Windows 95 Operating System
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A Windows 95 Operating System is a consumer operating system that introduced the Windows desktop interface with Start menu and taskbar while maintaining MS-DOS compatibility.
- AKA: Windows 95, Win95, Chicago (codename), Windows 4.0.
- Context:
- It can typically provide Graphical User Interface through 32-bit windowing systems.
- It can typically support Plug and Play Hardware using automatic device detection.
- It can often enable Long Filename Support via VFAT file system.
- It can often facilitate Preemptive Multitasking through 32-bit application support.
- It can support MS-DOS Compatibility using DOS mode operation.
- It can enable Network Connectivity via TCP/IP protocol stack.
- It can facilitate Multimedia Playback through DirectX APIs.
- It can range from being a Windows 95 Original to being a Windows 95 OSR2, depending on its release version.
- It can range from being a Minimal Windows 95 Operating System to being a Plus! Enhanced Windows 95 Operating System, depending on its add-on packages.
- It can range from being a Standalone Windows 95 Operating System to being a Networked Windows 95 Operating System, depending on its connectivity configuration.
- It can range from being a Clean Windows 95 Operating System to being a Upgraded Windows 95 Operating System, depending on its installation method.
- ...
- Examples:
- Windows 95 Releases, such as:
- Windows 95 RTM - initial release August 1995.
- Windows 95 OSR1 - service release 1.
- Windows 95 OSR2 - included FAT32 support.
- Windows 95 OSR2.5 - added USB support.
- Windows 95 Components, such as:
- Windows 95 Explorer - file management shell.
- Windows 95 Start Menu - application launcher.
- Windows 95 Taskbar - task switching interface.
- ...
- Windows 95 Releases, such as:
- Counter-Examples:
- Windows NT Operating System, which uses true 32-bit kernel.
- Windows 3.1 Operating System, which lacks integrated networking.
- MS-DOS Operating System, which provides command-line only.
- See: Windows Operating System, Windows NT Operating System, MS-DOS Operating System, Start Menu Interface, Taskbar Interface, Windows Shell Porting Task, Dave Plummer, Consumer Operating System, 32-bit Operating System.