Microsoft open sources original File Manager from 90s for Windows 10

    Microsoft open sources original File Manager from 90s for Windows 10

    Microsoft open sources original File Manager from 90s for Windows 10


    Last Updated: 09 Apr 2018 at 09:38

    Microsoft is releasing the source code for its original Windows File Manager from nearly 28 years ago. Originally released for Windows 3.0, the File Manager was a replacement for managing files through MS-DOS, and allowed Windows users to copy, move, delete, and search for files. While it’s a relic from the past, you can still compile the source code Microsoft has released and run the app on Windows 10 today.

    The source code is available on GitHub, and is maintained by Microsoft veteran Craig Wittenberg under the MIT license. Wittenberg copied the File Manager code from Windows NT 4 back in 2007, and has been maintaining it before open sourcing it recently. It’s a testament to the backwards compatibility of Windows itself, especially that this was originally included in Windows more than 20 years ago. It’s as nostalgic as running Windows 95 on an Xbox One, Apple Watch, or Android smartwatch. If you’re a fan of original Windows File Manager you can download the app from GitHub and remind yourself of what computing used to look like years ago.


    Source: Microsoft open sources original File Manager from the '90s so it can run on Windows 10

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    Microsoft open sources original File Manager from 90s for Windows 10-file_manager.png
    Brink's Avatar Posted By: Brink
    09 Apr 2018


  1. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #1

    Just so everyone knows, it's a portable program.
    So just put it on your OneDrive(in a folder that's sync'd top all your machines), create a desktop shortcut, and enjoy:)
    Microsoft open sources original File Manager from 90s for Windows 10-image.png
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 285
    win 7 8 10
       #2

    all right, brings back memories......it still does everything it needs to do
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #3

    Cliff S said:
    Just so everyone knows, it's a portable program.
    So just put it on your OneDrive(in a folder that's sync'd top all your machines), create a desktop shortcut, and enjoy:)
    Microsoft open sources original File Manager from 90s for Windows 10-image.png
    Brilliant idea Cliff!
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 10 Pro (32-bit) 16299.15
       #4

    Cliff S said:
    Just so everyone knows, it's a portable program.
    So just put it on your OneDrive(in a folder that's sync'd top all your machines), create a desktop shortcut, and enjoy:)
    Microsoft open sources original File Manager from 90s for Windows 10-image.png
    Did File Manager in Win3.1 really allow long filenames as opposed to 8.3 names?
    I thought that was only with Windows 95 - although it's a long time ago so maybe I remembered wrongly?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 82
    Windows 10 pro 64bit
       #5

    DavidY said:
    Did File Manager in Win3.1 really allow long filenames as opposed to 8.3 names?
    I thought that was only with Windows 95 - although it's a long time ago so maybe I remembered wrongly?
    Booted my windows 3.11 for workgroups install opened file manager and tried creating directory with long name it was cut to 8 letters, so probably no support for long file names.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Microsoft open sources original File Manager from 90s for Windows 10-2018-04-10.png  
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #6

    Right, since Win3.xx rode on top of DOS it had the same file limits as DOS. One cool thing I liked 'back then' was a small applet that allowed different color drive icons but it loaded in either config.sys or autoexec.bat, or both, can't recall the details. What we knew as Windows 95 was called Program Manager in Win3.xx, booted to DOS then used one of the various/popular applets to load Windows such as HDM/Hard Disk Menu. Win95 was the beginning of merging the command line of DOS with the GUI/Graphical User Interface of Windows, also known as WYSIWYG [What You See Is What You Get].
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 82
    Windows 10 pro 64bit
       #7

    Berton said:
    What we knew as Windows 95 was called Program Manager in Win3.xx, booted to DOS then used one of the various/popular applets to load Windows such as HDM/Hard Disk Menu.
    Normally just typing win in DOS command prompt would load windows/program manager.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #8

    Could also add win.exe to the autoexec.bat file and go directly to Windows after DOS had loaded.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #9

    Brilliant! I can even even choose the Explorer font which I can't do in Windows 10 - such is progress. I can navigate straight to the disk / folder - none of this library and recent stuff rubbish to navigate through!
      My Computers


 

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