Microsoft has taken the world by storm with desktop
operating systems such asWindows 95,Windows 98,Windows 2000 andWindows XP, and server software such
as Windows NT andWindows Server 2000andWindows Server 2003.
In May 2007,
Microsoft Windows XP, which includes Windows XP Home Edition
and
Windows XP Professional, accounted for 82% of the
desktop operating system market. Windows 2000 is being used on
4.3% of PCs, and the latest
Windows Vista operating system holds 3.74% of desktop
share.
In total, Microsoft Windows software now runs on around 93% of
the planet’s PCs, with desktop operating systems such as Mac OS X,
Linux and Unix sharing the remaining 7% share.
Windows software has been a popular choice on the desktop since
Microsoft first introduced its Windows software in 1985. At the
time, Microsoft Windows was a revolutionary move away from command
line operating systems like Microsoft MS-DOS.
As the Windows platform has evolved, Microsoft has added greater
integration into internet and media-centric applications such as
Internet Explorer ,
Windows Media Player and the
Microsoft Office Suite.
For many businesses, the high levels of interoperability between
Windows products have helped them standardise their IT systems. But
the move has also caused law makers to call into question
Microsoft’s alleged
monopolistic practices.
Nevertheless, Microsoft continues to develop Windows, adding
greater integration, innovations such as
Windows Update, and
better security.
For example, the latest
Windows Vista operating system comes with new graphical and
security technologies, and Microsoft Windows now supports
64-bit processors with Windows XP 64-bit Edition.
Microsoft Windows news stories/features
June 2007: Microsoft forced to make Vista changes >>
June 2007: Big Microsoft Vista concerns for big pharmaceuticals
>>
June 2007: Mobile devices software streamline food delivery
>>
June 2007: Stephenson Harwood chooses XP over Vista for stability
>>
June 2007: Specsavers sees benefits of open-source packages
>>
June 2007: Microsoft outlines Windows server virtualisation costs
>>
June 2007: New encryption options in Windows Vista >>
June 2007: Microsoft patches Windows Vista IE 7 >>
June 2007: Fullers revamps IT system >>
June 2007: Securing Windows: clients’ top tips for summer
>>
June 2007: Final judgement on Microsoft’s anit-competitive
behaviour >>
June 2007: Firms still struggle to share information, says
Microsoft survey >>
June 2007: NTLMV to the fore in Vista >>
May 2007: Admins run into trouble with Microsoft updates
>>
May 2007: Microsoft issues further guidance on exchange update
>>
May 2007: Older platforms get the brunt of May patch activity
>>
May 2007: When Microsoft Vista and VPNs don’t mix >>
May 2007: Vista has had no major effect on PC sales
>>
May 2007: Windows Vista: inside the new security features
>>
May 2007: Security blog log: scrapping Patch Tuesday a bad idea
>>
May 2007: Windows Vista’s little surprises >>
April 2007: Inside MSRC Windows Vista security update explained
>>
April 2007: UK businesses still using counterfeit software says
Microsoft >>
April 2007: New Vista licences target large firms >>
March 2007: Windows Vista sales outstrip Vista launch
>>
March 2007: IT pros eye Windows Server 2003 SP2 with caution
>>
February 2007: Time has come to upgrade to Vista >>
December 2006: Zero-day flaw found in Windows Media Player
>>
October 2006: Microsoft delivers 10 patches and tools update
>>
October 2006: Microsoft unveils licensing controls for Vista and
server >>
July 2006: Microsoft ends Windows 98 and me support
>>
Other Microsoft special reports
Company focus: Microsoft >>
Microsoft: after Bill Gates >>
Microsoft IT training: an expert view >>
Microsoft Windows Vista: an expert view >>
Microsoft Business Solutions: an expert view >>
Microsoft Windows on the rest of web
Microsoft home
>>
Microsoft Internet
Explorer >>
Microsoft Windows Vista >>
Microsoft Office
>>
Microsoft Windows update
>>
Microsoft Windows update >>
Microsoft on
Wikipedia >>
Microsoft Windows blogs
Microsoft developer network blog
>>
Microsoft Windows Vista
blog >>
Microsoft community blogs >>
Microsoft mini blog
>>
Microsoft unofficial blog
>>
Scobleizer blog
>>
Inside Microsoft blog
>>
Microsoft Windows video
Google videos of Microsoft >>
Microsoft Windows
Start-Up Sounds >>
Windows 386 promotional video >>
Windows 386
promotional video YouTube >>