Windows
1. When referring to an operating system, Windows, or win, is an operating environment created by Microsoft that provides an interface known as Graphical User Interface (GUI) for IBM compatible computers. Windows eliminates the need for a user to have to type each command at a command line, like MS-DOS, by using a mouse to navigate through drop-down menus, dialog boxes, buttons, tabs, and icons. To the right is an image of what Microsoft Windows 2000 may look like.
- Additional information on each of the Windows operating systems as well as other computer operating systems can be found on our operating system page.
- Additional information about Microsoft Windows history can be found on our Windows history page.
- Determining your version of Windows can be found here.
2. The term window is also used to describe the visual square area of a program. See our window definition for additional information about this term.
Also see: Operating system definitions, Window
