hide random home http://www.microsoft.com/windows/product/features.htm (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)
Learn about Windows 95IMAGEMAP
Features Windows 3.1Windows 95

A wide range of user, from novices to experts, will find it easier to learn and navigate the entire system. Independent reports from Usability Sciences confirm that both novice and experienced computer users learn faster and work more productively with Windows 95
  • Navigating the system is complicated
  • Use Alt+Tab to switch between applications
  • Files and programs are often hard to find because of file manager and program manager

Navigate your entire system more efficiently - find and do what you want easily without having to be a computer expert; for example:
  • Start button and tool bar keeps track of which applications are open and lets you easily switch between applications
  • Find files easily, even if all you know is a word in the file, or that it was created in the last 3 weeks
  • Get inter-active, on-line help with Wizards that walk you through tasks

Installing New Devices
(CD-ROM, Printer, Scanner)


Involves complicated procedures such as editing your config.sys, set IRQs, etc.
Automatically detects and installs new hardware (Plug and Play)

32-bit architecture and reliability (no more MS-DOS)
  • When one program crashes, you have to reboot the entire system, losing any unsaved data
  • 8.3 characters for naming documents
  • Frequent out of memory messages
  • Fewer crashes overall
  • You close only the errant program, leaving all other programs and data in tact (no need to re-boot)
  • Long file names
  • No more out of memory messages

Internet Capabilities
  • Need to find independent service providers
  • Incremental software required
    • Video for Windows
    • TCP/IP Protocols
  • Time consuming set-up
  • Completely internet ready; access internet without any additional configuring of your system
  • 32-bit architecture makes rendering and downloading faster; also allows multitasking while you wait for download
  • One-button "short-cuts" to favorite sites
  • Automated set up using Wizards

Entertainment
  • Need to exit to MS-DOS for MS-DOS games
  • Windows games - slow - not fast action
  • No boot disks needed-better memory management
  • Run MS-DOS games from within Windows - or while you run other applications
  • Change resolution on the fly - no disks or reboot
  • New faster action Games and multimedia titles "Designed for Windows 95"
  • Smother video in multimedia titles