Editing Microsoft Windows (section)

=== Windows NT ===
{{Main|Windows NT}}

==== Version history ====

===== Early versions (Windows NT 3.1/3.5/3.51/4.0/2000) =====
{{Main|Windows NT 3.1|Windows NT 3.5|Windows NT 3.51 |Windows NT 4.0|Windows 2000}}
[[File:Windows Logo (1992-2001).svg|thumb|Windows logo (1995–2001)]]
In November 1988, a new development team within Microsoft (which included former [[Digital Equipment Corporation]] developers [[Dave Cutler]] and [[Mark Lucovsky]]) began work on a revamped version of [[IBM]] and Microsoft's [[OS/2]] operating system known as "NT OS/2". NT OS/2 was intended to be a secure, [[multi-user]] operating system with [[POSIX]] compatibility and a modular, [[Software portability|portable]] kernel with [[preemptive multitasking]] and support for multiple processor architectures. However, following the successful release of [[Windows 3.0]], the NT development team decided to rework the project to use an extended [[32-bit computing|32-bit]] port of the [[Windows API]] known as Win32 instead of those of OS/2. Win32 maintained a similar structure to the Windows [[API]]s (allowing existing Windows applications to easily be [[Porting|ported]] to the platform), but also supported the capabilities of the existing NT [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]]. Following its approval by Microsoft's staff, development continued on what was now Windows NT, the first 32-bit version of Windows. However, IBM objected to the changes, and ultimately continued OS/2 development on its own.<ref name="insident">{{Cite book |last=Custer |first=Helen |url=https://archive.org/details/insidewindowsnt00cust |title=Inside Windows NT |publisher=Microsoft Press |year=1993 |isbn=1-55615-481-X |location=Redmond |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="thurrott-nt" />

Windows NT was the first Windows operating system based on a [[hybrid kernel]]. The hybrid kernel was designed as a modified [[microkernel]], influenced by the [[Mach (kernel)|Mach microkernel]] developed by [[Richard Rashid]] at Carnegie Mellon University, but without meeting all of the criteria of a pure microkernel.

The first release of the resulting operating system, [[Windows NT 3.1]] (named to associate it with [[Windows 3.1]]) was released in July 1993, with versions for desktop [[workstation]]s and [[server (computing)|servers]]. [[Windows NT 3.5]] was released in September 1994, focusing on performance improvements and support for [[Novell]]'s [[NetWare]], and was followed up by [[Windows NT 3.51]] in May 1995, which included additional improvements and support for the [[PowerPC]] architecture. [[Windows NT 4.0]] was released in June 1996, introducing the redesigned interface of [[Windows 95]] to the NT series. On February 17, 2000, Microsoft released [[Windows 2000]], a successor to NT 4.0. The Windows NT name was dropped at this point in order to put a greater focus on the Windows brand.<ref name="thurrott-nt">{{Cite web |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |date=January 24, 2003 |title=Windows Server 2003: The Road To Gold – Part One: The Early Years |url=http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winserver2k3_gold1.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050101005634/http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winserver2k3_gold1.asp |archive-date=January 1, 2005 |access-date=May 28, 2012}}</ref>

===== Windows XP =====
{{Main|Windows XP}}
[[File:Windows logo variant (2003).svg|thumb|A variation of the 2001–2006 Windows logo from 2003 using the [[Segoe]] typeface instead of the [[Franklin Gothic]] typeface. This variation was mainly used for branding purposes.]]
The next major version of Windows NT, [[Windows XP]], was released to manufacturing (RTM) on August 24, 2001, and to the general public on October 25, 2001. The introduction of Windows XP aimed to unify the consumer-oriented [[Windows 9x]] series with the architecture introduced by Windows NT, a change which Microsoft promised would provide better performance over its DOS-based predecessors. Windows XP would also introduce a redesigned user interface (including an updated Start menu and a "task-oriented" [[File Explorer|Windows Explorer]]), streamlined multimedia and networking features, [[Internet Explorer 6]], integration with Microsoft's [[Microsoft account|.NET Passport]] services, a "[[Windows XP#Backwards compatibility|compatibility mode]]" to help provide [[backwards compatibility]] with software designed for previous versions of Windows, and [[Windows Remote Assistance|Remote Assistance]] functionality.<ref name="cnet-xpreview">{{Cite web |title=Windows XP review |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/windows/microsoft-windows-xp-home/4505-3672_7-6534881.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526024030/http://reviews.cnet.com/windows/microsoft-windows-xp-home/4505-3672_7-6534881.html |archive-date=May 26, 2013 |access-date=May 24, 2013 |website=CNET}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 12, 2002 |title=Windows XP Program Compatibility Wizard |url=https://www.serverwatch.com/guides/windows-xp-program-compatibility-wizard/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113012030/https://www.serverwatch.com/guides/windows-xp-program-compatibility-wizard/ |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |website=ServerWatch}}</ref>

