This document provides an overview of the history and releases of several operating systems including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux from 1985 to 2012. It notes the initial releases of Windows 1.0 in 1985 and Windows 2.0 in 1987 as 16-bit systems. It describes the introduction of major Mac OS releases including System 7 in 1991 and OS X in 2001. It also mentions key events for Linux such as the start of the comp.os.linux newsgroup in 1992 and the first Linux Expo in 1995.

2. 20 November 1985 Windows 1.0 x86 – 16-bit
On January 24, 1984, Apple Computer Inc. (now Apple Inc.) introduced the Macintosh personal
computer, later retroactively renamed to the Macintosh 128K model.

3. 9 December 1987 Windows 2.0 x86 – 16-bit
These releases can only run one application, except for desk accessories, at a time, though special
application shells such as Servant,[4] MultiMac,[5] or Switcher (discussed under MultiFinder)
could work around this. System 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0 use a flat file system called Macintosh File
System (MFS). The Finder provides virtual folders that could be used to organize files, but these
are not visible from any other application and do not actually exist in the file system. System 2.0
added support for AppleTalk and the newly introduced LaserWriter to use it. System 2.1 (Finder
5.0) introduced the HFS (Hierarchical File System) which has real directories

4. 27 May 1988 Windows 2.10 x86 – 16-bit

5. 13 March 1989 Windows 2.11 x86 – 16-bit
System Software 5 (also referred to as "System 5") added MultiFinder, an extension which lets
the system run several programs at once. The system uses a co-operative multitasking model,
meaning that time was given to the background applications only when the running application
yielded control. A change in system functions that applications were already calling to handle
events makes many existing applications share time automatically. Users can also choose not to
use MultiFinder, thereby sticking with using a single application at a time as in previous releases
of the system software.

6. 22 May 1990 Windows 3.0 x86 – 16-bit

7. 20 October 1991 Windows 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions x86 – 16-bit
August 1991
“Hello everybody out there using minix - I'm doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won't
be big and professional like gnu) for 386(486) AT clones. This has been brewing since april, and
is starting to get ready. I'd like any feedback on things people like/dislike in minix, as my OS
resembles it somewhat (same physical layout of the file-system (due to practical reasons) among
other things).
On May 13, 1991, System 7 was released. It is a major upgrade to the Mac OS, adding a
significant user interface overhaul, new applications, stability improvements and many new
features. Its introduction coincides with the release of and provided support for the 68040
Macintosh line.

8. 6 April 1992 Windows 3.1 x86 – 16-bit
April 1992
The first Linux newsgroup, comp.os.linux, is proposed and started by Ari Lemmke.

9. 27 October 1992 Windows for Workgroups 3.1 nx86 – 16-bit
October 1992
Peter MacDonald announces SLS, the first
standalone Linux install. At least 10MB of
space on disk was recommended.

10. 27 July 1993 Windows NT 3.1 IA-32, DEC Alpha, MIPS
August 1993
Matt Welsh's Linux Installation and Getting Started, version 1 is released. This is the first book
on Linux.

11. 8 November 1993 Windows for Workgroups 3.11 x86 – 16-bit

12. 24 August 1995 Windows 95 IA-32
April 1995
Linux Expo, the first Linux-specific tradeshow and conference series, launches, thanks to the
folks at North Carolina State University and in particular, Donnie Barnes. Speakers include Marc
Ewing, Rik Faith and Michael K. Johnson, among others.

13. Mac OS 8 was released on July 26, 1997, shortly after Steve Jobs returned to the company. It was
mainly released to keep the Mac OS moving forward during a difficult time for Apple. Initially
planned as Mac OS 7.7, it was renumbered "8" to exploit a legal loophole and accomplish Jobs's
goal of terminating third-party manufacturers' licenses to System 7 and shutting down the
Macintosh clone market.[20] 8.0 added a number of features from the abandoned Copland
project, while leaving the underlying operating system unchanged.

14. 25 June 1998 Windows 98 IA-32
February 1998
The Cobalt Qube is announced and immediately becomes a favorite in the trade press due to its
high performance, low price and cute form factor. Cobalt's Linux engineering is done by none
other than David Miller, the source of much that is good in the Linux kernel.

15. Mac OS 9 was released on October 23, 1999. It is generally a steady evolution from Mac OS 8.
Early development releases of Mac OS 9 were numbered 8.7.
Mac OS 9 adds improved support for AirPort wireless networking. It introduces an early
implementation of multi-user support. Though not a true multi-user operating system, Mac OS 9
does allow multiple desktop users to have their own data and system settings. An improved
Sherlock search engine adds several new search plug-ins. Mac OS 9 also provides a much
improved memory implementation and management.

16. 17 February 2000 Windows 2000 IA-32
February 2000
The latest IDC report suggests that Linux now ranks as the “second-most-popular operating
system for server computers”, with 25% of the server operating system sales in 1999. Windows
NT is first with 38% and NetWare ranks third with 19%. IDC previously predicted that Linux
would get up to the number two position—in 2002 or 2003. The revolution appears to be well
ahead of schedule.
VA Linux Systems acquisition of Andover.net in a high-profile purchase that values Andover
shares at 0.425 of VA's, or roughly $50/share. Andover.net is the owner of the popular web sites
Slashdot.org and Freshmeat.org.

17. 25 October 2001[1] Windows XP 64-Bit Edition (v2002) Itanium
8 de Julio del 2001 nacio el que hiso esta presentasion
January 2001
The long-awaited 2.4.0 kernel was released on January 4.
The US National Security Agency (NSA) releases SELinux under the GPL. SELinux offers an
additional layer of security checks in addition to the standard UNIX-like permissions system.

18. 28 March 2003[2] Windows XP 64-Bit Edition (v2003) Itanium
February 2003
Avaya, the former PBX and enterprise systems division of Lucent, announces Linux-based PBX
systems.
“So there are some—and I'd list myself among them—who believe that the return to Earth is a
good thing. There's nothing wrong with making a buck, but Linux doesn't benefit from being
elevated beyond reality on a shaky foundation.” —Evan Leibovitch takes a look at the post-rush
world of Linux.

19. 30 September 2003 Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 IA-32
February 2003
Avaya, the former PBX and enterprise systems division of Lucent, announces Linux-based
PBX systems.
“So there are some—and I'd list myself among them—who believe that the return to Earth is a
good thing. There's nothing wrong with making a buck, but Linux doesn't benefit from being
elevated beyond reality on a shaky foundation.” —Evan Leibovitch takes a look at the post-rush
world of Linux

20. 12 October 2004 Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 IA-32
March 2001 supporting the new Aqua user interface. Since then, seven more distinct "end-user"
and "server" versions have been released. In July 2011 OS X v10.7 was released with new
features, such as Launch Pad, which is a springboard-style home for applications, similar to the
iPad, iPod and iPhone; and Mission Control, a functionally improved replacement for
Exposé.[26] Releases of OS X up to v10.8 are named after big cats. For example, Apple calls OS
X v10.5 "Leopard", while its previous release is called "Tiger". Starting in v10.9, Apple's
operating system naming scheme is that of Californian landmarks. On June 2, 2014 Apple
introduced OS X 10.10 Yosemite at World Wide Developers Conference 2014.

21. 27 February 2008 Windows Server 2008 IA-32, x64

22. 4 September 2012 Windows Server 2012x64