Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a range of closed source Proprietary software commercial operating environments for personal computers and servers. The range was first introduced by Microsoft in 1985 and eventually has come to dominate the world personal computer market. All recent versions of Windows are fully-fledged operating systems. ''Windows'' was developed for IBM PC-compatible computers (these were based on Intel x86 architecture), and today, almost all versions of ''Windows'' are made for this Platform (computing) (although Windows NT was written as a cross-platform system for Intel and MIPS processors, and later appeared on the PowerPC and DEC Alpha architectures). The popularity of Windows made Intel Central processing unit more popular and vice versa. In fact, the term ''Wintel'' became used to describe PC-compatible computers running a version of Windows. ==Versions== The term ''Windows'' is used as a collective term for several generations of products, which can be classified into the following categories: * 16-bit operating environments. Although they are often thought of as just graphical user interfaces or desktops, mostly because they use MS-DOS for file system services, 16-bit Windows versions already have their own executable file format and provide their own device drivers (graphics, printer, mouse, keyboard and sound). Most importantly, from the beginning they allow the user to (non-preemptively) multi-task graphical applications, something which competitors like GEM do not offer. Finally, they implement an elaborated segment-based software virtual memory scheme, which allows to run applications larger than available memory: code segments and resources are swapped in and thrown away when useless or memory becomes scarce and data segments move in memory when a given application has relinquished processor control. Examples include Windows 1.0 (1985) and Windows 2.0 (1987) and its close relative ''Windows/286''. * Hybrid 16/32-bit operating environments. ''Windows/386'' introduced a 32-bit protected mode kernel (computer science) and virtual machine monitor. For the duration of a Windows session, it provided a device virtualization for the disk controller, video card, keyboard, mouse, timer and interrupt controller. The user-visible consequence was that it became possible to preemptively multitask multiple MS-DOS environments in separate windows (graphical applications required switching the window to full screen mode). Windows applications were still multi-tasked cooperatively inside one of such real-mode environments. Windows 3.x (1990) and Windows 3.1 (1992) perfected the design, notably thanks to virtual memory and loadable virtual device drivers (VxDs) which allowed them to share arbitrary devices between multitasked DOS windows. Most important, Windows applications could now run in 16-bit protected mode (when Windows was running in Standard or 386 Enhanced Mode), which gave them access to several megabytes of memory and removed the obligation to participate in the software virtual memory scheme. They still ran inside the same address space, where the segmented memory provided a degree of protection, and multi-tasked cooperatively. For Windows 3.0 Microsoft also rewrote critical operations from C programming language into Assembly_language, making this release faster and less memory-hungry than its predecessors. * Hybrid 16/32-bit operating system. With the introduction of 32-Bit File Access in Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows could finally stop relying on DOS for file management. Leveraging this, Windows 95 introduced Long File Names, reducing the 8.3 (computing) DOS to the role of a boot loader. MS-DOS was now bundled with Windows; this notably made it (partially) aware of long file names when its utilities were run from within Windows, but angered the competition. The most important novelty was however the possibility of running 32-bit multi-threaded preemptively multitasked graphical programs. There were three releases of Windows 95 (the first in 1995, then subsequent bug-fix versions in 1996 and 1997, only released to OEMs, which added extra features such as File Allocation Table support). Microsoft's next OS was Windows 98; there were two versions of this (the first in 1998 and the second, named "Windows 98 Second Edition", in 1999). This was an evolutionary enhancement, in much the same relation to Windows 98 as Windows 3.1 had been to 3.0. In 2000, Microsoft released Windows Me, which used the same core as Windows 98 but adopted the visual appearance of Windows 2000, as well as a new feature called system restore, allowing the user to set the computer's settings back to an earlier date. Compared to previous upgrades, comparatively few people bothered to switch to ME: by this time most power users had already jumped over to the NT family. This can be defended by the fact that Microsoft left little time for Windows Millennium to become popular before announcing their next version of Windows. * 32-bit operating systems originally designed and marketed for higher-reliability business use with no DOS heritage. The first release was Windows NT 3.1 (1993, numbered "3.1" to match the Windows version and to 1-up OS/2 2.1, its main competitor at the time), which was followed by NT 3.5 (1994), NT 3.51 (1995), and NT 4.0 (1996); the latter of which introduced the Windows 95 interface. Microsoft then moved to combine their consumer and business operating systems. Their