Windows 9x refers to a series of Microsoft's operating systems that were released in the late 1990s and early 2000s, specifically:
The development of Windows 9x began as a project known internally at Microsoft as Chicago, which eventually became Windows 95. This was the first consumer version of Windows to fully integrate the MS-DOS operating system with a graphical user interface (GUI) in a seamless way, making it easier for users to navigate and use their computers.
Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995, introducing features like:
Following Windows 95, Windows 98 was released in June 1998, which included:
Lastly, Windows Millennium Edition (ME) was launched in September 2000, aimed at home users, with enhancements like:
Windows 9x systems were built on top of a 16-bit MS-DOS kernel, which allowed for compatibility with older software but also introduced stability issues, as the core system could still be affected by DOS-based applications or viruses. These operating systems used a cooperative multitasking model for applications, meaning that a single misbehaving program could crash the entire system.
Windows 9x systems played a pivotal role in the proliferation of personal computing. They made PCs more accessible to the average consumer, significantly boosting the market share of Microsoft in the operating system market. These versions of Windows were instrumental in transitioning from the command-line interface to a graphical one, setting the stage for future iterations of Windows.
While successful, Windows 9x systems had their share of criticism:
Despite these issues, the legacy of Windows 9x includes:
Support for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME has long since ended. Microsoft officially discontinued support for Windows 95 in 2001, for Windows 98 and Windows ME in 2006. This means no further security updates or technical support are available for these systems.