Windows Calculator Download

Windows Calculator is a long-familiar program to many Windows users, as this software has come standard with the OS since Windows 1.0. Since then, the program has been given many different upgrades and new functions. However, the basic look of Calculator hardly changed for decades. As one of the oldest computer programs ever included in personal computers, Calculator is very well-known to most digital-savvy people.

History of Windows Calculator

Calculator was first released on November 20, 1985 by Microsoft. It has come standard with ever single version of Windows since this initial release. The app is also available on Xbox, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone operating systems and Linux operating systems. This is proprietary software, which means it is only available through Microsoft.

Calculator Updates and Changes

In the first version of this program, the calculator was capable of performing simple arithmetic of all kinds. In Windows 3.0, a scientific mode was added. This added roots, logarithms, exponents and factorial-based functions to the program, along with base conversions, logic operations and trigonometry.

Digital grouping was added in Windows 2000. On the menu bar, degree and base settings were included in this version as well. Even more new functions were added with Windows 7, including worksheet modes and date calculation. On the whole, however, the program maintained its basic look and it still has the same layout it has used since 1985.

Windows Calculator saw the biggest visual changes with Windows 11, when the program was changed to match the rest of the Windows 11 style. A new settings page was also added in this updated version of the program.

Windows Calculator is available for free through the Microsoft store and it can be downloaded onto any Windows OS PC or device, including every version of the Xbox console. This is a simple program and the download is quick.

Using Calculator

This is a very user-friendly program, a simple utility tool that just about anyone can figure out how to use. Windows Calculator is so simple and straightforward, Microsoft removed the tooltips from the program many versions ago. To use the calculator, users need only to click directly on the buttons. The calculator has a standard layout with a basic keypad.

The left side of the calculator features a pull-down menu that allows users to change the calculation mode, access the converter and change the settings. There are two appearance modes available in most versions of the program: light and dark. The dark mode turns the background of the calculator black.

Pros and Cons

Calculator is a very easy-to-use program that’s free to download. It does not take up much space and it can perform incredibly complete calculations in seconds. Reviews for this software are highly positive. Windows has recently made it easier for other developers to contribute to the program, so users could see some changes to this long-standing software in the future.

There are not a lot of customization options for Windows Calculator and some have complained that it cannot be used for extreme math calculations or very high numbers. More complex functions are not supported. However, most math needs can easily be met with this program and many users say that it is a handy tool to use for schoolwork across all grade levels. For the purposes of most users, this calculator program functions well and performs all needed calculations.