Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows ( English pronunciation [ maɪ.kɹoʊ.sɒft wɪn.doʊz ] ) is a brand name for operating systems of the U.S. company Microsoft. Originally Microsoft Windows was a graphical extension of the operating system MS -DOS ( such as GEM or even PC / GEOS ). Later, the Windows NT product line was developed by Microsoft itself, and finally which combines with the original Windows, even in versions 98 and ME was still based on a DOS - based, under the name of Windows XP. Since then called the operating system as a whole, only Windows (English: window) and is independent of MS -DOS. The name comes from the fact that the user interfaces of applications are shown as rectangular window on the screen.

Windows operating systems are particularly common on personal computers and servers; exist alongside versions for devices such as smartphones and PDAs, as well as for specific embedded devices such as all-electronic instruments and retail POS systems or for use in motor vehicles.

The Windows operating systems are available with an estimated market share of about 82 percent of all people accessing the Internet operating systems market leader, enabling the company to Microsoft holds a virtual monopoly. This fact led in the past to a number of lawsuits, which had the charge of exploiting this market position to object.

  • 4.1 Security analysis of third parties
  • 5.1 Controversy distributed applications
  • 5.2 Cryptography Controversy

Term

The term window ( window) as the name of a software interface element goes back to the format in the early 1970s at Xerox PARC WIMP paradigm ( Window, Icon, Menu, Pointing device) for the construction of user interfaces. Microsoft Windows is a system that implements this paradigm.

The term "Windows " as a brand name has also run also descriptive of a feature of the operating system, namely programs in windows.

Product lines

Timeline

The graph represents single main versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system based on the release dates and broken down into product lines is arranged on a time table that allows a better overview.

NT base

  • The red versions are no longer supported by Microsoft.
  • The yellow highlighted versions are supported by Microsoft only in the " Extended Support ".

DOS line for 16- bit machines

The 16 -bit versions of Microsoft Windows, originally based entirely on MS -DOS and used it for all system access. Microsoft Windows did no more than an extension in the form of a graphical user interface Represents the changed with Windows 3.x gradually, especially by the introduction of 32- bit accesses and the Win32s subsystem. The Win32s component introduced in Windows 3.1x a subset of the Win32 API from Windows NT ready, causing some programs designed for Windows 95 or Windows NT worked with it. Between Windows programs on older versions of Windows ( including Windows 3.x) only cooperative multitasking is available. With Windows for Workgroups A version was released with built-in networking capability. The suffix was left from Windows 95 and drop back in all Windows NT versions.

Windows 1.0x

On November 10, 1983 by Microsoft at COMDEX / Fall '83 a prototype called " Interface Manager " was presented, which represented the first graphical user interface from Microsoft for DOS. Microsoft's marketing department decided but later, after the developers were always talking of windows, in "Windows " to rename the system. Microsoft Windows 1.0x was released on 20 November 1985. Windows 1.0x was sold for $ 99 U.S., but was not a great success, as there was virtually no applications for it. As the surface is a kind of file manager. The individual programs must be selected based on their filename.

Windows 2.x

Microsoft Windows 2.0 was released in November 1987 and included among other enhancements to the graphical user interface. For the first time also a Windows version of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel has been published.

Windows 3.x

Microsoft Windows 3.0 was released on 22 May 1990. Windows 3.1, which was followed on 1 March 1992, was the first commercially successful version of a Windows system. Windows 3.1x was very popular, about 3 million licenses were alone in the first 2 months sold. With Windows for Workgroups 3.1, code name " Sparta ", was released in October 1992, the first rudimentary network-capable Windows, with version 3.11 Supported Windows for Workgroups, finally, the Internet Protocol ( IP). Windows 3.2 is an update of the Windows 3.1 version for China, according to Microsoft Knowledge Base new or improved input editors were used for the font.

DOS line for 32- bit machines

The so-called Windows 9x line is based on MS- DOS, but has a separate 32 -bit kernel, the controls after the startup the system access using so-called VxD (Virtual Device Driver Virtual Device Driver ). The Win32 API at the time was not a completely new, since Windows NT 3.1 and Windows NT 3.5 were already on the market. Windows 95, but was the first Windows version for home users who used these.

