Microsoft Windows

Overview The Microsoft Windows operating system is the most widely used operating system for personal computers today. The Windows operating system is available in several different versions for different types of computers. These versions are dependant upon the user’s needs and preferences. Because of Windows’ popularity, there is an enormous amount of literature about Windows available online.  

General Information Information about the Microsoft Windows operating system is readily available at the Microsoft Windows Web site. Here you’ll find detailed information, updates, and support for Windows versions 95, 98, CE, ME, NT, 2000, and XP. For additional Windows operating system information and assistance, visit this CNET page. CNET provides Microsoft Windows users with updates, tips, reviews, discussions, and shopping links. 

Windows Resources Due to the great popularity of the Microsoft Windows operating system, Windows-related resources are readily available online. These resources include freeware and shareware programs, detailed documentation about specific versions of Windows, and FAQ pages. Visit www.activewin.com to find a thorough online Windows resource. This site offers links to newsgroups, FAQs, reviews, articles, and daily updated news. The Web site www.refdesk.com/win95.html also offers many resources for Windows. Information here includes tutorials, links, and discussions about each version of Windows. Another site, http://dir.yahoo.com, is similar in that it also provides links to resources for all versions of the Windows operating system. 

If you are interested in learning about Windows CE, Microsoft’s operating system for PDAs, visit this Web site. Here you'll find Windows CE Web rings and discussion forums, as well as software downloads and links to other Windows CE sites. You can read about Windows NT and resources specifically developed for Windows NT  at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_NT.  Information about Windows 2000 and XP can be gleaned at http://aumha.org  and at http://labmice.techtarget.com At these links you browse FAQs and articles about Windows 2000 and XP as well tutorials, guides, and  other related topics.

Additional Links The Microsoft Windows operating system is not the only operating system that can run on a PC. Read about alternatives to the Windows operating system in this PCWorld article. View a timeline about the development of the Windows OS and version releases.  Here you can see the improvements made with each new version.