Start me up: Watch CNET's early coverage of Windows 95, back in 1995
Start me up: Watch CNET's early coverage of Windows 95, back in 1995
4:25

Start me up: Watch CNET's early coverage of Windows 95, back in 1995

Culture
[SOUND]. Here at CNet we've been testing Windows 95 for some time. It's new, it's different, it's better. And we have to tell you even if you don't use a PC, whatever kind of computer you use, you will feel the impact of the release of Windows 95. Let's take a look at it. A trashcan. Oh excuse me Recycle Bin. And folders, and applications that can be dragged to the desktop. And look at this long file names. And at the heart of it all, the system taskbar showing what's open on the Desktop and providing easy access to any running program. You can move the task bar to any corner and resize it too. The start button organizes your applications into groups and subgroups for easy launching. That's the notify area with time, date and other useful tools. The briefcase is a new mechanism for keeping multiple versions of files in sync. Now your files on your desktop machine can match the files on your laptop with no hassle. There are customized desktops with their own password log ins so your five year old can type in her name and password and presto little Emily is presented with her own folders and shortcuts to her favorite games. So that's the new Windows 95 Interface. Simpler, far more intuitive, not without a few problems though for instance Most of your present applications can't handle those longer filenames and those names will also give you problems if you try to put lots of folders inside other folders, but in general a great improvement. Particularly, here. Do you know how difficult it is to install a card for sound or video now? Inside Windows 95 is a new feature called plug and play, which should make this a whole lot easier. Here. Select Add New Hardware and the hardware wizard gets to work. Plug and play compatible devices are installed automatically. Even those non-plug and play get handled with an extensive database of devices that assist you in the installation. This clip shows the sharper video that you can expect from Windows 95 multimedia. Stay tuned for more Happy Days. and Hover illustrates the capabilities of a new game programming interface. Game designers will now be able to achieve a level of visual performance impossible under Windows 3.1. This all looks great but will your existing Windows and DOS applications continue to work? Most of the programs you now own are likely to run just fine under Windows 95. They just won't take advantage of all of it's features until you upgrade, which means that your upgrade cost might be higher than you planned. On the other hand, Microsoft is throwing in some free apps. For example, Microsoft Network. Microsoft Network is a new online information service that is bundled with Windows 95. It's got its own special icon on the Desktop, so your electronic mail, chatrooms, news groups, and home pages on the world wide web are just a click away. The network is still in its infancy but you can see much more on the horizon for the Microsoft Network. While the program might come free with Windows 95, but there is a monthly fee to use the Microsoft network, and if you use it more than 3 hours a month, there are extra charges. You might run up those extra charges sooner than you think given how easy it is and how tightly integrated into the operating system. Another thing to watch out for is, some features of Windows 95 that are actually part of a companion software product called Microsoft Plus. That costs an extra $50. [MUSIC] [MUSIC]. [MUSIC]

Up Next

Check out this awesome animated history of the iPhone
animatediphone.jpg

Up Next

Check out this awesome animated history of the iPhone

Seeing the original iPhone for the first time
declanfirstlook.jpg

Seeing the original iPhone for the first time

We made a Steve Jobs supercut for Apple's 40th birthday
apple40stevejobssupercutstill.jpg

We made a Steve Jobs supercut for Apple's 40th birthday

Watch users sound off on Mac v. PC debate in 1995
applemacvspc.jpg

Watch users sound off on Mac v. PC debate in 1995

How one company simulated the Simpson-Goldman murders
ojfinal.jpg

How one company simulated the Simpson-Goldman murders

Start me up: Watch CNET's early coverage of Windows 95, back in 1995
vaultwindows95richardhart0.jpg

Start me up: Watch CNET's early coverage of Windows 95, back in 1995

Introducing the crazy new world of cybercafes
vaultcybercafes0.jpg

Introducing the crazy new world of cybercafes

Travel back 20 years, when digital cameras were the hottest new technology
vaultdigitalcameras0.jpg

Travel back 20 years, when digital cameras were the hottest new technology

You've come a long way, Amazon
vaultamazon0.jpg

You've come a long way, Amazon

Tech Shows

The Apple Core
apple-core-w

The Apple Core

Alphabet City
alphabet-city-w

Alphabet City

CNET Top 5
cnet-top-5-w

CNET Top 5

The Daily Charge
dc-site-1color-logo.png

The Daily Charge

What the Future
what-the-future-w

What the Future

Tech Today
tech-today-w

Tech Today

Latest News All latest news

PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know
playstation5pro-leak-clean

PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know

Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
nvidiastill

Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference

Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro
nvidia-vision-pro-image

Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro

Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference
robot-2

Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference

Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?
gettyimages-1178244881

Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?

The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low
playstation-portal-audio-options-thumb2

The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low

Most Popular All most popular

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
innovation

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
circlesearchpic

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
asus-preces-00-00-25-11-still003

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
samsung-galaxy-ring-clean

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
240111-site-best-of-ces-2024-1

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024

Latest Products All latest products

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
240304-site-nothing-phone-2-first-look-v3

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
240229-site-best-of-show-at-mwc

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
240225-site-lenovo-translucent-laptop-concept-v3

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
240225-site-motorola-rollable-concept

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist

See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
adobe-lightroom-00-02-58-03-still006-1

See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro

This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone
p1022441-mp4-15-35-32-23-still001

This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone

Latest How To All how to videos

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
240311-site-windows-11-hidden-tips-and-tricks-v2

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
VisionOS 1.0.3

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
240216-site-galaxy-s24-ultra-tips-and-hidden-features-2

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
tiktok-on-vision-pro-clean

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
superbowl-tv-settings-thumb1

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
240202-site-spatial-computing-on-meta-quest-3

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro