Key information
Microsoft recently marked the 30th anniversary of Windows 95, a platform that remains in use by specific institutions despite the company's current push toward Windows 11. One notable example is a poultry farm in Dusseldorf, Germany, which relies on the legacy operating system to manage a 40 x 40 meter egg-counting machine.
Farmer Peter Huber explains that the specialized software controlling his equipment lacks modern updates, and the original developer is no longer available to adapt the code for newer systems. Consequently, Huber maintains the legacy setup because the program performs its specific tasks reliably without requiring hardware or software modernization.
Huber reports that the system operates smoothly and stably, noting that it feels more fluid than modern alternatives which he claims take longer to boot. He emphasizes that because the machine remains disconnected from the internet, security risks are minimized, effectively following the principle of not altering functional, specialized technology.
While Microsoft ended extended support for Windows 95 in 2001, this case highlights the practical utility of legacy software in niche sectors. Huber has not updated his equipment since its initial acquisition and reports experiencing no operational issues, contrasting his experience with the frustrations often associated with modern system requirements.
