A developer got Word 1.1a from 1990 to run on Windows 11 - try it yourself
Longing for a plain, old-fashioned version of Microsoft Word without all the bells, whistles, and AI slop? One developer managed to coax Word 1.1a to run on today's Windows.
A developer named Justin Marshall managed to get an outdated version of Microsoft Word to work in the modern Windows operating system. This 35-year-old software, originally designed for the 16-bit platforms, has been rebuilt and run successfully in Windows 10 and 11.
The developer utilized the original sources and resources for Word 1.1a, while replacing the 16-bit components with modern equivalents. The result is an original Word application that functions as a 64-bit Windows executable. The experience allows users to revisit the graphical interface of the early 1990s, a time when WYSIWYG capabilities were groundbreaking and transformed the way documents were created and formatted.
However, replicating this feat requires specific programming tools and expertise. Marshall's GitHub page offers a detailed guide on how to build the program, but it involves setting up a 64-bit version of Windows, installing PowerShell, Visual Studio 2022 with Desktop development with C++, a Windows 10 or Windows 11 SDK, and CMake 3.25 or newer. Despite the complexity, the endeavor provides an opportunity to experience the vintage software and appreciate its historical significance in the evolution of word processing.
Written by urgent.news from ZDNet's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