first attempt, Windows 2000, failed to meet their goals, and was released as a business system. The home consumer edition of Windows 2000, Microsoft codenames "Windows Neptune", ceased development and Microsoft released Windows ME in its place. Eventually "Neptune" was merged into their new project, Whistler, which later became Windows XP. XP finally rendered DOS obsolete, and since then a new business system, Windows Server 2003, has expanded the top end of the range, and the forthcoming Windows Longhorn will complete it. Windows CE, Microsoft's offering in the mobile and embedded markets, is also a true 32-bit operating system. * 64-bit operating systems, the newest category, are designed for AMD's AMD64 CPU architecture, Intel's IA-64, and EM64T. The 64-bit Windows family comprises Windows XP Itanium edition and x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003; Windows XP Professional and server x64 editions were released on April 25, 2005. Itanium editions already came out in 2002. Early indications are that Windows Longhorn, the projected successor to Windows XP, will be released in both 32-Bit and 64-Bit versions. ==Interface== The most obvious feature of the more recent Windows versions (since Windows 95 and NT 4.0) is the desktop, which is similar to the "Workplace Shell" introduced by IBM for OS/2 2.0 in 1992, an object-oriented GUI running on the OS/2 Presentation Manager. The Windows desktop has produced a significant change in the way people and computers interact; it is possible to perform many common tasks with very little computer knowledge, including some quite complex ones. Another quite significant feature of Windows since Windows 95 is the Start Menu, which gives users of any skill level immediate access to all of their installed programs, and many of the other features of the operating system. Windows XP introduced a new visual style dubbed "Luna", which updated the classic Windows style (a plain grey box look) with a more graphical appearance. The new style features bold colors and a larger titlebar and start button, leading many to call it the "playskool" interface (after a popular brand of children's toys) [http://www.winntmag.com/ActiveDirectory/Article/ArticleID/23597/ActiveDirectory_23597.html] [http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/71914] [http://labmice.techtarget.com/FAQ/winxpfaq.htm] and others to call it the "Teletubbies" interface (after the children TV show Teletubbies, also partly because of Windows XP's default wallpaper, a grassy plain with a blue sky, which resembles the set of the TV show) [http://www.theregister.com/2002/01/25/get_the_teletubbies_windows_xperience/]. Users can still elect to use the old Windows 95/2000 visual style. There is a view that modern operating systems need to cater to the vastly increased user base with a lower average computer skill level and the increased power and complexity of modern computer systems. Therefore, some technically savvy users accuse the Windows interface of isolating the user from too much of the inner workings of the computer, making it more difficult to control and configure some system features, although many such features can be now controlled also from the command-line or by scripting. However, this has always been an issue to some extent with GUI operating systems, and, to a lesser extent, almost all operating systems, by definition. ==Popularity== Thought to be installed on over 90% of personal computers, ''Windows'' has achieved enormous market penetration due in large part to the domination of MS-DOS in the early days of PC compatible computers (IBM-PC clones), and also because it is the primary platform for Microsoft Office and gaming software programs used by many microcomputer users. Although some of these factors have faded over the years (such as the sunset of the MS-DOS, the ability of third-party software like Open Office to create and/or modify Microsoft Office documents, or the porting of notable games to Apple Macintosh and Linux), these factors helped create a dedicated early userbase. Microsoft's operating system has also benefited from the fact that they are one of the few companies that are willing to license their OSes to hardware manufacturers. (For example, Apple Computer is loath to license Mac OS X and Sun Microsystems does not license Solaris Operating Environment to anyone.) Before, companies who wanted to be in the computer business had to create their own operating system (such as the Amiga) or use a OS without a graphic user interface (like MS-DOS or CP/M); even an exclusive license was significantly cheaper than developing a new operating system and creating a software base. Thus, Microsoft won much early support. Due to Microsoft's exclusive licensing agreements with many computer vendors, ''Windows'' today comes pre-installed on most computers as a bundled original equipment manufacturer version, making it the default choice for much of the market. Most consumers do not delete ''Windows'' and install another operating system. For some consumers, ''Windows'' is the only valid option as their computing environment is mandated by their workplace; additionally, the unfamiliarity of most other operating systems limits the desire to switch to other operating systems. Additionally, a growing part of the computer market (the "America Online") lacks the technical knowledge needed to install an operating system. Finally, the software base of programs available for the Windows family of operating