windowsonwindows

windowsonwindows, 10 months ago to random

Hey Windowers, we’re now on Threads! Find us at https://www.threads.net/@wowstartsnow, or search for @wowstartsnow in the Threads app! 🧵🧵🧵

windowsonwindows, 9 months ago to random

Windows DVD Player, introduced in Windows 98 (1998), was an app for playing DVD video. Initially requiring a user’s PC to have MPEG decoding hardware, by Windows ME (2000), it was capable of software decoding. Its functionality was later incorporated into Windows Media Player. 📀

windowsonwindows, 6 months ago (edited 6 months ago) to random

Microsoft spent $250m marketing Windows XP (2001), including launch events in 63 cities across the world. The UK launch took place at the Royal Festival Hall, London. It was hosted by Microsoft’s then-CEO Steve Ballmer, who prophesised that XP would be “the Windows to beat”.

windowsonwindows, 8 months ago to random

Windows Home Server (2007) was a version of Windows designed for use on so-called “stay-at-home” servers. These were touted as a home backup solution for consumers. A children's book - “Mommy, Why Is There A Server In The House?” - was released to promote the operating system. 📖

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windowsonwindows, 10 months ago to random

Can I just say that I really appreciate how stable this place is compared to the other place. Love y'all! 😘

windowsonwindows, 9 months ago to random

Evolution of the Windows Taskbar (including development builds)… 👀

windowsonwindows, 10 months ago to random

Calling Mac users! What’s your favourite Mastodon client for macOS? 🦣

windowsonwindows, 10 months ago (edited 10 months ago) to random

Windows XP build 2210, from 2nd March 2000, is the earliest available build of a 64-bit edition of Windows. Designed for DEC Alpha, it predated Intel Itanium & x86-64, which XP would eventually support. Its boot screen is notably just Windows 2000’s with “64” crudely spray painted on top.

windowsonwindows, 10 months ago to random

In November 2006, Microsoft released the Zune theme as a free download for Windows XP (2001). Made to promote their new Zune portable media player, the theme consisted of a new black & orange recolour of Windows XP Media Centre Edition’s Royale visual style, plus a new wallpaper.

windowsonwindows, 10 months ago to random

The Microsoft Hearts Network (later, simply Hearts) was a card game introduced in Windows for Workgroups 3.1 (1992). It aimed to showcase the OS’s new networking features, by allowing multiplayer games over a network. It is no longer included in Windows as of Windows 8 (2012). ❤️

windowsonwindows, 10 months ago to random

Windows Desktop Search, from 16th May 2005, was an update for Windows 2000, XP & Server 2003 to “dramatically upgrade” search in Windows. Its most visible feature was a new Taskbar search box. Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi said, “Now people can search their PC as fast as the Web.” 🔎

windowsonwindows, 9 months ago to random

Billboard ads for Windows Phone 8, 2012.

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windowsonwindows, 10 months ago to random

Windows has an undocumented “Emergency Shutdown” feature. Though info is scarce, it existed at least as far back as Windows NT 3.51 (1995). To access it, a user must press Ctrl+Alt+Delete & click Shut Down whilst holding Ctrl. After confirming, the system immediately shuts down.

windowsonwindows, 8 months ago to random

Windows 10 Mobile (2016) was Microsoft’s final mobile operating system. Branded & marketed as an edition of Windows 10 (2015), it was actually a version of Windows Phone. In 2017 its development ceased, owing to lack of support from app developers. Support ended in January 2020.

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Hotdog Stand was a colour scheme included in Windows 3.1 (1992). Its primary colours are red (symbolising ketchup) & yellow (mustard). Along with all 3.1 schemes, it was removed in Windows 95 (1995). It does, however, have a cult following. Because…who doesn’t love hotdogs? 🌭

windowsonwindows, 9 months ago to random

Windows 8 “Fast and fun” slide at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, UK, November 2012.

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windowsonwindows, 8 months ago to random

CD Player was an app for playing audio CDs. It was made available for Windows NT 3.51 (1995), 95 (1995), 98 (1998) & 2000 (1999). It could fetch metadata for tracks via an Internet connection, if one was available. It was officially replaced by Windows Media Player in ME (2000).

windowsonwindows, 8 months ago to random

Windows CE is a line of Windows for mobile/embedded PCs. Debuting in 1996, it was a result of Microsoft’s scrapped WinPad project & would influence the future Windows Mobile/Phone OSes. Support for the last version - Windows Embedded Compact 2013 - will end on 10th October 2023.

windowsonwindows, 7 months ago to random

Happy 10th Birthday, Windows 8.1! 🥳 Developed in response to Windows 8’s (2012) poor reception, Windows 8.1 (2013) aimed to restore a more traditional desktop-based UI. This famously included the return of the Start button - although the Start menu itself was still missing. 👀

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windowsonwindows, 8 months ago to random

Through the early 1980s, Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen and Bill Gates brainstormed ideas for a new product: a graphical “operating environment” that would run on top of their command-based MS-DOS operating system. After many delays, it would release as Windows 1 in 1985. ✨

windowsonwindows, 6 months ago to random

In November 2006, Microsoft released the Zune theme for Windows XP (2001). Made to promote their new portable media player, the Zune, the theme included a new black & orange recolour of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005’s Royale visual style, plus a new wallpaper. ⚫️🟠🖌️

windowsonwindows, 6 months ago to random

Windows XP (2001) introduced a theming engine, allowing the use of visual styles. During development, Microsoft tested many visual styles, including Business (hidden in build 2223), Candy (found via the source code) & Watercolor (in various early builds), before finalising Luna.

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windowsonwindows, 8 months ago to random

After the launch of the iPhone in 2007, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said, "$500 […]! That is the most expensive phone in the world & [...] it doesn't have a keyboard.” 3 years later, he launched Windows Phone: Microsoft's new mobile OS, powering devices to compete with iPhone.

windowsonwindows, 8 months ago to random

Windows 3 (1990) introduced desktop wallpapers to Windows! By default, no wallpaper is shown. However, the user can choose from a selection of included bitmap images - or alternatively one of their own - which can be displayed centred or tiled. Which was/is your favourite? 🖼️😎

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windowsonwindows, 4 months ago to random

To combat the problems users had navigating the system in Windows 3.1 (1992), Microsoft introduced the Start Menu & Taskbar in Windows 95 (1995). Both would quickly become synonymous with Windows, going through various iterations over the years. Which was your favourite? 👀