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

CNET's Video Vault: bit.ly/1OR3eOr
CNET's first impression of Windows 95 was that it would create a huge impact, what with the long file names, taskbar and a recycle bin for unwanted files. Check out this vintage review along with Microsoft's own promotional video that went with the launch.
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[@noideac]

that commercial honestly aged pretty well. If the computers weren't obviously dated I could picture that being made today

[@BilisNegra]

Was thinking the same thing. The video editing style with the kind of music in the background, audio quality also makes this feel close in time. Looks almost more as a retrocomputing video made today than a review from back then!

[@Ken.-]

The longer version of the song should be used for Windows 10 ♫♪...You Make A Grown Man Cry ♪♫

[@bchristian85]

I was thinking the same thing was well. This seems almost eerily modern.

[@sherif.ghoneim]

Exactly

[@dbarrera767]

Naming a folder Kid Pix is a great way to have the FBI search your hard drive these days...

[@shtboxgarage]

Lol

[@FullOfMalarky]

It was a drawing program for kids, twas' the shit in elementary school

[@kriscamp608]

Hahahaha, that was a simpler time.

[@KNESBEY]

That's hilarious

[@robertc4984]

Kid pix kid pix, I remember that song lol

[@FullOfMalarky]

Should I upgrade to 95 from Windows 8?

[@Russo143]

Are you crazy? Of course yes.

[@yazan15377]

***** windows 10 is better

[@FireShell7]

***** no, do windows 10

[@John-cc6ug]

Remember Windows 9?

[@desisingh1711]

***** yup!

[@CEO100able]

All the footage is nostalgic!

[@AllenDouangchak]

This video looks pretty good in 720p!

[@DanielRamirez-md9ry]

shot on digital video tape. From original master tape.

[@BilisNegra]

It certainly does. I'm impressed.

[@brandoboooooooooo9385]

This has 144 likes, 144p

[@salvofiasco2498]

You gotta admit, the ad was lit.

[@nateromanowski793]

fuckin oath

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

Honesty in Advertising too - once Windows started up ... well Windows 3 to Windows 11 - it's still going...

[@teammmx]

Windows 95 was my first home operating system, in '97. I actually still have my Bell Atlantic/IBM computer that runs it at my father's house. We never threw it away and it still works lol

[@videotape2959]

You should make a video about it. Or, could I see pictures?

[@edwinfcapidos]

That would cost a lot in time. I should have kept one from the Computer Lab I maintain which runs windows 98.

[@teammmx]

Edwin Capidos - We still have the Xerox printer too. I can imagine it may be worth something someday. Who knows? 😋

[@bapa6396]

At least C-net filmed with a good camera for the time, usually archive footage like this looks as if its been through 6 VHS'.

[@Steveos312]

CNET (officially spelled with all caps with no characters) didn't use a single camera. Not only that - they used videotape not "film". From your comment, you're not familiar to ENG/EFP productions. In the mid 90s, their program was shot with multi cameras similar to a news/talk setup. You had multiple cameras and a technical director to cut between cameras. Taped packages were done on primitive Avid workstations. Their production was broadcast quality at the time since prosumer (now technology for streaming or for Web only) was ether cost prohibitive or not existent at the time. It was no different than any other ENG/EFP production done at that time. And all major programming in the US for over a generation was dubbed onto Betacam format (which makes the footage not look like VHS quality.)

[@ibanez1403]

Filming is a very common term for capturing video.

[@Steveos312]

ibanez1403 And its not the proper terminology.

[@ibanez1403]

Neither is saying kleenex, band aid, Tylenol, Aspirin, but it all means the same thing.

[@Steveos312]

ibanez1403 you're just a pompous a-hole over simplifying 2 different technologies with totally separate skillsets

[@konstantingeist3587]

I remember the 95/98 times with horror, you're doing some work when suddenly a blue screen of death for no reason and all data lost... Since then I have a habit of pressing Ctrl+S every 2 minutes.