systems (generally greater than that of all other operating systems combined) has become the single largest self-perpetuating reason for the popularity of Windows. In recent years, many companies have started up with the sole intention of releasing Windows software; the fact that there is already a large customer base in place is reason enough for such companies to only spend resources on Windows software development. In turn, the fact that many companies are supporting Windows exclusively is reason for many customers to choose Windows. ==Security== Security has been a major weakness of Windows for many years. Most modern operating systems were designed for security in a multi-user and/or networked environment and have a relatively small number of security issues. Windows was originally designed for ease-of-use on a single-user PC without a network connection, and did not have security features built in from the outset. Combined with occasionally flawed code (such as buffer overruns) Windows has been the successful target of computer worm and computer virus writers numerous times. In June 2005, Bruce Schneier's Counterpane Internet Security reported that it had seen over 1,000 new viruses and worms in the previous six months. Some say Microsoft Windows gets more than its fair share of attacks simply because it is the dominant desktop operating system. Others say it gets more attacks because poor engineering design makes it such an easy target: its monolithic and entangled structure is in stark contrast to the rigorous modularity and carefully defined layers of its rivals. Microsoft publicly admitted their ongoing security problems shortly after the turn of the century and (according to their press statements) now claims to regard security as their number one priority. Microsoft releases security patches through its Windows Update service approximately once a month, although critical updates are made available at shorter intervals. In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, updates can be automatically downloaded and installed if the user elects to do so. Many security experts are advising Windows users to take steps to increase the security of their systems. A study conducted by Kevin Mitnick and marketing communications firm, Avantgarde, found that an unpatched Windows XP system only lasted 4 minutes on the Internet before it was compromised. [http://www.avantgarde.com/ttln113004.html] The AOL/National Cyber Security Alliance Online Safety Study of October 2004 determined that 80% of Windows users were infected by at least one spyware/adware product. [http://www.staysafeonline.info/news/safety_study_v04.pdf] Much documentation is available describing how to increase the security of Microsoft Windows products. Typical suggestions include deploying Microsoft Windows behind a hardware firewall, running Antivirus and anti-spyware software, and installing patches as they become available through Windows Update. Some suggest replacing specific programs which are often targeted by Security cracking with alternatives, such as replacing the web browser Internet Explorer with Mozilla Firefox, and replacing the email client Microsoft Outlook with Mozilla Thunderbird. In 2001, Microsoft started talking about a controversial security initiative called Palladium (computing). The system has since been renamed "Next Generation Secure Computing Base". Palladium is a system intended to allow a program to verify that it is unmodified, and is running on "trusted" hardware with "trusted" drivers and a "trusted" architecture. This, in theory, assures the software that it is running on unmodified software and hardware. Palladium has a particular use in DRM systems. A side effect will be to lock out "untrusted" operating systems at the hardware level: this is likely to impact Linux in particular, since there is no single canonical Linux which can be certified, and many users consider the ability to customize the system one of its main attractions. Some conspiracy theorists hold that this is the secret reason behind the system, although in practice it is unlikely that Microsoft will try to prevent Linux vendors such as Red Hat from having their products certified. As of 2004, Palladium has not resulted in any commercial products. == Current versions == *Windows CE for embedded systems including Consumer Electronics products (note: CE is a different operating system from DOS and Windows NT/2000/XP, and Microsoft makes the source code available) *Windows Mobile for smart phones and PDAs (a version of Windows CE) **Portable Media Center for Digital Media Players *Windows XP for desktops and notebooks **Windows XP Starter Edition, for new computer users in developing countries **Windows XP Home Edition, for home desktops and notebooks **Windows XP Home Edition N, as above, but without a default installation of Windows Media Player, as mandated by an EU ruling **Windows XP Professional Edition, for business and power users **Windows XP Professional Edition N, as above, but without a default installation of Windows Media Player, as mandated by an EU ruling **Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, for PC's with 64-bit processors (based on Windows Server 2003) **Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, for notebooks with a touch screen or a pen-sensitive screen **Windows XP Media Center Edition for desktops and notebooks with an emphasis on audio, video, and Personal video recorder capability *Windows Server 2003 for