At retail, Windows XP was marketed in two main [[Stock keeping unit|editions]]: the "Home" edition was targeted towards consumers, while the "Professional" edition was targeted towards business environments and [[power user]]s, and included additional security and networking features. Home and Professional were later accompanied by the "[[Windows Media Center|Media Center]]" edition (designed for [[home theater PC]]s, with an emphasis on support for [[DVD]] playback, [[TV tuner card]]s, [[Digital video recorder|DVR]] functionality, and remote controls), and the "Tablet PC" edition (designed for mobile devices meeting its [[Microsoft Tablet PC|specifications]] for a [[tablet computer]], with support for [[stylus]] pen input and additional pen-enabled applications).<ref>{{Cite news |last=David Coursey |date=October 25, 2001 |title=The 10 top things you MUST know about Win XP |work=[[ZDNet]] |url=http://review.zdnet.com/4520-6033_16-4206552.html |url-status=dead |access-date=July 22, 2008 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090403131228/http://review.zdnet.com/4520-6033_16-4206552.html |archive-date=April 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=David Coursey |date=August 31, 2001 |title=Your top Windows XP questions answered! (Part One) |url=http://review.zdnet.com/4520-6033_16-4206367.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219121319/http://review.zdnet.com/4520-6033_16-4206367.html |archive-date=December 19, 2007 |access-date=January 3, 2011 |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive|CNET Networks]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2002 |title=A Look at Freestyle and Mira |url=http://www.winsupersite.com/article/showcase/a-look-at-freestyle-and-mira.aspx |access-date=January 3, 2011 |website=Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows |publisher=Penton}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Mainstream support for Windows XP ended on April 14, 2009. Extended support ended on April 8, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Windows XP Professional Lifecycle Support |url=http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227071350/http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223 |archive-date=February 27, 2013 |access-date=January 3, 2011}}</ref>

After Windows 2000, Microsoft also changed its release schedules for server operating systems; the server counterpart of Windows XP, [[Windows Server 2003]], was released in April 2003.<ref name="thurrott-nt" /> It was followed in December 2005, by Windows Server 2003 R2.

===== Windows Vista =====
{{Main|Windows Vista}}

After a lengthy [[development of Windows Vista|development process]], [[Windows Vista]] was released on November 30, 2006, for volume licensing and January 30, 2007, for consumers. It contained a number of [[Features new to Windows Vista|new features]], from a redesigned shell and user interface to significant [[Technical features new to Windows Vista|technical changes]], with a particular focus on [[Security and safety features new to Windows Vista|security features]]. It was available in a number of [[Windows Vista editions|different editions]], and has been subject to [[Criticism of Windows Vista|some criticism]], such as drop of performance, longer boot time, criticism of new UAC, and stricter license agreement. Vista's server counterpart, [[Windows Server 2008]] was released in early 2008.

