Windows 2.x: Difference between revisions
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== Builds == | == Builds == | ||
''Note that there are no known betas of Windows 2, all builds here were fully released.'' | |||
{{Builds Legend}} | {{Builds Legend}} | ||
=== Windows 2.0x === | === Windows 2.0x === | ||
Revision as of 16:02, 14 February 2015
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| Microsoft Windows 2.x | |
| Codename Preliminary name |
None known |
|---|---|
| Kernel version | 2.0 |
| CPU architecture | x86 (386) and x86-16 (286) |
| Release date | 16/11/1987 |
| Support end | Expired 31/12/2001 |
| Preceded by | Windows 1.x |
| Succeeded by | Windows 3.x |
Windows 2.0 was the second version of Windows. The UI was redesigned and could support overlapping windows. A new default color scheme was introduced. There were 286 and 386 enhanced versions of Windows 2.0 released for Intel 286 and 386 CPUs. Windows 2.0 allowed application windows to overlap each other unlike its predecessor Windows 1.0, which could display only tiled windows.[1] Windows 2.0 also introduced more sophisticated keyboard-shortcuts[2] and the terminology of "Minimize" and "Maximize", as opposed to "Iconize" and "Zoom" in Windows 1.0.[3] The basic window setup introduced here would last through Windows 3.1. Like Windows 1.x, Windows 2.x applications cannot be run on Windows 3.1 or up without modifications since they weren't designed for protected mode.[4] Windows 2.0 was also the first Windows version to integrate the control panel.[1]
New features in Windows 2.0 included VGA graphics (although 16 colors only). It was also the last version of Windows that did not require a hard disk. The Windows 2.x EGA, VGA, and Tandy(from Tandy Computers) drivers notably provided a workaround in Windows 3.0 for users who wanted color graphics on 8086 machines (a feature that version normally did not support). EMS memory support also appeared for the first time.[5]
Application support
The first Windows versions of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel ran on Windows 2.0.[1] Third-party developer support for Windows increased substantially with this version (some shipped the Windows Runtime software with their applications, for customers who had not purchased the full version of Windows).[3] However, most developers still maintained MS-DOS versions of their applications,[1] as Windows users were still a distinct minority of their market. Windows 2.0 was still very dependent on the DOS system and it still hadn't passed the 1 megabyte mark in terms of memory.[6]
There were some applications that shipped with Windows 2.0. They are:
- Calculator(CALC.EXE) – a calculator[7]
- Calendar(CALENDAR.EXE) – Calendar software[7]
- Cardfile(CARDFILE.EXE) – a personal information manager[7]
- ClipBook Viewer(CLIPBRD.EXE) – software for viewing the contents of the clipboard[7]
- CLOCK.EXE – a clock[7]
- Control Panel(CONTROL.EXE0 – the system utility responsible for configuring Windows 2.0[7]
- CVTPAINT.EXE - Converted paint files to the 2.x format[8]
- MS DOS Executive – a simple file manager [7]
- Notepad(NOTEPAD.EXE) – a simple and basic text editor[7]
- Paint(PAINT.EXE) – a graphics editor that allows users to paint and edit pictures interactively on the computer screen[7]
- PIFEDIT.EXE – a Program Information File editor that defines how a DOS program should behave inside Windows
- REVERSI.EXE – a computer game of reversi [7]
- SPOOLER.EXE – the print spooler of Windows, a program that manages and maintains a queue of documents to be printed, sending them to the printer as soon as the printer is ready[7]
- TERMINAL.EXE – a terminal editor[7]
- Windows Write(write.exe) – a simple word editor[7]
Legal conflict with Apple
On March 17, 1988, Apple filed a lawsuit against Microsoft and Hewlett Packard(HP), accusing them of violating copyrights Apple held on the Macintosh System Software.[9] Apple claimed the look and feel of the Macintosh operating system, taken as a whole, was protected by copyright and that Windows 2.0 violated this copyright by having the same icons. The judge ruled in favor of Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft in all but ten of the 189 patents that Apple sued for. The exclusive ten could not be copyrighted, as ruled by the judge.[1]
Builds
Note that there are no known betas of Windows 2, all builds here were fully released.
- No information available
- Existence doubtful
- Information or pictures available
- Leaked or released
Windows 2.0x
- Windows 2.01 (Compaq OEM)
- Windows 2.03 (Retail)
- Windows 2.03 (Amstrad OEM)
- Windows 2.03 (Ericsson OEM)
- Windows 2.03 (Tandon OEM)
- Windows 2.03 (Wang OEM)
Windows 2.1x
References
Major portions of the text has been taken from Wikipedia([1]).
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 http://download.chip.eu/en/History-of-Microsoft_163647110.html
- ↑ http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Hardware_Software/history_of_microsoft_windows_operating_system.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.sbp-romania.com/Articles/how-windows-came-to-be-windows-2.aspx
- ↑ url=http://osdev.berlios.de/v86.html
- ↑ http://www.slideshare.net/KSreitphzaySibangan/kellys-25015202
- ↑ http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Windows+2.0
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 http://toastytech.com/guis/win203.html
- ↑ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/32905
- ↑ http://www.theapplemuseum.com/index.php?id=56
