Windows 95D Lite 1.5a

Windows 95D Lite 1.5a
	Crusty Windows bootleg
	The desktop of Windows 95D Lite 1.5a
Original OS	Windows 95 OSR2
Release date	December 23, 2021
Author	Kugee, TheOneGoofAli
Country of Origin	United States
Language(s)	English
Architecture(s)	x86 (32-bit)
Other version(s)	1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6a, etc
File size	499 MB
Download link	win95d_lite_15a.iso
Date added	February 15, 2022

Windows 95D Lite 1.5a is a bootleg Windows 95 OSR2 edition, which was created by Kugee and TheOneGoofAli (he designed the autorun graphics and made the 95D Lite logo). It released on December 23, 2021, and was added to the archive on February 15, 2022.

Description

The bootleg is a modified Windows 95 OSR2 ISO. This bootleg is largely intended to be an enhancement to Windows 95, adding many quality of life improvements to the OS to make it easier to run and use on old computers, and the successor to Windows 95B (which this mod is based on), skipping Windows 95C which included the infamous Internet Explorer 4 and Active Desktop features entirely, thus the name, Windows 95D. The "Lite" in the name doesn't mean that it is stripped down like so you would expect, but it actually means it has a very different goal from the mod that came before it, Windows 95D. That was more of a proof-of-concept, to show that gradient titlebars are possible to get in Windows 95, by taking system files from a certain Memphis build with the functionality implemented and replacing 95's system files with it. Not in this OS, though. The goal here is to do away with all that, and focus more on bringing things that are actually useful to the table, such as pre-integrated updates and drivers to make getting them far less of a chore.

The drivers consist of mostly drivers of popular chipsets, processors, sound cards, video cards, and more. MS-DOS has been given some more spotlight in this OS, thanks to the new MS-DOS programs included. The help files have received a massive facelift - MANY invaluable tips and tricks, and detailed instructions on the dark arts of remastering Windows 95 are included.

The installation of the bundled integrations is meant to be completely seamless and not require user input, you won't find any kind of extra RunOnce entries or WPI here. The pre-installation process has been simplified thanks to an automated script being there, which does all the heavy lifting (making and formatting a new partition, preparing the setup files, etc) for you. You can even do an express installation from here!

Unlike other bootlegs, this one is a lot more discreet and does not have any custom branding. Older versions before version 1.2 used to have custom branding, until it got removed in 1.2, and all future releases then afterward. The executables to restore the branding is included as a CD-ROM extra, and a download link on the former official Razorback website.

Speaking of CD-ROM extras, many new ones are included. First and foremost, there are the themes, which is included in a "Plus! Pack". All of the 90's era Plus! themes (Plus! 95, Plus! for Kids and Plus! 98) are included, even things like the Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit, and custom themes made specifically for the OS. Some of them were user-submitted!! There is also of course 3D Pinball Space Cadet, and also some videos included, among them are the Windows 95D Lite trailer including the one for the version in the archive (1.5a). There's also some beta content (from Chicago build 99) and some in-joke material in there too. And yes, Hover is still included.

Changes from Windows 95 OSR2

New setup graphics. Updated setup billboard graphics
New font set

Software

APMTOGL 1.1

Updates

DCOM95
Dial-Up Networking 1.4
DirectX 7.0a
FIX95CPU
HyperTerminal
IntelliPoint 3.2
MSInfo32 (System Information)
Microsoft Installer
Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Runtime
Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 Redistributable
PATCHMEM
Unicode Layer
Winsock2
eXtended USB Supplement

Software on the CD

TOOLS

Cabinet Software Development Kit
DOS font changer (as DOSFONT\ENABLE/DISABLE.REG)
Remote Desktop Connection (DS Client for Windows NT)
Layout Splitter (LAYTSPLT)
Microsoft Installer
Microsoft Office Document Compressor Kit (EMCABIN10)
Windows 95 Kernel PowerToys
Windows 95 PowerToys
Windows NT Server Tools

ADMIN

APPTOOLS

LFNBK
Password List Editor
System Policy Editor
Windows 95 Resource Kit
Windows 95 Shortcut Maker/WinSet

NETTOOLS

Batch Setup 2.4
Microsoft Print Agent for NetWare Networks
Microsoft RPC Print Provider
Microsoft Remote Registry
Network Monitor Agent
SNMP Agent

Notes

CD contents and other info

A lot of extra material is included which can't be described in the Description section. They are only available in the "Full" CD, the "Base" CD don't include the extras. Overtime, older releases get stripped down to just the "base" CD to save storage space on the Razorback servers where the ISOs are hosted. Here is a list of them:
- There is a folder on the CD named "DRIVERS" which contains several popular drivers which are otherwise already integrated into the OS, made seperate for you to use on your own volition in case you need them. Most of them are more so miscellaneous, however. The AWE32 folder for example, only has the control applets and not the actual drivers.
- Sources for utilities and various other material used to make the bootleg are included in a "SOURCE" folder on the CD. This includes APMTOGL 1.1, LAYTSPLT, INFSECT 0.5 and the original Diamond Disk Definition files for the mod.
- Internet Explorer 3.02 and Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 are included as extras on the CD, in a folder named "IE".
- A text file named "VMWARE.TXT" can be seen on the CD. It describes how to get working sound with Windows 95D Lite on newer versions of VMware.
- The original autorun has its strings replaced to match Windows 95D Lite's. The graphics have also been updated.