windowsonwindows

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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windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

On 26th June 2022, Windows Server 2012 build 7965, from March 2011, was leaked. It is notable for its never-before-seen boot screen, with a large, flat version of the Windows 7 logo. This logo was later seen as the Start button in the Windows 8 & Server 2012 Developer Previews.

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

The Windows “Safe To Shutdown” screen was implemented for users to know when they could safely turn off power to their PC, if it ran on hardware that couldn’t do so automatically. It has been present since at least as far back as Windows NT 3.1 build 297, from 28th June 1992. 🌃

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windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

In July 1996, Microsoft was sued by Caldera, who owned a competitor to their MS-DOS operating system, called DR-DOS. They claimed the fact Windows 95 (1995) could only run on top of MS-DOS was anti-competitive & illegal. In January 2000, Microsoft settled out of court for $280m.

windowsonwindows, 3 months ago to random

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update released in October 2017, as the final Windows 10 semiannual update not named after its year of release. It debuted the My People taskbar feature, power throttling & more. This was the last Windows 10 semiannual update for Windows 10 Mobile. 📲

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, 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, 4 months ago to random

Aurora is the default wallpaper of Windows Vista (2006). Designed to be “peaceful, calm & open” according to Windows design team member Jenny Lam, it was inspired by the Aurora Borealis (or Northern Lights) as seen from Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. ✨🟢🟡👀

windowsonwindows, 4 months ago to random

We all know about Windows 95…but have you heard of Windows 94? 👀 Windows Codename Chicago build 90c, from March 1994, refers to itself in setup as Windows 94! Ultimately, Chicago released as Windows 95 in August 1995. But it’s interesting to think what could have been... 9️⃣4️⃣

windowsonwindows, 4 months ago to random

Windows 10 Version 2004 - a.k.a. Windows 10 Version 20H1 - was the official Windows 10 May 2020 Update. Originally to be called Version 2003, Microsoft decided to change the name, likely to minimise any potential confusion with Windows Server 2003. ✅

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windowsonwindows, 4 months ago to random

XBox Music was a media player app, introduced in Windows 8 (2012), and meant as the successor to Windows Media Player. In Windows 10 (2015), it was redesigned & rebranded as Groove Music. In Windows 11 (2021), the app was again reborn, this time known simply as Media Player. 🎵🎥

windowsonwindows, 4 months ago to random

Xbox One OS is a modified version of Windows designed to power the XBox One & Series X/S consoles. Debuting with the XBox One on 22nd November 2013, it was initially based on Windows 8 (2012). Games run inside virtual machines powered by Microsoft’s Hyper-V virtualisation app.

windowsonwindows, 4 months ago to random

Windows Vista Beta 1 (build 5112) was released on 27th July 2005. Jenny Lam - a designer on the Vista team - said this build’s wallpaper “showed off the [Aero] glass really well, so when you run [a window] over the blades, you can see the refraction & get a sense of depth”. 🌱

windowsonwindows, 4 months ago to random

As part of the launch of Windows 11 (2021), New York-based ice-cream manufacturer Mikey Likes It produced a flavour called “Bloomberry” - a blueberry, pound cake & chocolate ice-cream, named to refer to the new “bloom” wallpapers included in Windows 11.

windowsonwindows, 4 months ago to random

Windows 3.2 was an updated release of Windows 3.1 (1992), made available exclusively for the Chinese market. In addition to bug fixes, it included improved language localisation for simplified Chinese, plus improved compatibility with Chinese programs.

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windowsonwindows, 4 months ago to random

Windows 95 (1995) introduced a Welcome window that launched automatically on boot up. Found at C:\Windows\welcome.exe, it provided tips, as well as links to a tour, online registration, info on new features & other Microsoft products. It was later ported to Windows NT 4 (1996).