[@juraziahkhatijah8111]

I'm going install a new computer

[@TheHTFAmv]

still better than windows 8

[@heathermcdowellmusic]

HA

[@DogeDankMemes]

Nope

[@Sam-bm7om]

No it is not xD

[@jazzeyyyy7]

Windows 8 is better than windows 95.

[@Meusberg]

Still better than Windows 10

[@gabi3392]

It's so fun installing old OS''s once in a while in Virtual PC, wish I could go back in time.

[@clarissamcpigeon7857]

It's 2016 and I still don't fully understand "My Briefcase" and the old Microsoft Network.

[@drygnfyre]

It was a very early version of iCloud, Dropbox, etc. It was a way to keep certain files in sync on multiple machines. As for Microsoft Network, it was basically just a Microsoft-run ISP. It competed mainly with AOL at the time.

[@Lachlant1984]

I never even used My Briefcase, ever. I never even tried to use it.

[@mvShooting]

That Microsoft Network thing never worked in my country. Now I've learned you could use it to chat with lesbians, lol.

[@IsmailofeRegime]

@@mvShooting Given the nature of chatrooms back then, I wouldn't be surprised if a sizable portion of the "lesbians" were men looking for cybersex.

[@salvofiasco2498]

I can't wait for 95' to launch.

[@SandsOfArrakis]

I will be 118 years old by then... Highly unlikely :(

[@dreamcatcher75418]

You have to wait a good 15mins. lol

[@gardoe.c.476]

Pretty dope production, directing and editing for a 1995 commercial.

[@derick1259]

The quality of the Windows 95 promotion video at the end is just eye-watering, best one I've ever seen.

[@BilisNegra]

Especially because we are used to watching stuff from that era via captures of worn out VHS tapes. Or computer tv tuner captures made back then. This is probably taken from the original source material, and, yes, the difference is shocking.

[@mykullee]

Shows how much technology has improved over 20 years...

[@thecodgamer57]

You mean 20 years?

[@mykullee]

LOL!!!!! I Couldn't count there!! HAHAH

[@raphymartinez]

Michael Lee dat math tho :P

[@mykullee]

***** I know... I'm so embarrassed... lol

[@bruh-qi7ue]

ayyyy lmao. tbh windows 95 is better than windows 8 they both have so many errors

[@uppymcdowny58]

my uncle used to have a folder on his machine called "kid pix" too... heh what a coincidence.

[@Brandon10101011]

jayblob - i hope u remembered to never walk into a room alone with him

[@Mahoromatic]

Kid Pix was a image editing software back in the early 1990's.

[@sosopwsi829Jjw9]

@@Mahoromatic That was Pixie.

[@syteanric]

😂

[@Nertez]

This might be a stupid question, but where is this from? I mean, was CNET a website with videos in 1995? I highly doubt that.. .was this actually on TV? Is CNET former TV show of channel? Sorry I'm from Europe, I honestly have no clue :-)

[@Evan_Adams]

Yes they had a TV show in the sf bay area and Richard Hart I think was a CBS newscaster.

[@6ec6YRFPTcC]

Their episodes ran on the USA Channel and Sci-Fi channel

[@danijelujcic8644]

+Evan Adams Are any early episodes archived like Computer Chronicles (free to access)? I'd like to see some :)

[@Evan_Adams]

+Panthera Tigris I dont know but they are probably out there. They used to do a great game show even that was like Jeopardy but on tech. There was one where you had Bill Gates Steve Jobs and the CEO of SUN & Cisco all participating. Was kinda awesome.

[@Evan_Adams]

+Evan Adams Oh an Computer Chronicles and CNET were different things. Like when MSNBC started and had a lot more MS in it from microsoft.

[@JamieMurphy25]

It's amazing support for Windows 95 ended at the end of 2001, it definitely brings back memories, also MSN no longer has a monthly or hourly fee for MSN apps since they have separate apps for that instead of one (news, sport, money and weather), three of their apps (Food & Drink, Travel and Health & Fitness) are discontinuing.

[@zain19]

basic functionalities are still same after 20yrs

[@edwinfcapidos]

They tried removing the Start and it didn't go well.

[@NormanSzczepanski]

2:50: Do you see the icon on the right? LESBIAN CHAT!

