If Windows 1.0 was in release 1984 could been success

[johnlemon647]

We know Windows 1.0 been delays 4 time in it redevelopment cycle sense announced in November 10th 1983 to release date 20th November 1985. In 1984 Windows 1.0 is more in Beta Stage than 1985 Windows 1.0. If Windows 1.0 was release in 1984 it not been seen as vaporware. If Windows was release in 1984 we will have Trash Bin, Help Button, the bomb error message. The release of Windows 1.0 in 1984 would look Windows 1.0 April 1984 Beta Build. The release of 1984 Windows 1.0 possibly seen success story. We will not know if Windows 1.0 in 1984 could be success or flop. Windows 1.0 in 1985 was seen as flop.

[ComputerHunter]

First of all, you can't run DOS apps. Secondly, Microsoft might get sued by Apple for copying those features. Third, it will not achieve all features described in 1983.

[Overdoze]

No, Windows 1.0 released as DR5 or even earlier level wouldn't be any bigger success than what was released eventually IMO. It was still missing a lot of features it got after that (despite the ones you mention, which may not even have been functional at all then), performance was crap, stability was crap, running DOS applications was not possible (or even more limited than in the final version), etc. It was just nowhere near ready for release. Microsoft was aware of that, hence more delays.

If they somehow managed to release the final version a year earlier, then perhaps it would see some extra success. Also keep in mind that pretty much all of its competitors except the Macintosh were even less successful anyway.

[JimOlive]

Does it matter? Windows 3.0 became a success, and the rest is history.

[ComputerHunter]

Yes, if Windows 1.0 failed... Microsoft might ditch Windows.

[johnlemon647]

What about Windows 2.0 was modest success story. Windows 1.0 failed because delay for 2 years and feel like DOS SHELL not a Operating System. If Windows 1.0 release 1984 it could been modest success like windows 2.0.

[ComputerHunter]

People working at Microsoft are not as dumb as you thought. If I was to use an OS that crash every 10 minutes thatand does not support DOS apps, it will be a nightmare.

[ATeamInc]

If I were to use an OS that would crash every 10 minutes thatand does not support DOS apps, it would be a nightmare.

Offtopic Comment

Hey, that's Windows 10!

[winnt32]

windows 10 32-bit still supports dos apps lol

[roytam1]

windows 10 32-bit still supports dos apps lol

yes but not pre-installed by default, this is an on-demand feature.

[asad10]

There's no sense in running a 32-bit system on modern (post-2010) hardware, though.

For DOS programs, VDOS (Plus) is probably the best alternative, or PC-em if floppy emulation is required.

[Exemptus]

Windows 1.0 in 1985 was seen as flop.

Not really. The landscape was a bit muddled in 1985. There was TopView, and GEM, and Windows, all three released within months of each other. The specialised press was not sure as to which one would eventually remain, but not a few actually bet on Windows as the winner from the start, so it was not seen as a flop, strictly speaking. All this is amply documented. Not everyone agreed - I remember an extensive article (in PC Magazine perhaps?) about this battle of the graphic environments and the pros and cons of each - it made for insightful reading many years after.