What Is Microsoft Windows? (2020)
What is Microsoft Windows in 2020? Microsoft Windows is a widely circulated and popular operating system programmed, released, and developed by Microsoft Corporation. The Microsoft Windows operating system has been through several iterations over the years. Although many iterations of the Microsoft Windows operating systems were not well received, the operating system enjoys worldwide acceptance and usage. The last estimate of Windows users is approximately 1.5 billion, which is significant when compared to Apple Mac device estimated worldwide usage of 100 million.
The State Of Microsoft Windows In 2020
Microsoft Windows has shared a mixed response from consumers and IT professionals. Many consumers who use the Microsoft Windows operating system express their issues with endless updates and patches. The operating system is also frequently criticized for security vulnerabilities and stability issues. These vulnerabilities and security issues are to be expected, however, when an operating system holds a majority of the consumer market share. The widespread adoption of Microsoft Windows makes the operating system a far more likely target by malicious software developers.
Although Microsoft has released many clumsy iterations of the Microsoft Windows operating system, many of the operating systems were well received. In an effort to continue pushing operating system development to new heights, the software giant would intentionally release massive user interface overhauls that would frustrate users. Many IT professionals, including myself, understood that these experimental operating systems were often used to create a more stable and reliable version of Windows down the line.
Microsoft Released A Number Of “Well Received” Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, Including:
- MS-DOS
- Microsoft Windows 3.11
- Microsoft Windows 98
- Microsoft Windows NT / XP
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Microsoft Windows 10
Microsoft Release A Number Of “Lemon” Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, Including:
- Microsoft Windows ME (Millennium Edition)
- Microsoft Windows Vista
- Microsoft Windows 8
Other Criticisms Of Microsoft Windows In 2020
Many argue Microsoft spends too much time catering to businesses rather than consumers. This is a legitimate complaint because many consumers have moved away from utilizing personal computers in lieu of tablets or smartphones. There is a consistent diminishing of market share and profitability for consumer-based operating systems.
The Linux community actively attempts to convert users to their more user-friendly distributions, such as Ubuntu. Although Linux struggles to maintain many causal PC users due to lack of software availability and clumsy installation user interface issues. Generally speaking, the general users who thrive under Linux are those who typically do most of their computer work through a web browser.
In recent years, the Windows 8 operating system hurt Microsoft by crippling the workflow of traditional PC and laptop users. This occurred because the user interface on the Windows 8 operating system was designed for a touch screen. Those who used a mouse and keyboard were hit with tremendous issues in regards to productivity and workflow. Thankfully, Microsoft quickly released the Windows 10 operating system, which combined the traditional desktop environment with the touch screen UI of Windows 8. This allowed for a more flexible operating system environment as users switched from desktop to mobile.
Strong Points Of Microsoft Windows In 2020
Microsoft Windows 10 is stable, clean and flexible. The company also promises no more “official launches” of the operating system and is including all future feature updates with the Windows 10 license. This model, as popularized by Linux and Apple Mac OS, means Windows 10 is here to stay. The latest iteration of the operating system from Microsoft also creates an environment that is adaptable to desktop and mobile devices. Incredibly unique computer configurations have resulted from this flexibility. Lenovo released a hybrid tablet and laptop environment on its Lenovo Yoga series. This hybrid allows for the instant transition from laptop to touch-screen tablet.
Microsoft’s Surface Book is another subset of products with excellent long term potential. These laptops let the user detach the monitor and utilize it as a tablet. The laptop base gives the user a physical keyboard to work with and also greatly enhances graphical capabilities with a dedicated graphics card. No other manufacturer or operating system developer offers an operating system with this amount of flexibility between operating environments.
Conclusion: What Is Microsoft Windows? (2020)
Microsoft Windows is a dynamic and versatile operating system. It’s enjoyed a stable evolution of features and security releases. The operating system is also tremendously less vulnerable than it’s predecessors. Often, the majority of infections are from social hacking rather than true operating system exploitation. As Microsoft Windows continues through this year, we can expect the operating system to continue to gain in popularity.
The unified operating system experience also continues to make Microsoft an excellent choice for business users. As the operating system continues to become more stable, even more consumers and business users are likely to continue using it. With the popularity of smartphones and tablets, it is unlikely the Windows operating system could take another significant user interface (UI) overhaul without losing a majority of its user base, so the hope is Microsoft continues down the current development path.
Another advantage of a unified Windows experience is that users who switch between Microsoft tablets, laptops, desktops, or even their Xbox, they are able to share data and UI experiences with ease. Microsoft even allows users to share software with all of these devices.