Microsoft releases source code for Windows 3.0 File Manager, and it still works great on Windows 10

1 min. read

Published on April 9, 2018

published on April 9, 2018

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The release of the Spring Creators Update may be coming up soon, but if you’re up for some Windows nostalgia while waiting, you can now download the Windows 3.0 File Manager on your Windows 10 PC. Long-time Microsoft employee Craig Wittenberg has recently published the source code on GitHub, which was originally copied from Windows NT back in 2007.

Whow — Microsoft open-sourced the original Windows File Manager https://t.co/UL8x8px0Dq

— Owen Williams ⚡ (@ow) April 9, 2018

As you can see below, the Windows 3.0 File Manager is fully functional on Windows 10 and is a real throwback to the early 1990’s when copying, moving, deleting, and searching for files became easier in Windows thanks to this core app. It all works via the MDI interface, which allowed users to see more than one folder in one window.

The File Manager is not only a throwback but a true proof of how backward compatible windows can be despite the test of time. Feel free to download it now for your own throwback to classic computing, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.