Absolutely brilliant: Windows upgrades through the years

Video shows Windows Upgrades for every version of Windows from 1.0

By Microsoft Subnet on Thu, 03/03/11 - 6:30pm.

What is Tech Briefcase?

TechBriefcase is a new, free service where IT Professionals can Search, Store and Share IT white papers and content like this. Learn more

Bookmark content

Speed up your research efforts with content across the web.

Search and Store

Find the white papers you need. Create folders for any topic.

View Anywhere

Open your briefcase on your iPhone, tablet or desktop. Share with colleagues.

Don't have an account yet?

Here's a brilliant video from Chain of Fools showing an upgrade installation of every version of Windows since 1.0 (with the exception of ME, since ME couldn't be upgraded to Windows 2000).

You can see how Windows strength is its backward compatibility: 20 years worth! I actually still have one of those 16-bit Windows 2000 applications running today on my Windows 7 machine: Cardfile ... and I use it almost daily. Cardfile was an application to replicate the old physical Rolodex which was what people used as a contact manager back in the day. I shocked one of Network World's desktop IT specialists when I insisted on installing it on Windows 7 ("Why do you still want to run a 16-bit Windows accessory app?" She gawked. ... I answered in two parts: 1) I've got my contacts in it and if it ain't broke, I don't want to fix it by using something else and 2) because I can.)

What ancient Windows apps do you still run?

Enjoy the trip down memory lane.

Tags

About The Microsoft Update

Julie Bort is the editor of Microsoft Subnet and Network World's Online Community Editor. She also writes the Open Source Subnet blog and is the editor responsible for the Cisco Subnet and Open Source Subnet web sites. If you have an idea for a blog, or a news tip on Microsoft, Cisco or Open Source technologies, contact her at jbort@nww.com, 970-482-6454 or follow Julie on Twitter @Julie188.

The Microsoft Subnet blog is the official blog of the Network World's Microsoft Subnet community. Microsoft Subnet is the independent voice of Microsoft customers and is your gateway to daily Microsoft news, blogs, opinion, books, prize giveaways and more. Visit the Microsoft Subnet index page daily, and while you are there, subscribe to the Microsoft newsletter.

Policy on comments: Respectful discussion is welcomed! However comments that use inappropriate language, consist of name calling or personal attacks, or include accusations of wrongdoing are not appropriate. Those comments will be deleted or edited