[@yasirsaheed]

On the left that is

[@markm0000]

Lmao that's hilarious. I bet chat rooms on windows 3.1 were on the rage and something people would have been interested in knowing "still work fine" on windows 95. The wild west of the internet is something you just can't get anymore.

[@MrTLsnow]

what a keen eye hahahahahah!

[@susancorgi]

hahaha

[@leemothee4554]

Its on the left dude..

[@freaker126]

i love watching all this old videos. those were the days when i first start learning about computers and using windows. :p

[@user-dp3jc3mr2j]

So good. I miss all of this. Gives me the feels.

[@Supuhstar]

OH how times have changed~... And yet...haven't? That ad at the end was pretty modern, showcased tech side. Thank you, ***** , for always being here for us!

[@JoeCal.]

Better than the content that CNET makes now

[@Michael_H_Nielsen]

Wow this narration is really good compared to other older videos on youtube.

[@JUSLOFI]

Yeah - I remember the WEEZER video that came installed!!!

[@Rhino-n-Chips]

It's funny to us in retrospect but this coverage really nailed all the new actually important features that are still staples of computers today. I was expecting more "These screensavers are bodacious!!! Can't wait for Microsoft BOB!!!"

[@timtampa]

That moment you realize that 1995 was 20 years ago...

[@dreamcatcher75418]

... is the same moment you realize the cheapest smart phone can do more than windows 95 ever did. lol

[@tatito27]

Feeling my age! I saw a 3.5" Diskette drive! Happy to say though I remember Windows 95 well. I was just starting my IT career! I remember all the way it made my job easier and the challenges.

[@Automatik234]

So many nice memories playing Hoover in the past...

[@FireShell7]

imagine how stupid our windows 10 reviews will sound in 10 years

[@FireShell7]

Louis Jimenez imagine how non aggressive you'd be once your period is over.

[@John-cc6ug]

FireShell7 Where did I even mention anything about a fanboy? And a fanboy about what? Clearly you haven't learned reading comprehension in school yet.

[@stefanrockefeller7590]

Louis Jimenez FireShell7 kids stop ! Your dinner is reaady!

[@SuperCoalBlox]

Lol 😂

[@John-cc6ug]

FireShell7 That's so cute how you changed your original reply about fanboys to aggressive period, haha! But did it really take you over an hour to come up with that response and edit your own comment? I guess anything goes when trying to save your own ass over the internet to a bunch of strangers you'll never meet, huh?

[@rucokimedia8292]

But can it run Bonzi Buddy?

[@realvivifromloona]

:o its u!

[@Shadowthehedgehogxx3]

It actually can't "un" fortunately.

[@damian9303]

It can on Windows 98 if you install Microsoft Agent 3.0, which the widely distributed pack comes with.

[@LychkovIA]

Windows 95 looked so nice... I don't like the changes that began with Windows XP. The latest versions... they're not bad, they just don't look as inspired. And also, beginning with Windows 7, I just don't feel like I'm controlling the OS. I miss Windows 95.

[@melquizedec]

Man....that Ad at the end sold me.....I would buy this sucker

[@ceebee23]

The simple clarity of the Win95 UI leaves Windows 10 in the dust!!

[@churchfox7272]

I absolutely love this new operating system!!! i cant wait to click on folders and recycle :)

[@kswalker75]

I remember this well, I was working in the IT department of a local bank where we had most dumb terminals connected to the main frame. We did have PC's in certain areas which were running DOS 5, and Windows 3.11. The IT director refused to upgrade to Windows 95!! It was several years later after I left before they were forced to upgrade beyond Windows 3.11. I do remember how Plug and Play did make building PC's much easier, no more setting jumpers on each individual card!!! Great video and thanks for sharing!

[@askhowiknow5527]

Windows 95 reminds of what I used to love about Windows.

[@lilyuwuu]

When I was at the hospital, they were still running this on a computer... This was yesterday.

[@videotape2959]

Make sure to pick it up when they get rid of it.

[@Beansman-gp3ws]

I don;t know if you know this, but WIndows 7 has a Windows 95 theme.

