Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) have changed a lot since the early days of Macintosh and Windows, but some basic ideas have stayed the same. Before, the big improvement was moving from typing commands to clicking on icons, menus, and windows. This made computers easier for people to use. Even today, we still use many of these such as dragging windows and using a mouse pointer.
How GUIs look and how we interact with them changed. Older designs were simple, with blocky buttons and low-quality graphics. Now, interfaces are cleaner, smoother. We also interact in new ways, like tapping on touchscreens, using voice commands, or gestures. Because of the rise of mobile devices and cloud apps, GUIs now work across phones, tablets, and computers, and that makes everything feel more connected. But sometimes, these features make things more confusing, especially for new users.
In the future, GUIs should focus on being simpler, smarter, and easier to use. AI could help by making interfaces more adaptive and personalized, which show us the right tools at the right time. GUIs have come a long way, but the goal should always be to make using technology feel natural and stress-free.