# Windows 1.0

> first version of Microsoft Windows desktop operating system by Microsoft released on November 20, 1985

**Wikidata**: [Q58378](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58378)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_1.0)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/windows-1-0

## Summary
Windows 1.0 is the first version of Microsoft's desktop operating system, released on November 20, 1985. It introduced a graphical user interface (GUI) for personal computers, running on top of MS-DOS and designed for Intel 8086 processors.

## Key Facts
- Released on November 20, 1985, by Microsoft.
- Initial version was Windows 1.01, with stable version 1.04 released on April 8, 1987.
- Developed for Intel 8086, 8088, 80286, and 80386 processors.
- Required MS-DOS as its underlying operating system.
- Discontinued on December 31, 2001.
- Available in English, German, Dutch, and Japanese.
- Distributed on 5¼-inch floppy disks.
- Succeeded by Windows 2.0, released on December 9, 1987.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the release date of Windows 1.0?
A: Windows 1.0 was released on November 20, 1985.

### Q: What processors did Windows 1.0 support?
A: Windows 1.0 supported Intel 8086, 8088, 80286, and 80386 processors.

### Q: What was the underlying operating system for Windows 1.0?
A: Windows 1.0 ran on top of MS-DOS.

### Q: When was Windows 1.0 discontinued?
A: Windows 1.0 was discontinued on December 31, 2001.

### Q: What was the successor to Windows 1.0?
A: Windows 2.0, released on December 9, 1987, succeeded Windows 1.0.

## Why It Matters
Windows 1.0 marked Microsoft's entry into the graphical user interface (GUI) market, laying the foundation for future versions of Windows that would dominate the personal computer industry. As the first version of Windows, it introduced users to a more intuitive way of interacting with computers, moving beyond the command-line interface of MS-DOS. This shift towards a GUI-based operating system made personal computing more accessible to a broader audience, setting the stage for the widespread adoption of Windows in homes and businesses. Windows 1.0 also established Microsoft as a major player in the operating system market, competing with other contemporary systems like CP/M and early versions of macOS.

## Notable For
- Being the first version of Microsoft Windows, introducing a GUI to personal computers.
- Running on top of MS-DOS, leveraging existing software and hardware compatibility.
- Supporting multiple Intel processors, including the 8086, 8088, 80286, and 80386.
- Being available in multiple languages, including English, German, Dutch, and Japanese.
- Laying the groundwork for future versions of Windows, which would become the dominant operating system for personal computers.

## Body
### Development and Release
Windows 1.0 was developed by Microsoft and released on November 20, 1985. It was the company's first attempt at creating a graphical user interface for personal computers. The initial version, Windows 1.01, was followed by several updates, with the stable version 1.04 released on April 8, 1987.

### Technical Specifications
Windows 1.0 was designed to run on Intel 8086, 8088, 80286, and 80386 processors. It required MS-DOS as its underlying operating system, which provided the basic functionality for managing hardware resources. The operating system was distributed on 5¼-inch floppy disks.

### Language Support
Windows 1.0 was available in multiple languages, including English, German, Dutch, and Japanese. This multilingual support helped Microsoft reach a broader international audience.

### Discontinuation and Legacy
Windows 1.0 was discontinued on December 31, 2001. It was succeeded by Windows 2.0, released on December 9, 1987. Despite its relatively short lifespan, Windows 1.0 laid the foundation for future versions of Windows, which would become the dominant operating system for personal computers.

### Competitors
Windows 1.0 competed with other operating systems of its time, including CP/M, early versions of macOS, and various Linux distributions. Its introduction marked Microsoft's entry into the GUI market, setting the stage for the company's future dominance in the operating system market.

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## References

1. [Source](http://toastytech.com/guis/win101.html)
2. [世界のOSたち - GUIの世界へ移行した「Windows 1.0」. 2013](https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20130306-oswindows/2)
3. The making of Microsoft
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeobsoleteproducts)
6. Quora
7. [Windows 1.0 | Microsoft Wiki | Fandom](https://microsoft.fandom.com/wiki/Windows_1.0)
8. [Microsoft Windows (Operating System) - SteamGridDB](https://www.steamgriddb.com/game/5269176)