operating system with its graphical Windows shells 3.1 and Windows 3.11 came full-fledged operating systems Windows family(first Windows 95, then Windows 98, Windows Millennium, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7). The figure shows the stages of development of PC-class personal computers and the Windows operating system:
Operating systems family Windows is a 32-bit operating system that provides multitasking and multi-threaded application processing. They support a convenient graphical user interface, the ability to work in protected mode, and compatibility with programs real mode and networking opportunities. Windows includes Plug and Play hardware support, long filenames, and improved robustness.
32-bit means that operations on 32-bit data are faster here than on 16-bit data. 32-bit Windows applications run in their own address space, which is not accessible to other programs. This protects applications from each other's errors. If one application fails, the other continues to function normally. A failed application can be terminated.
Multitasking provides the ability to work in parallel with several applications. While one of them is busy, for example, printing a document on a printer or receiving email from Internet networks, another can recalculate a spreadsheet or do other useful work.
Multithreading allows applications designed in a specific way to simultaneously run multiple processes of their own. For example, when working with a multi-threaded spreadsheet, the user will be able to recalculate in one table while printing another and loading a third into memory. While one thread is waiting, for example, to complete a communication operation with a slow peripheral device, the other can continue to do its work.
A distinctive feature of Windows is its object-oriented approach to system design. At the user level object approach is expressed in the fact that the interface is a semblance of the real world, and working with the machine comes down to actions with familiar objects. Thus, folders can be opened, put in a briefcase, documents can be viewed, corrected, moved from one place to another, thrown into the trash, a fax or letter can be sent to the recipient, etc. The user works with tasks and applications in the same way as with documents on his desk. The object-oriented approach is implemented through the model worker table– primary Windows object. After Windows boots, it is displayed on the screen. Various objects can be located on the desktop: programs, folders with documents (texts, pictures, tables), shortcuts to programs or folders.
Shortcuts provide access to a program or document from multiple locations without creating multiple physical copies of the file. On the desktop you can place not only icons of applications and individual documents, but also folders. Folders are another name for directories.
A significant innovation in Windows was panel tasks. Despite its small functionality, it makes the multitasking mechanism clear and greatly speeds up the process of switching between applications. Externally, the taskbar is a strip, usually located at the bottom of the screen, which contains application buttons and the Start button. On the right side there is usually a clock and small icons of programs that are currently active.
Windows allows you to work with audio and video files of various formats. A significant achievement of Windows was its built-in computer communications programs. Windows communications tools are designed for ordinary users and do not require special knowledge. These facilities include the ability to work in local networks and global networks, setting up modems, connecting to email and much more.
In the Windows operating system, the mouse is widely used when working with windows and applications. Typically, the mouse is used to select pieces of text or graphic objects, check and uncheck boxes, select menu commands, select toolbar buttons, manipulate controls in dialogs, and “scroll” documents in windows.
In Windows, the right mouse button is also actively used. By placing the pointer over the object of interest and right-clicking, you can expand contextual menu, containing the most common commands applicable to this object.
When shutting down, you cannot simply turn off the computer without shutting down the system properly - this may lead to the loss of some unsaved data. To properly shut down, it is necessary to save data in all applications that the user was working with, shut down all previously running DOS applications, open the “Start” button menu and select the “Shut Down” command.
reference systemWindows
Modern software is highly complex, which is why both the operating system and most of its applications provide help systems. reference systemWindows is not only a set of help files, but also a powerful tool for obtaining advice and support for any problems that may arise while working with the system.
Ways to obtain help
Main menu
The main Windows directory is called from the Main Menu with the command Start Help and Support.
F1 key
Key
If a dialog box is open, pressing the key
Help in dialog boxes
When working with dialog box controls, you often need quick, short help. This opportunity is provided by a special hint button. , located in the title bar next to the close button. After clicking on the tooltip button, you need to move the mouse pointer over the control of interest and click the left button. A tooltip will appear that describes the purpose of this element.
