Introduction to Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is the name given to the operating system developed by the software company Microsoft Corporation . It is its flagship product and the one that has made the company one of the largest in the entire digital universe. In this article we will see some introductory details about this operating system.

History of the emergence of Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Corporation was founded on April 4, 1975 by William Henry Gates III ( Bill Gates) and Paul Gardner Allen ( Paul Allen) . The company began by developing BASIC interpreters and Fortran and Cobol compilers; in addition to marketing a variant of Unix 1979 acquired from AT&T through a software license that authorized them to market it under the code name Xenix.

After making agreements with the great IBM (at that time the largest personal microcomputer development company), Microsoft would be in charge of developing the operating system for its computers. In the negotiations, Microsoft reached an agreement to maintain property rights over the operating system. It also maintained the possibility of selling it to other personal computer manufacturers. IBM at that time did not give importance to software, since in those times more value was given to hardware.

Microsoft purchased from a small company called Seattle Computer Products a CP/M clone operating system called Q-DOS (Quick Disk Operating System), also known as 86-DOS , developed by Tim Paterson . After the purchase, Microsoft worked on necessary modifications to meet IBM’s requirements. In 1982 it launched its product MS-DOS 1.0 ( MicroSoft Disk Operating System , Microsoft Disk Operating System ) . After the success of the IBM PC and the great boom in the development of clones of these computers, the most popular and most used operating system was MS-DOS, which launched the small company Microsoft to success.

MS-DOS was a text-mode operating system, which was used through a command interpreter. Following the rise of graphical interfaces developed by the Xerox company and popularized by Apple, Microsoft purchased many of Xerox’s patents including some of the graphical interface and the mouse. He then developed his own graphical interface called Windows.

MS-DOS as an operating system already developed by Microsoft had 8 known versions.

In 1985, on November 20, Microsoft releases Windows as a graphical user interface (GUI) add-on for MS-DOS . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the global personal computer market, with more than 90% of the market share, surpassing Apple’s Mac OS which had been released in 1984.

Until Windows 3.1 the operating system was MS-DOS and Windows was just a graphical interface to interact with this system. From that version onwards it was completely changed and became a fully functional operating system: Microsoft Windows 95.

List of versions of Microsoft Windows in its versions for personal computers

Versión	Año
Microsoft Windows 1.0	1985
Microsoft Windows 2.0	1987
Microsoft Windows 3.x (1-11)	1990
Microsoft Windows NT	1993
Microsoft Windows 95	1995
Microsoft Windows 98	1998
Microsoft Windows 2000	1999
Microsoft Windows Millenium (Me)	2000
Microsoft Windows XP	2001
Microsoft Windows 2003	2002
Microsoft Windows Vista	2006
Microsoft Windows 7 (Seven)	2009
Microsoft Windows 8	2012
Microsoft Windows 8.1	2013
Microsoft Windows 10	2015
Microsoft Windows 11	2021

Microsoft Windows versions for servers

Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1	1993
Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5	1994
Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51	1995
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0	1996
Microsoft Windows Server 2000	2000
Microsoft Windows Server 2003	2003
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2	2005
Microsoft Windows Server 2008	2008
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2	2009
Microsoft Windows Server 2012	2012
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2	2013
Microsoft Windows Server 2016	2016
Microsoft Windows Server 2019	2018
Microsoft Windows Server 2022	2021

Architecture of the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems

The entire Microsoft Windows OS family is based on the NT Architecture . This architecture, unlike other systems that followed Unix models, was developed focused on modularity and the possibility of providing flexibility like no operating system had. The following image details the distribution of internal components and their way of interacting.

