leileilol wrote on 2025-02-26, 02:10:

Windows Me

Burn the Heretic

chinny22 wrote on 2025-02-26, 05:36:

leileilol wrote on 2025-02-26, 02:10:

Windows Me

Burn the Heretic

Not burn... let's hang him instead!
Like that Windows that hangs often 🤣

Back to the original question...

My favourite operating system doesn't exist.

The only OS to fully satisfy me would be something completely designed by me personally.
I'm perfectly aware that I will never be able to create such a thing - at least using conventional ways.
However, some day the AI may actually be helpful, so who knows?...

Definitely Windows 7! Not only was it the last "true" Windows desktop operating system, but the UI and iconography always felt so warm and inviting, to use.😀

MS-DOS 6.22 & Windows for Workgroups 3.11
Windows 98 Second Edition
Windows 2000 Server

DOS

For me, it's simple.

DOS 6.22 and Windows 9x

DOS 6.22 being the last standalone version. I always loved using DOS in general.

Windows 95C OSR 2.5 has a special place in my nostalgic brain. Many of the basic functions of Win98, but smaller and lighter.

Windows 98SE is the most "useful" of the two obviously. Hence why I rank them both equally and use both depending on the hardware.

leileilol wrote on 2025-02-26, 02:10:

Windows Me

With proper real DOS mode patch (The phintage collectors's one is very promising, but unfinished) it beats the cr*p out of any earlier winbooze version.

BeOS

chinny22 wrote on 2025-02-26, 00:03:

Don't think this isn't correct, but you do need to prepare the disk before running setup. If you use Fdisk or Diskpart to create […]
Show full quote

Sabina_16bit. wrote on 2025-02-25, 18:29:

Windows 7 Enterprise.
*not just because of cool name, but mainly for Enterprise edition is the only, which will install to MBR disk, thus for any 1-disk multiboot of a 32/16bit OS with 64bit Windows, the 64bit must be Enterprise edition.

Don't think this isn't correct, but you do need to prepare the disk before running setup.
If you use Fdisk or Diskpart to create your partitions any version of Win7 will install on the existing disk structure.
In saying that I will have to go home and double check my dual boot XP/Win 7 Pro PC now.

Favorite OS is XP, It's stable and plays 90% of my 9x and later games just fine. It's the last version I actually liked but it's also the most boring.

Dos 6.22/ WFW 3.11 has the most nostalga attached and fun to use as makes you do the most work (ie typing commands)
Win98 SE for the few games that only work in Win9x but more for dos gaming.
Win2k for the 99% Win9x era games that run fine but it still feels retro, moreso then XP anyway.
Win7 as it's the last OS I didn't hate everything after this I use because I have to, but get no enjoyment from it.

Special mentions to Netware 3.11 Legendary file server NOS
NT4, almost everything is a fight but thats what makes it fun.
Server 2003, The server that refuses to die, seriously so many companies still have at least 1 of these kicking around.