[@puewpuew]

If you inserted the Win 95 install CD-ROM, you can could actually see a couple of music videos and movie trailers, Weezer's 'Buddy Holly' and I believe one of the trailers was a Liam Neeson film

[@beau_croom]

Thank U Thank U Thank U! I grew up with windows 98. It just feels good 2 see this stuff again

[@bhamid8271]

I got both win 95 and 98 installers... if anyone needs them :)

[@Speaker_Network]

B Hamid i need win 95 for the great games

[@Not-TheOne]

Holy crap, that ISA card @ 1:30 hit me with a couple of memories....damn, how time flies.

[@wizardvenom8500]

Technology is advancing rapidly...exponentially. It's amazing.

[@junaid9957782027]

OMG! So much nostalgia 😊 I remembered my first computer with windows 95 on it. Damn those were the days........

[@GaryBeary]

Windows 95 still looks classy and tends to look better than Windows 10.

[@GaryBeary]

I still love that sound where you drag the speakers up or down to adjust the volume and make that sound which still is today but I still prefer that sound tone from Windows 95 and I love hearing it. So original! : )

[@teammmx]

richard wenas Ding!

[@videotape2959]

Windows 10 is the ugliest computer program ever created.

[@pswitch9553]

That's why I put a classic theme on my Windows 10.

[@ThatNerdNoah]

This is way more cooler than Windows 10, now I gotta upgrade again.

[@chuck_machine]

Problem avoided: It's 23 years later and I STILL don't spend 3 hours a month on MSN. Ha! Jokes on you, Microsoft!!

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

It is 2020 and I am learning new things about Windows 95.

[@fitz235]

@4:26 those people brought their own desktop setup to a cafe? I've seen this only once and it was on SNL or something.

[@matani2001]

Nope, they were called "Internet Cafes" when you didn't have the internet at home or something.

[@50PullUps]

SaigonIntel lol, love you youngsters. No, seriously -- people actually used to pay for using the Internet (by the hour, no less) by going to a coffee shop with desktop PCs. The last I saw one was in 2008 in Oak Park, IL but that appeared to be geared toward gamers.

[@alaincisneros2425]

This is making me feel old. I wasn't even born yet in 95 but I have used it while I was little, man I'm feeling old and I'm just 17 years old lol.

[@raphymartinez]

awwww.... the memories!

[@dave4shmups]

Nice! Give me Windows 95, 98, or 2000 any day over Windows 8, 8.1, or 10.

[@shtboxgarage]

10 is great

[@artvandelayimports]

Dalton Hillman I want to install but can't just yet

[@artvandelayimports]

Dalton Hillman 8.1.

[@artvandelayimports]

Dalton Hillman No need. Its "preparing for installation"

[@artvandelayimports]

Dalton Hillman I know. Sorry if I sounded mean.

[@stoltobot]

I’ve always wondered what My Briefcase was for...

[@TAGMedia7]

I loved CNET Central... Gina St. John was my first crush!

[@DrayseSchneider]

It's weird, I don't recall ever seeing the Microsoft Windows ads. How did I ever miss seeing them?

[@poobarfoob]

The quality of this video is nice.

[@lifehackertips]

love the porsche boxster on top of his monitor

[@bgimusic]

aww this was early tech to me. I was born 96 & the 1st computer I ever used had Windows 95. Paint was awesome!! 🎨 So cool, honestly!!

[@DavidWonn]

I hear they saved the rest of the song for the upcoming Windows ME, Vista, and Windows 8 releases: "You make a grown man cry!"

[@Xofttam]

That videos so sharp it scratched me

[@mikewolf5367]

I bet he still works at CNET too. :) Man I'd love to get his take in Windows 10, UHD video, and where we're at with PC gaming.

[@Tzyt2345]

without going into the product n all even the microsoft ads at that time rocked!!!!!

[@nur723]

Reminded me of school :)

[@RamLaska]

1) Holy crap, I had no idea CNET was that old. 2) What was that dude's name? I remember seeing him on TV back in the day

[@stuff31]

Crazy how only 25 years ago this kind of interface was all new and fresh.

