Windows 1.0 Archives

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Windows Logo: A Visual Evolution of Microsoft’s Iconic Designs

- Windows 1.0 and 2.0 did not have a distinct logo and relied on traditional Microsoft branding. - Windows 3.1 introduced the iconic four-pane window logo, marking a significant shift in branding. - The logos for Windows 95 and 98 featured a cleaner Sans-Serif font and represented an evolution in branding. - Windows ME had a revamped logo aimed at a younger audience, featuring a green frame. - Windows XP introduced a bold, expressive logo with a 3D effect, marking a new era in branding. - Windows Vista's logo embraced glassmorphism and was consistent with Windows 7, showcasing a glossy finish. - Windows 8 introduced a flat blue logo reflecting minimalism and the new Metro UI. - Windows 10 retained a minimalist approach with a darker shade of blue logo. - Windows 11 featured a straighter, more minimalistic logo with slight curvature of the edges.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

How to Try Out Windows’ New ‘Blue Screen of Death’

Microsoft has redesigned the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) for Windows, making it "more streamlined" and aligned with Windows 11 design principles. The new BSOD will not be blue; it has appeared green during testing and will transition to black upon public release. The familiar frowny-face emoticon has been removed, replaced by a message stating, "Your device ran into a problem, and needs to restart," along with a progress percentage and stop code details. Users can experience the new BSOD by enrolling in the Windows Insider program, specifically through the Canary, Dev, or Beta Channels, with the Beta channel recommended for a more stable experience.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

10 Facts you probably didn’t know about Windows as Microsoft turns 50

- Windows was originally named "Interface Manager" before being changed to "Windows" prior to its launch in 1985. - Early versions of Windows (1.0, 2.0, and 3.x) operated on top of MS-DOS and required users to boot into MS-DOS before launching the graphical interface. - The Briefcase folder was an early tool for synchronizing files between computers, which became obsolete with the rise of cloud storage solutions. - Prior to Windows XP, user profiles were basic and lacked robust security; full user accounts were implemented with Windows NT. - Several applications from Windows 1.0, including Calculator, Paint, Notepad, Clock, and Control Panel, are still present in Windows 11 in modernized forms. - The "Format" dialog in File Explorer has used the same code for over 30 years, although updates for FAT32 support are being developed. - TrueType fonts were introduced in Windows 3.1 in 1992 through a licensing agreement with Apple, improving font rendering quality. - The "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" shortcut was created by IBM engineer David Bradley as a debugging tool and later adopted by Microsoft for secure attention sequences in Windows NT. - Windows 1.0 required a minimum of 256KB of RAM at its launch in 1985, while Windows 11 requires at least 4GB.

Winsage

March 17, 2025

Today in Apple history: Microsoft gets sued for ripping off Mac OS

The development of the Macintosh in the early 1980s led to a correspondence between Bill Gates and John Sculley regarding the licensing of the Macintosh operating system. Sculley showed cautious interest in Gates' proposal, but it was dismissed by Jean-Louis Gassée on June 25, 1985. Gates then focused on creating a mass-market operating system, resulting in the debut of Windows on November 15, 1985. The introduction of Windows provoked a strong reaction from Sculley, despite Windows 1.0 being inferior to Mac OS. On November 21, 1985, Sculley and Gates formalized an agreement licensing Macintosh's visual displays to Microsoft, which included a non-exclusive license for Microsoft to use aspects of Mac technology. As Windows 2.0 was released, Apple filed a lawsuit against Microsoft on March 17, 1988, claiming appropriation of its innovations, but the court ruled in favor of Microsoft, stating that the existing license covered certain interface elements.

Winsage

November 17, 2024

7 built-in Windows games I miss the most

- Solitaire was introduced in Windows 3.0 in 1990 and became a staple for users until Windows 7. - Chess Titans was part of the 3D games suite introduced with Windows Vista, known for its visuals and smooth animations. - Minesweeper debuted with Windows 3.1 in 1992 and became a cultural icon due to its minimalist design and addictive gameplay. - SkiFree was included in the Microsoft Entertainment Pack and featured a humorous skiing premise. - Smart Dots was part of the Symantec Game Pack, focusing on creating boxes on a grid of dots. - Hangman was another game from the Symantec Game Pack, a word-guessing game popular among friends and family. - 3D Pinball for Windows - Space Cadet was originally part of Full Tilt! Pinball and included in several Windows versions, known for its engaging gameplay and soundtrack.

