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For the past three decades, Windows has been the most popular operating system for personal computers.","image":"https://techterms.com/img/md/windows_246.jpg","url":"https://techterms.com/definition/windows"} </script> </head> <body> <div id="full"> <header id="siteheader"> <div class="content"> <a href="#main" class="visuallyhidden">Skip to main content</a> <a href="/" class="logo"><img src="/svg/logo.svg" width="212" height="24" alt="TechTerms.com"></a> <div class="siteheader-middle"> <div class="searchwrapper collapsed"> <form id="search" class="search" action="/search" method="post"> <div class='autocomplete' role='combobox' aria-expanded='false' aria-owns='autocomplete-results'> <input type="text" id="term" name="term" placeholder="Search (e.g. windows, ASP, PHP, C#)" aria-label="Search (e.g. psd, docx, exe, jpg, zip)" autocomplete="off" class='autocomplete-input term' aria-autocomplete='both' aria-controls='autocomplete-results'> <button id="searchsubmit" class="searchsubmit"></button> </div> <ul id='autocomplete-results' class='autocomplete-results hidden' aria-label='Search'> </ul> </form> </div> <a href="/random" class="headerbutton random" id="random"><img src="/svg/random.svg" alt="random" width="16" height="16"></a> <button id="searchtoggle"><img src="/svg/search-white.svg" alt="search" width="18" height="18"></button> </div> <div class="siteheader-right"> <button id="menuopen"><img src="/svg/menu.svg" alt="open menu" width="18" height="16"></button> <nav id="sitemenu" class="collapsed"> <button id="menuclose"><img src="/svg/close.svg" alt="close menu" width="14" height="14"></button> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/">Terms</a></li> <li><a href="/quiz/">Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/help/">Help Center</a></li> <li class="mobile"><a href="/random">Random Term</a></li> <li class="settings"><button id="settings"><img src="/svg/settings.svg" alt="settings" width="22" height="22"></button> <div class="settingsmenu"> <fieldset> <legend>Theme</legend> <input id="theme-default" value="default" type="radio" name="theme" checked> <label for="theme-default">Light</label> <input id="theme-dark" value="dark" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-dark">Dark</label> <input id="theme-hc" value="hc" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-hc">High Contrast</label> </fieldset> <div class="fontsizewrapper"><label for="fontsize">Font Size<input type="range" id="fontsize" name="fontsize" min="14" max="26" step="2" value="20"></label><span class="currentsize">20</span></div> <button id="resetsettings">Reset</button> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <main> <div class="adTopLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589388248615-0'> </div> </div> <div id="main" class="def"> <div id="left"> <div class="card hasheader"> <div class="cardheader"> <div class="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Home</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg><a href="/category/software">Software Terms</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg>Windows Definition</div> </div> <article> <h1>Windows</h1> <div class="adDefRect"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589302365809-0'> </div> </div> <p>Windows is a desktop <a href="/definition/operating_system">operating system</a> developed by Microsoft. For the past three decades, Windows has been the most popular operating system for <a href="/definition/pc">personal computers</a>.</p> <p>Each version of Windows comes with a <a href="/definition/gui">graphical user interface</a> that includes a <a href="/definition/desktop">desktop</a> with <a href="/definition/icon">icons</a> and a <a href="/definition/taskbar">task bar</a> that is displayed at the bottom of the screen by default. The Windows "File Explorer" allows users to open multiple <a href="/definition/window">windows</a>, browse <a href="/definition/folder">folders</a>, and open <a href="/definition/file">files</a> and <a href="/definition/application">applications</a>. Most Windows versions include a <a href="/definition/start_menu">Start menu</a>, which provides quick access to files, settings, and the Windows search feature.</p> <div class="summary">The task bar at the bottom of the screen is an easy way to identify a Windows desktop. Conversely, the <a href="/definition/macos">macOS</a> desktop has a <a href="/definition/menu_bar">menu bar</a> at the top of the screen. In Windows, the close, minimize, and zoom buttons are located on the right side of each window's <a href="/definition/title_bar">title bar</a>, while in macOS, they are located on the left.