Legacy Windows Programs in Windows 11

There are still programs from Windows 95, released 28 years ago, included in Windows 11.

1. Phone Dialer

• Function: Dials a phone number
• Appearance: Mostly unchanged since Windows 95
• Usage: Requires a phone modem; useful for Retro Computing Enthusiasts
• Access: Open the Run dialog and type dialer

2. Character Map

• Historical Background: Dates back to Windows 3.1
• Function: Displays all characters included in a particular font
• Usage: Useful for copying symbols like the trademark symbol or Greek letters; alt codes available for some characters
• Note: Less relevant due to Google's quick access to special characters

3. WordPad

• Historical Background: Present since Windows 95, replaced Microsoft WR from Windows 1.0
• Function: Simple word processor
• Features: Resembles a simpler version of Microsoft Word; contains more features than Notepad
• Current Relevance: Free alternatives like Google Docs offer more features; Microsoft decided to exclude WordPad from new Windows 11 installations in late 2023

4. Disk Defragmenter

• Function: Optimizes file storage by defragmenting mechanical hard drives
• Relevance: Especially crucial for mechanical drives to prevent performance issues
• Modern Alternative: For SSDs, Windows uses the TRIM command for optimization
• Note: Regular user interaction may not be necessary due to automatic optimizations

Closing Remarks

• Microsoft has evolved some programs to align with modern needs and technologies.
• Despite some functionalities being outdated or less relevant, these programs remain a nostalgic part of Windows history.

Let us know if you’re interested in a part two exploring more legacy Windows features!

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