It's time for nostalgia, because there is a website that allows you to emulate Windows 1.01 in your web browser!
Released on November 20, 1985, Windows 1.01 is considered the real first version of Windows (version 1.0 having been withdrawn due to an error). Sold at the time for $99, Windows 1.01 was the first "graphical" version of a Microsoft operating system based on MS-DOS. This first Windows did not meet with the expected success and was sold mainly in the United States. It must be said that at the same time, Apple was having enormous success with the Macintosh graphical interface.
But some of you may have known this OS and you will surely be delighted to dive back into it. For the others, you will be able to go back in time to the first version of the most widespread operating system in the world!
So you will be able to test Windows 1.01 directly in your web browser and without having to install anything. The emulator is accessible on the site PCjs Project, a site that brings together several open-source emulators written in JavaScript.
The emulator allows access to a fully operational version of Windows 1.01 as provided at the time. This version therefore includes all the tools then available such as Calculator, Calendar, Clipboard, Clock, Paint… and even games like Reversi.
It all works perfectly and will undoubtedly allow you to realize the phenomenal progress made on Windows in more than 20 years! And fortunately so!
In short, the web once again demonstrates its ability to keep the memory and history of computing alive!
