University of Kwazulu-Natal

These 5 Windows 11 Features Have Been Used Since Windows 95

Bonisiwe Shabane
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these 5 windows 11 features have been used since windows 95

The Windows operating system has existed for over 40 years, and in that time, it's obviously evolved a lot, and it looks radically different from what debuted in 1983. But not every part of Windows can be abandoned or replaced when a new version releases, and sometimes, old code can be left lingering around for years or even decades. And even when it does change, some features are so important that they just stick around for generations and become landmarks of the software. Because of that, even in 2024, you can find pieces of Windows 95 (and earlier) in Windows 11. If you don't believe me, let me show you. File Explorer is one of the most integral parts of Windows, and it made its debut under its current name back in Windows 95.

Prior to this, Microsoft had initially shipped Windows with the MS-DOS Executive, and later replaced it with File Manager in Windows 3.x, but Windows 95 introduced the basic UI we know today, with large... Of course, since then, a ton of changes have come to File Explorer, but that concept of a file browser with large icons is still what we have today. It's just sharper, more colorful, and there's a lot more stuff around it. Now there's a navigation tree on the left side and a command bar with a lot of quick options at the top. Windows 11 even added support for tabs, so things have certainly changed a lot. You can even look beyond the UI, though.

Windows 95 was the first to feature support for ZIP files through a shell extension developed by Dave Plummer. Microsoft bought that extension and integrated it into Windows, and the code for handling ZIP files has been mostly unchanged for decades — though Microsoft recently added support for other archive types, too. Much of Windows is cobbled together from parts from the past. There are decades-old Windows tools that are still useful today, menus that haven’t changed since Windows 7, and choices all over the OS that reflect Windows' focus on backward compatibility. If you look closely enough, you’ll also find traces of decades-old technology in Windows 11. These have no practical use today, but are fun to explore and enjoy a nostalgia trip with.

Once you’re connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, you likely don’t visit the internet settings in Windows 11 often unless you have a problem. You thus might have missed the Dial-up option under Settings > Network & internet, right alongside the modern options like VPN and Mobile hotspot. That’s right—Windows 11 supports the old-school internet connection technology that everyone who had a computer in the 1990s will remember. Clicking Set up a new connection opens the old Control Panel box, which still has a Dial-up option. When I try this, Windows tells me it can’t detect a modem. While you can get USB modems on Amazon, you’ll also need a service provider to connect to.

This year, the legendary AOL ended its dial-up service, which began in 1991. There are three main options remaining: Windows 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft, was unveiled with a host of new features and a highly redesigned user interface. However, what has caught the attention of many users are the nostalgic elements that have made a comeback from previous versions of Windows. Knowing the importance of user experience and familiarity, Microsoft has smartly reintroduced several features that resonate with long-time users while still offering a fresh experience. This article delves into six notable features from earlier iterations of Windows that have returned in Windows 11, enhancing the overall functionality of the operating system.

One of the most significant changes in Windows 8 was the removal of the traditional Start Menu, which had been a staple of the Windows interface since Windows 95. Instead, users were presented with a full-screen Start screen. While this shift aimed to create a more touch-friendly environment, it left many users longing for the straightforward, organized Start Menu they had come to love. Windows 11 marks the triumphant return of the Start Menu, albeit with a modern twist. The new Start Menu is centrally located in the taskbar rather than being confined to the left side of the screen, reflecting modern design principles. This menu is simplified, removing the Live Tiles feature, which was polarizing among users.

Instead, it features a clean layout of pinned applications and a section for recommended files and applications, making it easy for users to access their favorite tools without unnecessary clutter. This blend of old and new makes it immediately recognizable while also embracing a fresh aesthetic. Multitasking has been an integral part of the Windows experience, particularly in Windows 10, which brought in features like Snap Assist that allowed users to manage multiple open applications easily. However, Windows 11 takes this functionality several steps further with the introduction of Snap Layouts—a feature reminiscent of traditional window management but refined for modern needs. With Snap Layouts, users can hover over the maximize button of any application to reveal several preset arrangements for how the window can be positioned on the screen. This feature allows users to quickly align applications in various formats—side by side, in columns, or in quadrants—ideal for those who juggle various tasks simultaneously.

