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Every Windows version

Every version of Windows for PCs, from Windows 1.0 in 19851 to Windows 11, whose newest version as of November 2026 is 26H2.21 Editions and small updates, like Windows 98 Second Edition, are left out.9 Feature updates of Windows 10 and 11, like 22H2, are mentioned in their entries.17, 21

Sources

  1. Our drawing of the Windows 1.0 desktop (1985). See the real screen
    1985

    Windows 1.0

    Microsoft's first Windows. Instead of typing MS-DOS commands, you pointed and clicked with a mouse.1

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  2. Our drawing of the Windows 1.0 desktop (1985). See the real screen
    1987

    Windows 2.0

    Windows could now overlap, and Control Panel made its first appearance. Windows/386 soon followed for Intel's 386 processor.1

  3. Our drawing of the Windows 3.0 desktop (1990). See the real screen
    1990

    Windows 3.0

    Program Manager, File Manager and Print Manager arrived, with 16 colors and full support for Intel's 386 processor.1

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  4. Our drawing of the Windows 3.0 desktop (1990). See the real screen
    1992

    Windows 3.1

    Brought TrueType fonts.2 With 3.0, it sold 10 million copies in two years. Windows for Workgroups 3.11 added workgroup and domain networking.1

  5. Our drawing of Windows NT 3.1 (1993). See the real screen
    1993

    Windows NT 3.1

    Built from scratch as a 32-bit system for business, engineering and science. It looked and felt much like Windows 3.1.1, 3

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  6. Our drawing of Windows NT 3.1 (1993). See the real screen
    1994

    Windows NT 3.5

    Code-named Daytona. Microsoft claimed it was faster, and it could use NetWare file and print servers without extra software.4

  7. Our drawing of Windows NT 3.1 (1993). See the real screen
    1995

    Windows NT 3.51

    Added support for PowerPC computers, for Windows 95-compatible programs and for PCMCIA cards.5

  8. Our drawing of the Windows 95 desktop (1995). See the real screen
    1995

    Windows 95

    The Start menu, the taskbar, and minimize, maximize and close buttons on every window. It sold 7 million copies in five weeks.1

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  9. Our drawing of the Windows 95 desktop (1995). See the real screen
    1996

    Windows NT 4.0

    Brought the Windows 95 look, with the Start button and taskbar, to the reliable and secure Windows NT.6

  10. Our drawing of the Windows 98 desktop (1998). See the real screen
    1998

    Windows 98

    The first Windows designed specifically for home users, with support for USB devices and DVD discs, and the new Quick Launch bar.1, 7

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  11. Our drawing of the Windows Me desktop (2000). See the real screen
    2000

    Windows 2000

    Built on Windows NT, it was made to replace Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0 on business desktops and laptops.1, 8

  12. Our drawing of the Windows Me desktop (2000). See the real screen
    2000

    Windows Me

    Made for home PCs, with System Restore, Movie Maker and Windows Media Player 7. The last Windows built on the code of Windows 95.1, 9

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  13. Our drawing of the Windows XP desktop (2001). See the real screen
    2001

    Windows XP

    A redesigned look and feel, centered on making the PC easier to use. It came in 25 languages.1

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  14. Our drawing of the Windows Vista desktop (2007). See the real screen
    2007

    Windows Vista

    The see-through Aero glass look and User Account Control. Businesses with volume licences got it in November 2006, everyone else on 30 January 2007.1, 10, 11, 12

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  15. Our drawing of the Windows 7 desktop (2009). See the real screen
    2009

    Windows 7

    A redesigned taskbar, Snap, Peek and Shake for handling windows, and Windows Touch for touch screens.1, 13

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  16. Our drawing of the Windows 8 Start screen (2012). See the real screen
    2012

    Windows 8

    A Start screen of tiles, made to work with touch as well as mouse and keyboard, and the new Windows Store built in.1, 14

  17. Our drawing of the Windows 8 Start screen (2012). See the real screen
    2013

    Windows 8.1

    A free update for Windows 8. The Start button came back, and up to four apps could sit side by side.15

  18. Our drawing of the Windows 10 desktop (2015). See the real screen
    2015

    Windows 10

    Brought back the Start menu, with Cortana and the new Edge browser.16 New versions came until 22H2 in 2022; support ended in October 2025.17

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  19. Our drawing of the Windows 11 desktop (2021). See the real screen
    2021

    Windows 11

    Came out in October 2021, with Start in the center and rounded window corners.18, 19, 20 As of November 2026, the newest version is 26H2.21

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