A History of Windows 95 Development

Summary

The video script details the launch and development of Windows 95, a milestone in computing. It covers the unveiling by Bill Gates, the extensive advertising campaign costing over $300 million, and the software's rapid adoption with 1 million copies sold in four days. The script explores the three-year development process, showcasing early builds like Microsoft Chicago 58, 81, and 189, highlighting interface changes such as the Start button and taskbar. The video concludes with build 468, reflecting the finalization of features that made Windows 95 user-friendly and a significant leap from Windows 3.1.

Takeaways

• 🎉 Windows 95 was launched on August 24, 1995, with a major event at Microsoft's Redmond campus, marking a significant moment in computing history.
• 📈 Over 10,000 people attended the launch, indicating the huge anticipation and impact of Windows 95.
• 🎬 Microsoft invested over $300 million in advertising for Windows 95, showcasing their confidence and the importance of the product.
• 📈 1 million copies of Windows 95 were sold in the first four days, demonstrating its immediate success and popularity.
• 🛠️ Windows 95 introduced a user-friendly interface with the Start button and taskbar, significantly improving the PC experience.
• 🌐 The development process of Windows 95 took three years, involving multiple beta builds and continuous refinement.
• 🔄 Early builds of Windows 95, known as 'Microsoft Chicago,' had different features and layouts, evolving over time to the final version.
• 📱 The Start menu initially had three buttons and was separate from the taskbar, but eventually merged into the familiar single-button Start menu.
• 🔧 Windows 95 replaced the Windows 3.0 program manager with a more intuitive taskbar and Start menu, streamlining user interactions.
• 📚 The video provides a detailed walkthrough of different Windows 95 builds, highlighting the evolution of features and interface design.

Q & A

When was the launch party for Windows 95 held?

The launch party for Windows 95 was held on August 24th, 1995.

Who introduced Windows 95 on stage at Microsoft's Redmond campus?

Bill Gates, accompanied by Tonight Show host Jay Leno, introduced Windows 95 on stage at Microsoft's Redmond campus.

How many people attended the Windows 95 launch party?

Over 10,000 people, including journalists and Microsoft employees, attended the launch party.

What was the cost of advertising for Windows 95?

Microsoft spent over 300 million dollars on advertising for Windows 95.

How many copies of Windows 95 were sold in the first four days after its release?

1 million copies of Windows 95 were sold in just the first 4 days upon its release.

What was the earliest known build of Microsoft Chicago that was leaked?

The earliest known build of Microsoft Chicago that was leaked is build 58, released on August 9th, 1993.

What was the feature that allowed users to move the taskbar into its own floating window in build 81?

In build 81 of Microsoft Chicago, users could move the taskbar into its own floating window, a feature that was removed in later builds.

When did Microsoft start using the name 'Windows 95' instead of 'Microsoft Chicago'?

Microsoft started using the name 'Windows 95' instead of 'Microsoft Chicago' in build 189, released on September 22nd, 1994.

What was the first build to include the Windows 95 startup sound?

The first build to include the Windows 95 startup sound, officially called the Microsoft sound, was build 468.

What was the final name given to the file cabinet in Windows 95?

The final name given to the file cabinet in Windows 95 was 'My Computer', not 'File Cabinet' as it was referred to in earlier builds.

What was the significance of the 'Briefcase' icon on the desktop in build 81?

The 'Briefcase' icon on the desktop in build 81 represented a feature that was implemented in Windows 95 and was used for synchronizing files between a computer and a portable device like a laptop.