servers **Small Business Server for first server installations (up to 2 processors) **Web Edition for basic web serving (up to 2 processors) **Standard Edition for smaller server applications that don't require clustering (up to 4 processors) **Enterprise Edition for larger server applications, and clustering (up to 8 processors) **Datacenter Edition for mainframe like servers (up to 128 processors) **Storage Server for Network Attached Storage Devices *Windows XP Embedded for embedded systems == Past versions == *DOS-Based ** 1985 November - Windows 1.0 ** 1987 December 9 - Windows 2.0 ** 1990 May 22 - Windows 3.x ** 1992 August - Windows 3.1 ** 1992 October - Windows for Workgroups 3.1 ** 1993 November - Windows for Workgroups 3.11 ** 1995 August 24 - Windows 95 (Version number: 4.00.950) ** 1998 June 25 - Windows 98 (Version number: 4.1.1998) ** 1999 May 5 - Windows 98 Second Edition (Version number: 4.1.2222) ** 2000 June 19 - Windows Me (Version number; 4.9.3000) *NT Kernel-Based ** 1993 August - Windows NT ** 1994 September - Windows NT ** 1995 June - Windows NT ** 1996 July 29 - Windows NT 4.0 - the last version which ran on RISC architectures like DEC Alpha, MIPS architecture and PowerPC. Later versions concentrated on x86-based hardware and - mainly as server OSs - the IA-64 line of CPUs. ** 2000 February 17 - Windows 2000 (Version number: NT 5.0.2195) == Cancelled versions == * 1996 May 3 - Windows Nashville (windows 96) (cancelled) (Became windows 95B.) * 1997-1998 - Cairo operating system (a "true object-oriented OS") planned after Windows NT; if released would be similar to DesktopX (but at a lower level) (Became Windows NT 4) * 1999 December - Windows Neptune was sent out to beta testers but was never released. Should have been successor to Windows 2000. == Future versions == * 2006 - Windows codename "Windows Longhorn " is scheduled to be released. * 2010–2012 - Windows codename "Windows_Blackcomb ". * Windows Eiger (Software) - is in early development, designed for old machines. ==Emulation and virtual machine software== Emulation or the use of "virtual machines" allow the use of some Windows applications without using Microsoft Windows. *WINE - an incomplete open source implementation of the Windows API, allowing one to run some Windows applications on x86 Unix-based platforms, including Linux. *Cedega (formerly known as WineX) is TransGaming Technologies' proprietary fork of WINE, which is designed specifically for running games written for Microsoft Windows under Linux *Java programming language by Sun Microsystems - Java is an object-oriented programming language developed initially by James Gosling and colleagues at Sun Microsystems. (see also JVM - the Java Virtual Machine) *Microsoft .NET Web Application Platform (Compare alternatives: The Mono development platform and Rotor Programming Projects) *ReactOS - Open Source operating system, aimed to be compatible with Windows NT apps and drivers, although still very much in its infancy at the moment. *Freedows OS and Alliance OS - A very ambitious project, and a subsequent spinoff, that tried to clone Windows but withered away. *Project David - Ambitious and controversial project to fully emulate Windows programs to run on other OSs. *Codeweavers CrossOver Office product, also to fully emulate Windows programs to run on other OSs. *VMWare PC Emulator software *Microsoft Virtual PC (formerly by Connectix) *Captive NTFS - A software "wrapper" for fuller, more-compatible open-source implementations of the Windows NTFS file system *QEMU - Free software written by Fabrice Bellard that implements a fast processor emulator, allowing a user to run one operating system within another *DOSBox - An emulator which creates a DOS-like environment primarily intended for running older, MS-DOS-based PC computer games which may not run properly on newer Personal computers. *ScummVM - A virtual machine which allows one to play LucasArts Adventure Games games which use the SCUMM system on platforms other than those where versions were originally released. ==See also== *Blue Screen of Death *Microsoft Anti-Virus for Windows *Windows Media *Windows Explorer *Microsoft Visual Studio *Volume Shadow Copy Service *Hardware **Hardware abstraction layer **Hardware description language **Windows Driver Model **Device driver **WinHEC **VGASAVE *List of operating systems *Comparison of operating systems *Windows vs Linux *Sticky keys *Windows Longhorn - Next Generation Windows Platform *Windows Blackcomb - Next Generation Server Platform == External links == * [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ Microsoft's Official Windows Website] * [http://www.levenez.com/windows/ Windows history] – a Windows history time line graph of by �ric L�v�nez * [http://www.aci.com.pl/mwichary/guidebook/interfaces/windows GUIdebook: Windows Gallery] - A website dedicated to preserving and showcasing Graphical User Interfaces * [http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/sa/support/winpe.mspx Microsoft's Officially Supported "Windows Pre-installation Environment"] (aka WinPE) - for making boot-able "Live" Administrative Windows CD's * [http://www.winsupersite.com/ Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows] - An exhaustive evaluation of Microsoft's products and technologies * [http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ Bart Lagerweij's "Bart PE"] - a powerful free 3rd-party "PE" alternative (not endorsed nor supported by Microsoft) * [http://www.jankratochvil.net/project/captive/ Captive NTFS] - An open-source effort to create a "wrapper" around the original Windows NTFS file-system DLL's in order to more fully implement compatibility between file read/write operations for Unix-like operating systems * [http://www.ReactOS.com/ ReactOS] Project to make a compatible Open Source version of Windows * [http://www.windows-help-desk.com/ Windows-Help-Desk.com] Free Windows Help Tutorials * [http://www.computing.net/ Computing.net] Free user support-group community forums * [http://www.avantgarde.com/xxxxttln.pdf "Time to Live on the Network"] a Security Study by Kevin Mitnick and AvantGarde * [http://www.staysafeonline.info/news/safety_study_v04.pdf AOL/National Cyber Security Alliance Online Safety Study (October 2004)] * [http://www.dwheeler.com/essays/securing-windows.html Securing Microsoft Windows (for Home and Small Business Users)] * [http://www.dehumanizer.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_tips Windows tips] (security, stability, etc.) * [http://www.download.com/ Download.com] - Application Programs for download, for Windows Operating Systems * [http://www.NTSecurity.com/ NT Security] - Excellent Security information about Windows NT (2000/XP/2003 Server/Longhorn) * [http://www.SARC.com/ Symantec Anti-Virus Research Center] - Excellent informational security resource, and Symantec are makers of Norton Anti-Virus (3rd party software sold separately) * [http://www.McAfee.com/ Network Associates' McAfee] - makers of McAfee Anti-Virus (3rd party software sold separately) * [http://www.GriSoft.com/ GriSoft] makers of AVG Anti-Virus (free version available) * [http://www.Avast.com/ Avast] makers of Avast Anti-Virus (free version also available) * [http://www.ClamAV.net/ ClamAV] - Clam Anti-Virus for PC's, workstations, and gateways (free and open-source) * [http://www.Sophos.com/ Sophos.com] An excellent security information resource, and makers of Sophos Anti-Virus for PC's, workstations, and gateways * [http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx Microsoft Anti-Spyware product site] (formerly known as the "Giant.com" Anti-Spyware application) - anti-spyware/adware/malware/trash-ware cleaner-upper * [http://www.Safer-Networking.org/ www.Safer-Networking.org (www.Kolla.de)] - Official website of the "SpyBot Search and Destroy" program - anti-spyware/adware/malware/trash-ware cleaner-upper * [http://www.LavaSoftUSA.com/ LavaSoft USA Ad-Aware] - anti-spyware/adware/malware/trash-ware cleaner-upper * [http://www.JavaCoolSoftware.com/ JavaCool Software Spy Blaster] - anti-spyware/adware/malware/trash-ware cleaner-upper * [http://www.WebRoot.com/ WebRoot's Spy Sweeper program] - anti-spyware/adware/malware/trash-ware cleaner-upper * [http://www.bredel.homepage.t-online.de/Windows/Windows-English/windows-english.html Windows] Tips and tricks for Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP * [http://www.pixelcentric.net/x-shame/ Interface Hall of Shame] - An analysis of user interfaces with a focus on Windows * [http://www.actsofvolition.com/archives/2001/december/windowsxprough Windows XP: rough around the edges] - a UI review of Windows XP * [http://www.rha.com/ui_hall_of_shame.htm The UI Hall of Shame] - A look at the UIs of Windows applications * [http://www.frankmahler.de/mshame/ Frank Mahler's Interface Hall Of Shame] Operating systems Windowing systems Microsoft Windows hi:माइक्रोसॉफ़्ट विन्डोज़ zh-min-nan:Microsoft Windows nds:Microsoft Windows simple:Microsoft Windows th:ไมโครซอฟท์วินโดวส์

Microsoft Windows

==Palladium, trusted computing== There is no "validating" with trusted computing, every computer can boot up any operating system, it is up to the individual operating system if they wish to make use of the chip. Currently the TCP chip is not protected from its user/hardware attacks and therefore not much good for DRM. -User:Towel401 ==NPOV?==

Microsoft Windows Revision history 11:49, 22 Mar 2004 . . Monedula (add Windows logo (will be correctly displayed only on windows computers)) So why bother? User:JWSchmidt 19:59, 22 Mar 2004 (UTC) : Removed, for same reason. If anybody really wants the Windows® logo on this page, they can go get an image [http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/gallery.asp from Microsoft]. -- User:Cyrius 02:36, Mar 23, 2004 (UTC) == Uncategorized Things == Too detailed to go in the main article, I think, but it's worth pasting this citation in here to remind editors that the MS security issues are real and public: * Speaking at a .NET developers conference, held in Seattle on September 5th, 2002, Brian Valentine, Microsoft's SVP for Windows development, admitted "We really haven't done everything we could to protect our customers. Our products just aren't engineered for security." I don't really understand why this article about Microsoft Windows starts out by mentioning Commodore 64 GEOS... I think there are better ways to divide the various versions of Windows than by talking about the bit-ness, especially since there's never been an 8-bit version of Windows. User:Brian Kendig 00:00, 8 Mar 2004 (UTC) == Discussion about the name "Windows" == Why Microsoft Windows not simply Windows? People call it "Windows" most of time not "Microsoft Windows" -- User:TakuyaMurata 17:45 Mar 4, 2003 (UTC) :Because 'Windows' by itself is the plural of a common noun in the English language. Only, when used in the context of personal or portable computers does it refer to an operating system. Most people call it