===== Windows 7 =====
{{Main|Windows 7}}
On July 22, 2009, [[Windows 7]] and [[Windows Server 2008 R2]] were released to manufacturing (RTM) and released to the public three months later on October 22, 2009. Unlike its predecessor, Windows Vista, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista was already compatible.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nash |first=Mike |date=October 28, 2008 |title=Windows 7 Unveiled Today at PDC 2008 |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2008/10/28/windows-7-unveiled-today-at-pdc-2008/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101011844/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2008/10/28/windows-7-unveiled-today-at-pdc-2008.aspx |archive-date=November 1, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2008 |website=Windows Experience Blog |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> Windows 7 has [[multi-touch]] support, a redesigned [[Windows shell]] with an updated [[taskbar]] with revealable [[Features new to Windows 7#Jump lists|jump lists]] that contain shortcuts to files frequently used with specific applications and shortcuts to tasks within the application,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kiriaty |first1=Yochay |last2=Goldshtein |first2=Sasha |date=2009 |title=Windows 7 Taskbar APIs |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/msdn-magazine/2009/brownfield/windows-7-taskbar-apis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821123232/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/msdn-magazine/2009/brownfield/windows-7-taskbar-apis |archive-date=August 21, 2021 |access-date=August 21, 2021 |website=docs.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}</ref> a home networking system called [[Features new to Windows 7#HomeGroup|HomeGroup]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=LeBlanc |first=Brandon |date=October 28, 2008 |title=How Libraries & HomeGroup Work Together in Windows 7 |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2008/10/28/how-libraries-homegroup-work-together-in-windows-7/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102042853/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2008/10/28/how-libraries-amp-homegroup-work-together-in-windows-7.aspx |archive-date=November 2, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2008 |website=Windows Experience Blog |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> and performance improvements.
<!--{{anchor|Multilingual support: IMEs and LIPs}}-->

===== Windows 8 and 8.1 =====
{{Main|Windows 8|Windows 8.1}}
[[File:Windows logo and wordmark - 2012-2015.svg|thumb|Windows logo (2012–2015)]]
[[Windows 8]], the successor to Windows 7, was released generally on October 26, 2012. A number of significant changes were made on Windows 8, including the introduction of a user interface based around Microsoft's [[Metro (design language)|Metro design language]] with optimizations for [[multi-touch|touch-based]] devices such as [[tablet computer|tablets]] and all-in-one PCs. These changes include the [[Start menu#Third version|Start screen]], which uses large tiles that are more convenient for touch interactions and allow for the display of continually updated information, and a new class of [[application software|apps]] which are designed primarily for use on touch-based devices. The new Windows version required a minimum resolution of 1024×768 pixels,<ref name="zdnet-smallertab">{{Cite web |title=New Windows 8 hardware specs hint at 7-inch tablets and a Microsoft Reader |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-windows-8-hardware-specs-hint-at-7-inch-tablets-and-a-microsoft-reader/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204160922/http://www.zdnet.com/new-windows-8-hardware-specs-hint-at-7-inch-tablets-and-a-microsoft-reader-7000013271/ |archive-date=December 4, 2014 |access-date=March 29, 2013 |publisher=ZDNet}}</ref> effectively making it unfit for [[netbook]]s with 800×600-pixel screens.

Other changes include increased integration with [[cloud computing|cloud services]] and other online platforms (such as [[social networking service|social networks]] and Microsoft's own [[OneDrive]] (formerly SkyDrive) and [[Xbox Live]] services), the [[Windows Store]] service for software distribution, and a new variant known as [[Windows RT]] for use on devices that utilize the [[ARM architecture family|ARM architecture]], and a new keyboard shortcut for [[screenshot]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Ian |date=July 5, 2021 |title=How to Take Screenshots in Windows 10, 8, and 7 |url=https://www.lifewire.com/take-screenshot-windows-7-8-10-4049964 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319081530/https://www.lifewire.com/take-screenshot-windows-7-8-10-4049964 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref><ref name="pcw-testdrivertm">{{Cite web |last=Case |first=Loyd |title=Test Driving Windows 8 RTM |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/460667/windows_8_install_and_test_drive_welcome_to_microsofts_brave_new_world.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107205229/https://www.pcworld.com/article/460667/windows_8_install_and_test_drive_welcome_to_microsofts_brave_new_world.html |archive-date=January 7, 2023 |access-date=January 7, 2023 |website=PC World |publisher=IDG}}</ref><ref name="bi-windows8">{{Cite web |last=Rosoff |first=Matt |title=Here's Everything You Wanted To Know About Microsoft's Upcoming iPad Killers |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-02-09/tech/31040510_1_steven-sinofsky-pcs-microsoft-first |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122030754/http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-02-09/tech/31040510_1_steven-sinofsky-pcs-microsoft-first |archive-date=January 22, 2013 |access-date=February 10, 2012 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref name="bw-win8editions">{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2012 |title=Announcing the Windows 8 Editions |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418070243/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx |archive-date=April 18, 2012 |access-date=April 17, 2012 |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref><ref name="bw8-buildingarm">{{Cite web |title=Building Windows for the ARM processor architecture |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/02/09/building-windows-for-the-arm-processor-architecture.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126020149/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/02/09/building-windows-for-the-arm-processor-architecture.aspx |archive-date=November 26, 2012 |access-date=November 21, 2012 |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref><ref name="verge-talkswin8">{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2012 |title=Microsoft talks Windows Store features, Metro app sandboxing for Windows 8 developers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/5/17/3026590/microsoft-windows-8-developers-windows-store-sandboxing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910150803/http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/17/3026590/microsoft-windows-8-developers-windows-store-sandboxing |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |access-date=September 8, 2012 |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref><ref name="pcw-building">{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Michael |title=Build: More Details On Building Windows 8 Metro Apps |work=PC Magazine |url=http://forwardthinking.pcmag.com/show-reports/287736-build-more-details-on-building-windows-8-metro-apps |url-status=dead |access-date=February 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217202913/http://forwardthinking.pcmag.com/show-reports/287736-build-more-details-on-building-windows-8-metro-apps |archive-date=February 17, 2012}}</ref> An update to Windows 8, called [[Windows 8.1]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Windows 8.1 now available! |url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2013/10/17/windows-8-1-now-available.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019035341/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2013/10/17/windows-8-1-now-available.aspx |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |access-date=October 31, 2013 |website=blogs.windows.com}}</ref> was released on October 17, 2013, and includes features such as new live tile sizes, deeper [[OneDrive]] integration, and many other revisions. [[Windows 8]] and [[Windows 8.1]] have been subject to some criticism, such as the removal of the [[Start menu]].

