Windows XP might have reached the end of its official life years ago, but the iconic operating system continues to live on in the hearts of millions. Now, thanks to a passion project from developer ducbao414, fans can relive the XP era directly in their browser, complete with familiar programs, the signature XP’s Luna interface, and even the nostalgic startup sound.
A Throwback to 2001
Originally launched in 2001, Windows XP defined a generation of computing with its user-friendly design, built-in programs like Paint and Minesweeper, and the cheerful blue-and-green desktop. The developer behind this project set out to recreate that same experience, not as a full virtualized OS, but as a faithful browser-based simulation.
The project hosted at Win32.runhttps://win32.run/ offers a wide range of features designed to mimic XP’s look and feel. These include:
A working file system with drag-and-drop support
Classic programs like MS Paint, Minesweeper, and a media player
XP-style file picker and save dialogs
Support for certain third-party programs
A Windows XP “installation” mode for extra nostalgia
There’s even support for extras such as .zip compression, .docx editing, and video playback with subtitles.
Built With Modern Web Tech
While it looks like XP, under the hood the project is powered by modern web technologies. According to the developer, it was originally created as a way to learn Svelte, with help from tools like SvelteKit and Tailwind CSS.
“I made this a few years ago when I first learned Svelte, originally as a Windows XP installation simulation. Still fondly remember those times when I used to format and reinstall my desktop,” the developer shared on Reddit.
Though not an official emulator or a real Windows XP virtual machine, the simulation captures the aesthetic and interactivity of XP while running entirely client-side. That means you can even deploy it on your own server or explore the code on GitHub (https://github.com/ducbao414/win32.run).
The project quickly caught the attention of nostalgic users. Many praised how fast and lightweight it felt compared to today’s bloated systems. Others expressed amazement at the attention to detail, from the file dialogs to the working games.
One commenter summed it up:
“Microsoft needs to go back to this level of performance, look how fast it runs, and it’s not even the real deal.”
Even though it’s not actively maintained today, the project continues to inspire others. The developer confirmed the source is available for anyone to fork, modify, or self-host, noting that it can even run on a $1/month VPS thanks to its minimal resource usage.
Not the Real XP, But Close Enough
It’s important to note that this isn’t true Windows XP running in the browser, it’s a recreation of the UI and functionality using web code. You won’t be able to install full Windows programs, but you can still tinker around with Paint, play a few games, and feel the nostalgia of a simpler computing era.
For anyone who grew up with XP, this project is a delightful way to revisit the past. And for younger generations, it’s a fascinating glimpse into one of the most beloved operating systems in history.
You can check out the project and even host your own instance via the GitHub repo: Win32.run
