Microsoft’s Top 10 Best Versions of Windows Ranking

Over the past 35 years, Microsoft has released at least 30 major versions of the Windows operating system. But not all of them are created equal, so I thought it would be interesting to rank the 10 best versions of this essential operating system.

Rating Criteria

This list is ranked based on innovation and operability during the operating system’s own development. This is not (and never can be) a definitive list to objectively prove which version of Windows is the “best”. Since you cannot compare Win XP and Windows 10, it is simply because they are from different eras.

To keep things simple, I will only rate the desktop versions of Windows. Mobile operating systems such as Windows CE, Windows Phone, Windows Mobile 10, and Windows RT are completely inappropriate in this context, nor are server versions of Windows such as Windows Server 2003.

Done, let’s start with the Top 10!

#10: Windows 3.0 (1990)

Windows 3.0 consolidated the confusingly named Windows 2.x product family (Windows 2.03, Windows/286, Windows/386, etc.) the machine has 386 CPUs. It also includes a stunning new graphical user interface with a 3D-shaded look and a stunning set of icons designed by legendary graphic designer Susan Kare.

#9: Windows 8 (2012)

Change is hard, and Windows 8 succumbed to the pressure of change that made many people uncomfortable. Despite poor critical reviews, Windows 8 is the most innovative version of Windows since Windows 95. It is seen as Microsoft’s response to the changing world of touch-based mobile devices like the iPad. The result is a hybrid operating system that can work on both tablets and desktops.

The result is quite disappointing for desktop users — ditching the Start Menu was a mistake — but Microsoft has fixed some puzzling issues in Windows 8.1. And basically, Windows 8 is Windows 7 with a lot of overlooked security improvements.

#8: Windows NT 4.0 (1996)

If you want the stability of the 32-bit Windows NT kernel and the added user-friendly interface of Windows 95, then Windows NT 4.0 might be the best choice for you. Its rock-solid stability (after several patches) has made it Microsoft’s most popular learning and business operating system for years, and dedicated NT4 users were reluctant to upgrade at the end. year 2003.

In fact, if you’re willing to forgo modern interface utilities and security updates, you can still run Windows NT 4 for some tasks today — if you’re crazy enough :v.

#7: Windows 98 SE (1999)

Windows 98 takes the improvements introduced in Windows 95 and adds an improved interface with greater flexibility, while still making the legacy MS-DOS 16-bit. For a long time, there was no better PC gaming operating system than Windows 98, as it supported DOS games and DirectX-based titles as well.

The release of “Second Edition” in 1999 added several improvements (including better USB support) that kept many people using version 98 until Windows XP was released in 2001. Unfortunately. , Windows 98 proved extremely unstable, but that didn’t stop it from becoming the most popular upgrade among consumers.

#6: Windows for Workgroups 3.11 (1993)

Windows for Workgroups was greatly benefited by the popularity of Windows 3.11 in 1992 — TrueType font support, multimedia support, document embedding with OLE and Minesweeper, added native networking support, making it the the most powerful consumer and small business version of Windows up to Windows 95 .

#5: Windows 10 (2015)

Windows 10 got off to a bad start with press criticism of Microsoft’s data eavesdropping, built-in ads, and sudden updates that disrupted everyone’s work. But to Microsoft’s credit, the company has addressed those concerns over time and has continued to update Windows 10 at a steady rate over the past five years.

Today, Windows 10 is a mature, stable, capable and very popular operating system with over a billion users. As the “final version of Windows”, we can expect Windows 10 to continue to evolve and change over time as the world changes with it.

#4: Windows XP (2001)

Even if you don’t like the colorful blue theme in XP’s default interface, you still have to agree with yourself and other users that Win Xp is very stable. The proof is that many PC users upgrade from the unstable MS-DOS operating system of Windows 98 and Me to Win XP.

Over time, they enjoyed solid Windows NT technology, as the average PCs of the time became powerful enough to run Win XP well. Disposable is addictive :v, many XP fans do not want to upgrade to other versions of Win for a long time.

#3: Windows 95 (1995)

For many PC users, Windows 95 has gone from “Microsoft software product” to “must-have desktop operating system”. It’s beautiful and easy to use, including an innovative Start Menu and taskbar, which is said to have surpassed the Macintosh OS for the first time in terms of usability.

Windows 95 introduced many Windows standards that we take for granted today, including File Explorer, Windows shortcuts, Recycle Bin, file shortcuts, the modern desktop, and more. It is the archetype of Windows, distilled: Anyone familiar with Windows today can easily go back and use Windows 95 without any problems.

#2: Windows 2000 (2000)

Windows 2000 is an underrated version but a more stable and mature Windows that feels ahead of its time for first time users. And as a “professional” version of Windows, it doesn’t get as widely used as the consumer version of Windows Me. But unlike previous versions of Windows NT, Windows 2000 is a version of Windows NT that your family can fully use for the first time.

It has everything you need, provides solid stability, creates extra confidence for users, some users did not upgrade to other versions until Windows 7 came out in 2015. 2009.

#1: Windows 7 (2009)

At the time of its release, Windows 7 marked Microsoft’s return from the disaster of Windows Vista, which was hit for its new approach to security (UAC), bugs, resource-hungry, and bad delivery. are the main causes of failure of Windows Vista.

In contrast, Windows 7 is more stable than Vista, runs faster on the same hardware, minimizes UAC issues, and tweaks the Aero interface to make it less banana and more classy (and you can turn it off). it goes if needed). At the same time, Windows 7 retains some of the Vista improvements (like the Start Menu search) while adding other improvements (like pinning the shortcut to the taskbar).

Ironically, a big part of what makes Windows 7 great is that it’s not like Windows 10. Windows 7 has no game bundles in freemium, no ads on the Start Menu, and no need to link your account to it. Microsoft. You can update whenever you want. You have full control of your computer, not Microsoft’s. It’s the ultimate leap into the non-software-as-a-service era that many still want to pursue despite the changing technology landscape around us.

With Windows 7 final support as of January 2020, you should upgrade to Windows 10 if you can – but it remains to be seen whether Microsoft has made mistakes in the past. Needless to say, this is still the best desktop version of Windows ever made.