INQUISITR.COM / Science & Tech

It’s Possible To Boot Windows 95 On An Apple Watch, But It Takes Some Time

By Oliver VanDervoort
Published on: 14:41 PST, May 2, 2016

The Apple Watch might best be known for running a revamped version of the iOS, but one inventive soul has managed to get the watch to run a revamped version of Windows 95 as well. Windows 95 is not the operating system Apple would suggest be used on its watches, and that’s likely why reports indicate it can take up to an hour for the ancient operating system to boot up and start working on the watch.

PC Magazine reports developer Nick Lee is the one who managed to take an Apple Watch and turn it into something that could run a 20-year-old OS. It should be pointed out even Lee doesn’t think there’s a ton of practicality when it comes to using Apple’s most mobile of devices to work. The developer is also saying it was never about practicality to get the operating system to work on the watch. He just wanted to show he could use Apple’s newest device to do something no one else has been able to do.

For those who want to have Windows 95 running on their watch, Lee even posted a video so you can see exactly how to do it. Lee also talked about the fact that Apple’s watch is one that packs quite a bit of computing power into a pretty small package. Considering numerous reports are calling sales of Apple’s attempt at a smartwatch an utter failure, perhaps the Cupertino company should be looking to take more advantage of that computing power in the future.

On a blog post that accompanied the video, Nick Lee made the following point.

“With a 520MHz processor, 512MB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage, the Apple Watch packs a lot of computing horsepower into a very small package. As a result, I was feeling confident that the Apple Watch had the ability to run one of the most revered desktop operating systems Redmond has ever produced.”

The video shows the step-by-step instructions in order to get Windows 95 onto Apple’s device, something Apple isn’t likely real keen about, even when people are doing it on their computers and laptops. It’s a safe bet Apple isn’t thrilled about people booting a Windows operating system on their watch, though it doesn’t appear they’re going to do anything to stop the modification in the short term.

This isn’t the first time Lee has put a timeworn OS on Apple’s smartwatch. Last summer, just after the watch first hit the market, he was able to put the Mac OS 7.5.5 on the device. That operating system dates all the way back to 1991. This appears to just be a hobby for the developer, but it at least shows the device has got something going for it more than simply being a companion piece for the Apple iPhone. These devices are quite a bit more powerful than the computers running the older operating systems. There was a time when a PC with a hard drive topping out at 512 MB was something to be proud of. A number of different smartwatches are all quite a bit more powerful than the most powerful PCs of the 1990s, and it appears Lee thinks Apple’s device is one of the most powerful of the bunch.

The best part about the video is Lee isn’t installing a mobile version of Windows 95, but he is installing a full version of the operating system. In the video, you can check out the home screen that people who used PCs back in the 90s will remember quite well. It’s incredibly odd to see that simple home screen on the face of the Apple Watch.

[Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]

Share this article: It’s Possible To Boot Windows 95 On An Apple Watch, But It Takes Some Time
Apple watch
More from Inquisitr