Windows 9x comes with it's own customized DOS, whereas earlier DOS - based Windows versions presuppose a pre-installed DOS. The launch of Windows is (except in Windows Me, for which there were unofficial patches) prevented by means of an entry in the text-based file MSDOS.SYS so that Windows WIN.COM manually as in previous versions by the DOS program can be started. Microsoft wanted the user to suggest though, MS -DOS, it no longer exists on its own, however, the MS -DOS operating system of any Windows 9x also completely without Windows was run. Windows 9x support for 32- bit applications and preemptive multitasking for compatibility with Windows 3.x 16 -bit applications cooperative multitasking. 32 -bit processes each have their own virtual address spaces ( memory protection ), but consistent memory protection is to provide compatibility for applications that appeal directly to hardware, not guaranteed.

The term "Windows 9x " is derived from the now more specific names ( instead of just version numbers ) ago, the 4.x begin in most DOS -based Windows versions with a nine. For this scheme comes only Windows Me forth, nevertheless it is combined with the related other versions.

Windows 95

Microsoft Windows 95, code name "Chicago", was released on 15 August 1995. Windows 95 was revolutionary when it appeared, it was a 16-/32-Bit-System, could already manage long filenames and DOS was demoted to the substructure. It took only 4 days until the first million copies were sold. In the two subsequent years appeared Windows 95b and Windows 95c, bring some innovations that support, among other new hardware, such as USB and FAT32 for addressing hard drives of over 2 gigabytes. The system is no longer officially supported by Microsoft since January 2002.

Windows 98

Microsoft Windows 98, code name "Memphis", was released on 30 June 1998 as the evolution of Windows 95 Windows 98 includes mainly Internet extensions such as the integrated Internet Explorer 4.0, multimedia extensions. After Windows 95 Windows 98 is the second most successful system that official support was discontinued in 2006. On 5 May 1999 appeared Windows 98 Second Edition (English for second edition) which brought a revised version including the Service Pack 1, Internet Explorer 5, and some improvements in the areas of multimedia and USB.

Windows Me

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me), code name "Georgia", was released on 14 September 2000. Again, cosmetic changes, and multimedia enhancements have been made mainly, the operating system, for example, brought an enhanced version of Windows Media Player with. A system program for system recovery, with which the system can be restored to an automatic or user-selected time, is similar to Windows XP, included. Furthermore, the protection of system files has been improved; In contrast to previous versions, due to the System File Protection (SFP ) is no longer possible to delete them. Through the program, " Compressed Folders " to create and extract zip archives is supported directly. In addition, Windows Me contains several new features.

NT line

The Windows NT series has a new kernel. The abbreviation NT stands for New Technology (paraphrased and translated correctly " new technology "). The name was initially for the jointly developed by Microsoft and IBM OS / 2, which jointly developed only in the 16 -bit versions ( version numbers 1.x), but was marketed separately. With the development stage to the 32 -bit versions (2.x ), Microsoft split from IBM to develop the operating system Windows NT to compete with OS / 2 from IBM on.

NT originally stood for N- Ten (N10 ), an emulator, on which the system was operated by the NT developers in the initial phase.

Windows NT is designed for different processor architectures and was originally offered for Intel 386, MIPS, PowerPC and Alpha processors. This broad support, however, was thinned out more and more over time. Since the XP entry ( end of 2001 ) x86 - based systems were supported practically only; the earlier development versions of NT for the Alpha architecture by DEC and another was gradually phased out. Want to manufacture the future with announcements by AMD and Intel 64- bit processors, Microsoft began developing appropriate operating system variants. In mid-2005, Microsoft then on its proprietary event " WinHEC 2005" in Seattle 's new products Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Standard Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Enterprise Edition and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Datacenter Edition ago.

MS- DOS is emulated when necessary, largely called and functionally identical commands are available as a runtime environment, DOS programs can still be used as long as they do not require direct access to the hardware. Games therefore usually not or only without sound and joystick support to run. Remedy DOS emulators such as DOSBox.

NT has preemptive multitasking with memory protection. Direct hardware access of programs (as opposed to the DOS line ) through the strict enforcement of a layer model not allowed. Starting with Microsoft Windows 2000, NT line and the consumer version of Microsoft Windows were standardized and converted into a common product line. With the XP version can merge " unsafe multimedia versions, DOS - based " and " safer NT versions without multimedia " be considered complete.

