On August 24, 1995, Microsoft unveiled Windows 95, an operating system that would forever alter the landscape of personal computing. This innovative platform, which was initially codenamed ‘Chicago’, marked a significant leap forward from its predecessor, Windows 3.1. I recall the excitement in my household as my parents upgraded our family PC, navigating through a multitude of floppy disks with the assistance of a tech-savvy friend who extolled the virtues of a more user-friendly interface, a welcome departure from the now-obsolete ‘Program Manager’ app.
Fast forward twenty-nine years, and the influence of Windows 95 remains palpable in today’s computing environment, as well as in popular culture, evidenced by phenomena like Finland’s embrace of Windows95man. Even in the latest iteration of Microsoft’s operating system, Windows 11, echoes of its legacy persist, with many of its foundational tools and applications still quietly operational in the background. For instance, I find myself wrestling with the sound settings panel to regain control over my microphone levels after Google Meet’s automatic adjustments. While the menus have become more visually appealing, the retro ‘Win32’ apps continue to function seamlessly, a testament to the robust architecture established by Windows 95.
While I could reminisce about the iconic startup sound or the frustrations of our printer’s failure to comply with Microsoft’s ‘Plug-and-Play’ promises, one feature stands out above the rest: the legendary Start menu. This cornerstone of the Windows experience has evolved but remains a defining characteristic, especially in Windows 11, despite previous attempts in Windows 8 to reinvent it.
The Evolution of the Start Menu
The presence of a taskbar and Start menu has become a fundamental expectation for modern operating systems, unless one is a devoted fan of the command line, like my Linux-enthusiast colleague Richard Devine. For the average user, the Start menu served as an intuitive hub for accessing programs and settings on Windows 95. It was a responsive pop-up menu, provided your processor wasn’t overwhelmed by multiple applications running simultaneously. This menu organized all of Microsoft’s stock applications, and even newly installed software, into neatly categorized sections, making it easy to navigate. As software libraries expanded and hard drives grew larger—up to an astonishing 32GB—the Start menu could become a sprawling mosaic of tiles, but a little housekeeping kept it manageable.
The latest Start menu design in Windows 11 24H2 is much bigger and aligned in the center by default. It now serves as a comprehensive solution for apps, settings, and shortcuts, with a return to responsive widgets reminiscent of the live tiles from Windows 8’s controversial redesign. The menu has been simplified, now represented by a compact Windows logo, reflecting its widespread acceptance and the understanding of its functionality.
This ubiquity presents both advantages and challenges for users and developers alike. On one hand, it offers a familiar interface that reduces the learning curve for new users. On the other hand, it requires constant innovation to keep pace with evolving user expectations and technological advancements. As we look ahead, it’s clear that while operating systems will continue to evolve, the foundational elements introduced by Windows 95 will remain integral to our computing experience.
