Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is the name of several families of software operating systems by Microsoft.[1]

• Microsoft Windows Automotive 5.0 is an open software platform providing original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and developers with the building blocks they need to create a broad range of solutions.(More...)
  
  

Microsoft Windows Automotive 5.0 is an open software platform providing original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and developers with the building blocks they need to create a broad range of solutions. [2] Much documentation is available describing how to increase the security of Microsoft Windows products. Typical suggestions include deploying Microsoft Windows behind a hardware or software firewall, running anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and installing patches as they become available through Windows Update.[1] Microsoft Windows version 3.0, released in 1990, was the first Microsoft Windows version to achieve broad commercial success, selling 2 million copies in the first six months. It featured improvements to the user interface and to multitasking capabilities. It received a facelift in Windows 3.1, made generally available on March 1, 1992.[1] The first version of Microsoft Windows, version 1.0, released in November 1985, lacked a degree of functionality and achieved little popularity, and was to compete with Apple's own operating system. Windows 1.0 is not a complete operating system; rather, it extends MS-DOS. Microsoft Windows version 2.0 was released in November, 1987 and was slightly more popular than its predecessor.[1]

The next in the consumer line was Microsoft Windows 98 released on June 25th, 1998. It was substantially criticized for its slowness and for its unreliability compared with Windows 95, but many of its basic problems were later rectified with the release of Windows 98 Second Edition in 1999.[1] Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users who have genuine copies of Microsoft Windows can freely download the program from Microsoft's web site, and Windows Defender ships as part of Windows Vista.[1] Cedega - TransGaming Technologies ' proprietary fork of Wine, designed specifically for running games written for Microsoft Windows under Linux. Darwine - This project intends to port and develop Wine as well as other supporting tools that will allow Darwin and Mac OS X users to run Microsoft Windows applications, and to provide Win32 API compatibility at application source code level.[1] Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer market, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced previously.[1] Microsoft Windows is the name of several families of software operating systems by Microsoft.[1] In an article based on a report by Symantec, internetnews.com has described Microsoft Windows as having the "fewest number of patches and the shortest average patch development time of the five operating systems it monitored in the last six months of 2006."[1] Emulation allows the use of some Windows applications without using Microsoft Windows.[1]

Microsoft Windows Update You have tried to visit Windows Update with a browser that does not support Frames or ActiveX technology. To learn more about browsers that do support these technologies, please visit the Microsoft Web site.[3]

Windows Mobile phones enable you to send and receive e-mail, browse the Internet, and work on mobile versions of Microsoft Office software.[2] On August 24th 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, a new, and major, consumer version that made further changes to the user interface, and also used preemptive multitasking. Windows 95 was designed to replace not only Windows 3.1, but also Windows for Workgroups, and MS-DOS. It was also the first Windows operating system to use Plug and Play capabilities. The changes Windows 95 brought to the desktop were revolutionary, as opposed to evolutionary, such as those in Windows 98 and Windows Me.[1] In October 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP, a version built on the Windows NT kernel that also retained the consumer-oriented usability of Windows 95 and its successors. This new version was widely praised in computer magazines. It shipped in two distinct editions, "Home" and "Professional", the former lacking many of the superior security and networking features of the Professional edition.[1] With the introduction of the Intel Itanium architecture, which is referred to as IA-64, Microsoft released new versions of Windows 2000 to support it. Itanium versions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 were released at the same time as their mainstream x86 (32-bit) counterparts.[1] On April 25, 2005, Microsoft released Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and x64 versions of Windows Server 2003 to support the AMD64/Intel64 (or x64 in Microsoft terminology) architecture.[1]

Windows Vista is the first end-user version of Windows that Microsoft has released simultaneously in 32-bit and x64 editions.[1] Released in September 2000, Windows Me attempted to implement a number of new technologies for Microsoft: most notably publicized was " Universal Plug and Play." The OS was heavily criticized for its lack of compatibility and stability and it was even rated by PC World as the fourth worst product of all time.[1] Microsoft has stopped releasing updates and hotfixes for many old Windows operating systems, including all versions of Windows 9x and earlier versions of Windows NT. Windows versions prior to XP are no longer supported, with the exception of Windows 2000, which is currently in the Extended Support Period, that will end on July 13, 2010.[1]

