List of Microsoft Windows versions - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

This page lists and links to information on the various versions of Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...

, a major computer operating system

Operating system

An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...

developed by Microsoft

Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...

Current versions

Windows 8
Windows 8
Windows 8 is the codename for the next version of the Microsoft Windows computer operating system following Windows 7. It has many changes from previous versions. In particular it adds support for ARM microprocessors in addition to the previously supported x86 microprocessors from Intel and AMD...

, is the next version of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, servers, and media center PCs.
- Windows To Go
  Windows To Go
  Windows To Go is a feature in Windows 8 that allows the entire system to run from USB mass storage devices such as flash drives and external hard drives....
  
  , windows mode/version to run from a USB flash drive and USB external Hard Drive.
Windows 7, for home and business desktops and portable computers
- Windows 7 Starter A variant for developing countries and netbooks, in which the Aero theme is not included, nor 64-bit compatibility. This edition is to be available pre-installed on computers through system integrators or computer manufacturers.
- Windows 7 Home Basic Windows 7 Home Basic is available in emerging markets such as Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, and Thailand. It will not be available in countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Some Aero options are excluded along with several new features.
- Windows 7 Home Premium This edition contains features aimed at the home market segment, such as Windows Media Center
  Windows Media Center
  Windows Media Center is a digital video recorder and media player developed by Microsoft. It is an application that allows users to view and record live television, as well as organize and play music and videos...
  
  , Windows Aero
  Windows Aero
  Windows Aero is the graphical user interface and the default theme in most editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, operating systems released by Microsoft. It is also available in Windows Server 2008, but is not enabled by default. Its name is a backronym for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective and...
  
  and touch-screen controls.
- Windows 7 Professional This edition is targeted toward enthusiasts and small business users. It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain. Additional features include operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, Encrypting File System
  Encrypting File System
  The Encrypting File System on Microsoft Windows is a feature introduced in version 3.0 of NTFS that provides filesystem-level encryption...
  
  , Presentation Mode and Windows XP Mode.
- Windows 7 Enterprise (Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7600) This edition targets the enterprise segment of the market and is sold through volume licensing to companies which have Software Assurance contract with Microsoft. Additional features include support for Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages, BitLocker Drive Encryption
  BitLocker Drive Encryption
  BitLocker Drive Encryption is a full disk encryption feature included with the Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Microsoft's Windows Vista and Windows 7 desktop operating systems, as well as the Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 server platforms. It is designed to protect data by...
  
  , and UNIX application-support. Not available through retail or OEM channels, this edition is distributed through Microsoft Software Assurance (SA). As a result it includes several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing the running of multiple virtual machines, and activation via VLK.
- Windows 7 Ultimate Windows 7 Ultimate contains the same features as Windows 7 Enterprise, but unlike that edition it will be available to home users on an individual license basis. Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional users are able to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate for a fee using Windows Anytime Upgrade
  Windows Anytime Upgrade
  Windows Anytime Upgrade is an upgrade method offered by Microsoft and selected licensed resellers for users who wish to upgrade any non-Ultimate edition of Windows Vista or Windows 7. The Windows 7 version of Windows Anytime Upgrade introduced many improvements, notably the upgrade time has been...
  
  if they wish to do so. Unlike Windows Vista Ultimate, the Windows 7 Ultimate edition will not include the Windows Ultimate Extras
  Windows Ultimate Extras
  Windows Ultimate Extras are optional features offered to users of Windows Vista Ultimate Edition. They are accessible with Windows Update. Ultimate Extras replace the market role of Microsoft Plus!, a product sold for prior consumer releases of Microsoft Windows...
  
  feature or any exclusive features. (6.1.7600) Observe the existence of versions that is locked out from activation in some countries.
- Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601.17514)
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft. It was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009 and launched on October 22, 2009. According to the Windows Server Team blog, the retail availability was September 14, 2009. It is built on Windows NT 6.1, the same core...

for servers.
Windows Web Server 2008 R2
Windows Storage Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Edition
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition
Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Edition
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 for high Performance supercomputers
Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601.17514)
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...

