Brief Timeline History of Operating Systems

Brief Timeline History of Operating Systems - DOS and Windows

Information still being compiled!
Under Construction

BACKGROUND: Many different versions of DOS were created (such as CP/M, CP/M-86, QDOS, 86-DOS, MS-DOS, PC-DOS, DOS Plus, DR-DOS, Novell DOS, PTS-DOS, OpenDOS, FreeDOS - just to name a few)! This web page highlights those versions of DOS that were instrumental in the development of MS-DOS and eventually Windows.

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DOS (Disk Operating System) Timeline:

1973:
- (unknown):
  - Gary Kildall writes a simple operating system which he calls CP/M (Control Program/Monitor^[a]; also referred to as Control Program for Microcomputer^[b]). (screenshot)
1980:
- April:
  - Tim Paterson begins writing an operating system for use with Seattle Computer Products' 8086-based computer due to delays by Digital Research in releasing their CP/M-86 operating system^[a].
- August:
  - QDOS 0.10 (Quick and Dirty Operating System) is shipped by Seattle Computer Products^[a]. Even though it had been created in only two man-months, the DOS worked surprisingly well. A week later, the EDLIN line editor was created. EDLIN was supposed to last only six months before being replaced^[b]!
- September:
  - Tim Patterson shows Microsoft his 86-DOS written for the 8086 chip^[b].
- October:
  - Microsoft's Paul Allen contacts Seattle Computer Products' Tim Patterson asking for the rights to sell SCP's DOS to an unnamed client (later to be revealed as IBM); Microsoft pays less than US$100,000 for the rights^[b].
- December
  - Seattle Computer Products renames QDOS to 86-DOS releasing it as version 0.3. Microsoft then bought non-exclusive rights to market 86-DOS^[b].
1981:
- February:
  - MS-DOS runs for the first time on IBM's prototype microcomputer^[b].
- July:
  - Microsoft buys all rights to DOS from Seattle Computer Products, and the name MS-DOS is adopted^[a].
- August:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 1.0^[f]. (screenshot)
1982:
- May:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 1.1^[a] to IBM for the IBM PC; it supports 320 KB double-sided floppy disk drives^[b]. (screenshot)
- August:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 1.25, similar to 1.1 but for IBM-compatible computers^[d]. (screenshot)
1983:
- March:
  - MS-DOS 2.0 for PCs is announced^[a]. It was written from scratch supporting 10 MB hard drives, a tree-structured file system, and 360 KB floppy disks^[b].
1984:
- March:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 2.1^[a] for the IBM PCjr^[b].
- March (?):
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 2.11 which includes enhancements to better allow conversion into different languages and date formats^[b].
- August:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.0 adding support for 1.2 MB floppy disks, and bigger than 10 MB hard disks^[a].
- November:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.1^[a] adding support for Microsoft networks^[b].
1985: No significant DOS-related dates

1986:
- January:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.2 adding support for 3.5-inch 720 KB floppy disk drives^[a]. (screenshot)
- (unknown):
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.25^[b].
1987:
- August:
  - Microsoft ships MS-DOS 3.3^[a]. (screenshot)
- November:
  - Compaq ships Compaq MS-DOS 3.31^[a] adding support for 1.44MB diskettes and multiple 32MB disk partitions^[f].
1988:
- June:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 4.0^[a] adding a shell menu interface and disk partitions over 32MB and graphical/mouse interface^[f].
- November:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 4.01^[b]. (screenshot)
1989: No significant DOS-related dates

