The latest version of Windows 10, known as the Creators Update, is now publicly available. But today also marks the end of an era: going forward, Microsoft will no longer support Windows Vista.

April 11 marks the end of extended support for Vista, which made its debut in 2006. So if you happen to have a PC that's still running the aging OS, now is the time to update, because after today, "there will be no new security updates, non-security updates, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates," Microsoft says.

The move probably won't affect too many people; as of March 2017, only 0.72 percent of global PCs were still running Vista, according to Net Applications. Its more popular successor, Windows 7, is still the most popular OS at 49.42 percent; it does not reach end of extended support until January 14, 2020.

Microsoft, of course, would love it if you upgraded to Windows 10, which now has a few more bells and whistles for creative types. For more, check out The Coolest Features in Windows 10 Creators Update. But for a trip down memory lane, click through the slideshow to see how far Windows has come.

(This story was first published on July 28, 2015.)


1. MS DOS As PC Magazine described it in its February-March 1982 issue, “MS-DOS is a single-task microcomputer disk operating system for the Intel 8086 and 8008 microprocessors.”



With MS DOS 2.0, Microsoft replaced "the traditional command-line-oriented shell with a visual shell that shows the user a menu of the most commonly executed applications and utilities," PCMag said at the time.

2. Windows 1.0 PC Magazine's Image) The first version of Windows, 1.01, arrived in late 1985, but it was not the only OS in town. "Window War!" screamed February 1986 cover . We compared Redmond's OS to GEM Desktop, TopView, and DESQview ... and admitted that the Mac made "the PC's display looked like a relic from the past." (

3. Windows 1.0 Windows "puts a new face on DOS and uses DOS to do some work," PC Magazine said. Rather than using only a single line on a computer, Windows "puts the entire screen to work passing information between you and the computer." Applications included Paint, Calculator, Cardfile, Notepad, Terminal, and Write. One complaint about Windows 1.0? The mouse (or an "all-purpose pointing device," PC Magazine said in 1986), which was not yet a common and indispensable PC tool.

4. Windows 3.0 Image) Windows hit its stride with Windows 3.0 in 1990. "The most noticeable improvements to Windows 3.0 are its interface, sculpted buttons, and an iconic layout that makes it easier to execute commands and manage files," PC Magazine said in June 1990. "Using a file folder visual motif, icons and applications are set up as members of common-sense categories." (

5. Windows 95 PC Magazine in September 1995. Seventeen PC Labs analysts and technicians tested the OS for 10 weeks to see if it would be your next OS. "The Windows 95 interface offers a true desktop with icons for programs, documents, directories, and system components. Context menus accessed by right-clicking, give you the relevant actions and properties for any object." But don't take our word for it; check out Jennifer Aniston and Matthew Perry's Windows 95 made the cover ofin September 1995. Seventeen PC Labs analysts and technicians tested the OS for 10 weeks to see if it would be your next OS. "The Windows 95 interface offers a true desktop with icons for programs, documents, directories, and system components. Context menus accessed by right-clicking, give you the relevant actions and properties for any object." But don't take our word for it; check out Jennifer Aniston and Matthew Perry's slick instructional video

6. Windows 98 Windows 98 arrived in 1998, and included a number of Web-related features to take advantage of the Internet explosion. It didn't look a whole lot different from Windows 95, but it did include this sweet, zen-like startup sound

7. Windows 2000 Image) Windows 2000 added support for layered windows and translucence. "Television does a great job of using fades and slides to give a context of where the new information is going to appear. Computers haven't yet been able to incorporate these effects into the UI very effectively," Microsoft said at the time. "Just think what a difference there is between the existing UI and the cool UI you constantly see in the movies. Layered windows give the product designers a lot of power to bring 'cool' UI closer to reality." (

8. Windows XP "Windows XP is Microsoft's latest—and dare we say greatest—operating system to date," PCMag said in 2001

9. Windows XP "The most startling change" with XP, PCMag said, "is the revamped user interface. Windows XP drastically reduces clutter on the desktop, Start menu, and taskbar. The new design is Microsoft's effort to make Windows less confusing to beginners."

10. Windows XP "The new two-column Start menu reduces the clutter that plagued earlier versions and highlights Microsoft's software," PCMag said.

11. Windows Vista "Vista offers a lot of improvements over Windows XP, but most of them are conveniences rather than essentials," PCMag concluded in 2007.

12. Vista Flip 3D Vista’s "Flip 3D" view allowed for easy application switching. Pressing Windows-Tab or clicking the "switch between windows" Quick Start icon, and open windows morphed into this perspective view. Rotating the mouse wheel spun the stack of windows, Rolodex-style (look it up, kids).

13. Vista Live Icons Vista’s live icons provided a preview of what was inside folders.

14. Vista Welcome Center The Welcome Center appeared when you first booted; here’s what it looked like on top of Vista’s "aurora" wallpaper.

15. Windows 7 "Microsoft's new OS is a big improvement over Windows Vista, and because it's based on the same underlying kernel code there should be fewer compatibility headaches for those who make the switch," PCMag said in 2009 . "Add to that a retooled taskbar, simpler home networking, faster start-up, and more, and Windows 7 may succeed where Vista failed."

16. Windows 7 Taskbar Windows 7 included a big taskbar update , and was now for managing active apps and launching those that you use frequently. Vista had a thumbnail preview system, but Windows 7 added the full-screen transparency "Aero Peek" feature that put little close buttons for easier app shutdowns.

17. Windows 8 Microsoft is the first to admit that it missed the boat when it comes to mobile, and it tried to make up for lost time with the touch-centric Windows 8. The OS included a dual interface, one with mobile-like apps and another that was more like the traditional Windows desktop.

18. Windows 8 Much to the chagrin of Windows traditionalists, the Start menu was nowhere to be found in Windows 8, instead replaced by Charms that slid out from the side.

20. Windows 10 Anniversary



If you're still not on board with the latest Windows 10, check out how to at least On August 2, 2016, a few days after the one-year anniversary of Windows 10's consumer launch, Microsoft will release an update to the OS that promises some major updates . Those include a more powerful than ever Cortana A.I., better "ink" for tablet users, improved biometric logins ("Windows Hello"), and gaming enhancements.If you're still not on board with the latest Windows 10, check out how to at least try it for free for 90 days

Further Reading

Operating System Reviews

Operating System Best Picks