Microsoft Encarta
 The Main screen of Encarta '95 | |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
|---|---|
| Initial release date | 1993 |
| Latest release date | 2008 |
Microsoft Encarta is a digital encyclopedia program made by Microsoft. It was initially released on CD-ROM in 1993 and was also available on the Internet via an annual subscription on the Microsoft Network being identical to Encarta '95, but branded as "Intro Edition". It would be announced that the product be discontinued in June 2009,[1] while the online version, MSN Encarta, was discontinued in all regions on 31 October 2009, except for Encarta Japan, where it was discontinued two months later on 31 December 2009.[2]
Timeline[edit | edit source]
| Name | Release date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Encarta (original release)[3] | 1993 | First edition of Encarta |
| Encarta 1994 Edition | ||
| Encarta '95 | 1994 | Also available for Macintosh |
| Encarta 96 | 1995 |
|
| Encarta 97 | 1996 | Last version to support Windows 3.1 |
| Encarta 98 | 1997 | First to have "Virtual Globe" |
| Encarta 99 | 1998 | Introduced redesigned UI |
| Encarta 2000 | 1999 | First to have "Map Treks" and last version to support Windows 95 |
| Encarta 2001 | 2000 | First to use Windows Installer as installer engine |
| Encarta 2002 | 2001 |
|
| Encarta 2003 | 2002 | |
| Encarta 2004 | 2003 | Last version to support Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98 and Windows Me |
| Encarta 2005 | 2004 | New logo |
| Encarta 2006 | 2005 | Part of Microsoft Students |
| Encarta 2007 | 2006 | |
| Encarta 2008 | 2007 | |
| Encarta 2009 | 2008 | Last release of Encarta |