What is Windows 95? Why change from the name Windows "Chicago" to
Windows 95?

Windows 95 is the official product name of the next major version of
Microsoft Windows. Windows "Chicago"
was the code name for the development project to produce the
successor to Windows 3.x and Windowsr for
Workgroups 3.x, and this name was used until the official product
name was decided and announced.

What are the key benefits and features of Windows 95? What features
will Windows 95 not have?

Windows 95 will present a major step forward in functionality on
desktop and portable PC platforms by providing
a system that is even easier, faster and more powerful to use, and
which maintains compatibility with the
Windows- and MS-DOSr operating system-based applications and hardware
peripherals in which customers
have invested.

Ease of use will be improved through the Plug and Play architecture
and a more intuitive user interface. With the
introduction of the Windows 95 operating system, the engine of
Microsoft Windows is being revamped to
improve performance and provide smooth multitasking. Windows 95 will
be a complete, integrated 32-bit
operating system that does not require MS-DOS, although it can run
MS-DOS-based applications. It implements
the Win32r API and provides pre-emptive multitasking and multiple
threads of execution for 32-bit applications.
Windows 95 will include reliable and open networking support and high
performance, as well as messaging and
dial-up network access services.

As the successor to Windows 3.x and Windows for Workgroups 3.x,
Windows 95 will meet a number of key
requirements. First, Windows 95 will be compatible with applications
and device drivers for both MS-DOS and
Windows. When a customer upgrades to Windows 95, performance will
meet or exceed performance of
Windows 3.1, as long as the customer has an 80386DX or higher system
with at least 4 MB of RAM. For
systems with more than 4 MB of memory, performance will be improved
over Windows 3.1. The transition to the
new user interface will be easy for current users of Windows, and
companies that want to make the transition at
their own pace will still be able to run Program Manager and File
Manager during the transition period.

Windows 95 will not be processor-independent nor will it support
symmetric multiprocessing systems. Windows
95 is also not designed to meet C2-level security specifications. If
these features are important to a customer,
Windows NT™ is the right operating system to use.

What will be the hardware requirements for Windows 95?

Windows 95 will run on Intel (or compatible) 80386DX or higher
processors with a minimum of 4MB of memory
(8MB recommended). A VGA-compatible video adapter is also required.
Windows 95 is expected to use
approximately 10-15 MB additional hard disk space as a typical
upgrade from Windows 3.x or Windows for
Workgroups 3.x, and MS-DOS.

How does Windows 95 compare to the Windows 3.1, Windows for
Workgroups and Windows NT operating
systems?

Windows 95 is designed to make mainstream PCs easier and more
powerful. It will be the right choice for
customers who want to run business and personal-productivity
applications and for use on home computers.
Windows NT is designed for the most demanding business uses such as
development or advanced engineering
and financial applications. Windows NT is the right choice for
customers who need the highest level of protection
for their data and applications. Windows NT is also the right choice
for those who need scalability to
multiprocessing and RISC systems.

Why is Microsoft changing the numbering system for Windows?

Until recently, version numbers have served us well. Version numbers
helped inform customers that new versions
were available and gave some sense for the significance of the
improvements. However, our customer base has
broadened to include less technical users, and our research indicates
that even our most sophisticated customers
find our current version-numbering scheme confusing. For example,
Windows 3.1 provided far more new
capabilities than a typical 0.1 release, and Windows for Workgroups
3.11 introduced dramatically more than the
usual .01 release. We must make it easier for customers to understand
which version of our software they are
using, so they know when to consider upgrading to the next release.

Does this numbering system mean Microsoft will release a new version
of Windows every year?

No. It means that the version numbers will help give users a sense
for the "model year" of their software, in the
same way that customers have a sense of the model year of their cars
today.