PC Hardware —

Advantages of Windows 95

There are several changes, not readily visible to the user, that make Windows 95 superior to the older versions of Windows.

Windows 95 has a better system of managing computer resources: memory (RAM), video RAM, hard disk drives, and network communications.

Programs designed to run on Windows 95 carry out tasks effortlessly. They tend to be faster, more efficient, and less likely to crash than with earlier Windows programs.

Microsoft's goal was to build a backward-compatible 32-bit operating system that allowed people to continue using their favorite MS-DOS programs and existing hardware. Some additional advantages of Windows 95 are:

  • User-definable interface: The desktop is completely and easily customized by the user.

  • New accessories: The standard Windows accessory package has been improved and expanded.

  • Interconnectivity: It is designed to run as part of any network system.

  • Direct cabling: Any two computers with Windows 95 and a free COM or parallel port can be connected for data sharing. One computer acts as a host and shares its files with the other.


Lesson Summary

The following points summarize the main elements of this lesson:

  • Windows 95 is an operating system.

  • The new GUI is more user-friendly than the Windows 3.1 interface.

  • Early versions of Windows 95 are 16-bit operating systems and utilize 32-bit VFAT.

  • The final version of Windows 95 (OSR2) and Windows 98 can run either 16-bit or 32-bit FAT systems (32-bit is the default).

  • Windows 95 fully supports Plug and Play.

  • Windows 95 supports multitasking and multithreading.

  • One of the advantages of Windows 95 is its improved communication and networking capabilities.