6.5 for smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...

s
Windows Phone
Windows Phone
Windows Phone is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, and is the successor to its Windows Mobile platform, although incompatible with it. Unlike its predecessor, it is primarily aimed at the consumer market rather than the enterprise market...

7 for smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...

s
Windows Home Server
Windows Home Server
Windows Home Server, code-named Quattro, is a home server operating system from Microsoft. Announced on 7 January 2007, at the Consumer Electronics Show by Bill Gates, Windows Home Server is intended to be a solution for homes with multiple connected PCs to offer file sharing, automated backups,...

Announced at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...

(CES) in Las Vegas. Windows Home Server is intended to be a solution for homes with multiple connected PCs to offer file sharing, automated backups, and remote access.
Windows XP Embedded, for embedded systems requiring parts of the Windows XP infrastructure
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is a thin client operating system from Microsoft, based on Windows XP Embedded, but optimized for older, less powerful hardware. It was released on 8 July 2006...

, a low-end version of Windows XP that is intended to be a thin-client that works with older hardware.
Windows Embedded CE 6.0, for embedded systems (not based on the Windows NT kernel)

Past versions

Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...

6.1 for smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...

s and PDA
PDA
A PDA is most commonly a Personal digital assistant, also known as a Personal data assistant, a mobile electronic device.PDA may also refer to:In science, medicine and technology:...

s
Windows Server 2008 for servers.
- Windows Web Server 2008
- Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition (Microsoft Windows NT 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2)
- Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition (Microsoft Windows NT 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1)
- Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition
- Windows Storage Server 2008
- Windows Small Business Server 2008 (Codenamed "Cougar") for small business
  Small business
  A small business is a business that is privately owned and operated, with a small number of employees and relatively low volume of sales. Small businesses are normally privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships...
  
  es
- Windows Essential Business Server
  Windows Essential Business Server
  Windows Essential Business Server 2008 was Microsoft's server offering for mid-size businesses . It was released to manufacturing on 16 September 2008 and was officially launched on the 12 December 2008...
  
  2008 (Codenamed "Centro") for medium-sized businesses
- Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems
- Windows HPC Server 2008 for high Performance supercomputers
- Windows Server Foundation 2008
Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...

, for home and business desktops and portable computers
- Windows Vista Starter Similar to Windows XP Starter Edition, this edition was limited to emerging markets such as Colombia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia, mainly to offer a legal alternative to using unauthorized copies. It was not be available in the United States, Canada, Europe, or Australia.
- Windows Vista Home Basic Similar to Windows XP Home Edition, Home Basic was intended for budget users not requiring advanced media support for home use. The Windows Aero theme with translucent effects was not be included with this edition.
- Windows Vista Home Premium Like Windows XP Media Center Edition, this edition did support more advanced multimedia and entertainment authoring, premium games, mobile and tablet PC support, Network Projector, Windows Aero, Touch Screen, and auxiliary display (via Windows Side Show) support.
- Windows Vista Business This edition was aimed at the business market. It includes advanced network and security features, whilst excluding entertainment features.
- Windows Vista Enterprise (Microsoft Windows NT 6.0.6000.0) This edition was aimed at the enterprise segment of the market, and is a superset of the Business edition. Additional features include multilingual user interface support, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support. This edition was not be available through retail or OEM channels
- Windows Vista Ultimate This edition combines all the features of the Home Premium and Enterprise editions, a game performance tweaker (WinSAT), and "Ultimate Extras".
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft, introduced on 24 April 2003. An updated version, Windows Server 2003 R2, was released to manufacturing on 6 December 2005...

for servers
- Small Business Server for first server installations (up to 2 processors)
- Web Edition for basic Web serving (up to 2 processors)
- Standard Edition for smaller server applications that don't require clustering (up to 4 processors)
- Enterprise Edition for larger server applications, and clustering (up to 8 processors)
- Datacenter Edition for mainframe like servers (up to 128 processors)
- Storage Server for Network Attached Storage Devices (5.2.3790)
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...