Windows NT 3.1

Microsoft Windows NT 3.1 was released on 27 July 1993 in two different versions.

  • Windows NT Workstation 3.1
  • Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

Windows NT 3.5

Microsoft Windows NT 3.5, codenamed " Daytona ", was released in September 1994 and constitutes a development of Windows NT 3.1 represents the surface corresponds to that of Windows 3.1. Since DOS -based Windows systems are still prevalent, was improved in comparison to Windows NT 3.1, especially the compatibility to Windows 95 programs. The revised version 3.51 came in June 1995., Windows NT 3.5 was sold in two versions.

  • Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Windows NT Server 3.5

Windows NT 4.0

Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, code name "Cairo", was released on 29 August 1996. Unlike Windows NT 3.x, Windows NT 4.0 has almost the same interface as Windows 95 - with the only difference that this is based on the NT kernel. Windows NT 4.0 is valid for this reason be more stable than Windows 95 First Windows NT 4.0, as well as Windows NT 3.x, published in two versions, in 1996 and 1998, two more versions of the operating system were finally published.

  • Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition ( 1996)
  • Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition (1998)

Windows 2000

Microsoft Windows was released on 17 February 2000, 2000 and bears the NT version 5.0. It provides enhanced support for devices and exists in four different variants. The server variants have been specifically designed in different sizes of companies out offer for the first time should replace Active Directory and the Windows NT 4.0 server.

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server

Windows XP

Microsoft Windows XP, codenamed " Whistler ", was released on 25 October 2001 and bears the NT version 5.1. It was the hitherto best -selling Windows operating system and the first to combine the major product lines " Private" and " company". Were taken forward in particular the renewal of the user interface and the integration of multimedia and the Internet.

For heated discussions provided the new product activation, which should prevent the use of black copies. Microsoft was accused of doing his approach in terms of data protection. Subsequently, the company has released the type of data transmitted.

In the report published in September 2004 " Service Pack 2", the main focus was placed on improving network security, such as a firewall has been integrated. In addition to the updates since Service Pack Service Pack 3 (SP3 ) accommodates 1 various other updated programs. The update also allows the use of Windows XP as a guest system under Microsoft's published in autumn 2008 Hyper-V virtualization solution. Moreover, SP3 optimizes the speed of the system, but has been published only for the variants of the 32-bit architecture.

A special feature of Windows XP are the N versions ( Home Edition and Professional N N) that are shipped from a European dispute which had the advantage of the quasi -monopoly position of Microsoft to content without pre-installed Windows Media Player. These versions are only available in the European Union. Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is tailored specifically to the 64 -bit architecture version of the operating system and is based on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64. From Windows XP six variants have appeared.

A major criticism of previous versions of Windows was the unsatisfactory stability for home users. However, this has the appearance of Windows XP, which was the first home-use operating system from Microsoft builds on an NT -based significantly improved.

According to the computer magazine c't Windows XP is currently the most commonly infected with malicious code version of Windows. Windows XP no longer corresponds to today's security requirements by far. For example, a firewall has been provided only with the Service Pack 2, newer technologies such as Adressverwürfelung or introduced since Windows Vista UAC missing or can be manually upgrade consuming.

  • Windows XP Home Edition
  • Windows XP Home Edition N (2005)
  • Windows XP Professional
  • Windows XP Professional N (2005)
  • Windows XP Professional x64 Edition ( 2005)
  • Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2004 (2004)

In addition, two other systems have been developed that are based on the kernel of Windows XP, but is clearly distinguished from the original versions:

  • Windows PE ( Preinstallation Environment ), an existing almost exclusively from the kernel version of Windows XP.
  • Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs ( code-named " Monk " and " Eiger "), a specially optimized for operation on thin client version of the operating system.

Windows Server 2003

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 was released in 2003 as a server version of Windows XP and carries the NT version 5.2. The x64 versions ( x64 Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition x64 and x64 Datacenter Edition ) are tailored specifically to the 64 -bit versions of the operating system architecture. From Windows Server 2003, a total of five variants have appeared.

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Standard Edition ( 2005)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Enterprise Edition ( 2005)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Datacenter Edition (2005)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003

Windows Vista

Microsoft Windows Vista, codenamed "Longhorn", was released on 30 November 2006 for companies and on 30 January 2007 for home and carries the NT version 6.0. After a first alpha version in early 2002 the release date was postponed several times, but could not all the planned features are implemented ( for example, the WinFS file system extension ). The graphical user interface has been redesigned and offers the modes Aero Basic and Aero Glass.

