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Microsoft explains how to count to 7
It turns out, that not all Windows operating systems are created equal. So while Wikipedia lists 25 version of Windows (not counting Microsoft Bob), Microsoft doesn't count each and every one of those releases as a separate version of Windows.
Here's how it works: Microsoft gives a version number to each operating system. First there was Windows 1.0, then Windows 2.0, then Windows 3.0. Forget all the point numbers like 3.11 for a moment. Because the next major release was Windows 4.0, which is better known as Windows 95.
Every operating system up through Windows ME was built on the Windows 4 code, and it wasn't until Windows 2000 that Windows hit 5.0.
Windows Vista was version 6. And the next OS will be Windows 7.
So ignore Windows 98, Windows 98SE, Windows Home Server 2008, and pretty much everything you thought you knew about Windows. Because Windows 7 is the seventh version of the operating system.
Comments
25
Subscribe to commentsMarkOct 15th 2008 6:32PM
Windows NT 3.1
Windows NT 3.5
Windows NT 3.51
Windows NT 4.0
WIndows NT 5.0 (2000)
Windows NT 5.1 (XP)
Windows NT 6.0 (Vista)
Presumably Windows 7 will be NT 7.0 by the time the final comes out. Not really that complicated (the old DOS line like Windows 98 do not count in any way).
Drew GreenOct 15th 2008 8:06PM
Read my post above yours. You're incorrect with your numbering.
hazardOct 15th 2008 10:46PM
I agree with Mark .. my codes tell me this:
3.1 == WinNT31
3.5 == WinNT35
3.51 == WinNT351
4 == WinNT4
5 == Win2000
5.1 == WinXP
5.2 == Win2003R2 || WinXP64 || Win2003
6 == WinVista || WinServer2008
hexiumviiOct 15th 2008 8:06PM
You're all wrong. Windows 7 as 7 is purely marketing. Nothing to do with anything again. Windows 7 will be kernel 6.1 period. The best was Windows 2008 RTM is actually SP1. That's right, Win 2008 gold = sp1. There was no non-sp1 non-beta version.
You can check out the official blog.
"So we decided to ship the Windows 7 code as Windows 6.1 - which is what you will see in the actual version of the product in cmd.exe or computer properties. There's been some fodder about whether using 6.1 in the code is an indicator of the relevance of Windows 7. It is not. Windows 7 is a significant and evolutionary advancement of the client operating system. It is in every way a major effort in design, engineering, and innovation. The only thing to read into the code versioning is that we are absolutely committed to making sure application compatibility is optimized for our customers. "
Cliff notes: We are MS, all your base are belong to us.
BrianOct 16th 2008 7:24PM
I love the harsh anti-Microsoft sentiments in this article. God forbid a company name their operating what they want to, especially when that company explains it for you.