1990: No significant DOS-related dates

1991:
- June:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 5.0^[a] Edlin is replaced with a full-screen editor. It adds undelete and unformat utilities, and task swapping; GW-BASIC is replaced with Qbasic^[a] which is based on Microsoft's QuickBASIC^[b]. (screenshot - MS-DOS Editor: German version!)
1992:
- (unknown):
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 5.0a which was a minor bug fix which dealt with possibly catastrophic problems with UNDELETE and CHKDSK^[e]. This and all later versions are termed "Y2K compliant with minor issues" by Microsoft^[f].
1993:
- March:
  - Microsoft introduces MS-DOS 6.0 including DoubleSpace disk compression^[a].
- November:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 6.2^[a]. Extra security was built into DoubleSpace following complaints of data loss. A new disk checker, SCANDISK, was also introduced, as well as improvements to DISKCOPY and SmartDrive^[e].
1994:
- February:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 6.21 removing DoubleSpace disk compression^[a] (due to legal action by Stac Electronics)^[c].
- June:
  - Microsoft releases MS-DOS 6.22 bringing back disk compression under the name DriveSpace^[a]. (screenshot)
1995:
- August:
  - Microsoft introduces Windows 95 which includes MS DOS 7.0 but it's clear that DOS is going to die a slow death^[b]. It provides support for long filenames when Windows is running, but removes a large number of utilities, some of which are on the Windows 95 CD in the \other\oldmsdos directory^[e].
1996: No significant DOS-related dates

1997:
- (unknown):
  - MS-DOS 7.1 This version is part of OEM Service Release 2 and later of Windows 95. The main change is support for FAT 32 hard disks, a more efficient and robust way of storing data on large drives^[e].

Windows Timeline:

1983:
- March:^[j]
  - Microsoft first announces it's intention to create a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for its existing MS-DOS Operating System. Microsoft also introduces its first mouse, "The Microsoft Mouse", including card and software, for US$200. A major tool in its GUI Development Program. Windows is born
- November:^[j]
  - Microsoft formally announces Windows 1.0, but does not have a working copy! Microsoft shows Windows to IBM, but IBM is not interested in such an unfinished product.
1985:
- October:
  - Windows 1.0 released
- November:^[j]
  - Microsoft announces the Retail shipment of Microsoft Windows 1.01, a GUI which extends the features of the DOS operating system. Windows provides users with the ability to work with several programs at the same time and easily switch between them without having to quit and restart individual applications (retail price was US$99) (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- (unknown)
  - Windows 1.02
1986:
- August:^[h]
  - Windows 1.03
    - MS-DOS version 3.2 support
    - Enhanced keyboard support
    - AT&T 6300 and AT&T 6300 Plus support
    - 14-, 18-, and 24-point sizes added to TimesRoman and Helvetica fonts
    - Generic/Text Only printer driver added
    - PostScript printer driver added;
    - .WRI extension used for Windows Write files (version 1.01 used .DOC extension)
    - Support for all features of the international version
1987:
- January:^[h]
  - Windows Device Driver Library
    - Additional support for display devices, printers, and pointing devices added
- April:^[h]
  - Windows 1.04
    - Added support for IBM Personal System/2
    - COMM.DRV revised to support EPT port for IBM 3812 Pageprinter
    - HP downloadable soft font support
- November:^[h]
  - Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows 2.03 (retail packaging however may show it as Windows 2.0) offering compatibility with existing Windows applications and a new visual appearance compatible with Microsoft OS/2 Presentation Manager^[j].
    - Overlapping windows instead of tiled windows
    - LIM Version 4.0 expanded memory support
    - Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) support
    - SMARTDrive disk-cache program included
    - Revised .FON format for screen fonts
    - NEWFON.EXE included to convert 1.x font format to 2.x font format
    - Revised Paint file format
    - CVTPAINT.EXE included to convert 2.x Paint file format to 1.x format
    - About command moved to File menu from System menu
    - Printer timeouts option added to Control Panel
    - Mouse acceleration option added to Control Panel
    - Warning beep toggle added to Control Panel
    - Notepad About command reports remaining Free Space
    - 3812 Pageprinter no longer supported
      (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- December (?):
  - When Windows/386 was released, Microsoft renamed Windows 2.03 to Windows/286 (for the Intel 286) for version consistency, and labeled all further production accordingly. However it was not replaced by Windows/386, as both versions were aimed at different processors. Therefore version 2.03 can be found labeled under both descriptions^[j].
  - Windows/386 2.0
1988:
- May:^[h]
  - Windows/286 2.1
  - Windows/386 2.1
    - New HIMEM.SYS driver allowing the use of the first 64K of extended memory to store part of Windows, giving approximately 50K additional conventional memory inside Windows
    - Support for approximately 65 more printers than version 2.03, bringing the total supported printers to approximately 127
    - Support for additional computers
    - Support for additional display devices
1989:
- March^[h]
  - Windows 2.11. (also referred to as Windows/286 Version 2.11 and Windows/386 Version 2.11; both optimized for the Intel 286/386 chip^[j].
    - Accounts for memory freed by XMS when computing the maximum swap size allowed
    - Increased minimum bankable memory required for large frame EMS
    - Setup program no longer terminates when incompatible driver is encountered
    - Setup corrected to permit set up on 512K machine with MS-DOS version 3.3
    - Updated COMM.DRV to solve handshaking problems at 9600 bits per second (BPS)
    - Updated HPPCL.DRV driver that supports LaserJet series IID, Olivetti LP 5000, Toshiba PageLaser 12, and Intel Visual Edge
    - Updated PSCRIPT.DRV driver that supports Olivetti LP 5000 in PostScript mode
    - Printing speed increased
    - Windows/386 WINOLDAP.MOD modified to support high-resolution displays
    - AppleTalk library (must accompany the new PostScript driver)
    - Toshiba 24-pin printer driver
    - 8514/a driver for Windows/386
    - /E switch to adjust large frame EMS threshold
1990:
- May:^[h]
  - Windows 3.0. This version offers dramatic performance increases for Windows applications, advances in ease of use and aesthetic appeal, and straightforward integration into corporate computing environments; Network Drivers also made available. IBM start to offer Windows 3.0 as a PS/2 Option^[j].
    - Windows runs in protected mode — direct extended memory access
    - 386 enhanced mode virtual memory provides more memory than physically in RAM by swapping blocks of RAM to the hard drive
    - Color palette managed by Windows 3.0
    - Device-independent color bitmap support
