Windows 95

Introduction to Windows 95

Windows 95 is developed to fulfill the needs of home and small business users. Microsoft has developed a robust operating system intended to replace the limitations of Window 3.x (means 3.0, 3.1 and 3.11).

Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system is the most significant and highly publicized computer software released in August 1995. This software was released in more than 40 countries world wide simultaneously. Millions of users of DOS and Window 3.1 have already shifted to Windows 95.

Windows 95 is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) operating system. It has 2 interfaces, one is the interface between the user and the applications and other is the interface between the applications and the computer's devices and files. Windows 95 is a class of graphical software called GUI.

With the release of Windows 95, lot of people are in the favour of this OS and many are anti and they have done anti-publicity. The biggest anti-publicity came in the form of hardware requirements. Some person claim that with the change of OS (DOS to Windows 95), there may be need to change in PC's. In fact we can load Windows 95 to a new computer and even upgrade the system.

Features of Windows 95

1. Easy to learn - Windows 95 is easier to learn and use than its predecessors like DOS and Windows 3.x. It also has reliability improvements than previous windows.
2. Full-Fledged Graphical OS - The new DOS/Windows 95 combination is finally a full fledged graphical operating system having its own graphics symbol. It can run DOS, Windows 3.0 and 3.1 and some Windows- NT 32-bit applications with very fast speed and in an efficient manner.
3. Protected mode - Windows 95 and its applications run under PC's protected mode. The protected mode means irregular programs cannot utilize hte memory and other resources. If any program becomes faulty, then the whole OS and its other programs do not effected.
4. Multithreaded OS - Windows 95 is a multi threaded operating system. Multithreaded means, it can run multiple applications simultaneously more smoothly than Windows- 3.0/3.1 and it have linkage with number of applications.
5. Preemptive Multitasking OS - Windows 95 is a preemptive multitasking operating system. The preemptive multitasking means program running in the background do not effect the interactive program that are running in the foreground.
6. 32 - bit code - Major portion of Windows 95 operating system is in 32-bit code which have better compatability with Intel 80386, 80486 and pentium processors. The memory manager, scheduler and process manager are all of 32-bit in this OS.
7. Taskbar - It has a taskbar that is always accessible on screen and it also has button listing about the currently running application and helps to easily switch between them.
8. File name - In Windows 95 file can have name upto 255 characters long. It supports long file name with extension of three letter file name as used by DOS.
9. Integrated System - Windows 95 integrate virtually all computer tasks and resources like Networks, Communication(E-mail, Faxing) applications, Multimedia features, System administration and printing facility. It also support a new mail syetm called Microsoft Exchange for managing all types of messages.
10. Registry - It also stores important hardware settings, application settings and user right settings in central locaton called Registry. These settings can be stored in some files like Autoexec.bat, Config.sys, Win.ini and System.ini.
11. Disk Performance - It ensures a faster disk performance than the 16-bit file system used by Windows-3.1 and DOS.
12. Error Message - It displays an error message, if a program crashes and we can eliminate the crashed program from the task list without affecting other running applications.
13. Memory Space - Windows 95 provides much more conventional memory space for Dos applications by implementing devices such as Smartdrive, Mouse driver, Share.exe, CD-ROM ans SCSI(Small Computer System Interface) device drivers.
14. Sharing of resources - With Windows 95, you can setup the computer for use by different people, each with their own Desktop, shared resources, user rights and other settings.
15. Plug-and-Play - It also provides Plug-and-Play standard. It allows user to plug a new board such as a video, audio or network card into computer without having to set switches or make other settings.
16. RAS - It has RAS(Remote Access Services), which helps users on the platform to call into a Windows 95 Network, log on and connect just as they do for their desktop machine.