Yes,% username%, it was a quarter of a century ago that the world saw a new operating system from Microsoft, codenamed Chicago. It was a multitasking OS that was a breakthrough from previous versions of Windows.
On August 24, 1995, the OS went on sale in the USA, but in Russia it appeared later - on November 10, 1995. Windows 95 combined both the capabilities of MS-DOS and those of previous versions of Windows. Yes, of course, users found reasons for criticism, for example, the same plug and play technology was jokingly called "plug and pray". Still, Windows 95 was a great OS for its day.
Incidentally, the advertising campaign cost Microsoft $ 300 million. The new OS was advertised wherever possible. But it was worth it. In the first week alone, about 1 million copies of the operating system were sold. In the first year, Microsoft managed to sell 40 million copies.
Older Than It Looks
The development of Windows 95 lasted for three whole years, in March 1992. The project started almost immediately after the release of Windows 3.1. Microsoft had several alternative plans to develop other versions of the OS. But for a number of reasons, the company's management realized that they need an operating system that supports 32-bit applications, multitasking, plus it can work on relatively weak hardware.
The developers designed the OS in such a way that it would simultaneously support 16-bit Windows programs, software for MS-DOS, plus it would work with hundreds of different devices.
One of the consequences of this decision is the ability to work in MS-DOS without a graphical interface. Nevertheless, this is no longer an MS-DOS shell, but a complete system that uses its own drivers to work with various devices.
Interface
As for the interface, Windows 95 has a new interface, the main element of which is the desktop. It was on it that it was supposed to store shortcuts to important applications, files and folders. In the previous version of the OS, the desktop was used to display icons for applications that were launched by the user.
Windows 95 used the taskbar for this. There was also a notification area for demonstrating various additional tools, such as adjusting the volume or displaying the current time. This feature persists even now, no fundamental changes.
Also in Windows 95 there was a Start button and a corresponding menu, which made working with the OS extremely easy. File manager "Explorer" opened direct access to disks, folders and files. In general, the concept of a desktop assumed exactly the similarity of a virtual environment with a real desktop, on which the tools necessary for the user are located.
The Windows 95 interface designers had two very broad challenges :
- Make it easier for novice users to learn Windows.
- Simplify Windows experience for users who already have experience with computers.
The OS now has such a powerful tool as the Add Hardware Wizard. Users often had to install new devices and it was not an easy task. To make life easier for the user, Microsoft has developed a hardware wizard.
To start the system, 6 seconds of music was written. It got its own name, Microsoft Sound.
What else?
Windows 95 introduces support for long filenames. As far as you can tell, this was the first OS to support long filenames. In previous versions, long names were shortened to a few characters.
As for the system requirements, they were not high even for a PC of that era:
- Any Intel 80386DX processor.
- 4 MB of RAM.
- 50-55 MB of free hard disk space.
By the way, Internet Explorer was not shipped with this OS by default. It had to be installed additionally. In particular, it was contained in the Windows 95 add-on package, which was considered a separate product.
It was not very convenient, so in the updated version, Windows 95 OEM Service Release 1, the developers included Internet Explorer version 2.0. Subsequent updates include Internet Explorer 3.0 and 4.0.
What now?
Perhaps this OS controls the operation of some specific equipment in enterprises. In general, Windows 95 was discontinued many years ago. Now it serves as an entertainment of the kind "let's make a trolleybus out of bread."
So, Windows 95 was installed on the Nintendo DS.
They managed to run this OS on Apple Watch. True, the system took an hour to boot, despite the fact that the characteristics of even the first generation of Apple smartwatches significantly exceed the minimum OS requirements.
Windows 95 was also installed inside Minecraft, after which Doom was installed in the environment of this OS, and it is quite playable .
In general, experiments with Windows 95 continue, they are trying to install it on the most exotic hardware. I am glad that this OS is not forgotten by enthusiasts.
We have not forgotten about it either. Happy Birthday Windows 95! We remember you.
