Microsoft Windows is the name of several families of computer software operating systems created by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

All versions of Microsoft Windows are commercial proprietary software.

General information Basic general information about Windows. DOS shells

NameRelease dateLatest versionSupport statusCodenameOS requiredArchitectureEditionsTarget marketWindows 1.01985-11-201.04 (1987-04-08)Unsupported(2001-12-31)Interface ManagerDOS 2.0 or higher16-bitDesktopsWindows 2.01987-09-082.03 (1987-12-09)Unsupported(2001-12-31)DOS 3.0 or higher16-bitWindows 2.0Windows/386 2.0DesktopsWindows 2.1x1988-05-272.11 (1989-03-13)Unsupported(2001-12-31)DOS 3.0 or higher16-bitWindows/286 2.1xWindows/386 2.1xDesktopsWindows 3.01990-05-223.0a withMultimedia Extensions(1991-10-20)Unsupported(2001-12-31)DOS 3.1 or higher16-bitWindows 3.0Windows 3.0aWindows 3.0a with Multimedia ExtensionsDesktopsWindows 3.1x1992-04-063.11 (1993-12-31)Unsupported(2001-12-31)Janus 3.1 for Workgroups: Kato 3.11: Snowball (LB) 3.11 for Workgroups: SpartaDOS 3.3 or higher16-bitWindows 3.1Windows for Workgroups 3.1Windows 3.11Windows for Workgroups 3.11Windows 3.2 (Simplified Chinese only)Desktops Has partial 32-bit compatibility with Win32s

Windows 9x NameRelease dateRTM buildLatest versionSupport statusCodenameMS-DOS versionKernel typeArchitectureEditionsTarget marketWindows 951995-07-149504.00.950C OSR2.5 (1997-11-26)Unsupported(2001-12-31)ChicagoMS-DOS 7.0, MS-DOS 7.1 (OSR2.x)MonolithicHybrid 16/32-bitRetail, OSR1, OSR2, OSR2.1, OSR2.5DesktopsWindows 981998-05-1519984.10.1998Unsupported(2006-07-11)MemphisMS-DOS 7.1MonolithicHybrid 16/32-bitDesktopsWindows 98 SE1999-05-0522224.10.2222A (2000-02-25)Unsupported(2006-07-11)MS-DOS 7.1MonolithicHybrid 16/32-bitDesktopsWindows Me2000-06-1930004.90.3000 (2000-09-14)Unsupported(2006-07-11)MillenniumMS-DOS 8.0MonolithicHybrid 16/32-bitDesktops