simply 'Windows' since the context renders the usage abundantly clear. User:Gyan 17:53 Mar 4, 2003 (UTC) "windows" is a generic term used in computer graphics to refer to a region on a screen through which you can view application space (and is a separate concept than viewport). "Microsoft Windows" is the full name of the software product. :Also Windows might be about glass in buildings. -- SGB I am not talking about proper usage. When people are speaking Windows, which is more common the collection of window or Microsoft Windows? We mean by Macintosh a computer by Apple almost regardless of context. Besides, Windows is currently redirected to Microsoft windows. -- User:TakuyaMurata 17:57 Mar 4, 2003 (UTC) :Because it is a brand name and not a common concept. User:Gyan 17:59 Mar 4, 2003 (UTC) Machintosh is an apple, a fruit. -- User:TakuyaMurata 18:00 Mar 4, 2003 (UTC) :I'm compelled to point out that the fruit is a ''McIntosh'', the raincoat is a ''Mackintosh'', and the computer is a ''Macintosh''... -- User:Someone else 04:40 Mar 10, 2003 (UTC) Taku, Two quick questions for you: 1 - What is the romanji for "Windows"? In nihongo, is that romanji used for anything besides microsoft windows? :This discussion is nothing related to the fact that I am Japanese unless you want to start personal attack. ::Please, I do *not* wish to attack you. I was attempting to understand if a native Japanese speaker might use the English work "Windows" in a different manner than native English speakers. I was also attempting to understand if this difference could be contributing to a misunderstanding between us. :::I see. By the way, I don't know the romaji of Windows in Japanese. I believe they simply use an English word Windows in Japanese text just like French do. 2 - You are aware that to an english speaker, the word "windows" has several meanings, including glass windows on a building, the individual square rectangles on a computer screen (in unix, linux, windows, or ANY operating system), and the brand name of Microsoft's operating system? You are missing my point completely. Just remember the principle of choosing the title of an article. Use the most common name for it. That is all. If the name is ambigous, then do disambigous. Think of the fact that the current article Windows is ''redirected'' to Microsoft Windows, which means in Wikipedia Windows is considered synonymous with Microsoft Windows. Wikipedia is not an English dictionary. We don't cover any noun of English. That is why Macintosh is treated as a computer instead of a kind of an apple. We don't care what is a brand name, what is a trademark, whatever. We only care about what is common. John F Kennedy should have several meanings too. You can name your son John F Kennedy if you want. But we don't cover such. Besides, as convension the title of an article is basically basic form, which means if we want to cover windows in the house, the title should be a window not windows. -- User:TakuyaMurata 23:22 Mar 4, 2003 (UTC) :Again, I am not trying to offend. It isn't clear to me *what* is the most common meaning that an English speaker would assign to the word "windows" when used out of context. The sentence "close the windows", without any context, could mean to close the windows on a house, or to close the windows on a computer (which could be running linux). The sentence "I'm going to buy windows", without any context, could mean I'm redecorating my home or it could mean I'm rebuilding my computer. In everyday life sure what you mean by windows may be ambigous. But in the context of Encyclopedia, as a plural from, the meaning Windows should be obvious I believe. Word should mean a word in a language rather than Microsoft Word because it is a singlure form. I mean if we see Windows in the title of newspaper article, how many of us it might mean ones in the house. The context of here, it seems to me that Windows more mean Microsoft Windows. By the way, if we decide Windows more mean one in the house, one by Microsoft, we should redirect Windows to Window. It is so misleading. -- User:TakuyaMurata 23:54 Mar 4, 2003 (UTC) :Ok, I see your point. You would have the non-plural form refer to glass openings, and the plural form refer to the operating system. I think we have agreed that there isn't a simple language usage problem here. ::Please have a look at the encyclopedia Britannica: "Windows", opening in the wall of a building for the admission of light and air... In two pages not even mentioned the name "Mircorosft". "Windows" and "Microsft Windows" are two different things, no matter if plural or singular. User:Fantasy 10:42 Mar 5, 2003 (UTC) ...BTW: The Title of the "Microsoft Windows" is "Windows (computer interface)" I kind of gave in. It seems people prefer openings in the wall rather than Microsoft. -- User:TakuyaMurata 04:18 Mar 10, 2003 (UTC) :If you want to get deeper in this discussion, have a look at the current trial of "Lindows" against Microsoft ([http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/maney/2003-02-25-maney_x.htm]). Lindows was sued by Microsoft, that the name is too close to Windows, so they have to stop using it for thir Linux version. Microsoft LOST. Now, Lindows turned around and sued Microsoft, that "Windows" is a general term and can not be used as trademark. Currently Microsoft is fighting, and I am not yet sure, who will win. Would be interresting, what happens, if Microsoft loses its rights on the name "Windows" ;-) User:Fantasy 20:30 Mar 4, 2003 (UTC) :::And what is your point? -- User:TakuyaMurata 23:22 Mar 4, 2003 (UTC) ::Nothing will happen. MS will keep calling it Windows, it just won't be trademarked. :) -User:Frecklefoot :::That is what would happen at first, but eventually MS would have to invent a new name for their OS, since the powers of controlling trademark are just too compelling. Also, FWIW, if you go back to when the trademark was first granted you will find that many in the industry thought the USPTO erred. The -word "windows" was in widespread and common use as a GUI concept. ::::...and what is the point? If Microsoft looses, everyone can sell a Operating System called Windows, you can get then Linux Windows, Whatever Windows, Then no longer the word "Windows" would direct you directly to Microsoft. THAT is my point. User:Fantasy :: Same as what Intel did when they found "486" couldnt be a TM -- they invented the pentium -- User:Tarquin 11:06 Mar 5, 2003 (UTC) == Discussion about "forced to buy Windows with a PC" == "users of competing operating systems often are forced to purchase a PC and delete Windows". I'm not sure we should be including politics like this. Does Wikipedia have a policy on this sort of thing? User:Cgs 13:32 April 5, 2003 (GMT) It's clearly relevant, it's clearly factual, it does not express an opinion. It needs to stay. (It's not very well written as it manages to imply that users are forced to "purchase a PC" rather than "purchase an unwanted copy of Windows whenever they purchase a PC", but that's a seperate matter.) User:Tannin 13:39 Apr 9, 2003 (UTC) I think the problem is the use of the phrase "forced to purchase" -- I prefer to used the term ''forced'' in cases where someone puts a gun to your head. A better way of conveying the "purchase...and delete" thing might be to point out that many computers come with Windows pre-installed, and that the total package of machine plus software includes the price of Windows. Then, if someone wants to COMPLAIN about this state of affairs, because they'd rather have Gnu/Linux or something, we have to say something like: * Some computer buyers who intend to replace Windows with another operating system object to what they characterize as "being forced to buy an unwanted copy of Windows". A. N. Hacker of Computer Advocacy International challenged American computer manufacturers and the Redmond software giant to, etc. My 20 cents (sorry, prices have gone up ;-) --User:Ed Poor 13:59 Apr 9, 2003 (UTC) The thing is, Ed, that if you want to buy a computer from any of the majors in a typical large store (IBM, Compaq/HP, Dell, and the rest) you ''have'' to buy Windows, whether you want it or not. That's "forced" in anyone's book. Microsoft are well aware of it. Have you not seen their semi-hysterical campaign of villification against any business that sells what they call "naked PCs"? They are trying hard to make it not just impractical but impossible to buy a PC without Windows preinstalled. Personally, I don't think they will succeed, but I may be wrong. User:Tannin :While I despise the fact that there is little choice but to pay the soi-disant "Windows tax" when buying a computer system, I do feel that "forced" is too strong a term, simply due to the easy (sort of) alternative of not buying any computer. That's why I feel it doesn't qualify as being in the same realm as gun-to-the-head "forced". -- User:JohnOwens 14:27 Apr 9, 2003 (UTC) ::If you subscribe to the belief that the only things a human being really needs or can expect is water and food, then yes, I can understand your argument. But if one accepts the conpect that human rights and fair expectations of life go beyond this point (as does the UN charter, for instance), then I would say that in a modern society access to computers and networking is getting fairly close to becoming a necessity. Access to many important functions is quickly getting impossible without a computer. The aspect of one corporation attempting to monopolize this by all legal and in part illegal means that is at its disposial, is in my opinion an extremely serious issue, indeed. The word ''forced'' is definitely not too strong. -- User:Egil 18:34 Apr 9, 2003 (UTC) :::Hmm, let me contemplate life without Wikipedia access for a moment... maybe you've got a point there. -- User:JohnOwens 23:31 Apr 9, 2003 (UTC) I think I've come to a good conclusion. I've said they "have" to buy windows because manafactures "almost always include Windows as part of the package". User:Cgs 15:04 13 April 2003 BST : What you've got there now looks pretty good to me, for my part. -- User:JohnOwens ::It's a horrible monster of a sentence, but it says what we want to say, Cgs. No problem here. User:Tannin User:Tannin 12:26, 25 Aug 2003 (UTC) Nice work, people. Living proof that four minds are better than one. User:Tannin : Glad I could be a part of it :) User:Dysprosia 12:38, 25 Aug 2003 (UTC) ==NPOV== I don't think it's pov to note that Windows is closed-source. As such, I've reinserted it into the intro. User:Meelar 21:29, 14 May 2004 (UTC) :I agree that most of Microsoft's software is closed source, but I think it's POV to fail to mention the [http://www.microsoft.com/resources/sharedsource/default.mspx Shared Source Initiative] and the software that MS has made open source, like [http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=365546 WiX]. I hate MS with a passion (I'm writing this on my Linux system, with my Apple Powerbook close to hand), but I don't think a wikipedia entry is the