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Windows 95

1995 · Windows

Released on 24 August 1995 with the Start button, the taskbar and plug and play. It sold 7 million copies in its first five weeks.1, 2

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Released
24 August 19951
New in it
Start button, taskbar, Recycle Bin2
Needed
A 386DX processor and 4 MB of memory1
Languages
121

What was new

Windows 95 brought the Start menu, the taskbar, and the minimize, maximize and close buttons on every window.1 It added longer file names and "plug and play", which made new hardware easier to install.1, 2 It also had built-in support for the internet.1 At the time, older versions of Windows and MS-DOS ran on about 80 percent of the world's PCs, and Windows 95 was their upgrade.1

A Windows 95 desktop in teal. The Start menu is open with Programs, Documents, Settings, Find, Help, Run and Shut Down, and a Programs menu with MS-DOS Prompt highlighted. Behind it are a My Computer window with drive and folder icons and a Notepad window with a short note, both with gray title bars. The gray taskbar shows the pressed Start button, two window buttons and the clock.
Illustration · not a screenshot Our drawing of Windows 95 with the Start menu open. While the menu is open, the My Computer and Notepad windows behind it show gray (inactive) title bars. See the real screen

A launch like no other

Shops opened at midnight, and customers lined up around the world.2 Television ads played the Rolling Stones singing "Start Me Up" over pictures of the new Start button.1 In five weeks, 7 million copies were sold.1, 2

Close-up of the bottom left of the Windows 95 screen: the open Start menu with a gray side band reading 'Windows 95' and Programs highlighted, the Programs menu with MS-DOS Prompt highlighted under the pointer, and the pressed Start button on the gray taskbar.
Illustration · not a screenshot Close-up of our drawing: the Start button and its menu, the stars of the launch ads. See the real screen

Key moments