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| Summary News Requirements Compatibility Interface Installation Variants Versions Downloads Links Publisher Support Alternatives Secrets Pricing |
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| Summary | Windows 95 is a graphical OS is designed for workstations at home or business. While still available, it is getting a bit old. See Windows 98 and Windows Me for later variants of this OS. Over its Windows 3.x predecessor, Windows 95 added Plug and Play, support for 32-bit applications, consolidated registry, improved memory management, and a number of accessories, such as the CD-Player. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| News | 31-Dec-2002
- Microsoft
End of life - no support or online self-help 1-Jan-2001 Volume Licensing to End In an effort to force corporations to switch to the more expensive Windows 2000, Microsoft announced it is ending volume licensing of both Windows 95 & 98 on June 30, 2001.[Infoworld, Page 15] No further work is being done on Windows 95 and Microsoft considers it an obsolete OS. Support is no longer available. |
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| Product | Windows 95 OSR2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Processor | 386DX or better | |||||||||||||||||||||
| RAM | 4 MB (8-16 MB recommended) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Drive space | 35 MB | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Drives | Runs from hard disk, Prompt available from boot diskette. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Video | VGA or better | |||||||||||||||||||||
| File systems | FAT(all), FAT32 (OSR2 and later only) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Compatibility | Windows
16-bit programs (Windows 3.x type programs) Windows 32-bit programs Windows VxD device drivers DOS programs, 100% native, while Windows is not running DOS programs in a "DOS box" while Windows is running, compatibility excellent DOS device drivers |
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| Interface | Windows is a GUI interface, but supports both a text-based DOS window, and can boot from a single diskette into a "DOS" prompt. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Installation | Must be installed on a primary partition on the first drive. See Secrets section below for complete installations on other than the first drive. About 4 MB of boot up code must reside on the C drive, but all remaining files can be installed in any drive (primary or logical, any physical drive). | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Variants | Upgrade
edition - upgrades Windows 3.x to Windows 95. Many users have reported
problems with upgrading from Windows 3.x. We strongly recommend a risk-free
installation using System Commander Full edition - includes boot diskette and can be installed on a blank drive OEM edition - installation depends on part on how an OEM configures the installation. In most cases, the OEM edition will install safely on top of a prior installation of Windows 95, but will erase the entire first hard drive and put a fresh install of Windows 95 if Windows 95 is not detected. |
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| Versions |
Windows release timeline Three major releases of Windows 95 were made. The first edition does not support FAT32, nor enhanced FAT (for support beyond 8 GB). OSR2 is a separate version, but was never provided as a free upgrade. OSR2.5 added several Y2K fixes, and is provided as a free update. All Windows 95 editions are referred to as v4.0. 1) Identification of Windows 95 version: Look at the file date and time of the GUI.EXE file in the Windows\system directory (or where you installed windows). File time: 11-Jul-1995 9:50am = Windows 95 first edition 2) Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel". Select the "System" icon. In the General tab (the default), it shows the product "Windows 95" and the version: Version 4.00.950 = Windows 95 first edition |
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| Downloads | Service
Pack 1 (for First edition only) Y2K fixes and the OSR2.5 update to Windows 95 |
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| Links | Microsoft Windows 95 home page Support WUGNET - Windows User's Group Downloads Developers |
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| Books | Books on Windows 95 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Publisher |
Microsoft Corporation Phone 1-206-635-7000 (support) |
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| Support | Free support to user's who purchased retail copies. OEM users (i.e. included with a new PC) are referred back to the computer manufacturer for support. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Alternatives | Windows 98/Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP Home, Linux, and Solaris | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Secrets | Setup
Switches Easter Eggs Startup/Shutdown screens Installation Not on the First Drive Uncommon Keyboard Shortcuts |
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| Pricing | Retail
price: n/a Upgrade price: n/a (upgrading from Windows 3.x or MS/PC-DOS) |
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