6 for smartphones and PDA
- Windows Mobile
  Windows Mobile
  Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
  
  6 Standard for smartphones
- Windows Mobile
  Windows Mobile
  Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
  
  6 Classic for PDA without GSM
- Windows Mobile
  Windows Mobile
  Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
  
  6 for PDA with GSM
Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...

for desktops and laptops (notebooks)
- Windows XP Starter Edition, for new computer users in developing countries
- Windows XP Home Edition
  Windows XP
  Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
  
  , for home desktops and laptops
- Windows XP Home Edition N, as above, but without a default installation of Windows Media Player
  Windows Media Player
  Windows Media Player is a media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices...
  
  , as mandated by an EU ruling
- Windows XP Professional
  Windows XP
  Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
  
  , for business and power users (Version number: NT 5.1.2600)
- Windows XP Professional N, as above, but without a default installation of Windows Media Player
  Windows Media Player
  Windows Media Player is a media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices...
  
  , as mandated by an EU ruling
- Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
  Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
  Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition released on April 25, 2005 is an edition of Windows XP for x86-64 personal computers. It is designed to use the expanded 64-bit memory address space provided by the x86-64 architecture....
  
  , for PCs with x86-64
  X86-64
  x86-64 is an extension of the x86 instruction set. It supports vastly larger virtual and physical address spaces than are possible on x86, thereby allowing programmers to conveniently work with much larger data sets. x86-64 also provides 64-bit general purpose registers and numerous other...
  
  processors (based on Windows Server 2003)
- Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, for notebooks with a touch screen or a pen-sensitive screen
- Windows XP Media Center Edition
  Windows XP Media Center Edition
  Windows XP Media Center Edition is a version of the Windows XP operating system designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub. The last version, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, was released in October 2004.-Versions:...
  
  for desktops and notebooks with an emphasis on audio, video, and PVR capability. There are four versions:
  - Windows XP Media Center Edition
  - Windows XP Media Center Edition 2003
  - Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004
  - Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
- 2001 October 25 - Windows XP 64-bit Edition - A version of Windows XP roughly analogous to Windows XP Professional for Intel's IA-64 (Itanium) line of CPUs. It was discontinued in early 2005 after manufacturers stopped shipping Itanium systems marketed as 'workstations'.
- Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, for tablet PC
  Tablet computer
  A tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a complete mobile computer, larger than a mobile phone or personal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen...
  
  s
2000 February 17 - Windows 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...

(Version number: NT 5.0.2195)
- Windows 2000 Professional
- Windows 2000 Server
- Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
2000 June 19 - Windows Me
Windows Me
Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows Me , is a graphical operating system released on September 14, 2000 by Microsoft, and was the last operating system released in the Windows 9x series. Support for Windows Me ended on July 11, 2006....

(Version number: 4.90.3000 (Security Version 4.90.3000A))
Windows 98
Windows 98
Windows 98 is a graphical operating system by Microsoft. It is the second major release in the Windows 9x line of operating systems. It was released to manufacturing on 15 May 1998 and to retail on 25 June 1998. Windows 98 is the successor to Windows 95. Like its predecessor, it is a hybrid...
- 1999 May 5 - Windows 98 Second Edition (Version number: 4.10.2222 or 4.10.2222A (Security Version 4.10.2222C))
- 1998 June 25 - Windows 98
  Windows 98
  Windows 98 is a graphical operating system by Microsoft. It is the second major release in the Windows 9x line of operating systems. It was released to manufacturing on 15 May 1998 and to retail on 25 June 1998. Windows 98 is the successor to Windows 95. Like its predecessor, it is a hybrid...
  
  (Version number: 4.10.1998 (Security Version 4.10.1998A))
1996 July 29 - Windows NT 4.0
Windows NT 4.0
Windows NT 4.0 is a preemptive, graphical and business-oriented operating system designed to work with either uniprocessor or symmetric multi-processor computers. It was the next release of Microsoft's Windows NT line of operating systems and was released to manufacturing on 31 July 1996...

