Windows 95 Icons Persistent in Windows 11

A Journey Through Time: Unearthing Digital Relics in Modern Windows

The Enduring Legacy of Windows 95: Hidden Icons in Windows 11

Despite the conclusion of the Windows 10 era, Microsoft continues to incorporate remarkably old code into its current operating system. A notable instance is the persistence of ancient icons within the 'pifmgr.dll' file in Windows 11. This particular Dynamic Link Library, first introduced with Windows 95, houses a collection of icons originally intended for user customization of shortcut files, as detailed in a Microsoft Dev site blog post by Raymond Cheng.

Pifmgr.dll: A Small File with a Rich History

The 'pifmgr.dll' file contains a total of 38 distinct icons. Beyond serving as a visual resource, this DLL also manages Program Information Files (PIF files), which are crucial for configuring virtual MS-DOS sessions to execute specific applications. Remarkably, this entire collection occupies a mere 38 kilobytes, a testament to efficiency in an age where software updates often span gigabytes and solid-state drives rapidly fill with massive data.

Visual Evolution: From 16-Color Pixels to Modern Aesthetics

These historical icons, rendered in 32 by 32 pixels with a 16-color palette, predate the 256-color support that Windows 95 offered. Even today, remnants of these older icon types can be found scattered throughout Windows 11's deeper directories. The 'System32' folder within the main Windows directory is a diverse repository, showcasing icons from Windows 95, smoother 32-bit icons with transparency from Windows XP, the visually rich 256x256 pixel Aero-style icons of Windows Vista, the minimalist 'Metro' designs from Windows 8, and the sleek monochromatic icons prevalent in some Windows 11 elements.

A Nostalgic Glimpse: Familiar and Peculiar Iconography

For those who recall earlier Windows versions, many of the icons within 'pifmgr.dll' evoke a sense of familiarity, such as the classic desktop computer and filing cabinet graphics. However, the collection also features an array of unusual and eclectic designs, including historical military armaments like swords and flails. Other interesting inclusions are a Doric column, a cruise ship, a running rabbit, and an apple with a bite, strikingly similar to a competitor's renowned logo. Users are encouraged to explore the Windows Dev blog post to discover the full range of these fascinating and remarkably compact icons at their leisure.