Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows, sometimes known as Windows, is a set of proprietary graphical operating system families that are all created and sold by Microsoft, and which are collectively referred to as Windows. Each of the families serves a certain segment of the computer industry. Windows NT and Windows IoT are currently active Microsoft Windows families; they may contain subfamilies (e.g., Windows Server or Windows Embedded Compact), which are shown below (Windows CE). Windows 9x, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone are just a few of the Microsoft Windows family that are no longer in use.

As a response to growing interest in graphical user interfaces, Microsoft released an operating environment called Windows on November 20, 1985, as a graphical operating system shell for the MS-DOS operating system (GUIs). Microsoft Windows eventually surpassed Apple's Mac OS, which had been launched in 1984, to become the world's most popular personal computer (PC) operating system, with a market share of more than 90 percent.

Apple saw Windows as an unfair infringement on their invention in graphical user interface development, which was deployed on devices such as the Lisa and Macintosh (a dispute that was ultimately resolved in Microsoft's favour in court in 1993). Windows is still the most popular operating system on personal computers in all nations. However, in 2014, Microsoft admitted that it had lost the majority of the total operating system market to Android as a result of the huge increase in the number of Android devices sold. The number of Windows systems sold in 2014 was less than a half of the number of Android devices sold in the same year. This comparison, on the other hand, may not be entirely applicable due to the fact that the two operating systems are typically designed for distinct platforms. Nonetheless, figures for Windows server use (which are equivalent to those of rivals) indicate a one-third market share, which is close to the figure for end-user usage.

When it comes to computers and tablets, the most current version of Windows available as of October 2021 is Windows 11, version 21H2. Windows 10, version 21H1, is the most current version available for embedded devices. Server machines are running Windows Server 2022, version 21H2, which is the most current version available. The Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S video game consoles are both powered by a customised version of Microsoft Windows.