As a tech enthusiast who vividly remembers the days of floppy disks and dial-up internet connections, I can confidently say that Windows 95 was a game-changer for me and countless others. The operating system was the gateway to a more user-friendly computing experience, making technology accessible to the masses.
On August 24th, 1995, Microsoft made Windows 95, their groundbreaking operating system (previously known as ‘Chicago’), publicly available for the first time. I can still recall the excitement when my parents swapped our old Windows 3.1 PC for a fancy upgrade, using a stack of floppy disks and the guidance of a tech-friendly friend who convinced them of the benefits – namely, the user-friendly interface that would supplant the outdated ‘Program Manager’ application.
29 years on, the influence of Windows 95 remains evident in contemporary computing and pop culture, such as Finland’s adoption of “Windows95man.” Its vintage tools and applications continue to hum subtly beneath the surface of Windows 11.
Specifically, I continue to depend on the ‘Advanced Sound Settings’ panel to readjust my microphone levels when Google Meet unexpectedly alters them. Although other menus provide similar controls, these older-style apps (Win32) just function effectively, a testament to the robustness of Windows 95’s architecture.
Instead of going on about the well-known startup sound or our expensive printer that failed to work as promised with Microsoft’s ‘Plug-and-Play’, let me highlight one aspect that stands out more than any other, a feature deeply ingrained in Windows 11 and now less subtly showcased despite Windows 8’s attempts to transform it beyond recognition – the legendary and undeniably iconic Start menu.
Everything changed with the Start menu
It’s generally expected that a contemporary operating system would incorporate features like a taskbar and Start menu, unless you’re deeply devoted to the Terminal, as my Linux enthusiast colleague Richard Devine is. He prefers to simplify even the most intricate tasks using commands in the Terminal without needing a mouse. However, for the typical user, the Start menu on Windows 95 served as an intuitive central location for all programs and settings.
The pop-up menu was consistently quick and responsive, except when your processor was overloaded by multiple programs running simultaneously on a single core. It compiled all of Microsoft’s standard applications (including Wordpad, which is now discontinued) and also displayed any newly installed apps, categorizing them neatly into subsections to maintain organization. On some computers, it was common to see a vast array of tiled menus as software libraries expanded and larger hard drives (up to an astonishing 32GB!) became more accessible. However, a bit of tidying up could make it less cluttered.
On the latest version 24H2 of Windows 11, the Start menu remains consistent with its previous design. This central hub serves your applications, settings, and shortcuts, along with the upcoming return of interactive widgets, subtly echoing the live tiles from the controversial replacement of Windows 8’s Start menu. It has been streamlined into a more straightforward Windows logo, as its purpose is now widely recognized and requires no further explanation.
Microsoft’s widespread presence is both a boon and a burden. The idea of introducing Windows 12 without the Start menu, even with an equally attractive alternative, seems challenging to accept by consumers. Reminiscing about Windows 95, I find myself appreciating its iconic taskbar and Start menu combination so much that Stardock’s Start11 v2, which restores some of these classic features, is a welcome addition for me. Happy birthday, Windows 95!
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2024-08-24 11:09