As I already wrote,I always do prepare partitions in advance & I doubt,the reason can be,which partition manager I do use for that.For initiating new HDDs I use Partition Guru Free-DOS-Bootable,I always initiate disk as MBR & create Primary partitions only(for large disx always 4 primary partitions) with a file systems appropriate for the OS planned to install into them.
Of course no problems for almost any combinations of 32bit & 16bit OSs(except for having more DOSes bootable on same disk),but when I am creating a multiboot combining a 64bit Windows with 32/16bit OSs on same disk for newest machines(my newest is from 2013),I have this experiences:
Windows 6/7 64bit installs other than Enterprise edition refused to install to a partition prepapared in advance on an MBR disk & displayed a message,that I am attempting to install 64bit version of Windows on an MBR style disk,which I cannot & that the required style is GPT(useless for already installed 32bit/16bit OSs).
Windows 6/7 Enterprise 64bit:
Gladly accepted the same MBR disk & same partition,other editions refused,this way I was successful with putting 16bit,32bit & 64bit OSs into same disk multiboot.
Windows 8.1 64bit Home/Pro.:
When trying to add to an MBR disk(into the last partition,as it is the newest OS,I am using),it says,it cannot be installed into an MBR style disk & proposed to change it into GPT,which would render all 16/32bit OSs already on that disk unbootable,in 1 case Windows 8.1 64bit installer even changed the disk into GPT without prompt & I had to fix it by Partition Guru back to MBR.
I do not have Windows 8.1 Enterprise 64bit,thus I could not test,will it install into MBR disk like Windows 6/7 Enterprise 64bit.
Fortunately I have very few PCs,where a 64bit Windows makes sense,but I never create 64bit only setups,for the newest computers with >4GB RAM I usually install some combination fo FreeDOS+Windows 3.1 &/or Windows XP Pro.-Corporate & Windows Server 2008 Enterprise 32bit & Windows 7 &/or 6 Enterprise 64bit,where Windows 7 is for contemporary tasx,DOS+Win16 for oldest tasx & Windows Server 2008 Enterprise 32bit for inbetween & for combining new & old in same OS session,as in this mode I can use whole RAM,but @ the same time I can run Win16 & Win32 apps.
For the PCs with 4GB RAM I use 16bit & 32bit OSs only & in Windows 6/7/8.1 I use a tool built in my best Activator,which installs a "Turbo Mode" for Windows 6/7,which uses alternative RAM allocator,which extends 32bit Windows 6/7 to be able to use 4GB of RAM,so up to 4GB RAM(inclusive) I create 16+32bit or 32bit setups only,just have 1 such under construction,thus I will test the RAM extender soon also for Windows 8.1 Pro. 32bit & let U know,if it worx for 8.1 32bit too.
Mostly I install newer & older OSs,because the older loox better & the newer has no yellow triangles in Device Manager,so if I will not find drivers for all the HW,mostly I get everything running with generic 8.1's drivers,but sometimes also with generic 7's drivers,for example now I have triangle-less Device Manager in Windows 7,but will add Windows 8.1 to have the PC prepared for the case,all Win.7 antiviruses will be discontinued,so in this case I will use Windows 8.1 for internet & for scanning all partitions for malware,but Windows 7 will stay set as Default OS.
& if there 1ce will be no longer any antiviruses even for Windows 8.1,I will say good bye to the internet,but maybe until this will happen,ClamWin will add resident shield & we will all be OK(they stated,they wish to add resident shield in future,but other persons states,we will move to Mars within 20 years & it is 20 years for 50 years now?So no hope for getting rid of my bones & joints pains by moving to a place with lover gravity...Maybe better to hitchhik Commander Keen...)...

chinny22 wrote on 2025-02-26, 00:03:

Don't think this isn't correct, but you do need to prepare the disk before running setup. If you use Fdisk or Diskpart to create […]
Show full quote

Sabina_16bit. wrote on 2025-02-25, 18:29:

Windows 7 Enterprise.
*not just because of cool name, but mainly for Enterprise edition is the only, which will install to MBR disk, thus for any 1-disk multiboot of a 32/16bit OS with 64bit Windows, the 64bit must be Enterprise edition.

Don't think this isn't correct, but you do need to prepare the disk before running setup.
If you use Fdisk or Diskpart to create your partitions any version of Win7 will install on the existing disk structure.
In saying that I will have to go home and double check my dual boot XP/Win 7 Pro PC now.

Favorite OS is XP, It's stable and plays 90% of my 9x and later games just fine. It's the last version I actually liked but it's also the most boring.

Dos 6.22/ WFW 3.11 has the most nostalga attached and fun to use as makes you do the most work (ie typing commands)
Win98 SE for the few games that only work in Win9x but more for dos gaming.
Win2k for the 99% Win9x era games that run fine but it still feels retro, moreso then XP anyway.
Win7 as it's the last OS I didn't hate everything after this I use because I have to, but get no enjoyment from it.

Special mentions to Netware 3.11 Legendary file server NOS
NT4, almost everything is a fight but thats what makes it fun.
Server 2003, The server that refuses to die, seriously so many companies still have at least 1 of these kicking around.

