windowsonwindows

windowsonwindows, 7 hours ago to random

For the launch of Windows 8 (2012), Microsoft & RGA designed the “Times Square Takeover”: for 3 days, on 39 screens, the famous New York intersection showcased the new OS. Visitors could test devices on the ground, with their content beamed to some of the massive 39 displays. 🤩

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windowsonwindows, 1 day ago to random

Windows Me build 2332.2 is the 1st known build of the original, MS-DOS-based line of Windows to block access to real mode DOS. Owing to this, Windows no longer exits to DOS to display the shutdown screen, with it instead handled by the 32-bit virtual machine manager (VMM32.VXD).

windowsonwindows, 2 days ago to random

In December 1997, Microsoft released the Windows NT 4 (1996) Option Pack. Aimed as a stop-gap release while businesses & power users waited for Windows 2000 (1999), it included Windows NT 4 Service Pack 3, Internet Explorer 4.01 & introduced the Microsoft Management Console. 👀

windowsonwindows, 3 days ago to random

Bloom is the default wallpaper of Windows 11 (2021). Made by Spanish design studio Six N. Five, it shows a piece of blue fabric folded with a semblance of flower petals. 🌹 It is the first Windows wallpaper to come with separate light & dark mode variants. 🌝🌚

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windowsonwindows, 8 days ago to random

Windows has traditionally included hidden media called Easter eggs. Many referenced the team working on a particular version. In 2002, Microsoft ended the practice via its Trustworthy Computing Initiative. In 2022, a 35-year-old Windows 1 Easter egg was found by @mswin_bat. 🤯

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windowsonwindows, 4 days ago to random

Windows 2000 (1999) updated the default Windows Classic theme: the original grey colour changed to beige, title bars became a lighter shade of blue & the font Tahoma replaced MS Sans Serif. This is how the default Classic theme would remain until its removal in Windows 8 (2012).

windowsonwindows, 5 days ago to random

During Windows 8’s (2012) development, Microsoft utilised a security feature in builds, known as Redpill. Its job was to hide features in the builds in case they leaked. Microsoft also deliberately obfuscated features in other ways, such as naming the Windows Store “MS Help”. 👀

windowsonwindows, 6 days ago to random

Windows 3.1 (1992) includes an Easter egg showcasing the developers involved. As part of its execution, the following graphics can be discovered. The head displayed varies randomly between Bill Gates, Brad Silverberg, Steve Ballmer & a bear (the Windows 3.1 team’s mascot). 🐻‍❄️

windowsonwindows, 7 days ago to random

Working on lightening up a Microsoft dev presentation, @kclemson (@kclemson), inspired by artist Jason Heuser, came up with Ninja Cat. Soon, presentation-goers were asking for merch. Ninja Cat would later be adopted as the unofficial mascot of Windows 10 (2015). A feline legend was born. 😼

windowsonwindows, 9 days ago to random

VoteNow was an app found in various development builds of Windows Vista (2006). First seen in build 4033, from 17th July 2003, it was designed to allow testers to quickly & easily submit feedback on builds. Each build’s feedback was logged on its own page on Microsoft’s intranet.

windowsonwindows, 10 days ago to random

Olive Green is one of three colour schemes for Windows XP’s (2001) visual style, Luna. Based around various shades of green (hence its name 🫒), it was introduced in build 2474 from May 2001, in which it was referred to by the earlier name of Homestead.

windowsonwindows, 11 days ago to random

Bubbles is a screensaver introduced in Windows Vista (2006). It shows bubbles of various colours that move around the screen in front of the user’s desktop. It is one of a few screensavers still included by default in Windows 11 (2021). 🫧

windowsonwindows, 12 days ago to random

Windows 7 (2009) shipped with 7 (get it?) Aero themes: Windows 7, Architecture, Characters, Landscapes, Nature, Scenes & a region-dependent theme (e.g. United Kingdom for copies sold in the UK). Each contained a selection of wallpapers & sounds. Which was your favourite? 🖼️🎶

windowsonwindows, 13 days ago to random

Windows 1 (1985) included an analogue clock app to show users the time. Simply called Clock, a digital mode was added in Windows 3 (1990). In Windows 95 (1995), its function was absorbed into the Notification Area in the new Taskbar. It last appeared in Windows NT 4 (1996). ⏰

windowsonwindows, 14 days ago to random

Before the Start menu & Taskbar, the Windows 95 (1995) team tested this UI. They found users had issues deciding what each button on the Taskbar (at this point called the Tray) did. E.g. to search Help, do you go to Find or Help? 😵‍💫 Did they make the right call scrapping this? 👀

windowsonwindows, 15 days ago to random

Windows Vista (2006) added a search box to the Start menu. This let users type to search instantly on opening the menu. Previously, users needed to click a Search option within Start to launch the Search UI first. Typing to search in Start still exists as of Windows 11 (2021).

windowsonwindows, 16 days ago to random

Upon its release, Windows XP (2001) received critical acclaim. CNET described it as "worth the hype" & PC Magazine noted improved boot times over its predecessors, Windows 2000 (1999) & ME (2000). But its new visual style - Luna - was criticised by some, calling it “childish”.

windowsonwindows, 17 days ago to random

It’s Eurovision day! And in 2004, the EU ruled Microsoft broke European law by “abusing its monopoly to hurt competing video & audio apps”. They were fined €500m & had to offer a Windows edition sans video & audio apps. The 1st such edition - Windows XP Edition N - came in 2005.

windowsonwindows, 17 days ago to random

Windows Vista moment. 🧭✨🤩

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windowsonwindows, 21 days ago to random

Windows has shipped with 3 main GUIs (or shells). The first was Windows 1’s (1985) text-based MS-DOS Executive. This was replaced in Windows 3 (1990) by the icon-based Program Manager. Later, Windows 95 (1995) debuted Explorer, which included the famous Start Menu & Taskbar. 💪

windowsonwindows, 18 days ago to random

Windows Codename Blackcomb was the planned successor to Windows XP (2001). When it fell behind schedule, Microsoft began work on a smaller, interim release: Windows Codename Longhorn. It’d acquire many features intended for Blackcomb, before its release as Windows Vista in 2006.

windowsonwindows, 20 days ago to random

On 15th July 2015, Microsoft released Windows 10. Its successor - Windows 11 - arrived almost 6 years later, on 24th June 2021. This has been the longest time span ever between Windows releases, second only to the gap between XP (24th August 2001) & Vista (8th November 2006). ⏳

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windowsonwindows, 22 days ago to random

With the success of Windows 3 (1990), video tutorials for new Windows users became extremely popular. The Windows 3.1 Software Learning Video featured an introduction by Bill Gates himself, proclaiming excitedly that "in this video you are going to see the future - Windows." 📼🪟

windowsonwindows, 23 days ago to random

This was the original design for the Windows 8 (2012) logo. 👀 Director of Program Management for the Windows 8 User Experience, @jensenharris, explained that the now-familiar lines were added as “we didn’t think we could get trademark protection for a simple solid trapezoid”.