A computing revolution was born 30 years today as Microsoft launched the first version of its seminal Windows operating system, Digital Spy reports.

Released on November 20, 1985, Windows 1.0 allowed users to work on more than one programme simultaneously and brought a graphical user interface to the masses.

The software succeeded the text-based MS-DOS and was priced at an unheard of $99 - by comparison, Apple's rival Lisa OS was priced at a whopping $10,000.

The latest version of Microsoft's operating system Windows 10 is a radically different beast, but some features from version 1.0 have survived, like scroll bars, drop-down menus, and dialog boxes.

Microsoft apps Notepad and MS Paint are now Windows veterans, having made their debut three decades ago with the original version of the software.

At the time of release, Windows 1.0 received a mixed reception. Although most reviewers acknowledged the platform's future potential, it was criticised for its heavy system requirements and incompatibility with DOS programmes.

Windows 1.0 sold 500,000 copies until it was retired in April 1987 and replaced by version 2.0.