Windows 95 was a revolutionary operating system released by Microsoft on August 24, 1995. It is the successor to Windows 3.1 and brings many new features and improvements to the desktop experience. In this article, we look at the history, features, and impact of Windows 95.
Windows 95 History
Prior to the release of Windows 95, Microsoft’s flagship operating system was Windows 3.1, released in 1992. Windows 3.1 was the first widely distributed version of Windows used by millions of people around the world. However, it had some limitations in terms of performance, stability, and features.
Microsoft began work on a successor to Windows 3.1, called Chicago, in 1992. Windows 95 took three years to develop and went through several phases, including a private beta, a public beta, and a release candidate.
Windows 95 was a milestone for Microsoft because it was the first operating system with a graphical user interface (GUI) and 32-bit architecture. The operating system supported both Intel and AMD processors and required at least 4MB of RAM and 50MB of disk space.
Windows 95 features
Windows 95 brought many new features and improvements to the desktop experience. Here are some of Windows 95’s most notable features:
Start Menu: Windows 95 introduced the Start menu, which was the central hub for launching applications, accessing files and folders, and performing system tasks.
Taskbar: Windows 95 also introduced the taskbar, a panel that appears at the bottom of the screen and displays all open windows and applications.
Plug and Play: Windows 95 introduced plug and play, a feature that made it easy to install new hardware and software without the need for complicated configurations.
Long File Names: Windows 95 allowed long file names (up to 255 characters), which was a significant improvement over version 8.3 file names in previous versions of Windows.
Multitasking: Windows 95 was the first version of Windows to offer true multitasking, which meant running multiple applications simultaneously without slowing down the system.
Internet Explorer: Windows 95 included Internet Explorer 1.0, Microsoft’s first browser. It has been integrated into the operating system so that you can easily browse the Internet without the need for third-party software.
Impact of Windows 95
Windows 95 had a significant impact on the desktop scene. Here are some of the ways Windows 95 changed the world of computing:
Growing popularity: Windows 95 was a resounding success and quickly became the most popular operating system in the world. It sold over 7 million copies in its first five weeks of release, and by 1999 had a market share of over 70%.
Improved User Interface. Windows 95 introduces many new features and enhancements to make your desktop experience easier and more intuitive.
Introduction to the Internet: Windows 95 included Internet Explorer, which made surfing the Internet easier. This helped to spread the internet and paved the way for the online revolution that followed.
32-bit architecture: Windows 95 was the first operating system to feature true 32-bit architecture, allowing for faster processing and better performance.
Business Productivity: Windows 95 has been widely adopted by businesses and helps increase productivity and efficiency. Its features like multitasking, long file names and plug-and-play allow companies to easily perform complex tasks and manage their systems.
Windows 95 was a huge market success and quickly became the most popular operating system in the world. It sold over 7 million copies in its first five weeks of release, and by 1999 had a market share of over 70%.
Windows 95 was released at a time when personal computers were becoming more common in homes and businesses. It was considered a major upgrade to Windows 3.1, which was the dominant operating system at the time. Windows 95 offered many new features and improvements, such as the Start menu, taskbar, and true multitasking, that made it more convenient and efficient.
One of the main reasons for Windows 95’s success was Microsoft’s aggressive marketing campaign. The company spent over $300 million on marketing and advertising, including a top-notch performance of “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones. The launch event brought together thousands of people and generated a lot of buzz around the new operating system.
Windows 95 also benefited from the growing popularity of the Internet. The operating system included Internet Explorer, which made it easy to browse the Internet. This helped to spread the internet and paved the way for the online revolution that followed.
Windows 95 has been widely adopted by businesses, helping to improve productivity and efficiency. Its features like multitasking, long file names and plug-and-play allow companies to easily perform complex tasks and manage their systems.
Overall, Windows 95 was a huge commercial success and paved the way for future versions of Windows such as Windows 98 and Windows XP. Its influence in the computing world is still felt today, as many features and concepts introduced in Windows 95 are still used in today’s operating systems.
