The Xerox Star, released in 1981, didn’t sell well, but it changed the future of personal computing in big ways.

The Star was the first system to use a graphical interface with icons, windows, and a mouse. Before this, people used text commands to control computers, which wasn’t easy for non-experts. The GUI made computers much more approachable for everyday users.

It also introduced the idea of a desktop with files and folders represented as icons, similar to a real desk. This made organizing digital files more intuitive.
Even though it wasn’t a commercial success, the Star heavily influenced later systems like Apple’s Macintosh and Microsoft Windows. A lot of what we consider standard today—like drag-and-drop and networked offices—originated from the Xerox Star.

In short, the Xerox Star set the foundation for the personal computers we use now, making them more user-friendly and practical.