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Original · left

Window

First in use: ancient / pre-modern
Duplicate · right

Microsoft Windows

First in use: c. 1985

Windows / Window / Microsoft Windows

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Canonical todayMeasuring…
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Duplicate share · 12 mo—
Last crossover—
Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Glass in a wall vs. Microsoft's OS.

Which meaning of Windows is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Window came first (ancient / pre-modern). Microsoft Windows arrived in 1985. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

WindowMicrosoft Windows
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

Share-of-attention line loads here.

The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · ancient / pre-modern

Window

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Duplicate · c. 1985

Microsoft Windows

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More duplicated terms

Programming & software