Windows 95 turns 30 in August 2025. This operating system that revolutionised the PC industry sold seven million copies in the first five weeks.

There was huge excitement around the release of Windows 95. It set the standard for the future of the Windows operating system and the PC industry standards as a whole. It remains a culturally important, iconic and nostalgic symbol of the 1990s and is remembered for its revolutionary design and user friendly interface. Introduced for the first time were Start Button, Start Menu, and Taskbar features.

Why Was The Introduction of Windows 95 So Ground Breaking

This landmark operating system represented a significant milestone for the PC industry and had a revolutionary interface. Unlike Apple’s MacOS which could only be used on Apple devices, Microsoft licensed the operating system to many different companies so could be installed on all kinds of computers, making it the default choice. Windows 95 notable advantages were:

– more powerful 32-bit and 16-bit windows and DOS apps, which didn’t require expensive add on RAM

– a user interface which made computers more accessible and user-friendly for the general public

– new graphical user interface (GUI) called the ‘Start’ menu providing easy access to programs and files

– a taskbar and ability to minimise and maximise windows

– Plug and Play feature which greatly simplified the process of installing hardware so users could easily add devices like printers and sound cards without manual configuration

– MS-DOS and Windows functionality were integrated, so becoming a single product which offered a more complete operating system experience.

Windows Today

The current Windows operating system is Windows 11. Microsoft have moved to annual feature updates with Windows 12 due to arrive around October 2025. Modern features include smart app control, enhanced productivity and time saving tools like Copilot, the advantage of connectivity with your phone, and improved security.

To find out more about Microsoft products go to www.microsoft.com.