Microsoft Windows Design Evolution

Windows 1.0 (1985)

Windows 1.01 Title Screen (1985)

Windows 1.01 Title Screen (1985)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 1.01 Calendar (1985)

Windows 1.01 Calendar (1985)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 1.01 Calculator and Clipboard (1985)

Windows 1.01 Calculator and Clipboard (1985)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 1.01 Calendar, Notepad, and Cardfile on CRT display (1985)

Windows 1.01 Calendar, Notepad, and Cardfile on CRT display (1985)
Source: time.com

Windows 1.01 Control Panel Preferences (1985)

Windows 1.01 Control Panel Preferences (1985)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 1.01 Desktop with Clock, Reversi, and About Dialog (1985)

Windows 1.01 Desktop with Clock, Reversi, and About Dialog (1985)
Source: winsource.com

Windows 2.0 (1987)

Windows 2.03 Title Screen (1987)

Windows 2.03 Title Screen (1987)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 2.03 desktop with apps (1987)

Windows 2.03 desktop with apps (1987)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 2.0 Desktop with Calculator, Microsoft Multiplan on CRT display (1987)

Windows 2.0 Desktop with Calculator, Microsoft Multiplan on CRT display (1987)
Source: bt.com

Windows 2.0 Control Panel (1987)

Windows 2.0 Control Panel (1987)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 2.0 Desktop with Reversi and Calculator (1987)

Windows 2.0 Desktop with Reversi and Calculator (1987)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 3.0 (1990)

Windows 3.0 Title Screen (1990)

Windows 3.0 Title Screen (1990)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 3.0 Desktop (1990)

Windows 3.0 Desktop (1990)
Source: wikipedia.org

Windows 3.0 Desktop with Write, Paintbrush, and Calculator (1990)

Windows 3.0 Desktop with Write, Paintbrush, and Calculator (1990)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 3.0 Control Panel (1990)

Windows 3.0 Control Panel (1990)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.0 Control Panel, Task List, and Custom Background (1990)

Windows 3.0 Control Panel, Task List, and Custom Background (1990)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.0 Desktop with Solitaire and Clock (1990)

Windows 3.0 Desktop with Solitaire and Clock (1990)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.1, Windows NT 3.1, and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 (1992-1993)

Windows 3.1, NT 3.1, and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Title Screens (1992)

Windows 3.1, NT 3.1, and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Title Screens (1992)
Source: Version Museum

Windows 3.1 Program Manager (1992)

Windows 3.1 Program Manager (1992)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.1 Desktop with Program Manager, File Manager, and Clock (1992)

Windows 3.1 Desktop with Program Manager, File Manager, and Clock (1992)
Source: theverge.com

Windows 3.1 File Manager (1992)

Windows 3.1 File Manager (1992)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.1 MS Word and MS Excel (1992)

Windows 3.1 MS Word and MS Excel (1992)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.1 Control Panel (1992)

Windows 3.1 Control Panel (1992)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.1 Solitaire and Minesweeper (1992)

Windows 3.1 Solitaire and Minesweeper (1992)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.11 Hearts Network Game (1992)

Windows 3.11 Hearts Network Game (1992)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 3.1 Setup/Installation (1992)

Windows 3.1 Setup/Installation (1992)
Source: wordpress.com

Windows 95 (1995)

Windows 95 Title Screen (1995)

Windows 95 Title Screen (1995)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 95 Welcome Dialog (1995)

Windows 95 Welcome Dialog (1995)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 95 Start Menu (1995)

Windows 95 Start Menu (1995)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 95 Windows Explorer (1995)

Windows 95 Windows Explorer (1995)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 95 Save As Dialog (1995)

Windows 95 Save As Dialog (1995)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 95 MS-DOS Prompt (1995)

Windows 95 MS-DOS Prompt (1995)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 95 Control Panel (1995)

Windows 95 Control Panel (1995)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 95 Setup/Installation Start (1995)

Windows 95 Setup/Installation Start (1995)
Source: howtogeek.com

Windows 95 Setup Wizard (1995)

Windows 95 Setup Wizard (1995)
Source: howtogeek.com

Windows 98 (1998)

Windows 98 Title Screen (1998)

Windows 98 Title Screen (1998)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 98 Desktop with Welcome Dialog (1998)

Windows 98 Desktop with Welcome Dialog (1998)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 98 System Properties (1998)

Windows 98 System Properties (1998)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 98 Windows Explorer (1998)

Windows 98 Windows Explorer (1998)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 98 Windows Control Panel (1998)

Windows 98 Windows Control Panel (1998)
Source: cwdixon.com/

Windows 98 Shut Down Screen (1998)

Windows 98 Shut Down Screen (1998)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 98 Installation/Setup (1998)

Windows 98 Installation/Setup (1998)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 2000 Professional and Server (2000)

Windows 2000 Pro and Server Title Screens (2000)

Windows 2000 Pro and Server Title Screens (2000)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 2000 Login Window (2000)

Windows 2000 Login Window (2000)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 2000 Start Menu (2000)

