Editor’s note: Bill Gates unveiled Windows 1.0 to the world 30 years ago. It was finalized and shipped two years later, marking a significant milestone in personal computing. Now is a great time to revisit this operating system that has shaped the tech landscape over the years.
Two years ago today, Windows 1.0 celebrated its 25th anniversary. At that time, the future of Windows was uncertain. With Windows 8 now available, the relevance of the original system is more pronounced. Today, Windows 1.0 marks 27 years since its inception, and even though computing has evolved dramatically, the original and the latest version of Windows share some surprising similarities. Let’s explore how far we’ve come since Windows 1.0 and examine Microsoft’s journey with its desktop features.
On November 10th, 1983, Microsoft announced Windows. Priced at $99, it included essential applications like Notepad, Calendar, Clock, Cardfile, a terminal application, File Manager, a game of Reversi, Windows Write, and Windows Paint. The original press materials, created using Windows Write, featured a quote from Bill Gates:
“Windows provides unprecedented power to users today and serves as a foundation for hardware and software advancements in the coming years…”
