Series of Microsoft Windows computer operating systems
"Windows 4.x" redirects here. For the operating system in the NT family, see Windows NT 4.0.
For the Microsoft Windows operating system formerly referred to as Windows 9, see Windows 10.
For its successor, see Windows XP.
Windows 9x
Screenshot of Windows 95, the first version of Windows in the 9x series
Developer
Microsoft
OS family
MS-DOS
Working state
Mainstream support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2000. Extended support ended on December 31, 2001.[1]
Mainstream support for Windows 98 ended on June 30, 2002. Mainstream support for Windows Me ended on December 31, 2003. Extended support for both ended on July 11, 2006.[2][3]
Source model
Closed source
Platforms
IA-32
Kernel type
Monolithic (DOS)
Userland
Windows API
Default user interface
Windows shell (Graphical)
License
Proprietary commercial software
Preceded by
Windows 3.1 (1992-1993)
Succeeded by
Windows XP (2001)
Windows 9x is a generic term referring to a series of Microsoft Windows computer operating systems produced from 1995 to 2000, which were based on the Windows 95 kernel and its underlying foundation of MS-DOS,[4] both of which were updated in subsequent versions. The first version in the 9x series was Windows 95, which was succeeded by Windows 98 and then Windows Me, which was the third and last version of Windows on the 9x line, until the series was superseded by Windows XP.[5]
Windows 9x is predominantly known for its use in home desktops. In 1998, Windows made up 82% of operating system market share.[6]
Internal release versions for versions of Windows 9x are 4.x. The internal versions for Windows 95, 98, and Me are 4.0, 4.1, and 4.9, respectively. Previous MS-DOS-based versions of Windows used version numbers of 3.2 or lower. Windows NT, which was aimed at professional users such as networks and businesses, used a similar but separate version number between 3.1 and 4.0. All versions of Windows from Windows XP onwards are based on the Windows NT codebase.
^"Microsoft Support Lifecycle". Microsoft. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
^"Microsoft Support Lifecycle". Microsoft. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
^"Microsoft Support Lifecycle". Microsoft. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
^Lea, Graham (1998-03-23). "Caldera shows Windows on DR-DOS, denying Microsoft claims". CeBIT news. Hanover, Germany. Archived from the original on 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
^The term Windows 9x/Me is usually used to refer to the three operating systems, as in this tutorial. Sometimes Windows Me is included as a member of Windows 9x, e.g in this version list Archived June 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. In this article the term Windows 9x is used to include Windows 95, 98, and Me.
^Polsson, Ken (April 22, 2008). "Chronology of Microsoft Windows Operating Systems". www.islandnet.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
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and by the early 1990s, the Windows line had split into two separate lines of releases: Windows9x for consumers and Windows NT for businesses and enterprises...
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work as an operating system, often called a Web OS, and a parody of the Windows9x series. It was developed and is managed by two French musicians and programmers...
(GUIs). All versions of Microsoft Windows are commercial proprietary software. Basic general information about Windows. * Has partial 32-bit compatibility...
Windows Update is a Microsoft service for the Windows9x and Windows NT families of the Microsoft Windows operating system, which automates downloading...
Windows kernel may refer to: Windows9x kernel, used in Windows 95-98 and ME Windows NT kernel, used in all Windows NT systems (including Windows NT,...
HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA (only in Windows NT, but invisible in the Windows Registry Editor) HKEY_DYN_DATA (only in Windows9x, and visible in the Windows Registry Editor)...
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented operating system developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows9x family of operating systems. The first operating system...
fly. Windows Console apps are distinct from MS-DOS apps, even though on Windows (especially on Windows9x), they may not look different. Windows Console...
Windows 98 is a consumer-oriented operating system developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows9x family of Microsoft Windows operating systems. It...
Edition". Windows Me was the last operating system to be based on the Windows9x (monolithic) kernel and MS-DOS, with its successor Windows XP being based...
protection in Windows9x OSes, BSoDs were much more common. Contrary to popular belief, the Windows Embedded Compact (formerly known as Windows CE) line of...
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Windows Setup is an installer that prepares a computer for a Microsoft Windows installation by allowing the user to pick installation settings (modifying...
Windows 2000 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft and designed for businesses as the direct successor to Windows...
32-bit memory access -- earlier, consumer-oriented versions, Windows 3.1x and Windows9x, were 16-bit/32-bit hybrids Multi-architecture support -- initially...
component in the Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95 as System Agent. Its core component is an eponymous Windows service. The Windows Task Scheduler infrastructure...
Architecture Windows Color System Windows Diagnostic Infrastructure (WDI) Windows Mobile Device Center Windows Rally Windows Registry Windows Speech Recognition...
Global Information