===== Windows 10 =====
{{Main|Windows 10}}
[[File:Windows wordmark darkblue 2015.svg|thumb|Windows logo (2015–2021)]]
On September 30, 2014, Microsoft announced [[Windows 10]] as the successor to Windows 8.1. It was released on July 29, 2015, and addresses shortcomings in the user interface first introduced with Windows 8. Changes on PC include the return of the Start Menu, a [[virtual desktop]] system, and the ability to run Windows Store apps within windows on the desktop rather than in full-screen mode. [[Windows 10]] is said to be available to update from qualified [[Windows 7]] with SP1, [[Windows 8.1]] and [[Windows Phone 8.1]] devices from the Get Windows 10 Application (for [[Windows 7]], [[Windows 8.1]]) or [[Windows Update]] ([[Windows 7]]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2014 |title=Announcing Windows 10 – Windows Blog |url=http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2014/09/30/announcing-windows-10/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910084428/https://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2014/09/30/announcing-windows-10/ |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |access-date=September 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In February 2017, Microsoft announced the migration of its Windows source code repository from [[Perforce]] to [[Git]]. This migration involved 3.5 million separate files in a 300-gigabyte repository.<ref name="PBright" /> By May 2017, 90 percent of its engineering team was using Git, in about 8500 commits and 1760 Windows builds per day.<ref name="PBright">{{Cite web |last=Bright |first=Peter |date=May 24, 2017 |title=Windows switch to Git almost complete: 8,500 commits and 1,760 builds each day |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/05/90-of-windows-devs-now-using-git-creating-1760-windows-builds-per-day/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524171707/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/05/90-of-windows-devs-now-using-git-creating-1760-windows-builds-per-day/ |archive-date=May 24, 2017 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]]}}</ref>

In June 2021, shortly before Microsoft's announcement of Windows 11, Microsoft updated their lifecycle policy pages for Windows 10, revealing that support for their last release of Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025.<ref name="Windows10HomeAndProLifecycle">{{Cite web |title=Window 10 Home and Pro Lifecycle |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610190436/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |access-date=July 2, 2021 |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref><ref name="Windows10EntAndEduLifecycle">{{Cite web |title=Window 10 Enterprise and Education Lifecycle |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-enterprise-and-education |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701160716/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-enterprise-and-education |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=July 2, 2021 |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> On April 27, 2023, Microsoft announced that version 22H2 would be the last of Windows 10.<ref name="winroadmapupdate">{{Cite web |last=Leznek |first=Jason |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Windows client roadmap update |url=https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/windows-client-roadmap-update/ba-p/3805227 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |website=Microsoft |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903135714/https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/windows-client-roadmap-update-april-2023/ba-p/3805227 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowden |first=Zack |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Windows 10 is finished — Microsoft confirms 'version 22H2' is the last |work=Windows Central |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-10/windows-10-is-finished-microsoft-confirms-version-22h2-is-the-last |access-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903135717/https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-10/windows-10-is-finished-microsoft-confirms-version-22h2-is-the-last |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Windows logo and wordmark - 2021.svg|thumb|Windows logo (2021–present)]]

