windowsonwindows

windowsonwindows, 5 months ago to random

The creator of the Start Menu and Taskbar, Daniel Oran, originally designed them to be at the top of the screen. It was only later in development that they were moved to the bottom. The button was also originally named System, but users were reluctant to click this in testing. 🧐

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

Windows 98 (1998) was the last version of Windows able to be purchased on floppy disks. The 3½" floppy disk edition of Windows 98 was mail order only and came on THIRTY NINE(!!!) specially-formatted disks - each could hold 1.68MB (versus the 1.44MB of a standard floppy). 💾👀😱

windowsonwindows, 9 months ago to random

Billboard ads for Windows Phone 8, 2012.

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windowsonwindows, 9 months 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, 9 months ago to random

On 24th August 1995, Windows 95 was released. It introduced many features still hallmarks of Windows today, including the famous Start Menu & Taskbar. With a massive ad campaign, many queued overnight to get a copy. 95 would become a huge success. Happy 28th Birthday, Windows 95!

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, 7 months ago to random

3D Pinball is a pinball game first made available as part of Microsoft Plus! 95 for Windows 95. Later, it would be included with Windows NT 4 through XP. Developed by Microsoft employee David Plummer, it was a modified port of the game Full Tilt! Pinball by Cinematronics (1995).

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, 9 months ago to random

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

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, 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? 👀

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

Windows has an undocumented “Emergency Shutdown” feature. Introduced in Windows NT 3.1 (1993), to access it, a user must 1st press Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Then, if the Shut Down option is chosen while holding Ctrl, a dialog box will allow the user to confirm an immediate shut down. 🚨‼️

windowsonwindows, 1 month ago to random

On 1st April 1996, Microsoft Coffee appeared in stores. ☕️ This “Java-compatible Internet development tool” (Java…coffee…get it?) was designed for Windows 95 (1995), inspired by Sun Microsystem’s new Java programming language. The only issue? It was fake. 👀

windowsonwindows, 28 days ago to random

Windows Codename Longhorn build 4093, from 19th August 2004, is the last available build of what would become Windows Vista (2006) before its infamous “development reset”. It contains many prototype features that were either vastly reworked for Vista, or scrapped altogether. 👀

windowsonwindows, 14 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, 3 months ago to random

Windows XP featured 4 sample images: Blue Hills (by Mark Karrass) depicts a hilly blue forest in Washington, US; Sunset (by Mick Roessler) shows a sunset over Lake Pichola, India; Winter (also by Karrass) is of an unknown snowy forest; Water Lilies’ author & location are unknown.

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windowsonwindows, 9 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, 15 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, 1 month ago to random

The Windows 95 Usability Testing Builds are the earliest known builds of Windows 95. They are shown in a Microsoft video demonstrating part of the usability testing process for Windows 95, from late 1992/early 1993. They showcase an early taskbar with no clock or Start button.

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Microsoft initially aimed to let users run Windows 3.1 (1992) as a virtual machine inside Windows 95 (1995). But, the idea was quickly scrapped. Developer Raymond Chen said: “95 was intended to be maximally backward compatible. This feature would be an admission that we failed.”

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windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

User account pictures debuted in Windows XP (2001). They are used to represent system users on the Start menu & lock screen. Windows 7 (2009) offered a choice of 37(!) user pictures - more than any other Windows version. Most originated from Getty Images. Which was yours? 👀🤓

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, 3 months ago to random

Microsoft Reversi debuted in Windows 1 (1985). It featured an AI opponent & was included through Windows 3 (1990). It was replaced in Windows 3.1 (1992) by Microsoft Solitaire (CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?). An online co-op version of the game appeared in Windows ME (2000) & XP (2001). 🔵

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Chess is a wallpaper from Windows 3 (1990). It depicts six chess pieces falling on a chess board. Its author is unknown. In Windows XP builds 2475 & 2486, the Chess user picture is replaced by this wallpaper, possibly caused by an error during the compilation of these builds.

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Fast Start was a feature tested in Windows Codename Neptune, an unreleased Windows version from the late 1990s. It sped up boot times by saving an initial system snapshot that was restored on each boot. A similar feature eventually debuted over a decade later in Windows 8 (2012).