Winsage

November 11, 2024

Bill Gates Introduced Windows 41 Years Ago Today: Here’s How Much You’d Have If You Invested $1000 In Microsoft When It Went Public

Bill Gates unveiled Windows on November 10, 1983, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, marking the beginning of a software revolution in personal computing. Initially projected for release in April 1984, Windows faced development delays and was ultimately launched in November 1985. Despite early skepticism, Windows 1.0 laid the groundwork for future innovations, leading to Windows becoming the leading operating system globally. Microsoft's IPO occurred on March 13, 1986, with an initial share price that would have allowed a ,000 investment to secure approximately 47.6 shares. The company has had multiple stock splits, significantly increasing the number of shares for early investors, resulting in an initial ,000 investment now worth over .35 million. In the latest financial report, Microsoft reported revenue of .60 billion for the first quarter, a 16% increase from the previous year. Microsoft shares closed down 0.68% at 2.54, with after-hours trading at 2.35.

Winsage

November 11, 2024

Today in Apple history: Microsoft reveals its plans for Windows 1.0

In 1984, Apple launched the Mac, while Microsoft was preparing to release Windows 1.0, which was initially seen as "vaporware." Apple had recently introduced the graphical user interface (GUI) with the Lisa computer, although it did not meet expectations. Both Apple and Microsoft drew inspiration from innovations at Xerox PARC. Bill Gates acknowledged this shared heritage in a 2017 Reddit AMA. Windows 1.0 was limited compared to the Lisa, despite attempts to include similar features. At its launch, Microsoft was known as a developer for the Mac and negotiated a deal with Apple for a license to use parts of Mac technology for Windows. After the release of Windows 2, which resembled Mac OS, Apple took legal action against Microsoft for copyright infringement. Legal disputes continued until August 1997 when Apple dropped all lawsuits against Microsoft. By then, Windows 1.0 was largely forgotten, and Microsoft was gaining power with the upcoming success of Windows 95, while Apple was preparing for its own resurgence.

Winsage

October 15, 2024

Microsoft teases latest Windows 10 build

Microsoft has released a new Windows Insider build of Windows 10, Build 19045.5070, for users in the Beta and Release Preview Channels for Windows 10 22H2. The update introduces "top cards" that display essential hardware specifications for devices in the Beta Channel, a new account manager for all users, and a relocated Lock command in the Start Menu. The build also addresses a Windows 11 upgrade tool issue related to stop error 0x3B. Additionally, it includes fixes for multi-function printers and updates to product activation phone numbers.

Winsage

September 2, 2024

Microsoft decides it’s a good time for bad UI to die

The Windows Control Panel, a key component of the Windows user interface for four decades, is set to be retired. It has been appreciated by users for its ability to manipulate system settings, despite its complexity and lack of intuitive design. The Control Panel has posed risks due to the absence of a universal undo function, leading to unintended disruptions in system functionality. Microsoft plans to integrate the Control Panel's functions into the Settings menu, which may still retain some of the previous complexities. This shift reflects a broader trend across platforms, with a need for a more cohesive framework for device settings to improve user experience. The retirement of the Control Panel presents an opportunity to rethink user interfaces and potentially lead to a more efficient and user-friendly future.

Winsage

August 28, 2024

Microsoft isn’t killing Windows Control Panel after all

Microsoft is phasing out the Control Panel in favor of the Settings app, which offers a more modern experience. As of August 20, Microsoft stated that Control Panel is being deprecated, but did not provide a timeline for its retirement. The following day, Microsoft clarified that many settings from Control Panel are being migrated to the Settings app. Despite this transition, Control Panel remains accessible and continues to be used by many for specific features. The transition to the Settings app is expected to take time, with no immediate plans for the Control Panel's removal.