WSL9x lets you run a modern Linux kernel 6.19 inside Windows 9x without needing virtualization.

Linux has had a quiet takeover of computing. It powers all of the world’s top 500 supercomputers and Android, which runs on billions of smartphones.

It has also found its way into places that have nothing to do with traditional computing. Smart TVs run some variant of it. Cars run it. If something has a processor and a purpose, there is a good chance Linux is involved somewhere.

Over the years, we have also seen some interesting experiments involving Linux and Windows together. loss32 runs an entire desktop as Win32 software under Wine, and Microsoft’s WSL has made Linux a part of Windows 10 and beyond.

Now, Hailey, an open source developer, has taken that idea and turned it around. Instead of Linux hosting Windows apps, she has made Windows 9x host Linux.

  • Monkey Coco@programming.devEnglish
    7·
    4 days ago

    Another step forward proving that once again newer operating systems are not required that these new features could have just been made to work with these operating systems from the gecko. There are many people who use older operating systems for different reasons. Reddit uses windows 98 to host a server running their Pixlr feature. Other people use them for the natural compatability for older games or to run web emulators for people online to browse & play retro games.

    There are many developers who create software for older operating systems like VxKex a software application made to handle the .dll calls that newer software calls for which is only avaliable on windows 8, 8.1, 10, & 11. VxKex handles these dlls so a higher windows application can run on an older operating system. It was originally created to keep Windows 7 alive which now because of VxKex many programs made for windows 10 or higher can run on windows 7,

    VxKex doesn’t work with every application but as more foss developers are drawn to it’s project page it has expanded compatability with many newer softwares. It’s great to see developers making applications like these the future of Microsoft & it’s products are AI, spyware technologies, & redefining PC from personal computer to public computer. Because of this downward sloap more people are either turning to linux or older windows refusing to update & looking for tactics to prevent forceful update for certain applications like the steam & epic game stores. I appreciate developers who create these softwares & are devoting time to keeping windows 7 alive.

    The scare of EOL meaning no more security updates does not mean the operating system is completely vulnerable or your 99.9% going to get hacked if you use it. People who do not understand tech usually just follow the ladder & repeat what they hear which is that spew of nonsense & you should update like your so fragile unless you do update to the latest OS. Is there potential risk sure but the odds if someone going out of their way just to get to know about you, your os, & then take the time to figure how to hack you is slim like next to none slim.

    Even so I would imagine the foss community would pick up major known exploits & write custom patches because there is a good handful of people around the world still using older operating systems & continue to support them long after EOL. Just look at the keep7alive community. I hope more people get involved in projects which aim to make windows 11 & future os specific functionalities be compatable with older oses to be closer to fully bridging the gap in compatability allowing any future applications to run on older operating systems like windows 7.