Not only that, but each Windows also had sub-variations of these versions, which were introduced with major bi-annual feature updates. Microsoft has now shifted to annual feature releases. For example, Windows 10 has versions 21H2, 21H1, and many others, while Windows 11 has 21H2 and 22H2. This post lists the complete timeline and highlights the significant details of each Windows version released from the beginning of time.
Windows Timeline
The image below is an illustration of the different Windows versions and their release point in time.Timeline representation of all Windows versions
Windows History
The table below briefly describes the important aspects of each of the Windows operating systems along with some other useful information.NameCodenameRelease yearVersionEditionsCurrently SupportedDetailsWindows 1.01Interface Manager19851.01–NoThe first client Windows OS introduced the MS-DOS ExecutiveWindows 1.02–19861.02–No–Windows 1.03–19861.03–No2 moderately-different versions exist with a difference in the USER.EXE fileWindows 1.04–19871.04–NoAdditional support for IBM driversWindows 2.01–19872.01NoIntroduced overlapping, resizable windows and could run multiple DOS applications simultaneouslyWindows 2.03–19872.03–NoIntroduced 386 enhanced mode, which allows Windows to use memory beyond 640kWindows 2.1–19882.1–NoRequired hard disk drives to take advantage of some Intel processorsWindows 2.11–19892.11–NoAppleTalk support and faster printing with updated printer driversWindows 3.0–19903.0–NoA new, colorful user interface introducedWindows 3.1–19923.1–NoMore stable and fasterWindows 3.1Winball / Sparta19923.1Windows for WorkgroupsNoIncludes native networking support and introduced the Hearts card gameWindows NT 3.1Razzle1993NT 3.1–NoThe first OS with 32-bit architectureWindows 3.11–19933.11–NoMostly containing bug fixes and improvements; no major new featuresWindows 3.11Snowball19933.11Windows for WorkgroupsNoMostly focused on 32-bit networking: 32-bit file access and 32-bit full network redirectorsWindows 3.2–19933.2–NoFocused on Simplified Chinese languageWindows NT 3.5Daytona1994NT 3.5Windows NT 3.5 WorkstationNoIncluded Winsock and TCP/IP supportWindows NT 3.51Daytona1995NT 3.51Windows NT 3.51 WorkstationNoProvides client/server support for interoperating with Windows 95Windows 95Chicago19954.00–NoDrastically improved GUI and plug-and-play capabilitiesWindows NT 4.0Shell Update Release1996NT 4.0Windows NT 4.0 WorkstationNoIntroduced the concept of system policiesWindows 98Memphis19984.10–NoMajor cosmetic UI upgrades, highly web integratedWindows 98 Second Edition (SE)–19994.10–NoMostly included bug fixes and minor improvements. IE 4.0 was replaced with IE 5.0Windows 2000Windows NT 5.02000NT 5.0Windows 2000 ProfessionalNoIntroduced NTFS 3.0, Encrypting File System, basic and dynamic disk storageWindows MEMillennium20004.90–NoInitially included IE 5.5, Windows Movie Maker. Designed for home usersWindows XPWhistler2001NT 5.1Starter, Home, professional, 64-Bit EditionNoIncreased performance and stability, intuitive UI, improved hardware support, expanded multimedia capabilitiesWindows XPFreestyle2002NT 5.1Media Center EditionNoInclusion of the Windows Media CenterWindows XPHarmony2003NT 5.1Media Center Edition 2004NoWindows XP Service Pack 2 upgrades earlier versions of MCE to this oneWindows XPSymphony2004NT 5.1Media Center Edition 2005NoIncludes support for Media Center Extenders, and CD/DVD-Video burning supportWindows XPEmerald2005NT 5.1Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2NoAdds support for the Xbox 360 as a media center extender, DVB-T broadcasts, and two ATSC tuner cardsWindows XPAnvil2005NT 5.2Professional x64 EditionNo–Windows VistaLonghorn2007NT 6.0Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, UltimateNoUpdated GUI, Windows Search, redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systemsWindows 7–2009NT 6.1Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, UltimateNoTouch and handwriting recognition improvements, support for virtual hard disks, improved multi-core processor performance, improved boot performance, DirectAccess, and kernel improvementsWindows 8–2012NT 6.2Professional, EnterpriseNoMajor changes to the UI, optimized for tablets, touch-optimized