Windows NT NameRelease dateVersionRTM buildLatest buildSupport statusCodename, working nameSupported architecturesEditionsOS typeWindows NT 3.11993-10-243.1511528 (SP3)(1994-11-10)Unsupported(2000-12-31)NT OS/2RazzleIA-32, DEC Alpha,MIPSWorkstation,Advanced ServerWorkstation,ServerWindows NT 3.51994-09-213.5807807 (SP3)(1995-06-21)Unsupported(2001-12-31)DaytonaIA-32, DEC Alpha,MIPS, PowerPCWorkstation,ServerWorkstation,ServerWindows NT 3.511995-05-303.5110571057 (SP5)(1996-09-19)Unsupported(2001-12-31)IA-32, DEC Alpha,MIPS, PowerPCWorkstation,ServerWorkstation,ServerWindows NT 4.01996-08-244.013811381 (SP6a)(1999-11-30)Unsupported(2004-06-30) Extended Security Updates were released until 2006. Cairo/Shell Update ReleaseHydra (Terminal Server)Impala (Embedded)IA-32, DEC Alpha,MIPS, PowerPCWorkstation,Server,Server Enterprise Edition,Terminal Server,EmbeddedWorkstation,Server,Embedded PCsWindows 20002000-02-175.02195SP4 Rollup 1 v2(2005-09-13)Unsupported(2010-07-13)Windows NT 5.0 Windows 2000 64-bit: JanusIA-32Professional,Server,Advanced Server,Datacenter Server,Powered (Embedded)Desktop,Workstation,Server,Embedded PCsWindows XP2001-10-255.126002600 (SP3)(2008-04-21)Unsupported(2014-04-08)WhistlerIA-32, IA-64, x86-64Home,Professional,Media Center,Tablet PC,Starter,EmbeddedDesktop,Workstation,Embedded PCsWindows Server 20032003-04-245.237903790 (SP2)(2007-03-13)Unsupported(2015-07-14)Whistler Server, Windows.NET ServerIA-32, IA-64, x86-64Standard,Enterprise,Datacenter,Web,Storage,Small Business Server,Compute ClusterServer,Network Appliance,Embedded PCs,HPCWindows Server 2003 R22006-03-055.23790Unsupported(2015-07-14)IA-32, x86-64Server,Network Appliance,Embedded PCs,HPCWindows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs2006-07-085.12600Unsupported(2014-04-08)Eiger, MönchIA-32Fundamentals for Legacy PCsDesktopWindows Vista2007-01-306.060006002 (SP2)(2009-04-28)Unsupported(2017-04-11)LonghornIA-32, x86-64Starter,Home Basic,Home Premium,Business,Enterprise,UltimateDesktop,WorkstationWindows Home Server2007-11-045.23790Unsupported(2013-01-08)Q, QuattroIA-32, x86-64Home ServerServerWindows Server 20082008-02-276.060016002 (SP2)(2009-04-28)Out of extended support (2020-01-14); Grandfathered paid Premium Assurance (limited to some critical security issues) security update support until January 13, 2026.Longhorn Serverx86-64, IA-64, IA-32Web,Standard,Enterprise,Small Business Server,Datacenter,HPC,HyperV Core,Foundation,StorageServerWindows 72009-10-226.176007601 (SP1)(2011-02-22)Unsupported(2020-01-14)7IA-32, x86-64Starter,Home Basic,Home Premium,Professional,Ultimate,EnterpriseDesktop, Workstation, Multi-touchWindows Server 2008 R22009-10-226.176007601 (SP1)(2011-02-22)Out of extended support (2020-01-14); Grandfathered paid Premium Assurance (limited to some critical security issues) security update support until January 13, 2026.7 Serverx86-64, IA-64Standard,Enterprise,Datacenter,WebServerWindows Home Server 20112011-04-066.18400Unsupported(2016-04-12)Vailx86-64Home ServerServerWindows Server 20122012-09-046.29200Unsupported(2023-10-10)8 Serverx86-64Foundation, Essentials,Standard, Datacenter,Storage Standard,Storage WorkgroupServerWindows 82012-10-266.29200(RTM only) Unsupported(2016-01-12)8IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7Windows 8, Pro,Enterprise, Windows RTDesktop,Workstation,Multi-touchWindows 8.12013-10-176.39600Unsupported(2023-01-10)BlueIA-32, x86-64, ARMv7Windows 8.1, Pro,Enterprise,Windows RT 8.1Desktop,Workstation,Multi-touchWindows Server 2012 R22013-10-186.39600Out of extended support (2023-10-10); Paid support via the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program until October 13, 2026.Blue Serverx86-64Foundation, Essentials,Standard, Datacenter,Storage Essentials,Storage Standard,Storage WorkgroupServerWindows 10Original Release2015-07-2910.010240rowspan=2Unsupported(2017-05-09)ThresholdIA-32, x86-64, ARMv7Home, Pro,Education, Enterprise Desktop,Workstation,Multi-touchUnsupported(2025-10-14)Enterprise LTSBNovember Update2015-11-1210586Unsupported(2017-10-10)Threshold 2Home, Pro,Education, EnterpriseAnniversary Update2016-08-0214393rowspan=3Unsupported(2018-04-10)RedstoneHome, Pro,Pro EducationUnsupported(2019-04-09)Education, EnterpriseOn extended support(2026-10-13)Enterprise LTSBCreators Update2017-04-1115063rowspan=2Unsupported(2018-10-09)Redstone 2Home, Pro,Pro EducationUnsupported(2019-10-08)Education, EnterpriseFall Creators Update2017-10-1716299rowspan=2Unsupported(2019-04-09)Redstone 3IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7, ARM64Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro EducationUnsupported(2020-10-13)Education, EnterpriseApril 2018 Update2018-04-3017134rowspan=2Unsupported(2019-11-12)Redstone 4Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro EducationUnsupported(2021-05-11)Education, EnterpriseOctober 2018 Update2018-10-0217763rowspan=3Unsupported(2020-11-10)Redstone 5Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro EducationUnsupported(2021-05-11)Education, EnterpriseOn extended support(2029-01-09)Enterprise LTSCMay 2019 Update2019-05-2118362Unsupported(2020-12-08)19H1Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro Education,Education, EnterpriseNovember 2019 Update2019-11-1218363rowspan=2Unsupported(2021-05-11)19H2Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro EducationUnsupported(2022-05-10)Education, EnterpriseMay 2020 Update2020-05-2719041Unsupported(2021-12-14)20H1Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro Education,Education, EnterpriseOctober 2020 Update2020-10-2019042rowspan=2Unsupported(2022-05-10)20H2Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro EducationUnsupported(2023-05-09)Education, EnterpriseMay 2021 Update2021-05-1819043Unsupported(2022-12-13)21H1Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro Education,Education, EnterpriseNovember 2021 Update2021-10-1619044rowspan=3Unsupported(2023-06-13)21H2Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro EducationUnsupported(2024-06-11)Education, EnterpriseMainstream support(2027-01-12)Enterprise LTSC2022 Update2022-10-1819045Unsupported(2025-10-14); paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which offers continued security updates until October 13, 2026 for consumers, or at most October 10, 2028 for businesses and schools.22H2Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro EducationEducation, EnterpriseWindows Server 20162016-10-1210.014393On extended support(2027-01-12)Redstone Serverx86-64Essentials, Standard,Datacenter,MultiPoint Premium,Storage Standard,Storage WorkgroupServerWindows Server 20192018-10-0310.017763On extended support(2029-01-09)Redstone 5 Serverx86-64Essentials, Standard,DatacenterServerWindows Server 20222021-08-1810.020348Mainstream support (2026-10-13)Extended support (2031-10-14)21H2 Serverx86-64Essentials, Standard,Datacenter,Datacenter for AzureServerWindows 11Original Release2021-10-0510.022000rowspan=12Unsupported(2023-10-10)Sun Valley (21H2)x86-64, ARM64Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro Education, SEDesktop,Workstation,Multi-touchUnsupported(2024-10-08)Education, Enterprise2022 Update2022-09-202262122H2Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro Education, SEUnsupported(2025-10-14)Education, Enterprise2023 Update2023-10-3122631Unsupported(2025-11-11)23H2Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro Education, SESupported(2026-11-10)Education, Enterprise2024 Update2024-10-0126100Supported(2026-10-13)24H2Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro Education, SESupported(2027-10-12)Education, Enterprise2025 Update2025-09-3026200Supported(2027-10-12)25H2Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro EducationSupported(2028-10-10)Education, Enterprise26H12026-02-1028000Supported(2028-03-14)26H1Home, Pro,Pro for Workstations,Pro EducationSupported(2029-03-13)Education, EnterpriseWindows Server 20252024-11-0110.026100Mainstream support (2029-10-09)Extended support (2034-10-10)24H2x86-64, ARM64Essentials, Standard,Datacenter,Datacenter for AzureServerNameRelease dateVersionRTM buildLatest buildSupport statusCodename, working nameSupported architecturesEditionsOS type has also an N-edition has also an N-edition has also an N-edition has a separate x64-edition has also a Core-edition has also an edition without Hyper-V has also a Core-edition without Hyper-V

