Windows 1.0

This is how it all began. Microsoft Windows was built as a 16-bit environment on November 15, 1985. But the current Microsoft logo wasn't created yet back then. Just about six versions of Windows 1.0 was made, for two years.

Windows 1.00 (November 6, 1985)
Windows 1.00 is Windows 1.01 Release Candidate.

Windows 1.01 (November 20, 1985)
All versions, like this Windows 1.01 software, came in six 5.25" floppy disks, a program disk, and some manuals.

Unlike the modern Windows operating systems we use today, this one has only 16 colors, up to 64 KB of RAM, and very simple components -- a Calculator, a Control Panel, a File Manager, an MS-DOS Executive, Notepad, Reversi (which is the only game that comes with Windows 1.0), and of course, the Command Prompt. Now, some .txt files might be too large to use on Windows 1.0's Notepad, because of the small-size text buffer. Also, this version of Paint only supports monochrome graphics, which will always be saved to the .MSP format.

In order to use Windows 1.01, you will need MS-DOS (version 3.1 was current at the time); however, I wouldn't recommend using MS-DOS 6.22, because that may result in startup problems. But if you're dying to use this program, you could try installing it on DOSBox, a 32-bit emulator with DOS. Besides, programs like these won't work on modern-day CPUs with more than one gigahertz (GHz).

Windows 1.02 (April 8, 1986)
This version isn't available in America; in fact, it's an international version in several different languages. Like Windows 1.01, it was sold in 5.25" floppy disks.

Windows 1.03 (August 24, 1986)
Another updated version of Windows 1.0, known as Windows 1.03, came in not four, but six floppy disks. Like Windows 1.01, you don't want to use MS-DOS 6.22. Try using an older DOS version, such as 5.0 or earlier.

This version of Microsoft Windows includes printer drivers and drivers for European keyboards.

Windows 1.04 (April 8, 1987)
After the 1987 Microsoft logo was created, Windows 1.04 was released. It adds support for VGA graphics adapters on newer IBM computers and introduces OS/2.

Windows 1.05 (August 24, 1987)
Windows 1.05 was released in 1987.