Throwback Thursday: Watch this Windows 95 Launch Video

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Published onApril 20, 2017

published onApril 20, 2017

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If you were around in the 90’s, then you’ve likely encounteredthis sound. Microsoft Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995, and support for it ran until the turn of the century. But in its time, Windows 95 was the game-changing operating system that,unlike its predecessor Windows 3.1, became the foundation we’ve come to love today.

As you can see in the launch trailer for Windows 95, Microsoft had quite the ambition for a consumer-oriented desktop. Then brand new, the OS redesigned the essential desktop with shortcuts and taskbar. It also replaced the 3.1 File Manager with the smoother Windows Explorer. Under the hood, the transition to 32-bit architecture and ‘plug-and-play’ capabilities set Windows 95 as a flagship for its future iterations.

Even as ground-breaking as Microsoft Windows 95 was for PCs, one commenter called out the ridiculous scenes in its ‘Start Me Up’ launch commercial. “Sitting in a coffee shop with a desktop computer. #winning,”they teased. Yet in this case, it was just another example of the vision for technology just a little (or a lot) before its time.

While we may not be clamoring to bring our bulky CRT monitors out of the garage, it’s always nice to look back. What is your fondest memory of using Windows 95? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments below or tweet us@OnMSFT.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Throwback Thursday: Watch this Windows 95 Launch Video#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Throwback Thursday: Watch this Windows 95 Launch Video