Windows 9x
Windows 9x is a generic term referring to a series of Microsoft Windows computer operating systems produced from 1995 to 2000, which were based on the Windows 95 kernel and its underlying foundation of MS-DOS, both of which were updated in subsequent versions. The first version in the 9x series was Windows 95, which was succeeded by Windows 98 and then Windows Me, which was the third and last version of Windows on the 9x line, until the series was superseded by Windows XP.
Screenshot of Windows 95, the first version of Windows in the 9x series | |
| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| OS family | MS-DOS |
| Working state | Mainstream support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2000. Extended support ended on December 31, 2001. Mainstream support for Windows 98 ended on June 30, 2002. Mainstream support for Windows Me ended on December 31, 2003. Extended support for both ended on July 11, 2006. |
| Source model | Closed source |
| Platforms | IA-32 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (DOS) |
| Userland | Windows API |
| Default user interface | Windows shell (Graphical) |
| License | Proprietary commercial software |
| Preceded by | Windows 3.1x (1992-1993) |
| Succeeded by | Windows XP (2001) |
Windows 9x is predominantly known for its use in home desktops. In 1998, Windows made up 82% of operating system market share.
Internal release versions for versions of Windows 9x are 4.x. The internal versions for Windows 95, 98, and Me are 4.0, 4.1, and 4.9, respectively. Previous MS-DOS-based versions of Windows used version numbers of 3.2 or lower. Windows NT, which was aimed at professional users such as networks and businesses, used a similar but separate version number between 3.1 and 4.0. All versions of Windows from Windows XP onwards are based on the Windows NT codebase.