Legacy Windows
Recovering Windows 95, 98, ME, NT & 2000
Note: I no longer develop this page. It remains as a legacy resource.
Legacy Windows Unsupported | Unplug from Internet
Optimizing & Troubleshooting | Alternatives to Windows
Legacy Windows Unsupported
Windows was supported for 10 years after release until Windows 10 was released with the “modern” lifecycle.
During support, Microsoft would provide patches and updates to that version of Windows. When support ended, those updates would cease for that unsupported version of Windows and that version of Windows would be considered an unsupported legacy operating system.
Unsafe to Use
Unsupported versions of Windows (or any operating system) are increasingly unsafe to use.
As security updates continue to be released for supported versions of Windows, hackers test legacy systems for those vulnerabilities.
Since these versions of Windows are no longer patched, any newly-discovered vulnerability becomes immediately exploitable (called a zero-day exploit) and remains vulnerable even as newer Windows versions are patched.
Windows XP
Windows XP was probably the last version of Windows to self-contained within the computer itself.
It also proved to be very hard to move consumers on to newer Windows versions because of the very high consumer satisfaction. Few saw any advantage to upgrading.
Windows Vista
Starting with Windows Vista, Microsoft began to move parts of the operating system onto the Internet.
Vista was ahead of its time and too demanding for computer hardware built for XP. Many users were stuck with XP (often very happily so).
Computer vendors cried out when they realized that they had large inventories of XP-based hardware that couldn't be upgraded to Vista, so Microsoft provided the lighter “Home Basic” version.
Vista Home Basic provided a very poor experience for consumers. Many of the basic functions of Vista were removed and systems were very slow, especially when compared to their experience on XP.
Vista Home Basic computers didn't last very long and this greatly contributed to the consumer discontent with Vista.
Windows 7
Windows 7 restored consumer confidence in Windows and, like XP, it became difficult to convince users to upgrade when support ended.
Windows 7 was the last version to clearly support the keyboard and mouse in the same manner that all prior versions of Windows had used.
Beginning with Windows 8, Microsoft began to move towards less traditional interfaces, removing the Start button and embracing the touch screen.
Like Vista, this proved unpopular with traditional users and a bit ahead of its time, causing many to remain on Windows 7 longer than usual.
Windows 95, 98, ME, NT & 2000
Beginning with Windows 95, Microsoft began to move away from DOS, a command-line operating system. Windows 3.1 ran on top of DOS.
Starting with Windows 95, Windows would increasingly run natively on its own rather than something imposed upon another operating system (DOS).
Consumer and Business Systems Separate
Prior to Windows XP, separate versions of Windows were provided for consumers and businesses:
- Windows 95, 98 and Millennium Edition (ME) were consumer operating systems.
- Windows NT and 2000 were aimed at business users.
The Legacy Hardware & Software page deals with these obsolete computers.
Unplug from Internet
If you continue to use software this old, be sure to unplug your computer from the Internet.
Be assured that any more recent vulnerabilities have not been patched and hackers routinely exploit older computers.
Once Microsoft removes active support that version of Windows is no longer safe, particularly if your computer is connected to the Internet.
An unsupported version of Windows will no longer receive software updates from Windows Update. These include security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can steal your personal information. Windows Update also installs the latest software updates to improve the reliability of Windows—new drivers for your hardware and more.
— Microsoft
Legacy Windows Have Poor Security
In the same way that lockable car doors, keyed ignitions and seat belts are necessary for the protection of a vehicle and its passengers, computer security is an annoyance that provides similar benefits in protecting your computer and its data — giving you peace of mind.
Unlike early DOS-based computers, Windows was designed to be used by ordinary folks.
Windows suffered from poor security because ease-of-use trumped security concerns.
Virtually every user had total access to the computer (also called administrator privileges) in most Windows installations.
This gave not only unexperienced users access to key systems, but also made them vulnerable to being hacked.
Optimizing & Troubleshooting Older Hardware
Most of the resources that were available have now disappeared. Only this page remains:
Free Zip Utilities
Zip Function Built Into Later Windows Versions
Windows 2000, Me 98/98SE (or earlier) needed a third-party program to deal with compressed (.zip) files. Windows Me (a precursor to Windows XP) was the first to deal natively with .zip files.
Zip Utilities
Zip utilities provides recommended alternatives and support for the less common (but sometimes encountered) .RAR and .ARJ extensions as well as the 7-zip format, a much improved compression formula.
