2.2 Microsoft Windows
Microsoft offers different versions of its operating system according to the machine’s role: desktop or server? The desktop version of Windows has undergone various naming schemes with the current version (as of this writing) being simply Windows 11. While new versions of most Linux distributions come out twice a year, around March and September, new versions of Windows tend to be released only every few years. In all, there have been 16 versions of Windows since 1985. Backward compatibility is a priority for Microsoft, even going so far as to bundle virtual machine technology so that users can run older software.
Windows Server currently (as of this writing) is at version 2019 to denote the release date. The server can run a GUI but recently Microsoft, largely as a competitive response to Linux, has made incredible strides in its command line scripting capabilities through PowerShell and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). There is also an optional Desktop Experience package which mimics a standard productivity machine. Microsoft also actively encourages enterprise customers to incorporate its Azure cloud service.