</div> <p>The first version of Windows was released in 1985. Since then, the OS has gone through several major updates. A few of the most notable Windows releases include:</p> <ol> <li>Windows 3.1 (1992)</li> <li>Windows 95 (1995)</li> <li><a href="/definition/windowsxp">Windows XP</a> (2001)</li> <li><a href="/definition/windows7">Windows 7</a> (2009)</li> <li><a href="/definition/windows_10">Windows 10</a> (2015)</li> <li><a href="/definition/windows_11">Windows 11</a> (2021)</li> </ol> <p>The above versions of Windows had long lifespans and were well-received by users. Some of the less-popular versions of Windows, which had shorter lifespans, include:</p> <ol> <li>Windows 98 (1998)</li> <li>Windows Me (2000)</li> <li><a href="/definition/windowsvista">Windows Vista</a> (2006)</li> <li><a href="/definition/windows_8">Windows 8</a> (2012)</li> </ol> <p>Microsoft has released most versions of Windows with multiple editions, tailored for different users. For example, Windows 11 is available in "Home" and "Pro" editions. The Home edition is sufficient for most users, while the Pro edition includes additional networking and administrative features useful in corporate workspaces.</p> <p>Windows runs on standard <a href="/definition/x86">x86</a> hardware, such as Intel and AMD <a href="/definition/processor">processors</a>. Unlike <a href="/definition/apple">Apple</a>, Microsoft licenses the OS to multiple manufacturers. Therefore, numerous companies, such as Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, and Lenovo sell Windows PCs. Microsoft develops its own line of Windows Surface <a href="/definition/laptop">laptops</a> as well.</p> <p>Software programs written for Windows may be called <a href="/definition/app">apps</a>, applications, or <a href="/definition/executable_file">executable files</a>. Regardless of their label, Windows software programs have an <a href="https://fileinfo.com/extension/exe" target="fileinfo">.EXE</a> file <a href="/definition/file_extension">extension</a>. 64-bit versions of Windows run both 32 and 64-bit apps, while 32-bit versions only run 32-bit applications.</p> <div class="adBotLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589236206757-0'> </div> </div> <div class="cardfooter"> <div class="upDate"><div class="author">Updated <span class="pdate">March 27, 2021</span> by <a href="/authors/per_christensson">Per C.</a></div></div><div id="citations"> <div class="tabs"> <div role="tablist" aria-label="citations"> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="apa" tabindex="-1">APA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="mla" tabindex="-1">MLA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="chicago" tabindex="-1">Chicago</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="html" tabindex="-1">HTML</button> 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class="quizResult"><div class="qmsg"> <b class="quizPass">Correct!</b> <b class="quizFail">Incorrect!</b>   <span class="customMessage"></span>  View the <a href="/definition/html5">HTML5 definition</a>.</div> <a href="/quiz/#morequizzes" class="quizNext btnprimary">More Quizzes →</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="right"> <div class="prevnext"> <a href="window"><span class="arrow">‹</span>  <span class="linktext">Window</span></a><span> | </span><a href="windows_10"><span class="linktext">Windows 10</span>  <span class="arrow">›</span></a></div> <div class="tf card"> <h2 class="heading">Tech Factor</h2> <a href="/help/tech_factor" class="info" title="What is the Tech Factor?">?</a> <a href="/techfactor/1"><span class="factor">1</span><span class="denom"> / 10</span></a></div> <div class="listBox card related"> <h2 class="heading">Related Terms</h2> <div class="rlists"> <ol> <li><a href="/definition/microsoft">Microsoft</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/operating_system">Operating System</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/software">Software</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/executable_file">Executable File</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/office">Office</a></li> </ol> <ol start="6"><li><a href="/definition/pc">PC</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/desktop_computer">Desktop Computer</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/laptop">Laptop</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/macos">MacOS</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/linux">Linux</a></li> </ol> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <h2 class="heading">Windows Images</h2> <div class="baguetteBox gallery"> <figure> <a href="https://techterms.com/img/lg/windows_246.jpg"><img src="https://techterms.com/img/sm/windows_246.jpg" alt="Windows 10 build 19041.264" width="225" height="127" srcset="https://techterms.com/img/md/windows_246.jpg 450w, https://techterms.com/img/sm/windows_246.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 748px) 225px, (max-width: 970px) 162px, 225px"></a> <figcaption class="caption">Windows 10 build 19041.264</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="adRightSky"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589233879778-0'> </div> </div> </div> <div class="techterms card"> <h2 class="heading">The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary</h2> <p>The definition of Windows on this page is an original definition written by the <a href="/authors/">TechTerms.com team</a>. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, please use the green citation links above.</p> <p>The goal of TechTerms.com is to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for simplicity and accuracy with every definition we publish. 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