Windows turns 40 — here's the 20 best (and worst) moments in Windows history

A retrospective celebrating Windows' 40th anniversary, chronicling 20 pivotal moments from its 1985 launch to present day. Covers major releases (Windows 95, XP, Vista, 8), iconic features (Minesweeper, Clippy, Internet Explorer), gaming innovations (DirectX, 3D Pinball), failed experiments (Windows Phone, Games for Windows Live, Windows RT), and the landmark 1998 antitrust case. Highlights how Windows evolved from a $99 GUI overlay on MS-DOS to the dominant desktop operating system, while acknowledging both its successes in popularizing personal computing and its missteps in mobile and user experience.