===== Windows 11 =====
{{Main|Windows 11}}
On June 24, 2021, [[Windows 11]] was announced as the successor to Windows 10 during a livestream. The new operating system was designed to be more user-friendly and understandable. It was released on October 5, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=George |title=Windows 11 release date is October 5 |url=https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/mesquite/2021/09/13/pc-periodicals-windows-11-release-date-october-5/8316090002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218183810/https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/mesquite/2021/09/13/pc-periodicals-windows-11-release-date-october-5/8316090002/ |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |access-date=September 18, 2021 |website=The Spectrum |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Microsoft announces Windows 11, with a new design, Start menu, and more |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22546791/microsoft-windows-11-announcement-features-updates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624150725/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22546791/microsoft-windows-11-announcement-features-updates |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> {{As of|2022|05|post=,}} Windows 11 is a free upgrade to Windows 10 users who meet the system requirements.<ref name="windows11specs">{{Cite web |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531013104/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |access-date=May 31, 2022 |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref>

==== Windows 365 ====
{{See also|Azure Virtual Desktop}}
{{distinguish|Microsoft 365|Windows/386}}
In July 2021, Microsoft announced it will start selling subscriptions to virtualized Windows desktops as part of a new ''Windows 365'' service in the following month. The new service will allow for [[Cross-platform software|cross-platform usage]], aiming to make the operating system available for both Apple and Android users. It is a separate service and offers several variations including Windows 365 Frontline, Windows 365 Boot, and the Windows 365 app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=April 6, 2023 |title=Microsoft's Windows 365 Cloud PCs get more flexible, LG TV integration, and more |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/6/23672363/microsoft-windows-365-frontline-lg-tv-integration-features |website=[[The Verge]] |access-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903135720/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/6/23672363/microsoft-windows-365-frontline-lg-tv-integration-features |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[subscription service]] will be accessible through any [[operating system]] with a [[web browser]]. The new service is an attempt at capitalizing on the growing trend, fostered during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], for businesses to adopt a hybrid [[remote work]] environment, in which "employees split their time between the office and home". As the service will be accessible through web browsers, Microsoft will be able to bypass the need to publish the service through [[Google Play]] or the [[App Store (Apple)|Apple App Store]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Mary Jo |date=July 14, 2021 |title=Microsoft brings Windows to the cloud with Windows 365 and Cloud PC |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-brings-windows-to-the-cloud-with-windows-365-and-cloud-pc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728074255/https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-brings-windows-to-the-cloud-with-windows-365-and-cloud-pc/ |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |access-date=July 14, 2021 |website=ZDNet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tilley |first=Aaron |date=July 14, 2021 |title=Microsoft Aims to Put Windows in Hands of Apple, Android Users Through Hybrid Work |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-aims-to-put-windows-in-hands-of-apple-android-users-through-hybrid-work-11626274801 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728132315/https://www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-aims-to-put-windows-in-hands-of-apple-android-users-through-hybrid-work-11626274801 |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tim |date=June 23, 2021 |title=Apple's Fight for Control Over Apps Moves to Congress and EU |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/apples-fight-for-control-over-apps-moves-to-congress-and-eu-11624440601 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728075524/https://www.wsj.com/articles/apples-fight-for-control-over-apps-moves-to-congress-and-eu-11624440601 |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft unveils Windows 365, a Windows 10 PC in the cloud |url=https://www.engadget.com/windows-365-cloud-virtual-pc-150022333.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728080818/https://www.engadget.com/windows-365-cloud-virtual-pc-150022333.html |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |access-date=July 15, 2021 |website=Engadget |date=July 14, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Windows 365 Cloud PC {{!}} Microsoft |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-365 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728090712/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-365 |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |access-date=July 15, 2021 |website=www.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

Microsoft announced Windows 365 availability to business and enterprise customers on August 2, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Paul |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Microsoft announces the general availability of Windows 365 |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-announces-the-general-availability-of-windows-365/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802173719/https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-announces-the-general-availability-of-windows-365/ |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |access-date=August 2, 2021 |website=Neowin}}</ref>

