If you have ever wondered what would have happened if Microsoft had released a “Windows 93”, the internet has an answer. Windows 93 is a playful, browser-based parody of a desktop operating system, inspired by the look and feel of the Windows 9x era. It is not a real operating system you install on your computer. Instead, it runs in your web browser as an interactive art and humour project.
Who made Windows 93?
Windows 93 was created by two French artists and developers known as Jankenpopp and Zombectro. The project began as a concept by Jankenpopp, featuring an interactive start menu and retro desktop icons, which Zombectro helped turn into a working web experience.
Versions and history
The first public version launched in 2014 and quickly went viral, spreading across social media, blogs and tech news sites as people shared screenshots of its strange apps and jokes.
A major update, version 2, arrived in 2017. It added many new features, including a virtual drive for saving files in the browser’s local storage, the ability for users to run their own JavaScript and apply custom CSS, and a range of new applications.
What can you do in Windows 93?
Windows 93 is packed with parody programs and Easter eggs. Users can explore:
- A start menu and desktop full of folders, files and images to click through.
- A drawing program and a simple notepad.
- Small games and music experiments.
- Trollbox, a public web chat where visitors can talk to each other.
- Videos rendered in ASCII text, and many other surreal surprises.
Much of the fun comes from simply exploring and discovering the jokes hidden throughout the interface.
Does it work on mobile?
Because it runs in a web browser, Windows 93 can be opened on phones and tablets, but it is designed for a desktop screen with a mouse and keyboard, so the experience is best on a computer.
Are dereg32.exe and hydra.exe dangerous viruses?
No. These are fake “viruses” built into the parody as jokes. Opening hydra.exe, for example, creates pop-up windows that multiply each time you close one, playing on the idea of the mythical Hydra that grows two heads when one is cut off. They only affect the Windows 93 page itself and do not harm your real computer. Simply refresh or close the browser tab to reset everything.
Why people love it
Windows 93 combines nostalgia for 1990s computing with internet humour and digital art. It is a reminder of how creative the web can be, and it is well worth a few minutes of exploration for anyone who grew up with classic desktop operating systems.
