Windows 95 released August 24, 1995

Microsoft released Windows 95 on August 24, 1995, to unprecedented anticipation, with people lining up for blocks to purchase the $79 upgrade. The release was highly anticipated because Windows 95 introduced pre-emptive multitasking and better scalability compared to Windows 3.x, allowing it to run efficiently on newer processors like the Pentium. Retailers and hardware makers capitalized on this demand, with Best Buy training employees to encourage customers to buy computers compatible with Windows 95, knowing many would return to purchase upgrades and additional hardware once the OS's demands exceeded their current systems' capabilities.