Context hint
Explanations about the elements dialog boxes can be obtained in another way. You need to click on the element right mouse key. In this case, either a tooltip will immediately appear, or a context menu with a single item “What is this?” Left-clicking on these words will bring up context-sensitive help. Sometimes it is enough to point at an element with the mouse for a tooltip to appear.
Help in applications
In the menu bar of almost all Windows programs there is an item Reference(sometimes represented simply by a question mark). Using this item, you can open the main help window, as well as get help information about the program.
Annotation: 16-bit Windows. Windows 9x. Windows NT. Windows CE. Windows Mobile and Windows Phone.
16 bit Windows
The first Windows was Windows 1.0, released in November 1985. It was not a full-fledged operating system, but an add-on over the operating system MS-DOS system. Windows 1.0 provided the user with a graphical window interface and the ability to run multiple applications simultaneously (both of which were missing from MS DOS). At first they wanted to call this program Interface Manager, but then they leaned toward the name Windows (“windows”), as it more accurately reflected the essence of working with new program. The minimum system memory requirements were limited to 256 KB.
Windows 2.0 (December 1987) introduced some improvements to the graphical interface (including support for overlapping windows) and memory handling. Also, for greater convenience, key combinations began to be used. In May 1988 and March 1989, Windows 2.10 and Windows 2.11 appeared, respectively, supporting the then new Intel 80286 and Intel 80386 processors.
In May 1990, Windows 3.0 was released with improved graphics and support virtual memory. In 1992 1993 versions appear Windows for Workgroups 3.1 and 3.11, which provide support for peer-to-peer and server-based networks. These were the latest versions of 16-bit Windows.
Windows 9x
In August 1995, Windows 95 was released - a 32-bit client operating system, which had built-in support for working with the Internet (Internet Explorer browser) and modem networks, as well as Plug-and-Play technology ("plug and play"), allowing you to quickly connect to the computer various devices. The Start button and Taskbar appeared for the first time. Windows 95 required a minimum of 4 MB of RAM.
Windows 95 was replaced in June 1998 by Windows 98 with many programs for working with the Internet (Internet Explorer 4, Outlook Express, etc.), support for DVD and USB, and the first appearance of the Quick Launch bar. Windows 98 was the last operating system based on MS DOS.
Latest version in the 9x family became Windows Me (Millennium Edition, September 2000). This system was aimed at home users, and therefore had broad support for multimedia (Windows Media Player 7, Windows Movie Maker), the Internet and home networks.
Another direction in the development of Windows operating systems in the 90s was the NT family.
Windows NT
In July 1993, the first operating system of the NT family, Windows NT 3.1, was released. There are different explanations for the name NT, the most common option is the abbreviation for New Technology (“new technology”).
Development of a system based on a new kernel (not MS DOS) began in 1989. The new operating system had the following basic requirements:
- 32 bit;
- support for multiprocessor systems;
- support for preemptive multitasking and virtual memory;
- high performance;
- ability to work as a server and client;
- portability;
- compatibility with other versions of Windows and MS DOS, as well as partial compatibility with UNIX;
- safety;
- reliability;
- Unicode support.
Windows NT 3.1 met all these requirements, and the kernel of this system (with changes, of course) is based modern versions Windows, including Windows 8.
Windows NT 3.1 supported the Intel 80386, Intel 80486, MIPS R4000, and DEC Alpha processors. There were client and server versions of the system - Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server. Windows NT, in addition to other file systems, supported a specially developed Microsoft file system NTFS (New Technology File System).
In 1994-1996, the operating systems Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 3.51 and Windows NT 4.0 were released successively. Goals Windows development NT 3.5 featured improvements in performance and reliability, as well as a reduction in system size. Windows NT 3.51 included support for the IBM PowerPC processor. Windows NT 4.0 had the same graphical interface as Windows 95.
