Windows 96 v1

Windows 96 v1 is an old version of Windows 96!
It will not get updates, unlike the current version.

A fresh Windows 96 version 1.0 desktop.

Windows 96 v1 is the last "classic" version of Windows 96 released on the 15th of August 2019.

It's dubbed as the last classic version due to a total rewrite that occurred between Windows 96 v1 and v2. The rewrite made Windows 96 v1 apps completely incompatible with 2.0 due to a different architecture and API set.

It can still be found at https://rel1.windows96.net.

Version Highlights

• A package manager was introduced to allow users to install extra applications not part of the original OS.
• KeyboardMusic was added to allow users to make music using their keyboards.
• Many window manager bugs that existed in version 0.5 were fixed (e.g. active window switching bug).
• The x:/content folder was emptied.
• Window icons were added and the taskbar functionality was improved.
• Many apps had their functionality refined.

Trivia

• This version was the main version of Windows 96 for a very long time.
• Most changes were API updates and app refinements, compared to version 0.5.