<P> The original Adobe Acrobat Reader executable file for MS - DOS was able to run on both the standard Windows 3. x GUI and the standard DOS command prompt . When it was launched from the command prompt, on a machine with a VGA graphics card, it provided its own GUI . </P> <P> Windows 1.0, a GUI for the MS - DOS operating system was released in 1985 . The market's response was less than stellar . Windows 2.0 followed, but it wasn't until the 1990 launch of Windows 3.0, based on Common User Access that its popularity truly exploded . The GUI has seen minor redesigns since, mainly the networking enabled Windows 3.11 and its Win32s 32 - bit patch . The 16 - bit line of MS Windows were discontinued with the introduction of Windows 95 and Windows NT 32 - bit based architecture in the 1990s . See the next section . </P> <P> The main window of a given application can occupy the full screen in maximized status . The users must then to switch between maximized applications using the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut; no alternative with the mouse except for de-maximize . When none of the running application windows are maximized, switching can be done by clicking on a partially visible window, as is the common way in other GUIs . </P> <P> In 1988, Apple sued Microsoft for copyright infringement of the LISA and Apple Macintosh GUI . The court case lasted 4 years before almost all of Apple's claims were denied on a contractual technicality . Subsequent appeals by Apple were also denied . Microsoft and Apple apparently entered a final, private settlement of the matter in 1997 . </P>

Windows 98 is not a gui based operating system