    - Improved network support
    - New dialog boxes, system fonts, and menus
    - Graphical environment
    - New HIMEM.SYS XMS (spec. 2.0) driver; 16 MB support
    - EMM386.SYS expanded memory manager
    - 32 printer drivers supporting 170 different printers — including HP LaserJet III series
    - MS-DOS programs run in a window
    - Three mode operation (real, standard, 386 enhanced)
    - Icon-based Program Manager
    - Tree-structured File Manager
    - Asymetrix Daybook 1.0a bundled
      (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- October:^[h]
  - Windows 3.00a.
    - Maintenance release of 3.0 focusing on very specific problems with:
      - Networking
      - Dynamic Data Exchange
      - Low-memory conditions
      - Setup
      - Extended character support for printers
    - Retail package shipped with Windows Q&A booklet
1991:
- October:^[j]
  - Windows 3.00a with Multimedia Extensions v1.0. This version of Windows was probably a standard version of Windows 3.0a and Microsoft Multimedia Extensions Version 1.0 being released as an OEM Multimedia CD-ROM only. IBM list Windows 3.0 MM as an option for PS/2 Computers^[j].
    - Available only through hardware OEM
    - New device drivers to connect with specific MPC hardware
    - Introduced Media Control Interface (MCI)
    - Enhanced Control Panel includes screen saver, video driver icon (Drivers), joystick control, driver installer, event based sound control, and MIDI mapping control
    - New Accessories: MPC Alarm Clock, Media Player, Sound Recorder
1992:
- April:^[h]
  - Microsoft ships Microsoft Windows 3.1 with over 1,000 enhancements. The new version created unprecedented user demand with over one million advance orders placed worldwide; 386 Enhanced Mode with minimum 4 MB RAM; operates in Standard Mode with 2 MB^[j].
    - Available in upgrade or full package (upgrade does not require earlier version)
    - Improved Setup program offers express, custom, network, and troubleshooting setup
    - Computer-based Windows 3.1 tutorial
    - Consistent dialog boxes
    - Improved online Help
    - OLE Drag and drop, OLE support in many applications
    - Improved File Manager
    - Improved printer support through use of UNIdriver
    - New video drivers support MS-DOS graphics in a window
    - WD1003 virtual hard drive controller
    - Virtual memory changeable in Control Panel
    - Standard and enhanced mode operation only
    - TrueType scalable font support
    - Includes multimedia extensions (inclusions)
    - Includes new SMARTDrive version 4.0, HIMEM XMS manager 3.0, new EMM386.EXE
    - Standard mode can now run with EMM386.EXE running
    - Documentation includes "Getting Started" manual
    - 266 different types of printers supported
      (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- October:^[i]
  - Windows for Workgroups (WfW) 3.1 is a self-contained version of Windows 3.1 that includes all the network software necessary for sharing files, printers, OLE objects, and DDE data with other WFW-equipped computers or with Microsoft LAN Manager-compatible network clients or servers. It contains an improved user interface including configuration options for use with LAN Manager or NetWare servers, with its own server functionality available on an Intel 80386-based or higher processor.
    - Peer-to-peer networking
    - Electronic Mail, extensible
    - Electronic scheduling
    - Enhanced File Manager: Sharing directories, connecting to remote PCs, new Toolbar, and is extensible
    - Enhanced Print Manager: Sharing printers, connecting to remote printers, and new Toolbar
    - Enhanced Control Panel: Network icon
    - Clipbook Viewer: Can save and share clipboard clippings
    - Tools: Chat, Netwatcher, Winmeter
    - NetWare and LAN Manager (and Windows NT) connectivity
    - Hearts game
    - Unlimited number of nodes per workgroup (response time slows as the number of PCs in the workgroup increases)
    - 500-user limit on Microsoft Mail Post Office
    - No hardcoded limit to resource sharing, but it is impacted by other factors such as available memory, protocol usage and hardware
1993:
- July:
  - Windows NT 3.1 Workstation (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- November:^[i]
  - Windows for Workgroups 3.11 contains all of the features included in version 3.1 plus the following features^[i]:
    - Network Features:
      - NDIS 3.0-specification network drivers: Protect-mode drivers, installed as VXDs, using no conventional memory
      - NWLink (and NWNBLink): 32-bit protect-mode protocol for the IPX/SPX transport. Routable. NWNBLink adds a NetBIOS layer.
      - Novell NetWare ODI connectivity. Full support for IPXODI, monolithic IPX, and MSIPX (from WFW 3.1)
      - Universal Client Support. Can be configured using Windows network drivers to be a client only for all of the networks supported with Windows 3.1.
      - ADMINCFG: A utility for network administrators. Configures security and WFW 3.11 network settings for individual WFW 3.11 workstations remotely.
        Documented primarily in the Windows Resource Kit.
        Allows the disabling of file sharing, print sharing, and network DDE sharing
