windowsonwindows

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

Windows 10 build 9841, from 12th September 2014, was the 1st build of Windows ever shared via the Windows Insider Program, on 1st October 2014. As such, it was the 1st public build of Windows 10 (2015). Its UI is an obvious hybrid between Windows 7 (2009) & 8/8.1 (2012/13). 👀

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

ScanDisk is a program included in Windows 9x - though introduced in MS-DOS 6.2 (1993) - to check and/or repair disk file systems errors. The successor to the simpler Chkdsk (“Check Disk”) utility, it infamously appeared on boot up if the system detected an improper shutdown. 🤕

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

Slate is the default visual style in Windows Vista builds 4042 (September 2003) to 4093 (August 2004). It replaced the Plex visual style seen in earlier Vista builds. Both Plex & Slate acted as placeholders for Vista’s planned final visual style, Aero.

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

The Browser Choice Screen was a mandatory screen shown to Windows Internet Explorer users in the European Union between March 2010-December 2014. It resulted from the EU ruling the inclusion of Internet Explorer in Windows gave Microsoft an unfair advantage in the browser market.

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, 2 months ago to random

On 9th January 1998, Microsoft announced the Windows 98 Consumer Beta Preview Program. This let “computer-savvy” Windows 95 (1995) users try out the Beta 3 build of the new OS. A “select list” of users were invited by email & could join the Program for $29.95 plus shipping/tax.

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windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

Windows XP (2001) brought the biggest visual changes to Windows since Windows 95 (1995). According to the Program Manager for its UI team, Greg Raiz, “The design philosophy of the OS was to move Microsoft away from mechanical, rigid & gray design & to make the OS feel more natural.”

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

Character Map is a Windows utility used to view, copy and/or insert special characters. Introduced in Windows NT 3.1 (1993), characters can be displayed in any system font, as well as grouped & searched. Keyboard shortcuts that can be used to insert characters are also shown. ⌨️

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

In April 2008, Microsoft released Service Pack 3 for Windows XP (2001) - around 18 months after the release of Windows Vista (2006). With security & performance improvements - in addition to new features - many users opted to stick with XP with SP3, instead of upgrading to Vista.

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

File Explorer is the default file manager in Windows. Introduced in Windows 95 build 58s (1993), it was 1st known as (File) Cabinet or Chicago Explorer (after 95’s codename, Chicago). It was renamed Windows Explorer before 95’s release, & became File Explorer in Windows 8 (2012).

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

Recycle Bin stores deleted files in Windows. The concept existed as Trash in early builds of Windows 1 (1985), but didn’t make the final release. Reintroduced as Wastebasket in Windows Codename Cairo in the early 90s (later scrapped), its official debut came in Windows 95 (1995).

windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

Windows Codename Neptune is a cancelled version of Windows that Microsoft worked on in the late 1990s. It debuted the Start Page: a new, simplified UI that overlaid the traditional desktop. A similar concept - the Start Screen - released over a decade later in Windows 8 (2012).🤯

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windowsonwindows, 2 months ago to random

Windows 8 (2012) debuted a new Internet Explorer mode, designed to fit in with the OS’s new, touch-friendly UI. Most of the UI is hidden by default, allowing webpages maximum use of screen space. The UI is expanded by swiping from the top or bottom, or right-clicking the mouse.

windowsonwindows, 2 months 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, 2 months ago to random

Windows 3 (1990) debuted “Modes” that optimised the OS on particular hardware. Real Mode (for low-end PCs) maximised Windows 1, 2 & DOS app compatibility. Standard Mode let newer CPUs access more RAM. 386 Enhanced Mode let the highest-end PCs run Windows & DOS apps concurrently.

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Windows 98 (1998) introduced a new user interface for the Windows setup process. Known during development as “Red Carpet”, the windowed tips (or “billboards”) of Windows 95’s (1995) setup were replaced by shorter, snappier “tagline-esque” ones, set against a graphical background.

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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

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).

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Windows Classic refers to the Windows UI theme that debuted in Windows 95 (1995). It was the default Windows theme until Windows XP (2001), where it was replaced as the default look & feel by the new Luna visual style. Classic was removed as a theme option in Windows 8 (2012). 👨🏻‍🎨

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Plug & Play, introduced in Windows 95 (1995), was a standard that allowed the automatic detection & installation of drivers for the system’s hardware on boot, or for peripherals when connected by the user. This negated the need for users to do so manually, saving time & know-how.

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

The Windows notification area was introduced in Windows 95 (1995). Located on the very right of the taskbar, it is sometimes known as the “system tray”. It displays system & app icons, which act as shortcuts to functions and/or information such as the date, time & network status.

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Windows Vista build 3713, from 13th November 2002, introduced a so-called New Taskbar. It featured - amongst other things - centred taskbar buttons. While they didn’t make the final version of Vista (2006), they finally debuted in Windows 11 (2021)…almost TWO DECADES later! 🤯⏳

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Windows 3 with Multimedia Extensions (1991) brought screensavers to Windows. These full-screen, (mostly) animated images &/or text aimed to prevent burn-in on CRT screens. Many were kept in later Windows versions, such as Flying Windows, Mystify & Starfield. What was your fav? 🤓

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windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Quick Launch, debuting in 1997’s Desktop Update for Windows 95 (1995) & NT 4 (1996), was a taskbar feature that allowed users to "pin" app or file shortcuts to the taskbar. Its functionality was later absorbed & expanded into Windows 7’s (2009) new "superbar" pinning feature. 📌

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

Windows 10 build 19587, from 13th March 2020, introduced a new boot screen loading “spinner”. Though disabled by default, it can be activated via a registry key. It would later be used in Windows 10X (cancelled) & Windows 11 (2021), beginning with the Windows 11 2022 Update. ⭕️

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