Windows Embedded Compact Windows Embedded Compact (Windows CE) is a discontinued variation of Microsoft's Windows operating system for minimalistic computers and embedded systems. Windows CE was a distinctly different kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows. It is supported on Intel x86 and is compatible on MIPS, ARM, and Hitachi SuperH processors. NameRelease dateRTM buildCurrent versionSupport statusCodenameBased on (kernel)Kernel typeOperating environmentsEditionsPurposeShort descriptionWindows CE 1.01996-11-16UnsupportedPegasus, AlderCE 1.0EmbeddedFirst release of Microsoft's Windows CE line for minimalistic computers and embedded systemsWindows CE 2.01997-11-29UnsupportedMercury, ApolloCE 2.02.1, 2.11EmbeddedWindows CE 3.02000-06-15Unsupported(2007-10-09)Cedar, Galileo, Rapier, Merlin, StingerCE 3.0Embedded kernelEmbeddedWindows CE 4.02002-01-07UnsupportedTaliskerCE 4.04.1, 4.2EmbeddedWindows CE 5.02004-07-095.0(2004-07-09)Unsupported(2014-10-14)MacallanCE 5.0Embedded kernelEmbeddedWindows Embedded CE 6.02006-11-01Unsupported(2018-04-10)YamazakiCE 6.0Hybrid kernelWindows Embedded Compact 72011-03-01Unsupported(2021-04-13)ChelanCE 7.0HybridStandard, POSReadyWindows Embedded Compact 20132013-08-11Update 17(2017-11-15)Unsupported(2023-10-10)CE 8.0StandardIndustry (8.0, 8.1)HandheldEmbedded

Windows IoT The Windows IoT family is the successor to the Windows Embedded family.