In June 2005, Bruce Schneier's Counterpane Internet Security reported that it had seen over 1,000 new viruses and worms in the previous six months. Microsoft releases security patches through its Windows Update service approximately once a month (usually the second Tuesday of the month), although critical updates are made available at shorter intervals when necessary.[1] On January 30, 2007 Microsoft released Windows Vista. It contains a number of new features, from a redesigned shell and user interface to significant technical changes, with a particular focus on security features. It is available in a number of different editions, and has been subject to some criticism.[1] In 2000, Microsoft released Windows Me ( Me standing for Millennium Edition ), which used the same core as Windows 98 but adopted some aspects of Windows 2000 and removed the option boot into DOS mode.[1] The box art of Windows 1.0; the first version that Microsoft released to the public.[1] Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs).[1]

Windows 2.03 (release date January 1988) had changed the OS from tiled windows to overlapping windows. The result of this change led to Apple Computer filing a suit against Microsoft alleging infringement on Apple's copyrights.[1] On 14 February 2006, Microsoft AntiSpyware became Windows Defender with the release of beta 2.[1] Security has been a hot topic with Windows for many years, and even Microsoft itself has been the victim of security breaches.[1]

Windows CE, Microsoft's offering in the mobile and embedded markets, is also a true 32-bit operating system that offers various services for all sub-operating workstations.[1] Mainstream support for Windows 98 ended on June 30, 2002 and extended support for Windows 98 ended on July 11, 2006. As part of its "professional" line, Microsoft released Windows 2000 in February 2000.[1]

Download a free trial of Windows Live OneCare " all-in-one PC care from Microsoft Help fight spyware.[4]

Section Contents:

• Windows Server 2008 is the most advanced Windows Server operating system yet, designed to power the next generation of networks, applications, and Web services.(More...)
  
  

Windows Server 2008 is the most advanced Windows Server operating system yet, designed to power the next generation of networks, applications, and Web services. [2] Windows Live is a new set of services that brings your online world together.[2] Windows Media Player 11 offers great new ways to store and enjoy all your music, video, pictures, and recorded TV.[2] Windows Home Server helps families centralize and connect their digital "stuff," making it easy to securely share and access important files, photos, videos, and music.[2] Windows XP gives you the freedom to do what you want at home and at worksimply, reliably, and more securely.[2] Windows Vista makes it easier, safer, and more entertaining to use your PC virtually anytime and anywhere.[2] Windows Vista Business edition is the definitive choice for your small business.[2] Windows Vista Enterprise offers powerful tools for your desktop infrastructure.[2] Windows Vista provides powerful tools to better manage your midsize business.[2] Windows Marketplace is your one-stop shop for software and hardware that work with Windows.[2]

The Games for Windows platform offers publishers and gamers the most enjoyable and innovative gaming experiences available on a PC.[2]

With the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, you can reduce application deployment costs, enable delivery of applications as services, and improve desktop management.[2]

On 6 January 2005, Microsoft released a beta version of Microsoft AntiSpyware, based upon the previously released Giant AntiSpyware.[1] Windows Server 2003 brought Windows Server up to date with Windows XP. Since then, a new version, Windows Vista was released and Windows Server 2008, released on February 27, 2008, brings Windows Server up to date with Windows Vista.[1] In Windows 2000 (SP3 and later), Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, updates can be automatically downloaded and installed if the user selects to do so.[1]

