felixrieseberg/windows95

Windows 95 in Electron is exactly what it sounds like: the full Windows 95 operating system running as a desktop app on modern computers. You can install it on macOS, Linux, or Windows and get a functional Windows 95 environment, complete with the classic desktop, Start menu, and even some preinstalled games. The technology making this possible is v86, an x86 PC emulator written in JavaScript that simulates old PC hardware entirely in software. Electron (a framework that wraps web technologies into desktop apps) provides the window and runtime, while TypeScript ties everything together. The Windows 95 operating system runs on top of the emulated PC hardware, just as it would on real 1995 hardware, slowly, but it works. You would use this for nostalgia, curiosity, or retro gaming. It runs classic DOS games (though a dedicated emulator will perform better) and lets you experience the look and feel of Windows 95 from 30 years ago without needing old hardware. Several games come preinstalled, and more can be found on archive.org. The README is clear-eyed about its limitations: it is written entirely in JavaScript, so performance expectations should be adjusted accordingly. It is provided for educational purposes and is not affiliated with Microsoft.