All product versions have been published both as versions for the 32 -bit architecture as well as versions for the 64- bit architecture. Besides the familiar Windows XP N versions ( Home Basic N and Business N) without pre-installed Windows Media Player and K versions ( Home Basic K and business K) exist which are delivered without pre-installed Windows Media Player and Windows Messenger. Unlike the N versions, which are available exclusively in the European Union, the K versions are only available in Korea. The Starter version of Windows Vista was not released in Europe. A total of ten variants have appeared.

  • Microsoft Windows Vista Starter
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic N
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic K
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Business
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Business N
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Business K
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows Embedded, a modular version of Windows Vista for Embedded Systems
Windows Vista TV Pack 2008

Windows Vista TV Pack 2008, code name " Fiji " is a revised version of the Windows Media Center, which was released in August 2008 for Windows Vista. The package is only available for OEM customers, asks for the Service Pack 1 of Windows Vista and includes support for new digital TV standards.

Windows Server 2008

Windows 7

Microsoft Windows 7 was announced in 2000 under the code name Blackcomb and should replacement for Windows XP. Microsoft, however, 2001 decided to publish between Windows XP and Blackcomb another version of Windows, which was later called Windows Vista. 2006 also changed to the code name Blackcomb to Vienna and later decided to use the name Windows 7 is sold as both 32- bit and 64- bit version since 22 October 2009. The first service pack was released on February 22, 2011. Windows 7 includes Internet browser Internet Explorer 8

Windows 7 has been released in six versions:

  • Windows 7 Starter
  • Windows 7 Home Basic
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Ultimate

Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Server 2008 R2 is the server version of Windows 7 Important changes to Windows Server 2008, the server variant of Windows Vista are for example the support of 256 logical CPU cores, the renunciation of the version for 32bit x86 processors and the introduction of Direct Access; Windows Server 2008 R2 is thus available only for x86 systems with 64 -bit support and the Itanium architecture.

Windows 8

The successor of Windows 7 is called Windows 8 In 2007, the code name "Mystic" and were for "Orient" used. Windows 8 was released on 26 October 2012.

In January 2011 it was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that Windows 8 will not only support the conventional x86, but also the ARM architecture of the three largest producers Nvidia, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments.

Windows 8 was released on 26 October 2012 for the general public. Microsoft Windows 8 sold in the first three months at a greatly reduced price.

Windows 8 has been released in four versions:

  • Windows 8
  • Windows 8 Pro
  • Windows 8 Enterprise
  • RT Windows ( version for ARM processors )

Windows RT

Microsoft Windows RT, during the development phase as well as Windows on ARM (short: WOA ), is a version of the Windows operating system from Microsoft for devices based on the ARM architecture, such as tablet computers. It was officially completed on 1 August 2012 will be delivered exclusively with new appliances and is therefore not to purchase as a standalone product for end users.

Windows RT has much in common with Windows 8, since both significant parts of the same source code to use and based on the same kernel.

Windows Phone 8

Microsoft's Windows Phone 8, during the development phase known under the code name Apollo, is the latest version of the Windows operating system for mobile phones. Unlike its predecessor, Windows Phone 7, it is no longer based on Windows CE, but the same Windows NT kernel as Windows 8 and Windows RT. It was officially launched on 20 June 2012 at the Windows Phone Summit in San Francisco.

Windows Server 2012

Microsoft Windows Server 2012, which is available since 4 September 2012 working title Microsoft Windows Server 8, is the successor of the operating system Windows Server 2008 R2, the software manufacturer Microsoft.

On February 29, 2012 Microsoft released with Windows 8, a pre-release version of the operating system. Previously published in the conference " Build Windows " in September 2011, a development version of the operating system.

CE line

The CE line was designed for mobile devices such as Pocket PCs, Smartphones, and PDAs, and provides its own product line dar. addition to those listed here, there are other versions versions for individual device types and main processors.

