An interface or graphical user interface (GUI) runs “on top” of an operating system and you deal with pictures and other graphics instead of typing in words. Again, what does this mean?  Well, to put it simply, most people prefer working through graphics and clicking then having to remember commands that they type in. The general populace is not too excited to look at a command prompt and then having to know correct word (command) to type in to accomplish what they want to get done. Whether they want to type a letter, send an email or browse the web, the average user wants to be able to accomplish the task-not to have a steep learning curve to get to this point.
  Microsoft developed two branches of the Windows operating system toward the end of the 1980s.
  One branch was based on MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System or can be called just DOS).  This branch included DOS-based Windows 95-then Windows 98 –Windows 98 second edition, Windows 2000, and Windows Me (Windows Millenium). Of these, actually Windows 95 and Windows 98, second edition were the best since they were the most stable of this early group of Windows systems with the home user as the target user. Soon after the new millenium, in 2001, Windows XP arrived. Even stretching into this new millennium, a lot of people still use Windows XP and, for an older computer, this is the best choice for an operating system in Microsoft Windows arena. It is relatively stable and very usable by the average person with their personal computer for word processing, networking, Internet, etc.
  The second branch of Windows first became eventually Windows NT which was developed around early 1992 This OS is different from Windows 98 second edition and came out after an operating system called OS/2 which Microsoft originally developed with IBM in late 1980s.  Then, wanting to improve OS/2, Microsoft hired Dave Cutler in 1988. Instead of improving OS/2, he developed a new operating system and it became Windows NT 3.1 in 1992 At a conference in 1992, Microsoft thought in terms of developing separately 2 lines of operating systems, Windows NT and Windows 98.
  Each line of Windows operating systems had its own strengths and weaknesses which could lead to frustration to some users and, of course, there is an adjustment to new usages and new characteristics. When Windows NTcame out, at that point in time, it was more stable and good for advanced networking especially but worked best and was most compatible with hardware of larger machines so tended to be used my businesses.  When Windows NT 4.0 came out ,it was available as for workstations and servers for businesses. Usually the employees would use workstation version and network with NT servers. Individuals would go to the more complicated Windows NT server machine for files, applications, printing, and other needs or services. With servers, there were needed organization and centralization of functions.
   Windows NT developed into Windows 2000 (the name given instead of NT5) on that year. This operating system was more geared like NT to business use. There was one client (for the individual) and 3 server versions.  Windows 2000 did have restrictions on users even at workstation level-for use and individual-and server level it was quite involved. Still the average user could manage with Windows 2000 since the basic interface (the look of it) was similar to Windows 98 second edition, but more complexity lay beneath.  Still, this operating system was not the best for the average home user because of restrictions on the user, unneeded complexity for most, not compatible with many popular programs that would run on Windows 98, second edition, and driver problems. It was, however, more stable then Windows 98, second edition.
  The two lines of Windows, had their own strengths and weaknesses-and the weaknesses in the DOS-based Windows like the freezing in Windows 98, second edition --and Windows Me was the most problematic feature of these earlier Windows versions.

  Finally, a better operating system came out for the home user beginning in 2001, Windows XP with the two versions Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional (for business users). The Windows NT/2000 line and the Windows 3.1/95/98/ME finally merged into a decent operating system. Hooray!
  With Windows XP, there was less of the frustrating freezing and being forced to reboot of the DOS-based Windows line: i.e., more stability.  Still the look was not that different from basic Windows but it was more slick looking and you had more choices to fine-tune the desktop to ones liking.  With Service Pack 2 added to Windows XP, there was finally more security-which was a major problem that also plagued Windows all along.
 Next time-wise, came Windows Vista, with 4 possible versions to buy (Home Basic, Business, Home Premium, Ultimate). Windows Vista had a lot of useful programs built in like Windows Movie maker and Windows DVD Maker, Windows Photo Gallery, a mail client (Windows Mail) which is an upgraded Outlook Express and others. For the home user Home Premium is the best.
  Unfortunately, there were two very significant problems with Windows Vista in that it ran quite slow and required a lot of computer resources (fast processor and lots of memory for that time period), and the security is severely overdone. Particularly annoying is User Account Control which pops up to confirm if you want to do even some small change.
    Then, one of the better operating systems, Windows 7 was developed and it was a major improvement over Windows Vista and had many fewer problems. Especially one does not have as much freezing and just fewer problems overall. Windows 7 is still the Windows operating system that many users now prefer.
  Then Microsoft, to me, made a bad decision and created Windows 8. I think the idea was that with people starting to be getting used to mobile devices with computing capacities like tablets and smart phones, many liked that look and Microsoft seemed to have wanted to incorporate that look into Windows 8. However, the way that was done was to basically have 2 very different desktops and it was hard to switch from one to the other. Also, the start menu was removed which I believe was a very big mistake. The net result was severe confusion and frustration! I remember when Windows 8 came out and I didn't know one person who actually liked it. An especially annoying aspect was when you finally got a program opened that filled the whole screen, then it was very difficult to close. The so-called live tiles were a mixed blessing. That was a fairly good idea, but fairly often the live tiles would "die"-they would stop working! Windows 8.1 was some improvement and there is software available to bring back the start menu -but I certainly wouldn't recommend it!
  Finally Windows 10 came  along in 2015 and I think it is the very best Windows operating system. I upgraded all of my Windows 7 computers to Windows 10 when Windows 10 was available for free download and I am very glad that I did. Some people are fearful of adjusting to Windows 10 and indeed there are differences, but learning how to use Windows 10 is well worth the effort. The live tiles are there-but they are not intrusive and are part of just one desktop. Also the start menu is back and that is absolutely joyful!
  Basically, as any long time user of Windows will know, Windows is windows and once you’ve obtained the basic skills, it’s easy to learn any new version.