# Microsoft Windows

> family of computer operating systems developed by Microsoft

**Wikidata**: [Q1406](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1406)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/microsoft-windows

## Summary
Microsoft Windows is a family of computer operating systems developed by Microsoft, designed to manage computer hardware resources and run on various platforms.

## Key Facts
- Inception date: 1985-11-20 (first release).
- Developer: Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation headquartered in Redmond, United States.
- License: Proprietary license, managed via Windows Update.
- Version examples: Windows 10 (e.g., 10.0.17763.316, stable 2019).
- Platforms: Runs on IA-32, ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, and DEC Alpha architectures.
- Related products: Windows Server 2012 R2 (server OS), Windows 10 Home (personal edition).
- Competitors: elementary OS (Linux distribution), Fedora Linux (Linux distribution).

### Q: When was Microsoft Windows first released?
A: Microsoft Windows was first released on November 20, 1985.

### Q: What is the difference between Windows 7 and Windows 10?
A: Windows 7 (released 2009) is a predecessor to Windows 10 (released 2015), with Windows 10 focusing on cloud integration and new features while maintaining backward compatibility.

### Q: What is Windows 10 Home?
A: Windows 10 Home is an edition of Windows 10, designed for personal computers, offering core features without business-oriented tools found in Pro or Enterprise editions.

## Why It Matters
Microsoft Windows revolutionized personal computing by introducing a graphical user interface (GUI) that made computers accessible to non-technical users, dominating the desktop operating system market for decades. It enabled software compatibility across hardware, drove hardware innovation (e.g., faster processors, larger storage), and became the foundation for enterprise productivity tools. Its widespread adoption shaped the modern computing landscape, influencing how users interact with technology and how developers design applications.

## Notable For
- First widely adopted GUI-based operating system for personal computers, popularizing the "window" metaphor for multitasking.
- Dominant market share in desktop operating systems, with over 90% of personal computers running Windows at its peak.
- Proprietary license model that created a closed ecosystem, ensuring compatibility and security updates.
- Continuous evolution with major versions (e.g., Windows 10, Windows Server 2012 R2) that introduced new features like cloud integration and server capabilities.

## Body
### History
Microsoft Windows began with the first release on November 20, 1985. Early versions included Windows 1.0 (1985), 2.0 (1987), and 2.1 (1988), which were 16-bit GUI-based operating environments. Major milestones include Windows 3.0 (1988), Windows 95 (1995), Windows XP (2001), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows 10 (2015). Windows Server 2012 R2, a server operating system, was released in 2013.

### Development
Developed by Microsoft, the company was founded on April 4, 1975, and is headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Windows is licensed under a proprietary model, with updates distributed via Windows Update.

### Platforms
Windows supports multiple architectures, including IA-32 (x86), ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, and DEC Alpha. It runs on both personal computers and embedded systems (e.g., Windows Embedded Standard 7).

### Competitors
Direct competitors include elementary OS (a Linux distribution) and Fedora Linux (another Linux distribution). Alternatives include ReactOS (an open-source NT-like operating system) and OpenBSD (a security-focused Unix-like system).

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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Microsoft Windows",
  "description": "family of computer operating systems developed by Microsoft",
  "url": "https://windows.com",
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## References

1. [Windows 10 Spring Creators Update: The ultimate changelog | Windows Central](https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10-redstone-4-changelog)
2. [Microsoft](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4284835/windows-10-update-kb4284835)
3. [Source](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4343909)
4. [Source](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/09/18/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-17763/#aqHlrrwTgodZ9i2Q.97)
5. [Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18343. 2019](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/02/22/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-18343/)
6. [Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18841. 2019](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/02/22/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-18841/)
7. [Source](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/03/20/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-18362/)
8. [Source](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/03/27/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-18865/)
9. [Source](https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2020/09/16/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-20215/)
10. [Source](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4571756/windows-10-update-kb4571756)
11. [Source](https://support.microsoft.com/fr-fr/topic/march-8-2022-kb5011493-os-build-22000-556-8f77cda3-9d4b-4b85-b6a4-34d5e3c98434)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Virtual International Authority File
14. [Source](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVGOyzms_XJNk_DHqrffXCw)
15. BabelNet
16. [Microsoft Windows | Logopedia | Fandom](https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Microsoft_Windows)
17. [Microsoft Windows | Microsoft Wiki | Fandom](https://microsoft.fandom.com/wiki/Microsoft_Windows)
18. [Windows - PCGamingWiki PCGW - bugs, fixes, crashes, mods, guides and improvements for every PC game](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Windows)
19. KBpedia
20. YouTube API
21. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
22. [Windows - Touhou Wiki - Characters, games, locations, and more](https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Windows)
23. [Windows — Touhou Wiki](https://fr.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Windows)
24. Know Your Meme