      - Remote Access Service (RAS). Client software for dialing into a RAS server on a Windows NT or LAN Manager server. A Point-to-Point server for WFW computers was made available via download later. When a client dials into a Windows NT or LAN Manager RAS server, they have full connectivity into the network. If a client dials into the WFW Point-to-Point RAS server, they have connectivity to that computer only.
      - Real Mode Server for Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS. Allows 8088/8086-based computers (and higher) to share their resources (usually as print servers). NOTE: The real-mode server is available only in Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS.
    - Non-Network Features:
      - No Network option. WFW can be installed with no network support, much like Windows 3.1. Also, WFW 3.11 can be invoked without network components (with the WIN /N command) even though installed for a network.
      - Performance Enhancements (VFAT and VCACHE). WFW 3.11 includes VFAT, a 32-bit file system that processes INT21h calls for file I/O on local disk volumes in protect mode. WFW 3.11 also includes a unified protect-mode cache, VCACHE, for both network files accessed by the network redirector and local files accessed through VFAT.
      - Microsoft At Work PC-Fax. Allows workstations to share fax modems to send and receive fax messages using the Microsoft Mail MAPI engine.
      - Enhanced Communication Architecture. The architecture of the communications interface is more modular. Its components are COMM.DRV, *VCD, VCOMM.386, SERIAL.386, and LPT.386. With this new modular design, vendors can write device-specific drivers for serial or LPT ports to interface with VCOMM.386. It uses the 32-bit interface directly with VCOMM.386.
      - New troubleshooting switches: WIN /D:C turns off 32-bit file access. WIN /D:T skips the *.386 drivers in the [386Enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file.
    (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- (unknown):
  - Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server
- December:^[h]
  - Windows 3.11
    - Certificate of Authenticity
    - More sophisticated hologram and an MS (3M) sticker on box
    - An 800 number to call (in the United States & Canada) and check for product legitimacy
    - Updated drivers
    - Five updated core files
    - NetWare support files (from Novell)
1994:
- March:^[j]
  - Win32s for Windows 3.1 is a set of runtime libraries for Windows 3.1, which enable users to run most Windows NT 32-bit applications on Windows 3.1, without the extensive hardware requirements of Windows NT^[j].
Remaining operating systems histories are being researched!
- September:
  - Windows NT 3.5
1995:
- May:
  - Windows NT 3.51 Workstation
  - Windows NT 3.51 Server
- August:
  - Windows 95 (screenshot) (more screenshots)
1996:
- February:
  - Windows 95A (OSR1)
- August:
  - Windows 95B (OSR2) (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- - Windows NT 4.0 Workstation (screenshot) (more screenshots)
  - Windows NT 4.0 Server (screenshot) (more screenshots)
1997:
- November:
  - Windows 95C (OSR2.5)
1998:
- June:
  - Windows 98 (screenshot) (more screenshots)
1999:
- May:
  - Windows 98SE (screenshot) (more screenshots)
2000:
- February:
  - Windows 2000 Professional (screenshot) (more screenshots)
  - Windows 2000 Server
  - Windows 2000 Advanced Server (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- August:
  - Whistler (Windows XP) Build 2257 (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- September:
  - Windows Millennium Edition (ME) (screenshot) (more screenshots)
  - Windows 2000 Datacenter Edition
2001:
- October:
  - Windows XP Home Edition released
  - Windows XP Professional released (screenshot) (more screenshots)
2002:
- September:
  - Longhorn Build 3683 (Milestone 3) – Windows Vista
2003:
- February:
  - Longhorn Build 4008 (Milestone 4) – Windows Vista
- March:
  - Longhorn Build 4015 (Milestone 5) – Windows Vista (screenshot) (more screenshots)
- April:
  - Windows Server 2003 Web Edition (screenshot) (more screenshots)
  - Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
  - Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
  - Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition
  - Windows Server 2003 Enterprise 64-bit Edition
  - Windows Server 2003 Datacenter 64-bit Edition
- May:
  - Windows Vista successor to Windows XP announced under codename Longhorn
- September:
  - Windows Small Business Server 2003
- October:
  - Longhorn Build 4051 (Milestone 6) – Windows Vista
2004:
- May:
  - Longhorn Build 4074 (Milestone 7.2) – Windows Vista
2005:
- July:
  - Windows Vista Beta 1
2006: No significant Windows-related dates

2007:
- (first quarter):
  - Windows Vista released
2008:

Sources:

a - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86_DOS_Comparison
b - http://members.fortunecity.com/pcmuseum/dos.htm
c - http://www.oldfiles.org.uk/powerload/timeline.htm
d - http://www.jmusheneaux.com/index1.htm
e - http://www.nukesoft.co.uk/msdos/dosversions.shtml
f - http://www.emsps.com/oldtools/msdosv.htm
g - http://www.guidebookgallery.org/timelines/windows
h - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/q32905/?
i - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q126746/
j - http://www.oldfiles.org.uk/powerload/timeline.htm

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This page last updated: January 11, 2009