Despite the large amount of attention the Internet Archive got for basically distributing copies of Windows, Microsoft didn’t ask the Internet Archive to remove them and still haven’t two years later. Microsoft could have shut down much more of the site, but they didn’t.Ī similar non-response happened when the Internet Archive began emulating Windows 3.1 games in-browser. Nothing else was targeted, including earlier versions of Windows. There’s good reasons they’re not available. Compared to Windows 95, these are two relatively newer pieces of software that are still being used today and compete with current Microsoft products. They’re distributing huge volumes of copyrighted software, sure to incur the legal wrath of Microsoft.īut Microsoft knows about WinWorld, and for the most part, they seem fine with it.Īccording to a WinWorld administrator, Microsoft has sent the website takedown requests, but only for copies of Windows XP and Office 2000.
The website is, of course, dubious as hell. Old system software like this comes in handy for emulation, when you might need to install a copy of Windows 95. WinWorld hosts copies of obsolete operating systems and system tools dating back to the early 80s. I want to talk about it a bit, because it raises important questions about how we deal with abandoned software. Hopefully it’s a great collection! There’s one particular site that I’ve held off including for a while, WinWorld, that enters legally uncertain territory.
WINDOWS 95 ABANDONWARE GAMES HOW TO
Once in a while, I update this blog’s Resources section, where I’ve collected links and information about how to find, get, and play old games. Note the part that says “Do Not Make Illegal Copies Of This Disc”