Windows CE

  • Windows CE 1.0 ( November 1996)
  • Windows CE 2.0 ( September 1997)
  • Windows CE 3.0 (30 July 2000)
  • Windows CE. NET 4.0 (1 April 2002)
  • Windows CE 5.0 (31 August 2004)
  • Windows CE 5.1 (May 2005, as part of Windows Mobile 5, not available separately )
  • Windows CE 5.2 (February 2007, as part of Windows Mobile 6, not available separately )
  • Windows Embedded CE 6.0 (November 1, 2006)
  • Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 (13 November 2007)
  • Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3 (3 October 2009)
  • Windows Embedded Compact 7 (1 March 2011 )
  • Windows Embedded Compact 2013 (June 2013)

Pocket PC

  • Pocket PC
  • Pocket PC 2001
  • Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition with phone functions and for smartphones without touchscreen

Windows Mobile

  • Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Phone Edition with phone functions and for smartphones without touchscreen
  • Phone Edition with phone functions and for smartphones without touchscreen
  • Classic Edition for PDAs
  • Professional Edition for PDAs with calling feature
  • Standard Edition for smartphones
  • Classic Edition for PDAs
  • Professional Edition for PDAs with calling feature
  • Standard Edition for smartphones
  • Classic Edition for PDAs
  • Professional Edition for PDAs with calling feature
  • Standard Edition for smartphones

Windows Phone

  • Windows Phone 7 - has been available since 21 October 2010.

The successor of Windows Phone 8 is no longer counts for CE line, but the NT line by using the Windows NT kernel.

Other

  • Microsoft Windows Automotive

Platform

The concept of Microsoft Windows is to be a binary-compatible as possible platform for application programs. This is realized through the stable Win32 API and extensions thereof. Windows has revolved an open platform, which means that everyone can fully write applications for Windows and distribute, as no permission from Microsoft or the acquisition fee documentation for it is necessary. Microsoft is also why market leaders because the backward compatibility of the Windows platform has long possessed the highest priority in the development of Windows. Such a stable binary compatible platform has the advantage that applications do not need to be adjusted for each Windows version (past or future ), but the platform provider is responsible for the compatibility for application program provider. Microsoft has therefore an ever-increasing amount of application-specific work- arounds, so-called "shims ", need to be integrated into each new Windows version. For the user, there is the advantage that it is in the desired version can continue to use after a Windows upgrade their familiar software and it does not have to wait for an adjustment or change to a different software. Disadvantage of this stable but proprietary Windows platform is the lock-in effect, which makes a change of operating system due to lack of interoperability unattractive.

"The logical conclusion of this is if you're trying to sell did operating systems, the most important thing to do is make software developers want to develop software for your operating System. "

" The logical conclusion from this is that the most important thing is if you want to sell operating systems to move software developers to want to program software for its own operating system. "

"The big value of Windows is the factthat it's old technology did runs everyone 's apps. If we came out with at operating system did Looked like Windows but could not run your Windows apps, it would not be Windows. Nobody would want it. "

"The great added value of Windows is the fact that it is an old technology to run on everybody's applications. If we were to put an operating system on the market that looks like Windows but not Windows applications could run, it would not be Windows. No one would want it. "

The Windows operating systems family is the market leader in the PC market, with a share of 80 to 90 % has according to various WebStat counter, followed by Apple operating systems.

Security

Because modern malware programmers are primarily interested sensitive information from end users, Windows is here with its high prevalence in the user area for them a popular destination dar.

Since the time of the development of Windows NT, the present-day relevance of the Internet was misjudged by Microsoft, the company neglected the first Internet security. In addition, Windows was delivered to Windows Server 2003 by default deactivated safety options and also vulnerable (albeit useful ) services were enabled. Bruce Schneier's Counterpane In June 2005 Internet Security has reported that they had seen more than 1,000 new viruses and worms for Windows systems in the last six months.

Around the turn of the millennium, Microsoft announced that the subject of security will henceforth highest importance attributed. The much needed system for automatic updates was first introduced with Windows 2000. The result was that the Service Pack 2 for Windows XP and Service Pack 1 for Windows Server were installed much faster by customers in 2003, as was the case in previous updates. Microsoft distributes security patches through its Windows Update system usually once a month as part of the so-called patch day.

Ever since the very present in the media computer worm W32.Blaster and its derivatives in 2003, Microsoft has placed the central focus on Internet security with Windows Vista. In addition, large parts of the code that was known by the accidental release of a portion of the source code of Windows 2000, replaced. This had the success that in Vista after its introduction significantly fewer vulnerabilities were uncovered than in Windows XP. The additional security is mainly attributed to the newly developed UAC, but also attracts restrictions in operating comfort by yourself. Furthermore, as already vulnerabilities have been discovered in the User Account Control, which could be exploited by malicious programs.

