Saturday, March 29, 2008

Windows Version

Future versions

  • 2009 - Windows Server 2008 R2
  • 2009 or later - Windows 7 (formerly codenamed Vienna, and before that, Blackcomb), slated to be Vista's successor,
  • Windows Server 7, slated to be Windows Server 2008's successor
  • Windows Mobile 7 for mobile devices

Cancelled versions

  • 1999 December - Windows Neptune was sent out to beta testers but was never released. Should have been a consumer version (i.e. home edition) of Windows 2000.
  • 1996 May 3 - Windows Nashville (Windows 96) (cancelled) (Became Windows 95B.)
  • 1991-1998 - Cairo (a "true object-oriented OS") planned after Windows NT

Take from wikipedia.com

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Windows Version

Past versions

  • 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
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Microsoft Windows Version From Years to Years

Current versions

  • Windows Home Server Announced at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Windows Home Server is intended to be a solution for homes with multiple connected PCs to offer file sharing, automated backups, and remote access.
  • Windows Vista, for home and business desktops and portable computers
    • Windows Vista Starter Much like Windows XP Starter Edition, this edition will be limited to emerging markets such as Colombia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia, mainly to offer a legal alternative to using unauthorized copies. It will not be available in the United States, Canada, Europe, or Australia.
    • Windows Vista Home Basic Similar to Windows XP Home Edition, Home Basic is intended for budget users not requiring advanced media support for home use. The Windows Aero theme with translucent effects will not be included with this edition.
    • Windows Vista Home Premium Like Windows XP Media Center Edition, this edition will support more advanced multimedia and entertainment authoring, premium games, mobile and tablet PC support, Network Projector, Windows Aero, Touch Screen, and auxiliary display (via Windows Side Show) support.
    • Windows Vista Business Comparable to Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista Business Edition is aimed at the business market. Includes all the features of Home Premium with the exception of Windows Media Center and related technologies, Parental Controls, and Windows DVD and Movie Maker HD.
    • Windows Vista Enterprise This edition is aimed at the enterprise segment of the market, and is a superset of the Business edition. Additional features include multilingual user interface support, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support. This edition will not be available through retail or OEM channels
    • Windows Vista Ultimate This edition combines all the features of the Home Premium and Enterprise editions, a game performance tweaker (WinSAT), and "Ultimate Extras". On January 7, 2007, at CES, Microsoft began to announce what some of these Ultimate Extras will be.

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Timeline of releases Microsoft Windows

Release date Product name Version Notes Last IE
November 1985 Windows 1.01 1.01 Unsupported -
November 1987 Windows 2.03 2.03 Unsupported -
March 1989 Windows 2.11 2.11 Unsupported -
May 1990 Windows 3.0 3.0 Unsupported -
March 1992 Windows 3.1 3.1 Unsupported 5
October 1992 Windows For Workgroups 3.1 3.1 Unsupported 5
July 1993 Windows NT 3.1 NT 3.1 Unsupported 5
December 1993 Windows For Workgroups 3.11 3.11 Unsupported 5
January 1994 Windows 3.2 (released in Simplified Chinese only) 3.2 Unsupported 5
September 1994 Windows NT 3.5 NT 3.5 Unsupported 5
May 1995 Windows NT 3.51 NT 3.51 Unsupported 5
August 1995 Windows 95 4.0.950 Unsupported 5
July 1996 Windows NT 4.0 NT 4.0 Unsupported 6
June 1998 Windows 98 4.10.1998 Unsupported 6
May 1999 Windows 98 SE 4.10.2222 Unsupported 6
February 2000 Windows 2000 NT 5.0.3700.6690 Extended Support until July 13, 2010[17] 6
September 2000 Windows Me 4.90.3000 Unsupported 6
October 2001 Windows XP NT 5.1.2600 Current for SP2 (RTM and SP1 unsupported). 8
March 2003 Windows XP 64-bit Edition 2003 NT 5.2.3790 Unsupported 6
April 2003 Windows Server 2003 NT 5.2.3790 Current for SP1, R2, SP2 (RTM unsupported). 8
April 2005 Windows XP Professional x64 Edition NT 5.2.3790 Current 8
July 2006 Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs NT 5.1.2600 Current -
November 2006 (volume licensing)/January 2007 (retail) Windows Vista NT 6.0.6000 Current 8
July 2007 Windows Home Server NT 5.2.4500 Current -
February 2008 Windows Server 2008 NT 6.0.6001 Current 8
2010 (planned) Windows 7 (codenamed Blackcomb, then Vienna) NT 7.0 Future release

take from wikipedia

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History of Microsoft Windows

Main article: History of Microsoft Windows

Microsoft has taken two parallel routes in its operating systems. One route has been for the home user and the other has been for the professional IT user. The dual routes have generally led to home versions having greater multimedia support and less functionality in networking and security, and professional versions having inferior multimedia support and better networking and security.

