A short video has recently resurfaced, showcasing Bill Gates in a rather unconventional promotional effort for Windows 95, which aimed to position DirectX as a formidable gaming platform poised to surpass DOS. This footage, originating from an internal Microsoft event dubbed ‘Judgment Day,’ features Gates in a trench coat, wielding a shotgun, and navigating a surreal environment reminiscent of the iconic game Doom, complete with demon carcasses strewn about.
When Microsoft wanted people to take Windows 95 seriously for gaming, they used DOOM. They made a promo where Bill Gates appeared in a trench coat inside the game world. Microsoft basically used hell demons to sell Windows. pic.twitter.com/lb1ST6peqYMay 26, 2026
The Doom franchise, which debuted in 1993, predates the widespread use of Windows for gaming, as most PC users during the 1990s relied on DOS to run their games, relegating Windows to a tool for productivity tasks like multitasking. With the launch of Windows 95, Microsoft sought to shift this perception, leading to the creation of this memorable promotional video aimed at developers.
DirectX API and Gaming Revolution
In this brief yet impactful presentation, Gates enthusiastically announced the arrival of 75 new games slated for Windows 95 within the year. He expressed confidence that through collaboration with game developers, Microsoft could “clean up this DOS mess” and refocus the gaming landscape on Windows.
The video takes an entertaining turn when Gates is interrupted by an enemy grunt, prompting him to quip, “Don’t interrupt me,” albeit with a delivery that evokes more of Kermit the Frog than a tough action hero. The clip concludes with the Microsoft logo, a sinister laugh echoing in the background, and the provocative tagline, “Who do you want to execute today?”
Central to the collaboration between Microsoft and various game developers was Gabe Newell, who would later co-found Valve. Newell spearheaded the Microsoft team responsible for porting id Software’s Doom to Windows 95, culminating in the release of Doom95 in 1996. Interestingly, some reports suggest that Doom was installed on more computers worldwide than Windows 95 by late 1995, highlighting the game’s significant impact during that era.
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