With Windows 7, the security issues have continued to decline. Because of the significant advancement of the security measures soft attacker now increasingly on vulnerabilities in third-party programs.

Safety analyzes of third parties

A study conducted by Kevin Mitnick and the agency Avantgarde in 2004 led to the conclusion that an unpatched installation of Windows XP with Service Pack 1 already after four minutes attacked by an infection, if it was directly connected to the Internet (including was accessible from the network). This very short time comes, among others, by the lack of Windows Firewall in combination with the vulnerability in the Windows RPC service concluded, but also by unfavorable default settings. Since Windows XP Service Pack 2 firewall is already integrated and enabled by default, so that the study comes here to significantly better results.

Security experts iSec come in a at the Black Hat 2011 study presented to the conclusion that Windows 7 is more secure than Mac OS X. The latter, in the network some weaknesses. The authors, although the security of Mac OS X 10.5 " Leopard" to 10.7 " Lion " have mainly been tested, but also come to the conclusion that Windows 7 is more secure than Mac OS X 10.7.

Software

By default, the operating system supports programs for the native Windows platform, and since Windows Vista also standard. NET programs. Windows runtime environments for Java offered by both Microsoft and Sun Microsystems as well as by other vendors. In some editions of the Windows NT kernel versions with even the POSIX subsystem is included, but this is in practice meaningless, since important elements such as POSIX symbolic links and a POSIX -compliant shell missing. POSIX - compliant applications often can not be ported or only with very great effort on Windows operating systems. However, there is an abstraction layer that makes it possible to compile the most available in the source code Unix and Linux programs virtually unchanged even on Windows, with Cygwin. The programs are not binary compatible, however.

Kernel - mode drivers for Windows Vista 64- bit version must be signed in order to be automatically loaded during system boot. This signing is, however, a fee for the hardware manufacturer.

Controversy distributed applications

In older versions of Windows, some components were integrated into the system, that they were no longer separable for the user, and according to Microsoft could no longer be separated. This integration presented in view of the dominant position of the operating system a competitive advantage over producers of alternative components dar. This problem has particularly affected the web browser (Internet Explorer), as well as the Media Player or Windows Explorer. Microsoft argues that these programs nowadays no more special needs served, but were moved so in the area of general interest, that they have their right to exist as integral components of the operating system. In fact, there is hardly an operating system that did not also integrates these applications. Since Windows XP ( then also in the Service Pack 3 for Windows 2000), Microsoft provides functions that allow the user to define its standard programs different from the supplied programs.

The monopoly has contributed to the fact that free developers are currently trying to develop a binärkompatibles with ReactOS Windows operating system. It will allow users to use a free alternative operating system, which in contrast to Linux, the same devices and applications support.

Crypto Controversy

The cryptography library of Windows includes two public key; heard during the first key Microsoft was the importance of the second key, which is included in all versions of Windows since Windows 95 OSR2, initially unknown. When the Service Pack 5 was released with Windows NT 4.0 and Microsoft forgot to remove the debug symbols, developers found the names of the keys. The first key was _KEY, whereas the second is _NSAKEY. This immediately sparked speculation that the second key of the National Security Agency ( NSA) belong and it allowed him to sign your own applications and thus to compromise Windows systems. The Windows developer initially refused to take a position on this Fund, Microsoft later released a press release in which they denied any relation to this key U.S. NSA authority.

Developers also found, however, that the beta version of Windows 2000, which at that time was still in development, a third key contained what surprised the Windows developers themselves. Microsoft claimed later in the same press release that this key only served to sign cryptographic service provider for testing purposes.

MS-DOS X86-64 Graphical Environment Manager WIMP (computing) Computer icon Windows NT 3.51 Memphis (Tennessee) Georgia (U.S. state) MIPS architecture DEC Alpha Windows Home Server Windows XP editions#Windows XP Embedded Mark Russinovich Windows-Firewall Black Hat Briefings .NET Framework Debugsymbol Ian Murdock Duncan Campbell (journalist) Windows Home Server 2011 Integrated Authority File
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