In a remarkable demonstration of technological ingenuity, a developer has successfully managed to run Windows 95 on an ESP32-P4 board, utilizing the tiny386 emulator. This project not only showcases the capabilities of modern microcontrollers but also serves as a nostalgic nod to the early days of personal computing.
This ESP32 project fits a Windows operating system onto a microprocessor
The endeavor, highlighted by Adafruit, was initiated by GitHub user winitboonkliang, who sought to explore the limits of running legacy software on compact hardware. The project is particularly intriguing as it allows Windows 95 to boot from a microSD card onto the ESP32-P4’s 1280×800 MIPI-DSI display, complete with USB keyboard and mouse support.
It uses a little help from tiny386 to get the job done
Winitboonkliang explains the technical details in their project documentation, noting that they utilized a port of tiny386, an x86 PC emulator developed by Chunhui He. This setup enables the operating system to function effectively on a development board that costs around . However, it’s important to clarify that this implementation is not intended for everyday use; rather, it serves as a “study project” aimed at pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with minimal hardware.
For enthusiasts and hobbyists eager to replicate this feat, winitboonkliang has generously provided a detailed guide on GitHub. This resource outlines the compatibility issues encountered, the limitations of the setup, and the overall experience of running Windows 95 on such a small device. It’s a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of retro computing and modern technology.
