With a net worth that’s over a trillion dollars in early 2019, Microsoft is considered one of America’s most valuable company. It’s strange to think that just forty years earlier, the business was a humble pet project of two best friends: Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

In 1975, Gates and Allen established Microsoft on a sunny day in April. Allen suggested the name Microsoft, which was short for micro-computing software.

The Beginning

Within five years, the company would release its first self-contained operating system, which was a simple version of Unix dubbed Xenix. This would form an important prototype for the business’ first commercially successful product, MS-DOS.

Unlike today’s interfaces, MS-DOS was a single task, non-graphical command line that allowed programmers to safely interact with a computer’s hardware. It could run on virtually any family computer, which soon solidified its dominance over other operating system programs.

However, it wasn’t until five years later that Gates released the product that would launch him into immediate financial success. In 1985, the first version of Microsoft Windows was released, which acted as a graphical interface for MS-DOS.

Microsoft Windows 1.0

The first version of Windows was unlike any other competitor’s graphical computer interface at the time. It relied on the user to use a computer mouse way before other systems adopted the technology. For the first time, everyday consumers began to rely on mouse control to become familiar with virtual onscreen elements.

Windows 2.0 and 3.0

In just two years, the first version of Windows was updated to 2.0, which allowed on-screen windows to overlap each other instead of requiring programs to be exited. The 1987 version let users control computer configurations with a virtualized Control Panel rather than requiring use of the command line, which is a feature that lives on even today.

By 1992, Windows 3.0 appeared on the scene, allowing MS-DOS specific programs to be controlled by a mouse for the very first time. It also allowed for Windows to be installed via CD-ROM.

Windows 95 and 2000

In 1995, Windows 95 marked the beginning of a new era in computing. The new version was more user friendly than ever with a Start menu button that let users choose applications from the home window.

Windows 95 was more focused on multi-tasking than ever. Users could switch to a 32-bit environment and MS-DOS slowly lost prominence.

In 1998, Windows 98 was built on top of the framework for 95, introducing new applications like Outlook Express, Address Book, Microsoft Chat, and Media Player. Windows ME and 2000 were also released around this time, becoming the first systems to support device hibernation.

Windows XP

In 2001, XP was finally released and is still considered one of Microsoft’s best product releases. The graphical interface was completely updated with a new green Start button, a responsive wallpaper, and shadow effects on open tasks.

XP is also one of the longest running Microsoft products ever, having received its last update in 2014. However, consumers were concerned over the lack of security features, which allowed hackers to run rampant on the platform.

Windows Vista and 7.0

Windows XP was slowly phased out with the release of Vista in 2007. Users loved the additions of an enhanced anti-spyware program, the Windows Defender, and better speech recognition.

However, Vista was plagued by untenable bugs, which prompted the rapid release of 7.0 in 2009. It was considered much more stable and easier to use.

Windows 8.0

Windows 8.0 was released in 2012. Compared to previous versions, it was much faster and supported more complex user modes. The new version came with a tiled interface for selecting programs, support for touchscreen, and better support for tablet use.

Windows 10

Many see Windows 10 as a necessary reversal since it reintroduced the Start menu. Similar to XP, Windows 10 features a more balanced desktop experience that’s shied away from touchscreen menus.

The new version is meant to unify Windows across tablets, desktops, and all forms of touchscreen.

Windows 10 provide an ultimate experience with the ability to add more enhancements in your experience. With the help of some more tweaks and tricks this experience can be taken to a whole new level. Also there are some hidden features that most of the users have no idea about them and using those can also benefit windows user.

Using Edge for Shopping Purpose

Whenever you are planning to shop online, always use Microsoft edge as your main browser. As Cortana is enabled in windows 10 and it will keep informing about coupons, discounts, etc.

Set up GodMode

It is a hidden feature that most of the users have no idea about. How can it be operated is simple; you only have to create a folder named “GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}.” in your root drive.

Resize the Start Menu

Windows 10 allows its user to resize the startup menu according to your needs and requirements which makes it more customizable.

Disable Live Icons

You can even disable these live icons on your taskbar because most of the time they are not that useful and may appear distracting to most of the user. This is a simple task and can be achieved by just reducing the size of start menu.

Cortana

This is known to be the digital assistant of Windows 10 truly because it has a lot of features for the users. You can use it for voice search, or for saving locations, or setting reminders, or getting directions, or even get-a-glance information.

Multiple Desktops

Windows 10 allows user to create multiple desktops by clicking the task view and creating a new desktop by clicking plus sign at right bottom. Also the switching between these desktops is not a difficult or time consuming task; this also is possible by clicking the task view.

Dedicated Windows 10 browser: Microsoft Edge

This new browser is quiet easy to use with a lot of features to use. This can also be used like Cortana when it is enabled in windows 10 which means that Cortana can be used inside Edge. Edge allows us to change the default search engine, annotate, highlight, & insert notes, use reader mode feature, share links in a easier way, enable dark mode ability, pin websites to start menu, enable ‘do not track’ facility. Apart from this, edge has made it quiet easier to navigate between tabs. Last but not the least, there exist an option for carrot browsing through which users don’t have to use their mouse or click pads and all the tasks can be done by keyboard navigation.

Change the Login Screen Background

Login screen background can be changed and as a matter of fact it is not known to many users. Though this not possible genuinely but a third party app can be used to achieve this without the fear of having virus in you windows.

Create & Restore a Full Windows 10 Backup

Windows 10 allows its users to have a full backup of your customized and present windows 10 by simple using the built-in utility, ‘system-image’.

Windows 10 has a lot more to do which can be found out by exploring it more and more. This just is a top notch of its hidden and interesting features.