Windows 97
 | Windows 97 is partially missing. Other versions of Windows 97 exist such as 1.0 Beta, 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.0 as a QEMU VM, and 3.0 for the PSP. Windows 97 was originally in French language only. It only received a English translation when 3.5 came out. 3.5, similarly, has a QEMU version. If you are in possession of this ISO, please send an email to staff  computernewb.com or join our Discord so we can add it to our collection. |
Windows 97 (version 3.5 stable) is a bootleg Windows 3.1 edition, which was created by Ideeman1994. It released in March 2012 to BetaArchive (Windows 97 was already years old at that point), and was added to the archive on December 10, 2021.
| Crusty Windows bootleg | |
 The desktop of Windows 97 | |
| Original OS | Windows 3.11 |
|---|---|
| Release date | March 2012 |
| Author | Ideeman1994 |
| Country | Belgium |
| Language(s) | English, French (not in archive) |
| Architecture(s) | x86 (16-bit) |
| File size | 28.8 MiB |
| Download link | win9735enstable.zip |
| Date added | December 10, 2021 |
Description
The bootleg is a modified Windows 3.1 ISO. It styles the OS with a Windows 95 theme and even includes some old customization programs to complete the look.
The setup used is a completely custom one, using a specialized Windows 3.1 PE running a Delphi-based installer. You will boot into a startup menu which will allow you to either install the OS or boot from it like a live CD. The installation is done using a batch script which copies the "mini 3.1" to the C drive (assuming the user has already formatted it) and runs the setup. A boot floppy is required to install the OS.
Changes from Windows 3.1
Changes in pre-desktop procedures
- The setup has been completely replaced with a custom one
- New setup graphics. The setup background is the Windows 95 setup
- New boot graphics. The boot screen is changed to a Windows 95 style one. It is static due to technical limitations
Look and feel
- New default theme, and wallpaper. The default wallpaper is set to the Windows 95 setup, with the author's branding added and a copyright disclaimer on the top right
- The shell is replaced with Calmira, a Delphi-based Windows 95-like shell
- The window buttons have now been themed to Windows 95
Software
- Win32s
Games
- FreeCell
Customization Utilities
- Mask98
- Calmira
Notes
Bootleg quirks
- The start menu banner's text is renamed to Windows 97.
Gallery
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Initial screen
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Setup while it's formatting
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Setup in the graphical phase
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Boot screen
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Empty desktop
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Start menu
