After the release of Windows 1.0, Tandy Trower had a limited amount of time to create a sequel. He focused on implementing features he had wanted in the first version, such as overlapping windows and a proportional system font. The Control Panel in Windows 2.0 reflected these improvements, with a change in aspect ratio and better colors. Microsoft and IBM still saw OS/2 as the future, but the Windows team made significant advancements in the UI. Microsoft acquired Dynamical Systems Research, which had built a competitor to IBM’s TopView, to meet OS/2 compatibility requirements. Windows/386 was also developed, expanding the system’s capabilities. Windows 2x had more software available, including Microsoft’s Word and Excel, which drove its sales. Despite legal disputes with Apple, Windows 2x was successful and marked a major transition in computing.
https://www.abortretry.fail/p/the-history-of-windows-20