General characteristics of Microsoft Windows systems

• It is the most used operating system on personal computers around the world.
• It is a Centralized System: it is installed as a complete system on a single computer.
• Proprietary Software, distributed in binaries under software licenses that must be paid for.
• Its source code is closed and developed by the Microsoft company; although from time to time they release the code of some of their technologies so that other systems are able to adopt them (AD, ASP .Net, etc.). Internal documentation of the operation of the NT Kernel and its environment is also offered to universities through Windows Research Kernel .
• It has Multitasking, multiprocessor support, and priority management, allowing the execution of multiple tasks (processes and threads) on multiple processors.
• Multi-user, allows the work of several users.
• Simple usability focused on inexperienced users.
• Software Compatible: Most of the software developed is made for this system.
• Preinstalled on devices: many computers already have it installed by default because large manufacturers have agreements with Microsoft.
• It has online support for all users who purchase their license.
• Primary file systems (NTFS and FAT32)
• Graphical shell (Desktop)(Explorer.exe) that simulates a real desktop.
• File explorer integrated into the Shell (Explorer.exe), focused on working in graphical mode (Icons, Windows, bars, menus, buttons, drop-down lists, check boxes, etc.)
• Terminal or console mode shell (cmd.exe)
• High driver compatibility most all manufacturers develop drivers for this operating system.
• Type of executables based on portable executable format, PE (Portable Executable)
• Permission system based on access control lists (ACL: Access Control Lists)
• Automated update system.
• Being the most used operating system, it is the target of attacks, viruses and malicious programs, although in its latest versions it has demonstrated a good level of security, it also includes antivirus (Windows Defender) and Firewall.
• Extensive and available user documentation.

Working modes

In the operating systems of the Microsoft Windows family there have always been several ways of working and it is possible to use them all at the same time if you have all the necessary devices.

Graphic or Traditional mode

Graphical or traditional mode: Using the entire graphical user interface with the keyboard and mouse. Some examples of available options are shown in the 4 images below.

Console Mode or Terminal Mode

The console or terminal mode is the one used when we work from the text mode shell (cmd.exe) or PowerShell, through commands. Windows inherited the commands from MS-DOS and included many others. In Windows it is possible to do almost all the same actions that are carried out through the graphical interface through the command window. This way is usually much more complex to use but sometimes very necessary.

Touch Mode or Tablet Mode

The touch or tablet mode is a new way, very similar to the first, but it is used on devices with touch screens and the hands are used.

Types of windows

The windows managed by the system can be:

• Application (examples: calculator, media player, games, etc.)
• Wizards (installation program windows which have several consecutive screens with next or back options)
• Dialog (File opening windows, save window, select color, select font, configure printer, choose directory, etc.)
• Messages (these small windows show confirmation and information messages, for example the confirmation box that appears when deleting a file)

Access to file systems and disks (Mount Points)

Access to file systems and disks (Mount Points) are assigned automatically, although they can be changed through disk manager. These are identified with letters of the alphabet having C: as the system unit, while A: and B: were used to access floppy disk towers (5 1/4 or 3 1/2). It is also possible to name mount points as folders.

The following image shows the system’s disk manager, the disks and partitions with their respective letters in the cases that are mounted. This window is accessible from the secondary menu of the computer icon by choosing the “Manage” option.

Types of file system elements handled by the operating system

• Directories or folders (Hierarchical container to group information: it can contain any of the types seen in this list)
• Files or archives (Logical data container: it is an interface for accessing related information, for example a document, a song, a video, etc.)
• Shortcut (it is a type of file that its function is to provide a shortcut to a file or folder, but programs cannot traverse it, it is used for users)
• Symbolic link (It is a type of link that is not real, but rather a shortcut to a file or folder. It is similar to shortcuts, but more advanced. Applications are not able to distinguish it from a real folder or file and if they go through or access them, so they are very useful. If we delete this link, it does not really delete the file or folder to which it points)
• Hard link (it is like the symbolic link, but it is not possible to differentiate it. When created it is a pointer to the real directory or file)
• Directory union or Junctions Points (it is similar to the symbolic link, but it is only used for directories)

System directory structure

• Program Files (destination folder for the programs installed by the user)
• Windows (OS folder and system applications)
• Documents and Settings or Users (Folder to save user data and their settings: within this folder one is created for each user who logs into the computer. Within this folder there are some such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Videos and others that are specific to each user. In addition, there are other folders that save specific application configurations for each user)

System security

System security is based on users, groups, and policies that define permissions. Group policies can be edited through the gpedit.msc available in the Professional or Enterprise versions. Signatures of drivers, services or applications are also validated. Regarding the files, access control lists are defined which define the permissions on the files.

