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October 31, 2009

7 wacky Windows launches

How Microsoft launched its OSes over the years

Harry McCracken

Microsoft encouraged PC users to celebrate the launch of Windows 7 by hosting their own party. We look back at the wacky ways Microsoft launched previous operating systems.

Last week saw the launch of Microsoft's highly anticipated operating system, Windows 7.

The software company made sure the OS launched with a bang, by staging worldwide events to announce its arrival.

We've taken a trip down memory lane to look at how Microsoft has launched some of its previous operating systems.

Windows 1.0

This supposedly dates from 1986 and therefore may not technically date from the launch of Windows 1.0, which shipped in 1985. But no retrospective of Windows-related stuff would be complete without it.

Windows 3.0

A clip from the Windows 3.0 coverage by Stewart Chefeit's TV series The Computer Chronicles.

It's eerily similar to Windows 7 with its description of Windows 3.0 as a reaction to Windows 2.0's lukewarm reception, its touting of 3D elements in the user interface, and the coverage of the general enthusiasm for the product.

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NEXT PAGE: Windows 3.1 and Windows 95

We look at how Microsoft has launched its OSes over the years
Windows 3.1 and Windows 95
Windows XP
Windows Vista

Continued...
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | NEXT >

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Comments

What are your views on this subject? Use the form below to post a comment on this article up to 1000 characters.

Comments received

Ron said on Monday, 02 November 2009

Wacky? Judging by the MS Windows 7 TV adverts in the UK, moronic is more like it.

As far as I can see, W7 is aimed at people too cretinous to actually read the names of the open apps in the Task Bar, and need dinky little pictures, instead.

Rob said on Monday, 02 November 2009

Aye, great comment Ron - have you tried it yet? I prefer the "dinky little pictures", as well as the other interface tweaks. Don't class myself as a moron or a cretin! Then again, no doubt you are a luddite that still prefers Windows 95....

Alex said on Monday, 02 November 2009

Oh Ron!
You didn't engage your brain before putting your mouth into gear there did you?
I mean, why use shortcut icons on your desktop when you could simply read very long and confusing file paths?

Carl said on Monday, 02 November 2009

Much prefer the energy of the Japanese over Ballmer. Ballmer's ad could have been a hit if he did that little "dance" (the "I love this company" one).

George said on Monday, 02 November 2009

I seriously hope that I don't know anyone who is going to have a WIndows 7 party. Wow, what a concept!

Max said on Monday, 02 November 2009

I upgraded my graphics progam last week and I'm having a party.

Max said on Monday, 02 November 2009

I upgraded my graphics progam last week and I'm having a party.

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