The first version of Microsoft Windows, version 1.0, released in November 1985, lacked a degree of functionality and achieved little popularity, and was to compete with Apple's own operating system.[citation needed] Windows 1.0 is not a complete operating system; rather, it extends MS-DOS. Microsoft Windows version 2.0 was released in November, 1987 and was slightly more popular than its predecessor. Windows 2.03 (release date January 1988) had changed the OS from tiled windows to overlapping windows. The result of this change led to Apple Computer filing a suit against Microsoft alleging infringement on Apple's copyrights.[8] [9]

Microsoft Windows version 3.0, released in 1990, was the first Microsoft Windows version to achieve broad commercial success, selling 2 million copies in the first six months.[1][2] It featured improvements to the user interface and to multitasking capabilities. It received a facelift in Windows 3.1, made generally available on March 1, 1992. Windows 3.1 support ended on December 31, 2001.[10]

In July 1993, Microsoft released Windows NT based on a new kernel. NT was considered to be the professional OS and was the first Windows version to utilize preemptive multitasking.[citation needed]. Windows NT would later be retooled to also function as a home operating system, with Windows XP.

On August 24th 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, a new, and major, consumer version that made further changes to the user interface, and also used preemptive multitasking. Windows 95 was designed to replace not only Windows 3.1, but also Windows for Workgroups, and MS-DOS. It was also the first Windows operating system to use Plug and Play capabilities. The changes Windows 95 brought to the desktop were revolutionary, as opposed to evolutionary, such as those in Windows 98 and Windows Me. Mainstream support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2000 and extended support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2001.[11]

The next in the consumer line was Microsoft Windows 98 released on June 25th, 1998. It was substantially criticized for its slowness and for its unreliability compared with Windows 95, but many of its basic problems were later rectified with the release of Windows 98 Second Edition in 1999.[citation needed] Mainstream support for Windows 98 ended on June 30, 2002 and extended support for Windows 98 ended on July 11, 2006.[12]

As part of its "professional" line, Microsoft released Windows 2000 in February 2000. The consumer version following Windows 98 was Windows Me (Windows Millennium Edition). Released in September 2000, Windows Me attempted to implement a number of new technologies for Microsoft: most notably publicized was "Universal Plug and Play." However, the OS was heavily criticized for its lack of compatibility and stability and it was even rated by PC World as the fourth worst product of all time.[13]

In October 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP, a version built on the Windows NT kernel that also retained the consumer-oriented usability of Windows 95 and its successors. This new version was widely praised in computer magazines.[14] It shipped in two distinct editions, "Home" and "Professional", the former lacking many of the superior security and networking features of the Professional edition. Additionally, the first "Media Center" edition was released in 2002,[15] with an emphasis on support for DVD and TV functionality including program recording and a remote control. Mainstream support for Windows XP will continue until April 14, 2009 and extended support will continue until April 8, 2014.[16]

In April 2003, Windows Server 2003 was introduced, replacing the Windows 2000 line of server products with a number of new features and a strong focus on security; this was followed in December 2005 by Windows Server 2003 R2.

On January 30, 2007 Microsoft released Windows Vista. It contains a number of new features, from a redesigned shell and user interface to significant technical changes, with a particular focus on security features. It is available in a number of different editions, and has been subject to some criticism.

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File systems

A file system is the overall structure in which files are named, stored, and organized. Windows supports three file systems: FAT, FAT32, and NTFS. You choose a file system when you install Windows, format an existing volume, or install a new hard disk.

Before you decide which file system to use, you should understand the benefits and limitations of each file system. Changing a volume's existing file system can be time-consuming, so choose the file system that best suits your long-term needs. If you decide to use a different file system, you must back up your data and then reformat the volume using the new file system. However, you can convert a FAT or FAT32 volume to an NTFS volume without formatting the volume, though it is still a good idea to back up your data before you convert.

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Format

Formats the disk in the specified volume to accept Windows files.

Syntax

format volume [/fs:file-system] [/v:label] [/q] [/a:UnitSize] [/c] [/x]

format volume [/v:label] [/q] [/f:size]

format volume [/v:label] [/q] [/t:tracks /n:sectors]

format volume [/v:label] [/q]

format volume [/q]

Parameters

volume

Specifies the mount point, volume name, or drive letter of the drive you want to format. If you do not specify any of the following command-line options, format uses the volume type to determine the default format for the disk.

/fs : file-system

Specifies the file system to use FAT, FAT32, or NTFS. Floppy disks can use only the FAT file system.

