If you thought Windows 95 was a relic of the past, think again. This seemingly obsolete operating system continues to play a vital role on a farm near Düsseldorf, Germany, where it has been in operation for decades. Remarkably, Windows 95 just celebrated its 30-year anniversary on August 24th.
Egg Sorting Efficiency
At this farm, an egg sorting machine powered by Windows 95 processes an impressive 40,000 eggs daily, efficiently categorizing them by size, weight, and origin. According to reports, this sizable machine spans approximately 40 by 40 meters (or 131 by 131 feet) and meticulously packs the eggs into boxes of six or ten for distribution to supermarkets.
Farmer Peter Huber shares his experience: “Windows 95 has been running smoothly ever since this thing was installed here. If something hangs somewhere, I just reboot. And then it boots up again on its own. It runs more smoothly than newer programs.”
Legacy Software and Hardware
The primary function of this vintage software is to log the sorting and processing results. Following this, an equally aged Brother printer, still compatible with Windows 95, handles the necessary printouts. Should this printer ever fail, Huber faces the challenge of sourcing another old printer that can still interface with the operating system.
Interestingly, even if Huber wished to upgrade to a more modern system, he would encounter significant obstacles. The programmer who originally developed the software for the egg sorting machine is no longer available, leaving no option for updates or patches. In the unfortunate event of a complete software failure, Huber would revert to manual record-keeping, although the mechanical sorting of the eggs operates independently of any software.
Cost Considerations
Despite the potential challenges, Huber is not contemplating the purchase of a new egg sorting machine. The cost of a modern machine is comparable to that of a house, yet it offers little more functionality than the existing setup.
It’s quite remarkable that Windows 95 maintains its relevance even as it approaches its 30-year milestone in 2025. This enduring legacy prompts reflection on how Windows 95 once helped avert a global IT crisis and continues to be integral to contemporary air traffic control systems.
This article originally appeared in our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
