Kathleen Maguire 11/5/2007 Digital Restoration Computer Timeline Microsoft Systems 1995 – 2007. Windows 95 Dates of use

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  Previously, the Windows system was a separate system that ran on top of a DOS base. Windows 95 featured the 32-bit operating system, which was a consolidated operating system designed to manage functions more efficiently and allow for multitasking. The main remnants of DOS were in boot-up and Safe modes, which allowed a user to address problems through previously known-DOS commands.³
  
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  Windows 95 was the premiere of the desktop interface that has remained the base of each interface since. This interface introduced the “Start” feature as the catch-all source for program and file access. Also introduced was the taskbar, which centralized all open programs in a single place. Lastly, there was the option to create personalized shortcuts on the desktop, allowing for immediate access of oft used programs, files, and network places.⁴
  
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  Supplementary to the improved desktop was improved file management,
  

including the introduction of the x/- window control, which allowed for easy expansion and minimizing of files.⁵

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  Included better support for games and multimedia, including Plug and Play compatibility. Plug and play allowed a user to insert new software and hardware and have the system immediately respond to initiate installation or use. The Plug and Play feature, however, required that the users personal computer included a Plug and Play Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) chip.⁶
  
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  Allowed users to enter longer file names. Previous systems had allowed for files names of only eight characters.
  

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  Explorer/ TCP/IP was not available with the initial basic model Windows 95. Explorer 1.0 could be added through an additional package, “Plus!” which reached only a small percentage of the audience. Explorer was added to the 4.00.95A version released in 1996.
  
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  As stated above, the system required a great deal more memory and power to act at capacity than previous platforms. Microsoft attempted to downplay this greatly in their recommended minimums.
  
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  When several programs were in use the system would easily become overloaded and was prone to both freezing and crashing. Error messages were also an integral part of the Win95 experience.