Windows 10 is coming. Haven't you heard? Then let these babies tell you. As Redmond's latest TV spot explains, babies will never know a world without Windows 10, and can smear their fingerprints on computer screens, tablets, and phones without a care.

In the way that Windows is the stolid, almost inevitable operating system for so many, Windows commercials can be a bit predictable. In some ways, that's not Microsoft's fault. When it was ready to release Windows 1.0, the world has already seen Apple's 1984 ad for the Macintosh usher in a new world a year earlier. Beaten to the punch by Steve Jobs, Microsoft execs probably felt like screaming. Which was exactly what Steve Ballmer did all through the Windows 1.0 commercial.

There is a stark difference between how Macs and PCs are advertised, as evidenced by the Mac vs. PC ads staring Justin Long and John Hodgman. But after 30 years of selling operating systems, Microsoft has had a few hits among its misses.

We found 12 commercials for Windows 1.0 through 8. Some of them we could do without, some we can't get enough of, and others left us confused. Check them out in the slideshow for a trip down memory lane before Windows 10 arrives to enchant a generation of children on July 29.


1. Windows 1.0 Steve Ballmer goes full Billy Mays in the first commercial for Windows 1.0. Windows Write! Windows Paint! A clock! Reversi! Just $99! Order today! Steve Ballmer goes full Billy Mays in the first commercial for Windows 1.0. Windows Write! Windows Paint! A clock! Reversi! Just $99! Order today!

2. Windows 3.1 Windows 3.1 is so easy a secretary could use it. A retired secretary brought back to pinch hit for a younger one on maternity leave. This weird, sort-of sexist commercial aired only in Britain. Windows 3.1 is so easy a secretary could use it. A retired secretary brought back to pinch hit for a younger one on maternity leave. This weird, sort-of sexist commercial aired only in Britain.

3. Windows 3.1 In Japan, advertising for Windows 3.1 was a bit more puzzling. But there was no doubt that it was about Windows, Windows, Windows. In Japan, advertising for Windows 3.1 was a bit more puzzling. But there was no doubt that it was about Windows, Windows, Windows.

4. Windows 95 It was all about the Start menu with Windows 95, so what better way to play that up than by making The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" its anthem? It was all about the Start menu with Windows 95, so what better way to play that up than by making The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" its anthem?

5. Windows 98 Remember the 90s? This Windows 98 commercial will bring them back. Remember the 90s? This Windows 98 commercial will bring them back.

6. Windows 2000 Like a European film that is difficult to decipher, this Windows 2000 commercial from across the Atlantic manages to both baffle and entertain. Like a European film that is difficult to decipher, this Windows 2000 commercial from across the Atlantic manages to both baffle and entertain.

7. Windows XP Steve Ballmer reprised his pitchman role after 16 years. A lot had changed about Windows—video calls from Windows Messenger, separate logins, a media center—but Steve was still the same. Steve Ballmer reprised his pitchman role after 16 years. A lot had changed about Windows—video calls from Windows Messenger, separate logins, a media center—but Steve was still the same.

8. Windows XP While people soaring to Madonna's "Ray of Light" is uplifting now, this commercial took a dark turn after September 11. According While people soaring to Madonna's "Ray of Light" is uplifting now, this commercial took a dark turn after September 11. According to the AP , Redmond changed the tagline from “Prepare to fly” to “Yes you can" given that people were a bit nervous about air travel at the time.

9. Windows Vista Remember that great comedy duo Jerry and Bill? They lived with a family, went to Remember that great comedy duo Jerry and Bill? They lived with a family, went to work at the Shoe Circus , and got some churros. It's a shame their show got canceled

10. Windows Vista I'm a PC, you're a PC, we're all a PC. That was Microsoft's message after people couldn't exactly relate to the Vista ads with Jerry and Bill. To emphasize that everyone is a PC (but especially famous people), Microsoft included some like Eva Longoria, Pharrell, and Deepak Chopra. I'm a PC, you're a PC, we're all a PC. That was Microsoft's message after people couldn't exactly relate to the Vista ads with Jerry and Bill. To emphasize that everyone is a PC (but especially famous people), Microsoft included some like Eva Longoria, Pharrell, and Deepak Chopra.

11. Windows 7 Is there anything sweeter than Kylie and her fish Dorothy? This adorable 4.5-year-old might not have convinced more people to buy Windows 7 PCs, but she probably made some of them decide to have kids. Is there anything sweeter than Kylie and her fish Dorothy? This adorable 4.5-year-old might not have convinced more people to buy Windows 7 PCs, but she probably made some of them decide to have kids.

12. Windows 8 Windows 8 is confusing, as is this commercial, which is Windows 8 is confusing, as is this commercial, which is not in any recognizable language.

Further Reading

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