- the last version which ran on RISC architectures like DEC Alpha
DEC Alpha
Alpha, originally known as Alpha AXP, is a 64-bit reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by Digital Equipment Corporation , designed to replace the 32-bit VAX complex instruction set computer ISA and its implementations. Alpha was implemented in microprocessors...

, MIPS
MIPS architecture
MIPS is a reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by MIPS Technologies . The early MIPS architectures were 32-bit, and later versions were 64-bit...

and PowerPC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...

. Later versions concentrated on x86-based hardware and - mainly as server OSs - the IA-64 line of CPUs. (Version number: NT 4.0.1381)
Windows 95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
- 1997 November 26 - Windows 95 OSR2.5
  Windows 95
  Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
  
  (Version number: 4.03.1216 (also listed as 4.00.950C))
- 1997 August 27 - Windows 95 OSR 2.1
  Windows 95
  Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
  
  (Version number: 4.03.1214 (also listed as 4.00.950B))
- 1997 August 27 - Windows 95 USB Supplement to OSR2
  Windows 95
  Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
  
  (Version number: 4.03.1212 (also listed as 4.00.950B))
- 1996 August 24 - Windows 95 OSR2
  Windows 95
  Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
  
  (Version number: 4.00.1111 (also listed as 4.00.950B))
- 1996 February 14 - Windows 95 OSR1
  Windows 95
  Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
  
  (Version number: 4.00.951 (also listed as 4.00.950A)
- 1995 December 31 - Windows 95 SP1
  Windows 95
  Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
  
  (Version number: 4.00.951 (also listed as 4.00.950A)
- 1995 August 24 - Microsoft Plus!
  Microsoft Plus!
  Microsoft Plus! was a commercial operating system enhancement product by Microsoft. The last edition is the Plus! SuperPack, which includes an assortment of screensavers, themes, and games, as well as multimedia applications...
  
  for Windows 95 (Version number: 4.40.310)
- 1995 August 24 - Windows 95
  Windows 95
  Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
  
  (Version number: 4.00.950)
1995 June - Windows NT 3.51
Windows NT 3.51
Windows NT 3.51 is the third release of Microsoft's Windows NT line of operating systems. It was released on 30 May 1995, nine months after Windows NT 3.5. The release provided two notable feature improvements; firstly NT 3.51 was the first of a short-lived outing of Microsoft Windows on the...

(Version number: NT 3.51.1057)
1994 September - Windows NT 3.5
Windows NT 3.5
Windows NT 3.5 is the second release of the Microsoft Windows NT operating system. It was released on 21 September 1994.One of the primary goals during Windows NT 3.5's development was to increase the speed of the operating system; as a result, the project was given the codename "Daytona" in...

(Version number: NT 3.50.807)
1993 November - Windows for Workgroups 3.11
1993 October - Windows 3.2 This Version of Windows was only released in simplified Chinese.
1993 August - Windows NT 3.1
Windows NT 3.1
Windows NT 3.1 is the first release of Microsoft's Windows NT line of server and business desktop operating systems, and was released to manufacturing on 27 July 1993. The version number was chosen to match the one of Windows 3.1, the then-latest operating environment from Microsoft, on account of...

(Version number: NT 3.10.528)
1992 October - Windows for Workgroups 3.1
1992 August - Windows 3.1 (Version number: 3.10.040)
1990 May 22 - Windows 3.0
Windows 3.0
Windows 3.0, a graphical environment, is the third major release of Microsoft Windows, and was released on 22 May 1990. It became the first widely successful version of Windows and a rival to Apple Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga on the GUI front...