right place to express bias against them. In the open source community the words ''closed source'' are almost as loaded as the word ''terrorist'', although I doubt anyone from the open source community needs to read wikipedia to find out what MS Windows is. User:Betelgeuse 11:20, 15 May 2004 (UTC) How exactly is stating that Windows is closed source a biased statement? It is a statement of independently verifiable fact. Opinions of the term are irrelevant; the fact is, it is a fact, and an increasingly important one. ==Images== Couldn't we use the Wimdows logo under fair use to illustrate? (User:Ricjl 11:52, 7 Jul 2004 (UTC)) :Yes based on the information at Fair_use#Fair_use_and_trademark_law, I conclude that despite Microsoft's denial of the fact, such use ''would'' be allowed under fair use. The same concept was used for Apple's Logo. User:Tacvek 20:16, 9 Aug 2004 (UTC) == Windows Tabworks == I remember a friend having this version of windows ''Tab-Works''. It was pretty weird, i think it was pre '95 and post 3.1 - perhaps a beta development of 3.1 i dunno. Anyone know anything more? :I had to google for this one. Tabworks wasn't a Microsoft product, but it was preinstalled on Compaq computers in the Windows 3.1 era. It wasn't a replacement for Windows, it was just a shell that ran on top of Windows. It was apparently written by Xerox, or a company affiliated with Xerox. [http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q126822] User:Rhobite 05:47, Aug 15, 2004 (UTC) == 64-bit === 64-bit windows talks about amd64 and Intel's x86_64 pendant, but afaik 64-bit windows already exists for Itanic^Hum ? == Stubs on NT4 editions == The articles ''Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Server'', ''Windows NT 4.0 Server'', ''Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server'' and ''Windows NT 4.0 Workstation'' exist as very short unwikified stubs. Does anyone think that they can ever exist as separate articles, or should they be merge-and-redirected into either Windows NT 4.0 or History of Microsoft Windows (which is where they are linked from)? I was going to merge them, but I thought I'd canvass opinions first. --User:RbrwrUser talk:Rbrwr 20:55, 13 Nov 2004 (UTC) :I'd say Windows NT 4.0, which is presently pretty short--could use some fleshing out (and adjust the linkage from the history article). User:Niteowlneils 21:17, 13 Nov 2004 (UTC) ::Probably also Windows NT 4.0 Embedded. User:Niteowlneils 01:05, 16 Nov 2004 (UTC) == Formerly or formally? == In Current Versions of Windows, we have "Windows Mobile for embedded systems (formally known as Windows CE)". I haven't heard of Windows Mobile, so I don't know if it's an alternative name (in which case "formally" could be right) or a new name (in which case the word should be "formerly"). And I bet the writer didn't even know the difference :-/ . : I believe I am the one that made that edit. It's sort of both. CE engine is still being updated and used, but Windows Mobile is the name of the operating system used in those devices. The only area where the Windows CE is being continued visibly is within Windows Embedded. User:PPGMD == Past and current versions == Under the "Past versions of Windows" section, the current OSes (Windows XP, Server 2003, etc) are listed. Should they be removed from there until they are past, or what? They will never be past. All versions are still used somewhere - who decides which ones are "past"? "Past" should mean that it has already been released. User:BrianjdUser talk:BrianjdSpecial:Contributions/Brianjd 02:09, 2005 Feb 27 (UTC) :That doesn't need to be our criteria for deciding what a past version is. Most Windows admins will agree that XP and Server 2003 are the "current" versions because they supercede 2000, Me, etc. Microsoft's product list for volume licensing [http://www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/PL.aspx] is an authoritative source for determining which versions of Windows are considered current. User:Rhobite 06:32, Feb 27, 2005 (UTC) == Lawsuits == Could we have a section added on some of the more notable lawsuits Microsoft has been involved in that have directly impacted Windows? A discussion on the Apple vs Microsoft lawsuit would be valuable for understanding Windows's early history, and a discussion on the various Eurpoean open source vs closed source lawsuits would be handy for understanding the company's current actions. User:Almafeta 18:20, 27 May 2005 (UTC) == OS == == Wikipedia:Microsoft notice board == Note: to start this off I'm posting this to a few Microsoft articles. I have kicked this off as I think we can do a lot better on many of our Microsoft related articles. Windows XP is just one example of a whole bunch of people getting together to fix up issues of NPOV, fact and verifiability of an article. I think that no matter whether you like Microsoft or not that we could definitely do with a review of: a) the articles that we already have, and b) the articles that we ''should'' have in Wikipedia! - User:Ta bu shi da yu 02:06, 10 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a range of commercial operating environments for personal computers. The range was first introduced by Microsoft in 1985 and eventually came to dominate the world personal computer market. All recent versions of Windows are fully-fledged operating system. IBM PC compatibles Microsoft operating systems

Microsoft windows

#REDIRECT Microsoft Windows

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