Windows shellWindows 8.1Blue2013NT 6.3Professional, EnterpriseYesadditional customization options for Start menu, Start button on the desktop restored, ability to snap up to four apps on display, ability to boot directly to desktopWindows 8.1Blue2014NT 6.3Windows 8.1 with BingYesBing-based unified search system was addedWindows 10 v1507Threshold2015NT 10.0Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoSignificant changes to the UI and OS functionality, offered in various editionsWindows 10 v1511Threshold 220151511Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoPreinstalled Skype, Microsoft Edge synchronization capability, tab previews in EdgeWindows 10 v1607Redstone 120161607Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoVisual and functional improvementsWindows 10 v1703Redstone 220171703Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoVisual and functional improvementsWindows 10 v1709Redstone 320171709Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoVisual and functional improvementsWindows 10 v1803Redstone 420181803Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoVisual and functional improvementsWindows 10 v1809Redstone 520181809Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoVisual and functional improvementsWindows 10 v1903Vanadium20191903Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoLight theme introduced, separate Search and Cortana, Windows Sandbox, recommended troubleshooting tipsWindows 10 v1909Vibranium20191909Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoCreate events from Calendar flyout, improved notification management, OneDrive integration with File Explorer searchWindows 10 v2004Vibranium20202004Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCNoBetter Your Phone experience, DirectX 12 Ultimate, WSL 2Windows 10 v20H2Vibranium202020H2Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCYesChromium-based Microsoft Edge, theme-aware Start menu tiles, and other improvementsWindows 10 v21H1Vibranium202121H1Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCYesNews and Interests in taskbar, improvements to Windows Defender (now Windows Security)Windows 10 v21H2Vibranium202121H2Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education, S, Enterprise LTSCYesSupport for Wi-Fi 6E, new simplified passwordless deployment modes for Windows Hello for BusinessWindows 11 v21H2Sun Valley202121H2Home, Pro, Education, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise, SEYesMajor UI changes, modern look, widgets included, integrated Microsoft Teams, redesigned taskbar, updated backgroundsWindows 11 2022 UpdateSun Valley 2202222H2Home, Pro, Education, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise, SEYesSpotlight for Desktop, new Media Player, UI improvements, live captions, improved Narrator and Voice Access, Windows Subsystem for AndroidAll Microsoft Windows OS details The table above depicts all the significant changes as well as the release details of individual Windows versions since Microsoft first launched the operating system back in 1985. Let us now categorize these operating systems so that their hierarchy is easier to understand. Note: The “X” in the table denotes an empty integer as part of the complete Windows version.Sr. No.DOS-basedWindows 9XWindows NT1Windows 1.0XWindows 95NT 3.12Windows 2.0XWindows 98NT 3.53Windows 1.2XWindows MENT 3.514Windows 3.0NT 4.05Windows 3.1X20006XP7Vista8Windows 79Windows 810Windows 8.111Windows 1012Windows 11Microsoft operating systems categorization
Closing Words
Microsoft has made functional, cosmetic, and infrastructural changes to the Windows operating system since it was first released. They have been working on making it the top OS for consumers, continuously enhancing the user experience through feedback and testing through the Insider program. That said, we hope that the images and tables above reduce the complication of understanding the Windows hierarchy. Also see:
Complete List of Windows Server Versions and TimelineDownload Windows 10 Version 20H2 ISO with redesigned start menu and new chromium edgeDownload Windows Server ISO All Versions (2022, 2019, 2016, 2012 R2)Windows 10 Version 2004 ISO Images Download and Upgrade GuideDownload All Windows ADK Versions