(Version number: 3.00.73)
1989 March 13 - Windows 2.11
1988 May 27 - Windows 2.10
Windows 2.1x
Windows 2.1x is a family of Microsoft Windows graphical user interface-based operating environments.Windows/286 2.10 and Windows/386 2.10 were released on May 27, 1988, less than a year after the release of Windows 2.0...
1987 December 9 - Windows 2.03
1987 April - Windows 1.04
1986 August - Windows 1.03
1986 May - Windows 1.02
1985 November 20 - Windows 1.0
Windows 1.0
Windows 1.0 is a 16-bit graphical operating environment, developed by Microsoft and released on 20 November 1985. It was Microsoft's first attempt to implement a multi-tasking graphical user interface-based operating environment on the PC platform. Windows 1.0 was the first version of Windows...

1
CE
Windows CE
Microsoft Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded systems. Windows CE is a distinct operating system and kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows...

-based
- 2008 Windows Mobile 6.1, based on Windows CE 5.2.19202
- 2006 Windows CE 6.0
- 2005 Windows CE 5.0, with version for smart phones and PDAs sold as Windows Mobile 5.0
- 2004 Windows CE 4.2, with version for smart phones and PDAs sold as Windows Mobile
  Windows Mobile
  Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
  
  2003 SE
- 2003 Windows CE 4.1, with version for smart phones and PDAs sold as Pocket PC 2003
- 2002 Windows CE 4.0, with version for smart phones and PDAs sold as Pocket PC 2002
- 2000 July - Windows CE 3.0
  Windows CE 3.0
  Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 is an operating system designed for embedded systems including PDAs and mobile phones, working within the constraints of the slow processors and reduced amount of memory available on these devices...
  
  , with version for smart phones and PDAs sold as Pocket PC 2000
- 1999 August - Windows CE 2.12
- 1998 October - Windows CE 2.11
- 1998 July - Windows CE 2.1
- 1997 November - Windows CE 2.0
- 1996 November - Windows CE 1.0

Future versions

Windows 8
Windows 8
Windows 8 is the codename for the next version of the Microsoft Windows computer operating system following Windows 7. It has many changes from previous versions. In particular it adds support for ARM microprocessors in addition to the previously supported x86 microprocessors from Intel and AMD...

, currently being developed as the successor to Windows 7, and scheduled for release in 2012 or later.

Cancelled versions

April 1985 Windows 1.0
Windows 1.0
Windows 1.0 is a 16-bit graphical operating environment, developed by Microsoft and released on 20 November 1985. It was Microsoft's first attempt to implement a multi-tasking graphical user interface-based operating environment on the PC platform. Windows 1.0 was the first version of Windows...

Beta was scrapped, but later became the framework of the first version of Windows.
1996 February 29– Cairo
Cairo (operating system)
Cairo was the code name for a project at Microsoft from 1991 to 1996. Its charter was to build technologies for a next generation operating system that would fulfill Bill Gates' vision of "information at your fingertips." Cairo never shipped, although portions of its technologies have since...

(a "true object-oriented OS") planned after Windows NT 4.0 and had the same primary and secondary version numbers.
1996 May 2 – Windows Nashville
Windows Nashville
Nashville was the codename for a cancelled release of Microsoft Windows scheduled to be released in 1996, between "Chicago" and "Memphis" , causing it to be referred to as Windows 96 by the public...

(Windows 96)
1999 December 27– Windows Neptune
Windows Neptune
Neptune was the codename for a version of the Windows operating system that was under development by Microsoft during 1999. It was based on Windows 2000 and was scheduled to be the first consumer version of Windows to be built on NT code, to replace the Windows 9x series.In early 2000, Microsoft...

, the first planned version of Microsoft Windows NT to have a consumer edition variant, based on the Windows 2000 codebase. A version was sent out to testers but was never released.
2000 January 13– Windows Odyssey
Windows Odyssey
Odyssey was the codename for a version of the Windows operating system that was in the early stages of development by Microsoft during 1999. It was billed as the follow-up to Windows 2000 and was to be aimed at the business sector of the market....

, a version intended to be an update to the Microsoft Windows NT 5.x codebase. The teams working on Neptune and Odyssey combined to work on the Whistler project, later released as Windows XP.
2005 February 28 – Windows Longhorn cancelled and became Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...

in Fall 2006.

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