/v:label

Specifies the volume label. If you omit the /v command-line option or use it without specifying a volume label, format prompts you for the volume label after the formatting is completed. Use the syntax /v: to prevent the prompt for a volume label. If you format more than one disk by using one format command, all of the disks will be given the same volume label. For more information about disk volume labels, click Dir, Label, and Vol in the Related Topics list.

/a:UnitSize

Specifies the allocation unit size to use on FAT, FAT32, or NTFS volumes. If you do not specify UnitSize, it is chosen based on volume size. The following table lists valid values for UnitSize.

Value

Description

512

Creates 512 bytes per cluster.

1024

Creates 1024 bytes per cluster.

2048

Creates 2048 bytes per cluster.

4096

Creates 4096 bytes per cluster.

8192

Creates 8192 bytes per cluster.

16K

Creates 16 kilobytes per cluster.

32K

Creates 32 kilobytes per cluster.

64K

Creates 64 kilobytes per cluster.

/q

Performs a quick format. Deletes the file table and the root directory of a previously formatted volume but does not perform a sector by sector scan for bad areas. You should use the /q command-line option to format only previously formatted volumes that you know are in good condition.

/f:size

Specifies the size of the floppy disk to format. When possible, use this command-line option instead of the /t and /n command-line options. Windows accepts the following value for size:

1440 or 1440k or 1440kb or 1.44 or 1.44m or 1.44mb
1.44-MB, double-sided, quadruple-density, 3.5-inch disk

/t:tracks

Specifies the number of tracks on the disk. When possible, use the /f command-line option instead of this command-line option. If you use the /t command-line option, you must also use the /n command-line option. These two command-line options provide an alternative method of specifying the size of the disk being formatted. You cannot use the /f command-line option with the /t command-line option.

/n:sectors

Specifies the number of sectors per track. When possible, use the /f command-line option instead of this command-line option. If you use the /n command-line option, you must also use the /t command-line option. These two command-line options provide an alternative method of specifying the size of the disk being formatted. You cannot use the /f command-line option with the /n command-line option.

/c

NTFS only. Files created on the new volume will be compressed by default.

/x

Causes the volume to dismount, if necessary, before it is formatted. Any open handles to the volume will no longer be valid.

/?

Displays help at the command prompt.

Remarks

  • Using format at the Recovery Console

The format command, with different parameters, is available from the Recovery Console.

  • Administrative privileges

You must be a member of the Administrators group to format a hard drive.

  • Using format

The format command creates a new root directory and file system for the disk. It can also check for bad areas on the disk, and it can delete all data on the disk. To be able to use a new disk, you must first use this command to format the disk.

  • Typing a volume label

After formatting a floppy disk, format displays the following message:

Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)?

The volume label can be a maximum of 11 characters (including spaces). If you do not want your disk to have a volume label, just press ENTER. For information about volume labels, click label in the Related Topics list.

  • Formatting a hard disk

When you use the format command to format a hard disk, format displays a message of the following form before attempting to format the hard disk:

WARNING, ALL DATA ON nonremovable DISK
DRIVE x: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)?_

To format the hard disk, press Y; if you do not want to format the disk, press N. You must have Administrator rights to format a hard disk.

  • Unit size

FAT file systems restrict the number of clusters to no more than 65526. FAT32 file systems restrict the number of clusters to between 65527 and 4177917.

NTFS compression is not supported for allocation unit sizes above 4096.

  • Format messages

When formatting is complete, format displays messages showing the total disk space, any space marked as defective, and the space available for your files.

  • Quick formatting

You can speed up the formatting process by using the /q command-line option. Use this command-line option only if there are no bad sectors on your hard disk.

  • Using format with a reassigned drive or a network drive

You should not use the format command on a drive prepared by using the subst command. You cannot format disks over a network.

  • Format exit codes

The following table lists each exit code and a brief description of its meaning.

Exit code

Description

0

The format operation was successful.

1

Incorrect parameters were supplied.

4

A fatal error occurred (any error other than 0, 1, or 5).

5

The user pressed N in response to the prompt "Proceed with Format (Y/N)?" to stop the process.

You can check these exit codes by using the errorlevel condition with the if batch command.

Examples

To format a new floppy disk in drive A using the default size, type:

format a:

To perform a quick format operation on a previously formatted disk in drive A, type:

format a: /q

To format a floppy disk in drive A and assign it the volume label "DATA," type:

format a: /v:DATA

Formatting legend

Format

Meaning

Italic

Information that the user must supply

Bold

Elements that the user must type exactly as shown

Ellipsis (...)

Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line

Between brackets ([])

Optional items

Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd}

Set of choices from which the user must choose only one

Courier font

Code or program output



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