Major Software Utilities Included

• Notepad (Text Editor)
• Paint (Drawing Program)
• Calculator
• Characters map
• On-screen keyboard
• Windows Media Player
• Wordpad (Rich Format Text Editor)
• Sound recorder
• Image or photo viewer
• Speech recognition
• land
• Storyteller
• Cortana Assistant
• Software Store (Microsoft Store)
• Maps
• Edge Browser
• Alarms and clock
• Mail
• Calendar
• Camera

System configuration and customization

Changes to configurations and customizations can be made in several ways, the easiest is through the “Settings” option, which is available in the start menu.

A second variant that is easy to configure and customize is through the Control Panel.

Another variant to change the settings through the team management window accessible from the team icon secondary menu is by choosing the Manage option.

Another way to change slightly more advanced settings is the System Registry, which is accessible by typing “regedit.exe” in the run window that can be launched by pressing the Win + R keys.

Global key combinations available in Windows 10

Key combination	Result
Ctrl + Alt + Del	Show global session and task manager options. On some keyboards the Delete key may appear as Delete
Win	Open or close the start menu
Win + A	Show the notification panel and quick actions
Win + B	Display in the notification area if there are hidden icons
Win + C	Launch the Cortana window
Win + D	Show the desktop
Win + E	Launch file explorer
Win + H	Start dictation with voice recognition
Win + I	Open the configuration window
Win+K	Launch the connect window to connect remote displays
Win+L	Block the user section
Win + M	Minimize everything
Win + Shift + M	Restore Minimized
Win + P	Open the panel to configure output to displays and projectors
Win + Q	Open search window
Win + R	Launch the run window
Win + S	Open search window
Win + T	Allows you to select between open tasks in the taskbar
Win + U	Open the Ease of Access Center
Win + V	Launch the clipboard if your history is activated
Win + X	Open advanced start menu
Win + Pause Break	Show equipment properties window
Win + Shift +S	Take a screenshot
Win + Tab	Switch between open windows
Win + Alt + D	Show/Hide time and calendar panel
Win + Ctrol + Q	Open quick assistance window
Win + .	Open the emoji panel
Win + “+”	Open Magnifying Glass
Win + Arrows	Locate the window on the screen
Win + Space	Shows the option to switch between keyboard languages
Win + Ctrl + Enter	Enable system narrator
Win + PrtScr	Take a screenshot and send it directly to the images folder
Win + Number	Switch to the app corresponding to that app number if it is open or pinned to the taskbar
Alt + Tab	Switch between open windows
Alt + F4	Close current window
Alt + Shift	To switch between keyboard languages, both Alt and Shift must be left
Alt + Underlined letter	Activate any command that has it, it can be buttons or menus, for example “File” would be activated by pressing the Alt + A key
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Open the task manager
Ctrl + C	Copy depending on the application you are working on
Ctrl + X	Cut depending on the application you are working on
Ctrl + V	Paste depending on the application you are working on
Ctrl + Z	Undo depending on the application you are working on
Ctrl + Y	Redo depending on the application you are working on
F1	Open help depending on the application you are working on

Windows File Explorer

The following image shows the file explorer. It can be launched using the Win+E key combination or by double clicking on its icon.

Key combinations available in file explorer

Ctrl + Shift + N	Create new folder in current location
Ctrl + C	Copy files or folders
Ctrl + X	Cut files or folders
Ctrl + V	Paste files or folders
Of the	Delete files or folders by sending them to the recycle bin
Shift + Del	Delete files or folders permanently
F2	Rename file or folder
F3	Search files or folders
F4	Select address bar
F5	Reload location (Update)
F10	Select the menu bar
Ctrl + E	Select all (if the system is installed in Spanish, otherwise it would be A)
Alt + Enter	Show the properties window of the selected element
Backspace	Return to top folder

Other operating system applications

Windows Task Manager : can be launched from various locations or by pressing the Ctrl+Shift+Esc key combination

Microsoft Store Application (Software Store): From this application it is possible to install applications very easily and safely.

At this point you, dear reader, should have a good idea of ​​the main characteristics of the operating systems of the Microsoft Windows family. If you have questions or suggestions, you can leave your comment or write through any of the dissemination channels ( Telegram or Facebook ).