Draft:Explorer

Windows Explorer is the default GUI in Microsoft Windows. Explorer is responsible for the desktop, taskbar and start menu. It was introduced in the Windows 95 Usability Testing Builds, replacing the old Program Manager used in Windows 3.x.

Windows 95
Microsoft first tested a shell refresh during the development of Windows 95. Dubbed the Shell Technology Preview, this was a brand new interface designed to replace the old Program Manager, used in Windows 3.x. Shell Technology Preview.

Windows Desktop Update
In Windows 98, the Quick Launch utility was added. This makes it convenient for users to launch programs straightly from the taskbar instead of looking for it in the Start menu. It was ported to the Windows NT line with Windows 2000. It can also be installed onto Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 with the Windows Desktop Update included in Internet Explorer 4.

Windows XP
With the release of Windows XP, Visual styles were added, which redesigned Windows Explorer and the shell as a whole.

Windows Vista
During the development of Windows Vista, a search panel was added to the start menu. It was also updated to have Aero effects.

Windows 7
In Windows 7, the Quick Launch feature was removed (albeit you could still re-enable it with a toolbar) and replaced with a program pinning system. Windows 7 also made the taskbar larger with the introduction of the Superbar in build 6469.

Windows 8/8.1
During the development of Windows 8, the start menu was scrapped entirely and replaced with a Start screen. This was widely criticized due to the interface mainly being designed for use on tablets and difficult to use with the mouse. Windows 8.1 allowed the user to skip the Start screen after startup and to directly boot into the desktop. Some features missing with the Start screen were readded with Windows 8.1 Update 1, such as Search and Power buttons and context menus. A planned Start menu in style of the Start screen shipped with Update 3 for ARM32 devices, with the x86 and x64 implementations instead appearing in pre-release builds of Windows 10.

Windows 10
During the development of Windows 10, a search and task view button was added to the taskbar. The start menu was added back in build 9780. The Start menu appearance then changed in Windows 10 Anniversary Update, with the Explorer, All Apps, Settings and Power buttons moving to a separate menu at the left edge of the menu. It can be expanded by clicking or tapping on the menu button at the top. Since Windows 10 November 2019 Update, it automatically expands if the mouse cursor is hovered over the menu. A full screen appearance of the Start menu can be activated over the Settings.

Windows 11
In Windows 11 build 21996, a centered taskbar and brand new start menu was added. A search box in the menu was not added until build 22000.65. In the 22H2 update, Application Folders were added, as well as the ability to choose the start menu layout.