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Windows 95 in 4.47MB
Silvorgold writes "BOFH of MSBetas.net has been able to compress Windows 95 into 4.47 megabytes, making it the world's first sub-5mb bootable, registry editable, command-promptable, usable version of Windows 95.
He has written a small description about what he did, and also included screenshots (with his digital camera), and don't worry, these aren't fake screenshots."
Because we can... why else?
:)
I think this is pretty cool. Next challenge for them, WinXP under 1 gig
If I point out that you are incorrect, making me a foe does not make you any more correct.
Here's a mirror:
0x0D 0x0A
ou can discuss this at our official community, over at NeoNerds.net.
:)
;)
:) Oh, and don't hot-link to them, my host will kill me. Thanks!
Update: Chat with me in real-time at irc://irc.xbetas.com/Micro95
A FULL set of configuration files; Win.ini, system.ini, Registry, is available in our IRC channel. If you're thinking of building your own version of Micro95, be sure to head over there to find out more information about the project.
Okay, over the past couple of days you will have heard plenty of news about the latest Windows 95 in 10mb, created by Richard L. James from over at Wimborne.org. And then, there was redruM69, who managed to get 95 down to 5.35mb.
However, what you are about to hear is a world first.
Tonight, I created the world's first sub-5mb bootable, registry editable, command- promptable, usable version of Windows 95. And what's more, you can build the system yourself, if you know how.
But if I simply made this claim, you might laugh, you might mock. You might even go "hahaha you lamer". So I'm not just going to make this claim. I'm going to prove it. Here's the screenshots (taken with the camera):
Lemme guess. They're fakes, right? No they're not, but you don't believe me anyway, so here's the directory listing.
Windows 95 4.47mb Directory Listing
Well, I'm afraid that's all I can give you. I'm currently working on loading this into RAM, and also an installer for those of you with a legit copy of Windows 95. Aaaand I think that's all I can do
The system uses UPX compression on the main EXEs and DLLs, btw, in case you were wondering how I got it down past redruM69's 5.35mb. I also removed some extra files, and restored functionality which the other micro 95 builds don't have. I'll try UPXing the entire system and windows folders later, see if I can get it down past 4 or 3mb
My 16mb Office project will continue, as well as myself and Richard's collaboration on the micro 95 with TCP/IP Stack project, for those of you who wish to use this as a small browsing OS, etc. I'll also see if I can restore sound support to this, as I'm aware quite a few of you are interested in using this project as a basis for car MP3 players.
I'd also like to make it quite clear that none of this would have been possible without the help of Richard L James and his Shrinking Windows project. Also worthy of a big mention is redruM69, who sucessfully brought Windows 95 down to 5.35mb.
You can discuss this at our official community, over at NeoNerds.net.
Update: Chat with me in real-time at irc://irc.xbetas.com/Micro95
A FULL set of configuration files; Win.ini, system.ini, Registry, is available in our IRC channel. If you're thinking of building your own version of Micro95, be sure to head over there to find out more information about the project.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the screenshots
BOFH
I don't think any company would trust Windows 95 as an embeded solution. WindowsCE already covers that area and works much more efficiently. This is more of a just a fun trick to do with Windows 95 than anything.
Also, considering how many files they removed from the system, I would be suprised if anything could run with all those missing DLL files.
Reminds me of that tiny copy of Windows 3.1 that came on the Windows 95 disc. Used only during installation, a certain cab file contained all the necessary files to run 3.1 apps. All one needed to do was decompress the file, copy the Program Manager or any other shell program to the same directory, and add it into the win.ini (or was it the system.ini?) file. The entire thing was so small, it fit comfortably onto a 1.44 meg floppy.
I think the file was user.cab, although I'm not sure. Guess I gotta dig up that old 95 install disc.
"Come on, let's go drink till we can't feel feelings anymore."
What I find telling as well is that the Mac OSX calculator.app is SIX times the size of the total RAM in the first Mac, and over twice the size of a complete OS install.
That's the "cruft" of a new software framework... it's a fact of computer life. The original Mac had 128 KB of RAM and a single internal 400 KB 3.5" floppy drive. A few people had an external floppy or hard drive for further storage. These days Apple doesn't even sell a machine with less than 128 MB of RAM and 30 GB of HDD space.
The original Mac OS and bundled software was written between 1981 - 1983 in assembly as well as heavily optimized compiled higher level languages. Every byte counted. The team's goal was to outgun the Lisa with 1/8 as much ram and no hard drive. (And way less than what the Xerox Star had). They pulled it off, though. With a single floppy a person could have the full OS and a couple apps. By the time postscript support and networking was added in early 1985, two floppy drives were required for enough space for OS, drivers, apps, and storage.
you'll find gigs of crap in the *cache folders. disable automatic system recovery and file auditing (I forget what the actual services are called) and clear out those directories. look at a file listing of your hd from biggest to smallest and you'll notice plenty of redundant .cab and .dll files that are just plain FAT. search the net for a slimmed down registry, or use a recursive reg cleaner on your own reg (recommended if its not a fresh install) and viola a relatively small XP install
bite my glorious golden ass.
Look up WinPE, or Windows Preinstall Environment. Boots from CD-ROM. Contrary to the name, it's a full NT kernel (WinXP), shell, with GUI and networking. Basically WinXP without explorer and all the other shiny things.
Open the file C:\WINDOWS\inf\sysoc.inf in Notepad. Each line is a Windows component (not Program) that could appear in the Add/Remove list in the Control Panel. Delete the word "hide" for each component you want to show up. Now go back to Add/Remove Windows Components, and look at all the stuff Windows will uninstall for you.
Of course, if you're really serious about purging as much junk as you can, most of the deleting will still have to be done manually.