Windows 95 was the first 32 – bit preemptive multitasking system. It was released in August 1995, it introduced support for 32 – bits applications to the customer-oriented Windows product family, it introduced preemptive multitasking and multithreading to Windows product line for the first time.
Preemptive multitasking and multithread were considered high priorities but it could still share a single memory space on 16 – bit application and would cooperatively multitask. Microsoft’s first attempt to bring a true 32 – bit, preemptive, a multitasking operating system with integrated network functionality to the world in 1993.
The first 32-bit preemptive multitasking system was Windows 95. Windows 95 can emulate and support cooperative multitasking for programs that require it. It also supports both 32-bit and 16-bit drivers as well as DOS drivers, although the 32-bit drivers are strongly recommended over the DOS ones because they are far more stable and are faster.