1.10 Microsoft’s Windows® Operating System

Microsoft’s Windows is the most widely personal-computer, desktop operating system worldwide. Operating systems are software systems that make using computers more convenient for users, developers and system administrators. They provide services that allow each app to execute safely, efficiently and concurrently (i.e., in parallel) with other apps. Other popular desktop operating systems include Mac OS X and Linux. Mobile operating systems used in smartphones and tablets include Microsoft’s Windows Phone, Google’s Android, Apple’s iOS (for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices) and BlackBerry OS. Figure 1.7 presents the evolution of the Windows operating system.

Fig. 1.7 The evolution of the Windows operating system.

Version Description
Windows in the 1990s In the mid-1980s, Microsoft developed the Windows operating system based on a graphical user interface with buttons, textboxes, menus and other graphical elements. The various versions released throughout the 1990s were intended for personal computing. Microsoft entered the corporate operating systems market with the 1993 release of Windows NT.
Windows XP and Windows Vista Windows XP was released in 2001 and combined Microsoft’s corporate and consumer operating-system lines. At the time of this writing, it still holds more than 10% of the operating-systems market (https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx). Windows Vista, released in 2007, offered the attractive new Aero user interface, many powerful enhancements and new apps and enhanced security. But Vista never caught on.
Windows 7 Windows 7 is currently the world’s most widely used desktop operating system with over 47% of the operating-systems market (https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx). Windows added enhancements to the Aero user interface, faster startup times, further refinement of Vista’s security features, touch-screen with multitouch support, and more.
Windows 8 for Desktops and Tablets Windows 8, released in 2012, provided a similar platform (the underlying system on which apps run) and user experience across a wide range of devices including personal computers, smartphones, tablets and the Xbox Live online game service. Its new look-and-feel featured a Start screen with tiles representing each app, similar to that of Windows Phone—Microsoft’s smartphone operating system. Windows 8 featured multitouch support for touchpads and touchscreen devices, enhanced security features and more.
Windows 8 UI (User Interface) Windows 8 UI (previously called “Metro”) introduced a clean look-and-feel with minimal distractions to the user. Windows 8 apps featured a chromeless window with no borders, title bars and menus. These elements were hidden, allowing apps to fill the entire screen—particularly helpful on smaller screens such as tablets and smartphones. The interface elements were displayed in the app bar when the user swiped the top or bottom of the screen by holding down the mouse button, moving the mouse in the swipe direction and releasing the mouse button; or using a finger swipe on a touch-screen device.
Windows 10 and the Universal Windows Platform Windows 10, released in 2015, is the current version of Windows and currently holds a 15% (and growing) share of the operating-systems market (https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx). In addition to many user-interface and other updates, Windows 10 introduced the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), which is designed to provide a common platform (the underlying system on which apps run) and user experience across all Windows devices including personal computers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox and even Microsoft’s new HoloLens augmented reality holographic headset—all using nearly identical code.

Windows Store

You can sell apps or offer them for free in the Windows Store. At the time of this writing, the fee to become a registered developer is $19 for individuals and $99 for companies. Microsoft retains 30% of the purchase price (more in some markets). See the App Developer Agreement for more information:


https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh694058.aspx

The Windows Store offers several business models for monetizing your app. You can charge full price for your app before download, with prices starting at $1.49. You also can offer a time-limited trial or feature-limited trial that allows users to try the app before purchasing the full version, sell virtual goods (such as additional app features) using in-app purchases and more. To learn more about the Windows Store and monetizing your apps, visit


https://msdn.microsoft.com/windows/uwp/monetize/index
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