This functionality harkens back to previous iterations of Windows where managing workspace was critical, but it is now visually enhanced and more intuitive, matching the multitasking demands of the modern world. In 1995, Microsoft released the first iteration of what would become the Windows 9x series of home operating systems, the aptly named Windows 95. Windows had already been a prominent player in the home computing scene for a good few years prior to this with its release of Windows 3.0 and its subsequent updates, but Windows 95 was... Windows 95 introduced various features into the Windows paradigm, and while many of those features have either been pruned or overhauled in the nearly three decades since, some still endure into modern Windows versions. While they may not exist in exactly the same forms as they first arrived, it's a fact that many of the Windows staples we take for granted these days can be traced back to... One of the most iconic features of the Windows design is the Start button, that little button on the bottom of your PC screen.

While current iterations of the Start button only feature the Windows logo, in the olden days, starting with Windows 95, it was a large, steel-colored button with the word "Start" proudly emblazoned in bold... Not only was the Start menu a convenient one-stop-shop for users, but it was also a great jumping-off point for newcomers to personal computing. Not sure where to start? Just start at the Start! The original Start menu was slightly more condensed than the current version, sorting files and functions into six categories. You had your programs list, quick access to your documents folder, your settings menu, a Find function for searching for files, a help menu for learning about your computer's functions, and a Run function...

Older versions of Windows would leave all of your open programs and file windows floating around in space. If you lost track of something, you'd have to manually move or close your windows until you managed to track it down again. This was thankfully remedied in Windows 95 with the addition of the Taskbar, the gray bar at the bottom of the screen that housed both your Start button and your system clock. Need to upgrade from Windows 10? Here's your guide to the lesser-known features, good and bad, of Windows 11 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Here’s how it works. TechRadar created this content as part of a paid partnership with Snapdragon. The contents of this article are entirely independent and solely reflect the editorial opinion of TechRadar. We've now reached the official Windows 10 End of Life, and there are a lot of people who haven't yet made the move to Windows 11. If you're among them, then you're going to need to do so soon – and you're going to need to know about the new OS. The good news is that we can help.

Support for Microsoft's previous OS ended on October 14, 2025, but making the change to the new system needn't be a difficult experience. Curious about the latest features in Windows 11? Wondering if upgrading is worth it? In this article, we’ll explore the standout features and new updates that make Windows 11 a game-changer. From streamlined multitasking and productivity tools to cutting-edge creative and security enhancements, Windows 11 is designed to elevate your experience and simplify your digital life. One of the first things you’ll notice in Windows 11 is the redesigned Start Menu.

It’s now centered on the taskbar, with a clean and modern look that’s all about simplicity. The new layout includes a customizable section for your favorite apps, making it easier to access the tools you use most frequently. Windows 11 also brings smart recommendations to the Start Menu and File Explorer. These handy suggestions help you quickly find the files you need based on your recent activity. Plus, you can mark favorite files for easy access and take advantage of File Explorer tabs—an exclusive feature in Windows 11—to keep things organized.1 Windows 11 helps you work smarter with time-saving tools

Windows 11 is packed with features to boost productivity and streamline multitasking including: Most computer users, whether laptop or desktop, use a Windows operating system. It seems that Microsoft is now thinking of bringing back a feature that was tested in Windows 95 and never implemented. Windows 11 now tests the tabs feature for the file manager. You have probably never seen or used Windows 95, since this operating system was released in 1995. More than 25 years have passed since the release of this operating system, which is already outdated and “forgotten” by Microsoft.

For this I tried a tab system within the file manager, which was never implemented. Currently, all browsers offer a bookmarks bar where we can save web pages or folders. This function is designed to simplify access to the web pages we use and not have to memorize the URLs. This function would now be looking to implement within the Microsoft operating system. As you have discovered, Windows 11 2022 in Moments1 update adds tab page feature in file manager. We know little else at the moment, since at the moment it would only be present for selected users.

The Microsoft page already indicated that: The Windows 10 era is over, so it's time to upgrade to Windows 11, if you haven't already. Though change might breed trepidation, we expect you'll be happy once you make the move to our Editors' Choice-winning desktop operating system. Our favorite tips and tricks can help you get the most out of your new system. From tapping Copilot AI to personalizing the taskbar to projecting your PC to setting up widgets, our list will turn you into a Windows 11 guru in no time at all. Microsoft is always refining and updating Windows 11, too, so we'll continue to update this story with new and exciting pointers.

If you're new to Windows 11, the first thing that jumps out at you is the placement of the Start button. Long located in the lower-left corner of the screen, it's now centered with the rest of the icons on the taskbar. But don't worry, you can change it. Right-click the taskbar and open Taskbar Settings. From the Taskbar Behaviors drop-down menu, change the Taskbar Alignment to Left. Your taskbar icons move to the left, and the Start button goes back where it belongs.

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