Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 49 Chapter 2 Operating Systems Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1, or Windows 10 on the majority of desktop computers. Th is section references Windows operating system versions Windows 7 and later. Diff erences between operating systems are pointed out when appropriate. In October 2009, Microsoft released the Windows 7 operating system and an- nounced the end of extended support to be January 14, 2020, meaning the com- mercial life for that OS lasted just over a decade. Windows Vista and Windows 7 shared many same or similar features, though there are some diff erences. In October 2012, Microsoft introduced Windows 8 with an entirely new look and feel. In this OS, Microsoft made the attempt to make the user interface in the style of emerging mobile devices. In the process, they eliminated many popular and familiar features of earlier versions of Windows. A large number of users were so unhappy, a year later Microsoft released Windows 8.1, which restored many of the missing features. Win- dows 10 was released in July 2015. It contains both the tablet style and the tradition- al look and feel of a graphical user interface—allowing users to decide which style to run. By default, Windows 10 looks more like Windows 7 rather than Windows 8. Many of the diff erences between these operating systems will be covered later as the major features of the Windows operating systems are reviewed. Windows OS Directory Structure Th e Microsoft approach to software is like constantly trying to improve a mousetrap. Th ey keep reinventing existing features. Nowhere is there a better example of this process than comparing the directory structure of the various Windows operating system versions. As new approaches to old problems are solved and new technolo- gies are introduced, changes are refl ected in the directory structure. A directory structure consists of fi les, folders, documents, and items such as hard drive partitions, CD/DVD drives, and network locations. To make a quick comparison of the Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 directory structures, look at Figure 2-10. Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 10 Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 2-10 The Windows directory structure has remained relatively unchanged since Windows 7.