Windows 95, released by Microsoft on August 24, 1995, was a groundbreaking operating system that revolutionized the personal computing industry. It introduced a host of new features such as the Start menu, taskbar, and Plug and Play capabilities, making it more user-friendly than its predecessors. Windows 95 also offered significant improvements in multimedia support, including built-in Internet support, multimedia capabilities, and improved system performance. Its innovative graphical user interface (GUI) set a new standard for operating systems and played a crucial role in popularizing personal computing for the masses.