==== Multilingual support ====
{{see also|Multilingual User Interface}}

Multilingual support has been built into Windows since Windows 3.0. The language for both the keyboard and the interface can be changed through the Region and Language Control Panel. Components for all supported input languages, such as [[Input Method Editor]]s, are automatically installed during Windows installation (in Windows XP and earlier, files for East Asian languages, such as Chinese, and files for right-to-left scripts, such as Arabic, may need to be installed separately, also from the said Control Panel). Third-party IMEs may also be installed if a user feels that the provided one is insufficient for their needs. Since Windows 2000, English editions of Windows NT have East Asian IMEs (such as Microsoft Pinyin IME and Microsoft Japanese IME) bundled, but files for East Asian languages may be manually installed on Control Panel.

Interface languages for the operating system are free for download, but some languages are limited to certain editions of Windows. [[Language Interface Pack]]s (LIPs) are redistributable and may be downloaded from Microsoft's Download Center and installed for any edition of Windows (XP or later){{snd}}they translate most, but not all, of the Windows interface, and require a certain base language (the language which Windows originally shipped with). This is used for most languages in emerging markets. Full Language Packs, which translate the complete operating system, are only available for specific editions of Windows (Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Windows Vista and 7, and all editions of Windows 8, 8.1 and RT except Single Language). They do not require a specific base language and are commonly used for more popular languages such as French or Chinese. These languages cannot be downloaded through the Download Center, but are available as optional updates through the [[Windows Update]] service (except Windows 8).

The interface language of installed applications is not affected by changes in the Windows interface language. The availability of languages depends on the application developers themselves.

[[Windows 8]] and [[Windows Server 2012]] introduce a new Language Control Panel where both the interface and input languages can be simultaneously changed, and language packs, regardless of type, can be downloaded from a central location. The PC Settings app in [[Windows 8.1]] and [[Windows Server 2012 R2]] also includes a counterpart settings page for this. Changing the interface language also changes the language of preinstalled [[Windows Store]] apps (such as Mail, Maps and News) and certain other Microsoft-developed apps (such as Remote Desktop). The above limitations for language packs are however still in effect, except that full language packs can be installed for any edition except Single Language, which caters to emerging markets.

==== Platform support ====
Windows NT included support for several platforms before the [[x86]]-based [[personal computer]] became dominant in the professional world. [[Windows NT 4.0]] and its predecessors supported [[PowerPC]], [[DEC Alpha]] and [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]] R4000 (although some of the platforms implement [[64-bit computing]], the OS treated them as 32-bit). Windows 2000 dropped support for all platforms, except the third generation x86 (known as [[IA-32]]) or newer in 32-bit mode. The client line of the Windows NT family still ran on IA-32 up to [[Windows 10]]<ref name="windows11specs" /> (the server line of the Windows NT family still ran on IA-32 up to [[Windows Server 2008]]).

With the introduction of the Intel Itanium architecture ([[IA-64]]), Microsoft released new versions of Windows to support it. Itanium versions of [[Windows XP]] and [[Windows Server 2003]] were released at the same time as their mainstream x86 counterparts. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition (Version 2003), released in 2003, is the last Windows client operating system to support Itanium. Windows Server line continues to support this platform until [[Windows Server 2012]]; Windows Server 2008 R2 is the last Windows operating system to support Itanium architecture.

On April 25, 2005, Microsoft released [[Windows XP Professional x64 Edition]] and Windows Server 2003 x64 editions to support [[x86-64]] (or simply x64), the 64-bit version of x86 architecture. [[Windows Vista]] was the first client version of Windows NT to be released simultaneously in IA-32 and x64 editions. As of 2024, x64 is still supported.

An edition of Windows 8 known as [[Windows RT]] was specifically created for computers with [[ARM architecture family|ARM architecture]], and while ARM is still used for Windows smartphones with Windows 10, tablets with Windows RT will not be updated. Starting from [[Windows 10 Fall Creators Update]] (version 1709) and later includes support for ARM-based PCs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bott |first=Ed |date=October 7, 2019 |title=Windows 10 on Arm: What you need to know before you buy a Surface Pro X |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-on-arm-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-buy-a-surface-pro-x/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701045005/https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-on-arm-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-buy-a-surface-pro-x/ |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=June 14, 2021 |website=[[ZDNet]]}}</ref>