Windows 2000, released in December 1999, was developed as a system for professional users, combining two directions - Windows 9x and Windows NT. Windows 2000 included Active Directory(service and resource database for management large networks) and support for a significant number of Plug-and Play devices, including wireless networks, USB, IEEE 1394, etc. There were 4 versions of Windows 2000 - one client (Professional) and three server versions (Server, Advanced Server and Datacenter Server). Windows 2000 was the last system for which both client and server versions were released.
The next step was to combine both areas of client systems: systems for professional users (Windows 2000 Professional) and systems for home users (Windows Me). The result of this merger was the Windows XP operating system (August 2001). Thanks to its stability, speed and convenient interface, Windows XP became (and still is) one of the most widely used operating systems in the world. An important step was the appearance of 64-bit versions of Windows XP (Windows XP 64-bit Edition). The number of lines of code in Windows XP is 45 million.
In March 2003, the server operating system Windows Server 2003 was released, which has greater performance and supports more powerful hardware than Windows 2000. The system has 4 main versions: Web, Standard, Enterprise and Datacenter. For example, the Datacenter edition supports 64 processors and up to 64 GB of RAM (up to 512 GB on 64-bit platforms).
The Windows Vista client operating system was released in November 2006. The emphasis in the development of this system was on security - control of user accounts ( User Account Control), drive encryption (BitLocker Drive Encryption), anti-spyware software (Windows Defender), etc. In Windows Vista, the user interface was also changed, in particular, the Start button changed its appearance.
In February 2008, the Windows Server 2008 operating system, based on the Windows Vista code, appeared - therefore, most Windows innovations Vista carried over to Windows Server 2008.
In July 2009, Windows 7 was released, featuring expanded support for laptops and tablets. Key features of Windows 7 - new techniques for working with windows, instant search for information on your computer, support touch screens (Windows Touch), great opportunities to customize the design of the working environment.
In 2012, Microsoft released latest versions operating systems – client Windows 8 (October 2012) and server Windows Server 2012 (September 2012). Windows 8 is an operating system equally designed for ordinary desktop computers both laptops and tablet computers, who won in Lately a significant share of the entire personal computer market (see lecture 3 "Windows 8").
Windows CE
Windows CE is a real-time operating system for embedded systems. The "CE" symbols, according to Microsoft, stand for "Compact, Connectable, Compatible, Companion, Efficient" 1 http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q166915. Currently this system has an official Windows name Embedded Compact (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded).
Windows CE is delivered to device developers as a set of components that can be used to create an operating system for a specific device. For example, Windows Mobile operating systems are built on top of Windows CE.
The first version of Windows CE 1.0 appeared in 1996 and was developed as a stripped-down version of Windows 95. Subsequently, the team Windows developers CE collaborated with the Windows 2000 team, then Windows CE developed as an independent system.
As of September 2012, the latest version is Windows CE 7.0.
Windows Mobile and Windows Phone
Windows Mobile is an operating system for smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDAs, Personal Digital Assistant - PDA), based on Windows CE.
The first versions of operating systems of this family were called Pocket PC (2000). Since 2003, the name Windows Mobile was established - the operating systems Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 5, Windows Mobile 6 were released. The latest version with this name was the Windows Mobile 6.5 system (2009).
Since October 2010, Microsoft has released a new operating system for mobile devices– Windows Phone 7, incompatible with Windows Mobile, although also based on Windows CE. Windows Phone 7 comes with a new user interface, currently called Modern UI.
Expected in October 2012 Windows exit Phone 8 based on Windows kernel N.T.
Summary
The lecture provides an overview of Windows operating systems from 1985 to 2012. The main families and their key representatives are considered - 16-bit Windows, Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows NT Server, Windows Mobile/Windows Phone and Windows CE.
The next lecture provides an overview of the latest operating system from Microsoft - Windows 8.
Control questions
- List the main families of Windows operating systems and give a brief description of them.
- Name the main representatives of 16-bit Windows.
- List the main differences between the Windows NT and Windows 9x operating systems.
- What is the difference between client and server versions of Windows NT?
- Describe the operating systems of the Windows CE family.
- Describe the operating systems of the Windows Mobile/Windows Phone family.