Windows 95, arguably the first PC gaming OS, is still being used... to sort eggs in Germany

News
By published

There's definitely an 'eggs-box' pun in here somewhere, but you won't see me making it.

Chicken egg icon on computer screen with mouse pointer
(Image credit: SEAN GLADWELL via Getty Images)

Recently I wondered if I could download Steam on to my Mum's far from sprightly desktop (I'm trying to offer her a PC Gaming education). Unfortunately, it turns out my Mum has held on to an HP Pro 3010 Microtower machine from 2009. Its integrated graphics are obviously nothing to write home about, though at the very least it's been maintained well enough that it's running on a mostly up to date version of Windows 10—which is more than I can say for a certain chicken farm in Germany.

The Duddeldorf-based farm's massive 40 by 40 metre egg-counting machine still runs on Windows 95, an operating system that turned 30 years old last week (via WDR). Farmer Peter Huber is far from the only business owner out there still clinging to the ancient OS, but his comments to WDR offers some insight into why it remains so popular despite official extended support from Microsoft ending in 2001.

With Windows 10 itself staring down an imminent end of support, many have been miffed to discover that their still perfectly usable hardware doesn't meet Windows 11's stringent system requirements. There are ways around this—or, failing that, there's always Linux. But even with these options, there are still bound to be PC users who are either simply uncomfortable with this level of technical finagling, or those whose use case is so niche that upgrading beyond Windows 95 would be a bird-brained move.

HP OMEN 35L
Best gaming PC 2025

👉Check out our full guide👈

1. Best overall:
HP Omen 35L

2. Best budget:
Lenovo Legion Tower 5i

3. Best high-end:
Corsair Vengeance A7500

4. Best compact:
Velocity Micro Raptor ES40

5. Alienware:
Alienware Area-51

6. Best mini PC:
Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT

TOPICS
Jess Kinghorn
Jess Kinghorn
Hardware Writer

Jess has been writing about games for over ten years, spending the last seven working on print publications PLAY and Official PlayStation Magazine. When she’s not writing about all things hardware here, she’s getting cosy with a horror classic, ranting about a cult hit to a captive audience, or tinkering with some tabletop nonsense.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.