windowsonwindows

windowsonwindows, 3 days ago to random

“winmain” (formerly “main”) was the name of the main branch of Windows code from XP (2001) to 10 (2015). Code from devs - working across many teams - would be integrated into winmain when (or if 😬🐂) it passed quality checks. This was then used (“forked”) to compile builds. 👨🏻‍💻

windowsonwindows, 4 days ago to random

Release Candidates (RCs) were post-beta development builds of Windows. As their name suggests, devs were confident in their stability, making them “candidates for release”. In testing, last-minute issues would be fixed, leading to the final Release To Manufacturing (RTM) build.

windowsonwindows, 5 days ago to random

Neil Konzen joined the Windows 1 (1985) development team in 1984. His task was to replace the current “piece of crap” UI with something better. Konzen’s UI featured a command bar with pull-down menus at the top of the screen, icons & a Control Panel to access system settings. ⚙️

windowsonwindows, 6 days ago to random

The Welcome Screen was first tested in Windows Codename Neptune in the late 1990s. It aimed to give the login screen a more relaxed appearance for home users. Though Neptune was cancelled, the Welcome Screen idea wasn’t forgotten & it officially debuted in Windows XP (2001). 🤩

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windowsonwindows, 7 days ago to random

Many beta builds of Windows 2000 (1999) - known as Windows NT 5 during much of its development - contained a boot screen that was visually consistent with the login screen. 👀 Build 1911, from October 1998, is the last known build with this boot & login screen synergy. 🔥

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windowsonwindows, 8 days ago to random

Microsoft Internet Games - introduced in Windows Millennium Edition (2000) - was a pack of online multiplayer games of Backgammon, Checkers, Spades, Hearts & Reversi (“Can you believe it?”). Later ported to Windows XP (2001), Microsoft ended the Internet Games service in 2019. 🎲

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windowsonwindows, 9 days ago to random

3D Pinball is a game first made available in Microsoft Plus! 95 for Windows 95 (1995). Later, it was included with Windows NT 4 (1996) through XP (2001). Developed by Microsoft employee Dave Plummer, it was a modified port of the game Full Tilt! Pinball by Cinematronics (1995).

windowsonwindows, 10 days ago to random

Microsoft Minesweeper is a game included in Windows from Windows 3.1 (1992) - where it replaced Reversi (CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?) - to Windows Vista (2006). Originally created by Curt Johnson for OS/2, the Windows port was first included in the Microsoft Entertainment Pack (1990). 💣

windowsonwindows, 12 days ago to random

In the months before the release of Windows 95 (1995), Microsoft distributed a floppy disk promoting the OS in various PC magazines. It contained an interactive guide showcasing 95’s new features, & the ability for users to check their hardware & software compatibility with 95.

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windowsonwindows, 13 days ago to random

With Windows 3.1 (1992) came a new Windows logo. Commissioned by Microsoft Senior Vice President & Product Manager for Windows at the time, Brad Silverberg - who described it as “a window with cool motion effects” - it was designed by Jeff Boettcher, Jonathan Cowles & Julie Wong.

windowsonwindows, 14 days ago to random

It’s only been a few months since I lost my mam (that’s what we call our moms/mums in Wales! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿). She was super proud of this account and the YouTube channel. I miss her a lot. 🥀😞 I’m sorry I’ve not been very active during this time - but I will be back, better than ever! 💪

windowsonwindows, 14 days ago to random

Windows 3 build 33, from July 1989, is the last known build to use Windows 2’s (1987) shell, the MS-DOS Executive. This would be replaced by the new Program Manager in time for release. The build’s modified Windows 2 boot screen displays the message “We Believe in Magic!”. 🧙🏻‍♂️🧙🏻

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windowsonwindows, 15 days 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, 16 days 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, 17 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, 18 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, 19 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, 20 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, 21 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, 23 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, 23 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, 24 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, 25 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, 26 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, 27 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? 🖼️🎶