Windows Vista does not support the Itanium architecture. The modern 64-bit Windows family comprises AMD64/Intel64 versions of Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2003, in both Itanium and x64 editions.[1] Windows NT included support for several different platforms before the x86 -based personal computer became dominant in the professional world. Versions of NT from 3.1 to 4.0 supported DEC Alpha and MIPS R4000, which were 64-bit processors, although the operating system treated them as 32-bit processors.[1] Windows NT would later be retooled to also function as a home operating system, with Windows XP.[1] ReactOS - An open-source OS that is intended to run the same software as Windows, originally designed to imitate Windows NT 4.0, now aiming at Windows XP compatibility. It has been in the development stage since 1996.[1] Windows implemented an elaborate, segment-based, software virtual memory scheme, which allowed it to run applications larger than available memory: code segments and resources were swapped in and thrown away when memory became scarce, and data segments moved in memory when a given application had relinquished processor control, typically waiting for user input. 16-bit Windows versions include Windows 1.0 (1985), Windows 2.0 (1987) and its close relative, Windows/286.[1] Unlike MS-DOS, Windows allowed users to execute multiple graphical applications at the same time, through cooperative multitasking.[1] With the introduction of the 32-bit Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows was able to stop relying on DOS for file management. Levering this, Windows 95 introduced Long File Names, reducing the 8.3 filename DOS environment to the role of a boot loader. MS-DOS was now bundled with Windows; this notably made it (partially) aware of long file names when its utilities were run from within Windows.[1] Wine - a free and open source software implementation of the Windows API, allowing one to run many Windows applications on x86-based platforms, including Linux.[1] Windows Defender is a freeware program designed to protect against spyware and other unwanted software.[1] Windows NT and its successors are designed for security (including on a network) and multi-user PCs, but are not designed with Internet security in mind as much since, when it was first developed in the early 1990s, Internet use was less prevalent. These design issues combined with flawed code (such as buffer overflows ) and the popularity of Windows means that it is a frequent target of worm and virus writers.[1] Consumer versions of Windows were originally designed for ease-of-use on a single-user PC without a network connection, and did not have security features built in from the outset.[1] The consumer version following Windows 98 was Windows Me (Windows Millennium Edition).[1]

NT was considered to be the professional OS and was the first Windows version to utilize preemptive multitasking.[1] The number of vulnerabilities found in Windows has significantly increased" Windows: 12+, Red Hat + Fedora: 2, Apple OS X: 1, HP-UX: 2, Solaris: 1.[1] The AOL National Cyber Security Alliance Online Safety Study of October 2004 determined that 80% of Windows users were infected by at least one spyware / adware product.[1] Mainstream support for Windows XP will continue until April 14, 2009 and extended support will continue until April 8, 2014. In April 2003, Windows Server 2003 was introduced, replacing the Windows 2000 line of server products with a number of new features and a strong focus on security; this was followed in December 2005 by Windows Server 2003 R2.[1] Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, as well as Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003, were installed by users more quickly than it otherwise might have been.[1] Support for Windows XP 64-bit Edition ended after the release of the more recent Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.[1]

Windows/386 introduced a 32-bit protected mode kernel and virtual machine monitor. For the duration of a Windows session, it created one or more virtual 8086 environments and provided device virtualization for the video card, keyboard, mouse, timer and interrupt controller inside each of them.[1] Wine is technically not an emulator but a "compatibility layer" ; while an emulator effectively 'pretends' to be a different CPU, Wine instead makes use of Windows-style APIs to'simulate' the Windows environment directly.[1] At the 2004 IDC Directions conference, IDC Vice President Avneesh Saxena stated that Windows had approximately 90% of the client operating system market.[1] Mainstream support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2000 and extended support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2001.[1]

Windows Update is the online extension of Windows that helps you get the most out of your computer.[3] Windows Update uses ActiveX Controls and active scripting to display content correctly and to determine which updates apply to your computer.[3] To view and download updates for your computer, Windows Update should be listed as a Trusted Site in Internet Explorer.[3]

How to Disable MS-DOS Mode in Windows How to Disable MS-DOS Mode in Windows After you change an MS-DOS-based application, such as MS-DOS Prompt, to run in MS-DOS mode, you cannot find a way to exit and turn off MS-DOS mode (for example, ALT+ENTER does not work).[5] MS-DOS-Based Programs Do Not Play Beeps Through PC Speaker MS-DOS-Based Programs Do Not Play Beeps Through PC Speaker When you run an MS-DOS-based program that plays one or more beep sounds through your computer's PC speaker, you may not hear any sound from the PC speaker. This issue can occur because Windows 98 redirects beeps from MS-DOS-based programs to your.[5]

For information on how MS-DOS assigns drive letters, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 51978 Order in Which MS-DOS Assigns Drive Letters A hard. How to Run Automatic Commands When Starting in MS-DOS Mode How to Run Automatic Commands When Starting in MS-DOS Mode This article describes how to run commands automatically when you use the "Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode" or "Restart in MS-DOS mode" option to restart your computer.[5]

1. Microsoft Windows - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows

2. Microsoft Windows
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/

3. Microsoft Windows Update
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

4. Microsoft Help and Support
http://support.microsoft.com/

5. Windows 98 Solution Center
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/1139