Chicago
Track Your Order
0
8 Classic Operating Systems You Can Access in Your Browser
We all love today's cutting-edge operating systems, but there are times when it's fun to think back to yesteryear and relive some of the operating systems of old. And no, we're not talking about those of you who still insist on running Windows 7, or worse, XP.
If you want to emulate Windows 95, Mac OS X Lion, and more, you've come to the right place. Here's how to access classic operating systems in your browser.
Windows 95
Released in August 1995, Windows 95 was one of the defining operating systems of the decade.
It laid the foundation for the Windows we all recognize today. The Start menu and the Taskbar made their respective debuts, and for the first time, a Windows operating system didn't rely on MS-DOS for file and disk access.
There are two different options to access Windows 95 in your browser: Classic Reload or PCjs Machines. They both have operational quirks. For example, I couldn't make the Classic Reload version expand to full-screen mode, which was a little frustrating, but it does have more memory (a whopping 24MB RAM!) and the classic Windows 95 games. Whereas PCjs Machines enabled a full-screen mode, the installation is stripped back and missing some features. In both cases, no internet access is available.
As with all browser-based operating system emulations, any changes you make will not be saved between sessions.
Classic Macintosh
Back in 1984, Apple released its first machine in the Macintosh (later "Mac") line of products. It was a ground-breaking computer, becoming the first mass-marketed PC to offer a graphical user interface.
This Macintosh emulator runs System 7.0.1 with three early Mac apps: MacPaint, MacDraw, and Kid Pix.
Because the operating system requires significantly fewer system resources than the Windows 95 emulator, it will load in your browser considerably more quickly.
Macintosh Plus
Two years after introducing the first Macintosh computer, Apple released the follow-up: Macintosh Plus.
Its original price tag was $2,600, proving that Apple's penchant for exorbitant prices is far from a modern phenomenon. The computer shipped with 1MB of RAM (and support for up to 4MB), supported up to seven peripherals, and an 800KB floppy disk drive.
By 1986, significantly more apps and games were available; this Macintosh Plus emulator includes Risk, Cannon Fodder, and Shufflepuck. You may want to tone down the Shufflepuck opposition a little, as it's devilishly hard out of the box.
Windows 3.1
Windows 3.1 hit the shelves in April 1992, replacing the original Windows 3.0.
Despite the similar name, it offered vast improvements over its predecessor. Most notably, the introduction of a TrueType font system turned the operating system into a desktop publishing powerhouse for the first time. Three fonts were natively available: Arial, Courier New, and Times New Roman.
Other features seen for the first time included drag-and-drop icons, mouse support in MS-DOS applications, and the Program Manager app. The theoretical maximum memory limit was an era-busting 4GB, though in practical terms it was 256MB.
Windows 3.1 was replaced by Windows 95, but support lived on until as late as 2008.
The Windows 3.1 emulator offers classic games such as Minesweeper and Solitaire, accessories like Write and Paintbrush, and even access to the Control Panel.
AmigaOS
AmigaOS version 1.2 was first seen on the Commodore Amiga 500. The 500 was the best-selling computer in the entire Amiga range. Announced at CES 1987, it was released around the world in the spring.
Although it was a multi-purpose home computer, the PC carved out a niche as a gaming machine. Titles such as The Secret of Monkey Island, Lemmings, Elite, and Sensible Soccer won worldwide acclaim. Specs-wise, the Amiga 500 had a resolution between 320x200 and 640x400, a 32-color screen, and 512 KB of RAM.
You have a couple of options when it comes to using AmigaOS in your browser. The Amiga Workbench Simulation allows you to run AmigaOS 1.0 through 4.1 in your browser, though its functionality is limited. Alternatively, you can try the OSZX Online Amiga Emulator, which comes with integrated and easy-to-use games, but I couldn't get the actual Amiga Workbench to load. Either way, the option is there.
PC DOS 5
At the same time that Apple and Commodore were jostling for market position with their respective Mac and Amiga lines, IBM swiftly became the manufacturer to beat with its IBM PC range.
The first IBM PCs went on sale in 1981, but this emulation of PC DOS 5 runs on the 1986 update: the IBM PC XT 286. The XT 286 had 640KB of RAM, a 20MB hard drive, and 6MHz processors. PC DOS 5 was released in 1991 and marked one of the most substantial DOS overhauls in its history. Perhaps more notably, however, it was the last version of DOS for which Microsoft and IBM shared the full code.
The PC DOS 5 emulation offers three classic games: Wolfenstein 3D, the original Civilization, and a Monkey Island demo.
Remember, it's still possible to play old DOS games on a Mac if you're so inclined.
MacOS 8.0
Did you know that the first macOS to carry the name was macOS 7.6, launched in January 1997? It started as System 7, the name given to each macOS version up to that point, then was changed halfway through its development period to the name that carries worldwide renown.
MacOS 8.0 was enormously successful at the time, selling over 1.2 million copies in the first fortnight, bringing a huge range of improvements over the previous version. Perhaps most notably of all, macOS 8.1 introduced the HFS+ file system, which Apple continued to use until the launch of macOS High Sierra in 2017some 20 years later.
The Finder app also received a large upgrade, gaining native integration with the PowerPC chips used in Apple hardware at the time, while the Platinum interface made its first appearance.
Now, the best part about the linked macOS 8.0 demo on InfiniteMac is all the other old macOS versions you can also use, ranging from System 1 in 1984 through macOS 9.2.2 in 2001.
Windows 1.01
Released in November 1985, Windows 1.01 was the first publicly available version of Bill Gates' operating system.
The operating system is essentially a graphical front-end for MS-DOS. Indeed, Windows 1.01 ran as an MS-DOS program. Windows 1.01 apps included Calculator, Calendar, Clipboard Viewer, Clock, Notepad, Paint, Reversi, Cardfile, Terminal, and Write. They are all available in this emulation. Behind the scenes, Windows 1.0 also had its drivers for video cards, mice, keyboards, printers, serial communications, and applications.
It feels basic now, but it was groundbreaking at the time to move from command-line inputs to a full graphical user interface.