Windows 2000 Start Menu (2000)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 2000 Windows Explorer (2000)

Windows 2000 Windows Explorer (2000)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 2000 User and Password Management (2000)

Windows 2000 User and Password Management (2000)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows 2000 Running MS Word XP (2000)

Windows 2000 Running MS Word XP (2000)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 2000 Control Panel (2000)

Windows 2000 Control Panel (2000)
Source: dotcio.rpi.edu

Windows 2000 Shut Down Screen (2000)

Windows 2000 Shut Down Screen (2000)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 2000 Installation/Setup (2000)

Windows 2000 Installation/Setup (2000)
Source: beagle.com.au

Windows ME (2000)

Windows ME Title Screen (2000)

Windows ME Title Screen (2000)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows ME Start Menu (2000)

Windows ME Start Menu (2000)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows ME Windows Explorer (2000)

Windows ME Windows Explorer (2000)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows ME Windows Media Player (2000)

Windows ME Windows Media Player (2000)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows ME Control Panel (2000)

Windows ME Control Panel (2000)
Source: simplehelp.net

Windows ME Blue Screen of Death (2000)

Windows ME Blue Screen of Death (2000)
Source: winworldpc.com

Windows XP (2001)

Windows XP Title Screen (2001)

Windows XP Title Screen (2001)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows XP Login Screen (2001)

Windows XP Login Screen (2001)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows XP Start Menu (2001)

Windows XP Start Menu (2001)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows XP Windows Explorer (2001)

Windows XP Windows Explorer (2001)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows XP Alternate Theme (2001)

Windows XP Alternate Theme (2001)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows XP Control Panel (2001)

Windows XP Control Panel (2001)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows XP Control Panel Classic View (2001)

Windows XP Control Panel Classic View (2001)
Source: suffieldacademy.org

Windows XP Shut Down/Turn Off Computer Screen (2001)

Windows XP Shut Down/Turn Off Computer Screen (2001)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows XP Setup/Installation Start (2001)

Windows XP Setup/Installation Start (2001)
Source: suffieldacademy.org

Windows XP Setup/Installation Screen (2001)

Windows XP Setup/Installation Screen (2001)
Source: suffieldacademy.org

Windows Vista (2006)

Windows Vista Title Screen (2006)

Windows Vista Title Screen (2006)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows Vista Start Menu (2006)

Windows Vista Start Menu (2006)
Source: fandom.com

Windows Vista Windows Explorer (2006)

Windows Vista Windows Explorer (2006)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows Vista Control Panel (2006)

Windows Vista Control Panel (2006)
Source: computerperformance.co.uk

Windows Vista Flip 3D (2006)

Windows Vista Flip 3D (2006)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 7 (2009)

Windows 7 Title Screen (2009)

Windows 7 Title Screen (2009)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 7 Start Menu and About Windows Dialog (2009)

Windows 7 Start Menu and About Windows Dialog (2009)
Source: softonic.com

Windows 7 Windows Explorer (2009)

Windows 7 Windows Explorer (2009)
Source: microsoft.com

Windows 7 Control Panel (2009)

Windows 7 Control Panel (2009)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 7 Installation/Setup Screen (2009)

Windows 7 Installation/Setup Screen (2009)
Source: windows-server-training.com

Windows 8 (2012)

Windows 8 Title Screen (2012)

Windows 8 Title Screen (2012)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 8 Metro Interface Desktop (2012)

Windows 8 Metro Interface Desktop (2012)
Source: theverge.com

Windows 8 Apps List (2012)

Windows 8 Apps List (2012)
Source: cnet.com

Windows 8 Task Manager (2012)

Windows 8 Task Manager (2012)
Source: toastytech.com

Windows 8 PC Settings (2012)

Windows 8 PC Settings (2012)
Source: softpedia.com

Windows 8 Control Panel Classic View (2012)

Windows 8 Control Panel Classic View (2012)
Source: wikihow.com

Windows 8 Installation/Setup Screen (2012)

Windows 8 Installation/Setup Screen (2012)
Source: azurecurve.co.uk

Windows 10 (2015)

Windows 10 Title Screen (2015)

Windows 10 Title Screen (2015)
Source: techrepublic.com

Windows 10 Desktop (2015)

Windows 10 Desktop (2015)
Source: theverge.com

Windows 10 Desktop (2015)

Windows 10 Desktop (2015)
Source: extremetech.com

Windows 10 Settings (2015)

Windows 10 Settings (2015)
Source: controlpanelwindows10.com

Windows 10 Control Panel Classic View (2015)

Windows 10 Control Panel Classic View (2015)
Source: rosettastone.com

Windows 10 Installation/Setup Screen (2015)

Windows 10 Installation/Setup Screen (2015)
Source: lifehacker.com

Next: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Microsoft.com

Enjoyed seeing the history of Windows? See our illustrated design evolution of Microsoft Word starting in 1984.

Also, check out our article on the visual design history of Microsoft Excel which launched in 1982.

Finally, if you really like this stuff, why not see what the Microsoft.com website looked like from 1994 to today?

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