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As Windows 10 rolls out, take a step back in time through the evolution of Windows

Published Jul 30th, 2015 9:15PM EDT
Evolution of Windows Operating System
Image: Microsoft

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After years of anticipation, Windows 10 has finally arrived. Although Microsoft will undoubtedly be spending the next several weeks ironing out the kinks of its new operating system, the reaction from users and critics alike has been largely positive, proving that Windows 10 is a huge step up over the ill-fated Windows 8.

READ MORE: How to download and install Windows 10 right now

That said, Windows 10 doesn’t look all that different from Windows 7 at first glance. Sure, a few of the UI elements have been adjusted or replaced, but any tech-savvy Windows user will be right at home on Windows 10. Of course, the upgrades haven’t always been so relatively incremental.

On Thursday, OnTheHub shared with us an interactive infographic just recently published on its website, guiding visitors through the evolution of Windows from 1982 to today.

It begins with Windows 1.0, the first operating system to rely heavily on mouse interaction. The timeline then moves through Windows 3.0, 95, 98, XP, Vista, 7 and 8 before reaching 2015 and the launch of Windows 10. There’s plenty of trivia sprinkled throughout the graphic, along with points of interaction with extra Windows fun facts, such as:

  • The dreaded ‘Blue Screen of Death’ first appeared in Windows 3.1.
  • Even though it’s 14 years old, XP is the world’s 2nd most popular operating system.
  • You can stream Xbox games to Windows 10.

It’s a fun look back on all the software that brought us to Windows 10. Visit http://onthehub.com/evolution-of-windows/ to check it out today.

Jacob Siegal
Jacob Siegal Associate Editor

Jacob Siegal is Associate Editor at BGR, having joined the news team in 2013. He has over a decade of professional writing and editing experience, and helps to lead our technology and entertainment product launch and movie release coverage.