Microsoft announces Windows

10th November 1983
Microsoft announces Windows

On the 10th November 1983, Bill Gates announced a new Microsoft product at the Helmsley Palace Hotel, New York City. That product was Microsoft Windows, a new operating system with a graphical user interface.

During the launch event, Bill Gates predicted that by the end of 1984, Windows 1.0 would be installed on 90% of PCs. However, the first release of Windows was beset by several delays, and did not ship until 2 years later, on 20th November 1985. And once released, Windows 1.0 was not the global success Gates envisioned, selling just 500,000 copies. It took a few more years for Windows to gain general acceptance with the public, with the release of version 3.0.

Windows 1.0 provided features including pull-down menus, mouse support, and multitasking of applications. It shipped with several programs including Paint, Notepad, Calculator, a calendar, and a clock.

Related information:

• Centre for Computing History: Microsoft
• Centre for Computing History: Microsoft Windows Operating Environment
• The New Yorker: The First Windows

Image:

• Bill Gates with a Windows 1.0 disk
  Credit: Microsoft. Images remain the copyright of the original copyright holder. Used under fair use policy for educational purposes only.

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