Raymond Chen, a long-time Microsoft veteran, has finally shed light on a long-standing curiosity surrounding the installation process of Windows 95. The journey to the iconic Start Menu was not as straightforward as many might have assumed; rather, it involved a series of interconnected setup programs that varied based on the user’s starting point.
The Setup Journey
Chen revealed that the installation process consisted of three distinct setup programs. For users launching the installation from MS-DOS, the first step would involve booting a simplified version of Windows 3.1. This approach was not entirely novel for Microsoft, as the company had previously bundled a runtime version of Windows 2.1 with Excel, allowing users without a full Windows installation to run the spreadsheet application.
Once users found themselves in this stripped-down environment, or if they initiated the setup from a complete version of Windows, a 16-bit application would take over. Chen elaborated, stating, “This second setup program is the one that does almost all of the real work: It does the initial interaction with the user to gather information about how to install Windows 95, like asking which optional components to include, and does hardware detection to decide which drivers to install.”
This 16-bit application was responsible for copying files, installing drivers, and migrating user settings. Ultimately, it would lead to the booting of Windows 95 and the final setup phase, which utilized a 32-bit application to complete any remaining tasks requiring an operational system.
A Seamless Experience
Chen’s explanation highlights a clever design choice: maintaining a single codebase regardless of the user’s starting point. If initiated in MS-DOS, users would encounter a text-mode application that facilitated their transition into a mini-Windows 3.1. Conversely, launching from Windows 3.1 would direct users straight into the more robust 16-bit application, streamlining the installation process.
Reflecting on the experience of installing Windows 95 evokes a sense of nostalgia. Many may remember the thrill of navigating through text mode screens to configure their hard disks—an era when a storage capacity of over 512 MB was considered substantial. The anticipation built as users watched a familiar interface reminiscent of Windows 3.1 before finally transitioning into the distinct grey landscape of Windows 95.
Nearly three decades later, Chen’s insights serve as a reminder of a simpler technological era, where a minimal version of Windows 3.1 could be run from a floppy disk, contrasting sharply with today’s demands for internet connectivity and expansive storage solutions. Progress, indeed, has transformed the landscape of computing.
