Note
Microsoft Works originated as MouseWorks, an integrated spreadsheet, word processor, and database program, designed for the Macintosh by ex-Apple employee Don Williams and Rupert Lissner.[4] Williams planned to emulate the success of AppleWorks, a similar product for Apple II computers. Bill Gates and his Head of Acquisitions, Alan M. Boyd, convinced Williams in 1986[5] to license the product to Microsoft instead.[6] Initially intended as a scaled-down version of Office for small laptops like TRS-80 Model 100, which was developed by Microsoft and sold by Radio Shack, Microsoft Works evolved as a popular product in its own right as laptops grew in power.
On September 14, 1987, Microsoft unveiled Works for DOS.[7] The initial version 1.x of Works ran on any PC with at least 256k of memory. Works 2.x, introduced in 1990, required 512k and 3.x, introduced in 1992, required 640k.
In 1991, Microsoft issued the first Windows version of Works, titled MS Works for Windows 2.0. System requirements include Windows 3.0, a 286 CPU, and 1MB of memory. Works 3.x in 1993 requires Windows 3.1, a 386 CPU, and 4MB of memory. Subsequent releases are for Windows 95 and up, and the final version is Works 9.x in 2007, requiring Windows XP or Vista, 256MB of memory, and a Pentium 4 CPU.
Microsoft released Macintosh versions of Works starting with Works 2.0 in 1988. The version numbering roughly follows that of Windows releases.
Through version 4.5a, Works uses a monolithic program architecture whereby its word processor, spreadsheet and database documents run in windows of the same program interface. This results in a small memory and disk footprint, which enables it to run on slower computers with requirements as low as 6 MB of RAM and 12 MB free disk space. It also provides a mini version of Excel for DOS systems as a DOS version of that program is not available.[8] Works 2000 (Version 5.0) switches to a modular architecture which opens each document as a separate instance and uses the print engine from Internet Explorer.
Version 9.0, the final version, is available in two editions: an advertisement-free version, available in retail and for OEMs, and an ad-supported free version (Works SE) which was available only to OEMs for preinstallation on new computers.[9]
In late 2009, Microsoft announced it would discontinue Works and replace it with Office 2010 Starter Edition,[10][11] although it replaced only the word processor and spreadsheet components but not the calendar or the database.