Why Windows 8?

Everton | Jul 25, 2009 | Comments


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Windows 8’s name was chosen because it will be the 8th version of Windows. Double-checking this isn’t as easy as you may think and trips up many people. Here are the Windows versions that preceded Windows 8:

  1. Windows 1.0
  2. Windows 2.0
  3. Windows 3.0
  4. Windows 95 (Windows 4.0)
  5. Windows 2000 (Windows 5.0)
  6. Windows Vista (Windows 6.0)
  7. Windows 7 – Launching October 22nd 2009
  8. Windows 8!

Now, some of you who are paying attention will notice that Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows Millennium. This is because:

  • Windows NT was actually treated asw Windows 3.1
  • Windows 98, 98SE and Windows Millennium shipped as 4.0.1998, 4.10.2222, and 4.90.3000

Now, to make matters even more confusing Microsoft have versioned Windows 7 as Windows 6.1. However, they are still treating it as ‘Windows 7′ because of the significance of the release.

There you go – hope that makes sense now!


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About the Author: Everton is based in London and has worked in the internet and mobile space for over ten years now, and before that worked in corporate strategy and consulting. He has a degree in Economics from Cambridge University, and currently runs the Portal and online operations for one of the largest ISPs in the UK.He also writes for Windows 7 News, Connected Internet and One Tip A Day.

  • That was the first thing I thought. XP is, arguably, Windows most successful OS. Funny to see 98SE referenced but not XP.
    .-= bobisimo´s last blog ..The Parade Continues =-.
  • go4it7arh
    I think the reason they have it like that is because Windows XP is just windows 2000 with a theming experience, really. That's most of the difference, at least. I mean there was a lot of bugfixes too, but yeah. Same with Windows 7. It's called Windows 6.1 because it's Vista with tons of fixes, instead of entirely redesigned.
  • yes, XP was 5.1
  • Adam Tiley
    Does that mean that they are planning the next OS to be big....Windows vista was a step to something big and apparently it was just a 'beta' of an upcoming O.S, maybe Windows 7 is the same? Maybe Microsoft are planning their Windows to eventually become insanely amazing! ...Or maybe not..
  • I think microsoft have cheated a bit by calling Vista 6.0 and not 5.2, as Windows 7 really deserved the jump to 6 in my view and not Vista.

    Given that Vista to Windows 7 still isn't a big jump, I think Windows 8 will warrant a new number
  • wier11
    Windows 7 is 6.1 because of compatibility issues. Programs that check the win version to be 6.x will be compatible with win 7 too, because the core of it doesnt differ that much from Vista!
  • khairul1
    Microsoft said that the reason they didn't jump to 7.0 is because of program compatibility issues. Some older programs will be happy to operate on a system that's got a 6 at the beginning but nothing more than that.

    Apparently, Microsoft learnt that lesson from Vista.
  • JMR
    and where is windows XP on this list?
  • see comments - XP was 5.1
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