[@valentinoesposito3614]

Love these old videos! keep em coming!!!

[@mumbojumbo159]

Who remembers kid pix?

[@21minute]

The ad looks really good given that it was made more 23 years ago.

[@TheFusedplug]

The Amiga 1200 + Workbench did stuff like that when jack the ripper was knee high to a grashopper

[@OneTwoMark]

"Kid Pix" lmao.

[@danielrbsutton]

This looks like a commercial, rather than an announcement of the launch of Windows 95

[@wutzerface77]

this is incredibly high quality

[@jcalerre]

I want more vintage cnet content

[@divefraggle]

This video doesn't even look that old. It's very clean and well produced.

[@ishowyouapple]

If you think about it stuff hasn't changed much aside from a couple features and graphics. It's really sad we haven't improved in 20 years

[@lapamful]

Lol this is so funny because Microsoft has come so far in 20 years. Let me see, what is it we've got since? Oh yeah, there's um, well better graphics and faster computers and... err, hey! Windows 10 will have a Start button again. O_O Remind me again why I need to upgrade from XP which came out in 2000?

[@Beansman-gp3ws]

Because nothing works with XP anymore, not even FIrefox and Thunderbird which were well-known for support XP for a long ass time.

[@IEJ7654321]

Emily is now 28 years old now

[@WSK9002]

Just the idea that one could watch a video on the Computer blew my mind in 1995, now I cannot imagine a day where I don't watch one on my Computer, lol.

[@JonSnyderfudge]

Hover!! I remember playing that game all the time!

[@CaptchaNeon]

Who is super excited for “Recycle Bin” and “My Documents” on the desktop? I know I am! I’m especially excited about drag and drop and my very own dialer button to connect to *THE internet.*

[@mrflamewars]

Windows 95 really was a revelation.

[@Ozymandias1]

Plug and play was commonly referred to as plug and PRAY in those days. It either worked or it didn't work and if it didn't work you were SOL, no way to tweak things to get them working.

[@AbhiroopSantra]

1:11 good times when you can keep toys on the top of your monitor, miss those good old days

[@Lycanite]

Ah that 8.3 file naming limit, it's thanks to that that modding (classic) Doom with custom sprites is a bit of a pain.

[@frostech3149]

When Long File Names was a feature...

[@TechBuRn1337]

For the love of all that is awesome, send me back to the 90's please! Except dial-up, I'll never miss that.

[@Time4Technology]

Awesome! Love those vintage videos!

[@deusexmaximum8930]

>any corner >corner

[@saintearth]

I felt so much richer back then.

[@fish-kv4jw]

"If you go over 3 hours a month, there are extra charges." Some things never change, *cough*AT&T*cough*

[@mascot09s]

First pc was a windows pc packerbell my parents bought. Windoes 95. I was 6 years old when we got it.

[@shockwaive]

That NBA Jam arcade in the back, though!

[@tdrewman]

This was exciting times back in 1995 and I am not making a joke. I ran out to Best Buy and put on the Credit Card my copy of Windows 95. It was borrowed so many times, I told people you want to install it on your computer, give me 10 bucks. Well it worked, I got my money back letting people do this. CD burners were a few years away and they were still in the few hundred dollar range. I registered the copy under a fictional name.... To this DAY, I get JUNK MAIL with that fictional name. MS sold my info and companies still use it 22 years later.

[@dpaul428]

I’d like to wish a happy 30th birthday to little Emily

[@neil12011]

Peep that NBA Jam cabinet in the background.

[@Caesar_Online]

lol I forgot about the Briefcase

[@robertnussberger2028]

I know that in this era, the floppy diskette had just became obsolete 7 years after windows 95 came around on its debute. But, I see cd disks and stuff. Were the people able to edit and transfer files and paperwork via the cd like a floppy diskette? I know it has to be a cd-rw. I tried doing that to my disk drive on my new computer, but unfortunately, I cannot edit files like some flash drive whenever I want to right on the spot.

[@dielfonelletab8711]

I feel oddly nostalgic for a time I wasn't alive in.