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

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.

[noideac]

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

[dbarrera]

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

[derick]

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

[FullOfMalarky]

Should I upgrade to 95 from Windows 8?

[guilhermegvd]

"And if you use it more than 3 HOURS A MONTH there are extra charges"
LOL even considering that time, it's still hard to believe

[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

[TheOrangeType]

Three hours *a month?!* 

Jesus Christ the 90's were a dark time.

[Bonswally]

20 years later and it's still a remarkable piece of software.

[gabi]

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

[bapa]

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'.

[konstantingeist]

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.

[jtpinnyc]

I actually got excited all over again watching this...it really was exciting at the time.

[salvofiasco]

I can't wait for 95' to launch.

[clarissamcpigeon]

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

[gardoe.c.]

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

[BilisNegra]

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!

[Zetler]

Man that start me up add. Probably their most successful add campaign ever.

[gabegarcia]

I really miss this era of home computing. PC's were becoming more mainstream but weren't nearly as commonplace as today. People didn't have computers in the form of smart phones in their pocket, laptops were still pretty bulky, and desktops ruled the market. Beige towers, landlines and dial up internet, a lot of websites were mostly text and simple graphics. Then towards the end of the 90s we got great games like counterstrike, starcraft, etc. Going to lan parties with your friends, pulling all nighters, then crashing the next day.

It's almost like too much of a good thing now. Everywhere you look, there's smart phones, tablets, laptops, and even computers embedded into random shit like refrigerators. Everything felt more balanced back then to me.

[mykullee]

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

[NormanSzczepanski]

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