Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Microsoft

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

By Greg Shultz June 16, 2010, 2:35 AM PDT

Image
1
of 26

435248.jpg
435248.jpg
Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Ever since the dawn of the Windows operating system,rnMicrosoft has used splash screens to distract us while the OS is loading. Inrnaddition to their entertainment value, the Windows splash screens have typicallyrnprovided us with feedback on the progress of the (sometimes lengthy)rnstartup process.

In this gallery, you’ll bernable to browse through all the splash screens from Windows 1.01 to Windows 10.

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 1.01

Windows 1.01

Microsoft released Windows 1.01 on November 20, 1985

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 2.03

Windows 2.03

Microsoft released Windows 2.03 on November 1, 1987

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 3.0

Windows 3.0

Microsoft released Windows 3.0 on May 22, 1990

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows For Workgroups 3.11

Windows For Workgroups 3.11

Microsoft released Windows For Workgroups 3.11 on November 1, 1993

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows NT 3.1

Windows NT 3.1

Microsoft released Windows NT 3.1 on July 27, 1993

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server

Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server

Microsoft released Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server on July 27, 1993

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows NT Workstation 3.5

Windows NT Workstation 3.5

Microsoft released Windows NT Workstation 3.5 on September 21, 1994

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows NT Server 3.5

Windows NT Server 3.5

Microsoft released Windows NT Server 3.5 on September 21, 1994

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows NT Workstation 3.51

Windows NT Workstation 3.51

Microsoft released Windows NT Workstation 3.51 on May 30, 1995

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows NT Server 3.51

Windows NT Server 3.51

Microsoft released Windows NT Server 3.51 on May 30, 1995

windows95-editorial.jpg
windows95-editorial.jpg
Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 95

Image: Shutterstock

Windows 95

Microsoft released Windows 95 on August 24, 1995

Image: Shutterstock
Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows NT Workstation 4.0

Windows NT Workstation 4.0

Microsoft released Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on August 24, 1996

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows NT Server 4.0

Windows NT Server 4.0

Microsoft released Windows NT Server 4.0 on August 24, 1996

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 98

Windows 98

Microsoft released Windows 98 on June 25, 1998

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 98 SE

Windows 98 SE

Microsoft released Windows 98 SE on May 5, 1999

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 2000 Professional

Windows 2000 Professional

Microsoft released Windows 2000 Professional on February 17, 2000

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 2000 Server

Windows 2000 Server

Microsoft released Windows 2000 Server on February 17, 2000

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows ME

Windows ME

Microsoft released Windows ME on September 14, 2000

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows XP Home

Windows XP Home

Microsoft released Windows XP Home on October 25, 2001

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows XP Professional

Windows XP Professional

Microsoft released Windows XP Professional on October 25, 2001

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition

Microsoft released Windows XP 64-Bit Edition on October 25, 2001

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows XP SP2

Windows XP SP2

Microsoft released Windows XP SP2 on August 6, 2004

Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows Vista

Windows Vista

Microsoft released Windows Vista on January 30, 2007

Windows Vista’s splash screen actually has two parts to it, here we have the progress bar…

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft released Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 onrnOctober 22, 2009. Both had the same splash screen.

Windows 8\/8.1
Windows 8\/8.1
Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

Windows 8/8.1

Windows 8/8.1

Microsoft released Windows 8 on October 26, 2012. Almost onernyear later, on October 17, 2013, Microsoft released Windows 8.1.

Windows 8 and 8.1 hadrnthe same splash screen. (Windows Server 2012 was released on September 4, 2012. WindowsrnServer 2012 R2 was released on October 18, 2013. Both shared the same splash screen as Windows 8/8.1)

  • Microsoft
  • Software
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10

    Your email has been sent

Share: Visual history: Windows splash screens from 1.01 to 10
Image of Greg Shultz
By Greg Shultz
My first computer was a Kaypro 16 \"luggable\" running MS-DOS 2.11 which I obtained while studying computer science in 1986. After two years, I discovered that I had a knack for writing documentation and shifted my focus over to technical writing.
  • Account Information

    Contact Greg Shultz

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Greg's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×