Windows XP Professional

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

What this is (and isn’t)

  • Thread quickly establishes that this is a JavaScript/HTML/CSS simulation of Windows XP, not an x86 emulator or real VM.
  • Apps (Word-like editor, Notepad, Minesweeper, file saving/loading) are functional within the simulated environment, which many view as impressive for a browser UI.
  • Some disappointment that it isn’t “real” emulation like v86/VirtualXP; no true IE, no Direct3D, and some details (fonts, shadows, dialogs) feel off.

Performance, browser quirks, and compatibility

  • Many are surprised how smooth it feels in Chromium-based browsers; others note lag when dragging heavily styled windows.
  • The site warns about non-Chromium browsers; commenters attribute issues to typical JS/CSS implementation differences and lack of testing.
  • Some manage to use embedded browsing via iframes/Flash (Ruffle), but most modern sites block embedding.
  • On mobile, full emulation alternatives (like VirtualXP) hit RAM limits and can crash tabs.

Authenticity tests and UI minutiae

  • Commenters enjoy “spot the clone” games: menu hover behavior, progress bar animation smoothness, capitalization (“Start”/”welcome”), tray behavior, About dialogs, and broken command prompt.
  • Discussion branches into classic UI research: submenu hover triangles, menu delays, Amazon-style mega dropdown logic, and how many modern UIs still fail these patterns.
  • Long subthread on progress indicators: fake vs real progress bars, “spinners” vs linear bars, and user perception.

Nostalgia and design opinions

  • Strong emotional reactions to boot sounds, wallpapers, installer music, bundled games, and even remembered product keys.
  • Several argue XP (or 7 / 2000 classic theme) was peak desktop design: clear iconography, sensible Start menu, no ads/telemetry, strong theming culture.
  • Others counter that nostalgia biases views; still, many agree modern Start menus and bundled nagging (OneDrive, web search, ads) feel worse.

Modern alternatives and retro setups

  • Multiple users recommend Linux desktops (KDE, XFCE, Cinnamon, MATE, Trinity, Budgie) as ways to recapture a simple, non-spying desktop.
  • Some report KDE/XFCE setups that feel close to XP in usability; others complain Linux DEs still lack the stability and polish of XP/7.
  • Enthusiasts share links to true emulation (v86, JSLinux, 86Box, SmolXP) and classic pinball/XP-style web desktops.