The modern operating system market selects from four primary choices including Windows and Linux with Mac and Chrome OS which form the preferred list although they were not always the dominant choices.
During the past era the operating system market hosted numerous competing alternatives which eventually combined into the three operating systems that persist today.
These previous systems no longer serve us but their useful features were integrated into operating systems that endure until the present day. We need to recall in 2025 the primary operating systems which have been lost to time.
Microsoft Xenix System
Reports that Microsoft operating systems began with DOS are false since the company introduced its first basic operating system in 1980 leading the DOS release by more than three years. Microsoft offered the system for single purchase but also included it with desktop devices.
Microsoft developed its operating systems by using the primitive system known as Unix since its founder Bill Gates predicted this operating platform as the future standard for smart computer OSs.
Microsoft along with IBM released their new operating system known as DOS through a joint partnership in the market. Xenix products were sold by Microsoft exclusively to business corporations during this period for placement on their computer systems. Each system copy cost between $2,000 to $9,000 throughout the period of its release based on the number of machine users.
Xenix separated itself from other existing systems through 16-bit processing capabilities and concurrent application operation yet it did not have a graphical interface before Santa Cruz acquired operating system rights to develop its own product.
The project ended when Microsoft focused on DOS development and followed up with OS/2 and eventually created the Windows foundation.
Open Server
The Santa Cruz Operations developed a proprietary operating system known as SCO Open Desktop and Xinous Open Server from 1989 until 2016 when Santa Cruz Operations ceased support for this product type.
The operating system initiated operations using Unix library technology but switched to FreeBSD library functionality and finished without any operating capability. The system operated as the premier challenger to Microsoft Xenix operating systems that launched at that time.
Santa Cruz operated without identifying features which define present-day operating systems like IP connectivity as well as the Windows-style graphics interface yet its long file name support alongside symbolic link functionality persisted through its development phase until its ultimate end.
OS/2
IBM maintained exclusive control over home and business computing during the 1990s thus determining both user interaction systems and industry pathway evolution. The substantial decrease in IBM’s current dimensions does not minimize the enduring industry influence from past decisions made by the company. The primary decision IBM made that determined the industry involved launching the OS/2 system with Microsoft as its partner.
This system became unsuccessful due to software challenges which made users struggle with running the combination of system requirements and graphical interface. Microsoft prepared the launch of Windows 95 operating system which introduced a new family member despite conducting repeated system updates from 1987 to 1994 when regular users gained OS/2 system access.
OS/2 failed to beat Windows 95 to market position mainly because its features were inadequate along with the graphical interface which multiple other operating systems also provided.
IBM issued the last version of the system in 2001 before completely ending support in 2006 thus ending its presence in the market.
JavaOS
During its past the company released JavaOS as an operating system for desktop computers that used its proprietary programming language to function similarly to all C-based operating systems from that era.
In 1996 the operating system made its debut and the company promoted its ability to interact with computers as well as handheld pagers. The system attracted major computer companies at that time while IBM employed it as their main platform and alternate solution beyond their typical green computing devices.
Sun Microsoft ended the operating system's development in 1999 because they steered users to Java development and independent competing operating systems.
Lindows system
During the early part of this new millennium the configuration between Windows and Linux systems reached its highest point. The dispute between operating system users divided into two groups where Windows was chosen easily by beginners and Linux appealed to advanced users who appreciated its complexity.
Linden appeared as an answer to users who needed simple operating software but could not afford Windows system prices which totaled $130 at that time.
Users found that this system required minimal installation time which amounted to ten minutes maximum and avoided complex technical requirements allowing users to experience an operating system environment similar to Windows and eliminated Windows as well as Linux usage.
Microsoft sued the system developer twice after users demanded the system because of its interface similarities to Windows and name overlaps with Microsoft systems.
Bill Gates established another lawsuit against the company through European courts even after failing to get traction at the US courts. The company's success in blocking the name's use will lead them to establish Linspire as their name and operating system. Microsoft made a $20 million offer to the company to adopt the name Linspire.
The Linspire operating system continues to exist in its 14th release cycle while the company also provides Freespire as a free Windows alternative. The Windows trademark belongs to Microsoft and no longer appears on any market.
