Step back to August 24, 1995 — when Microsoft changed personal computing forever. Windows 95 brought us the first Start Menu, Taskbar, and true multitasking. It wasn’t just an OS — it was a vibe.
From Plug and Play device detection to Active Accessibility, Windows 95 introduced tech that we now take for granted — all wrapped in 256-color teal glory.
Why Windows 95 Was Awesome
Some of the most underrated and revolutionary features that defined an era.
Plug in your mouse, printer, or joystick — and Windows 95 just *knew* what to do. Gone were the days of IRQ conflicts and manual driver edits (well, mostly).
Before 95, filenames were trapped in the 8.3 format — like RESUME~1.DOC.
Windows 95 said “nah” and gave us full 255-character names. A small thing that felt *huge*.
Microsoft quietly included accessibility APIs, making screen readers and adaptive technologies far more capable — a major step for inclusive computing.
With TCP/IP and dial-up tools baked right in, connecting to the early Internet was suddenly something anyone could do — from home.
The iconic Start button debuted here. Simple. Accessible. The entire desktop universe behind one corner of your screen.
Designed by Brian Eno. Two seconds. Eternal nostalgia.
Still Awesome After 30 Years
Windows 95 set the stage for everything that came after — from Windows XP to Windows 11. It was more than software; it was the sound of possibility loading.
Try It in Your Browser