I could never get a fully functional ISO of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise 32bit or activate the evaluation, I have,so I vote for Windows Server 2008 Enterprise 32bit as for best cross-platform OS(adding a category) ,because even 32bit Enterprise versions of Server 2000,Server 2003 & Server 2008 can do the same-serving as best meeting place for Win16 & Win32 apps & supporting huge RAM,I only could activate Server 2008,the olders I could not get to life,so also if wi will add a category best Windows Server,it is sure 2008 Enterprise 32bit ,because there r reliable ways to activate it,which is sadly not true for 2003 or 2000.
Of course Windows Server 2008 Enterprise 32bit also is a clear winner,if we add a category for best edition of Windows Vista.

Cyberdyne wrote on 2025-02-26, 02:00:

Same here with retro Windows gaming. Windows 9x is just so bog hassle to get running and stable. XP runs all my retro Windows games. I do not have any exotic and mostly unknown game that refuses to run. Few older games just need some help. And i have made all my games PORTABLE. So no installations. Just copy game directory and run.

Love MS-DOS 6 HELP. By the way, there is a 7.1 community created version.

I use a corporate professional XP version, so no activation and no problem.

The portability is the reason,I voted for DOS 6.22+Windows 3.11 as best @ all,this is valid for all older,but these r last,U do not need a specialized backup SW,because every DOS & Win16 SW including Windows 1.x to 3.x themselves can be backed up by simple copying.When I used daily my 386sx laptop(my only those days),I did backups by connecting by LPT laplink cable with the desktop with larger HDD & just pressed * F5 Enter in NC5 & copied the entire laptop's HDD to the desktop & when the HDD in the laptop failed(very unreliable Conner drive),I just replaced the HDD,Format C: /S from floppy,copied over the minimal version of NC5 & I was done with floppies,then I could connect via laplink & COPY everything back from last backup,after 1st restart everything was as be4 the HDD died & everything bootable,every DOS/Win16 SW worked as be4,including the Windows For Workgroups 3.11-just worked with all settings preserved.
U cannot do such an easy backup with newer Windows.Yes,some Win32 games r same easy to backup as Win16/DOS games(for example SimCity 4 is same easy to backup as SimCity 1),but Windows 3.11 was last Windows,which could be backed up by a simple copy & the copy worked on any HW & now,when I need to get a Win16 into another system,I just copy 1 existing installation, cannot do this with Win32...
So instead of a partition image U could go just with a laplink cable & Norton Commander 5.0,that is,y I love these most & y I also voted in neighboring topic for NC5 as best orthodox file manager,yes,it is huge compared to Volkov,but uses less RAM @ all & has a subsystem for Laplink,which Volkov lacks & I still use Laplink a lot,for all machines up to 486 LPT laplink is simply best file sharing method,easier than RJ45 with no need for extra drivers nor TSRs,working on bare DOS & so reliable & nice looking...In those days,every1 was angry with floppies,my friends was amazed,when I came visit them without a single floppy,just with my laptop & the LPT cable & they really enjoyed,when games was flowing via the cable,as 1 of them called it,& when it was done,we could play each others games instantly including game saves,including each others cities,we built,or each others incredible machines,still my favorite sharing method @ all.
I very miss the era,when everything could be just copied,no installing needed,just Copy & Play.

DaveDDS wrote on 2025-02-26, 01:53:

Still mainly use MS-DOS 5 on my various DOS machines (I like to keep things simple) […]
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Still mainly use MS-DOS 5 on my various DOS machines (I like to keep things simple)

Am using Win7-64 on this desktop (mostly prefer Win7-32 but this has 8G RAM)

Best windows - probably Win2000

XP was a close second, although activation requirement was a pain.
Have a few Laptops/Netbooks still running XP and my more primary portables dual-boot(XP/Win7)

(Still have a decent video/photo capture with good editing/cropping/resizing that makes good
looking but much smaller than most others .JPGs - that only runs on XP - so I do have XP on a
virtual machine to run it)

Just found a set of "Coherent" floppies today - haven't played with it before, so will
have to set it up and see...

And of course my all time favorite OS ... CUBIX ...
(The one I wrote for my D6809 homebuilt)

Dave ::: https://dunfield.themindfactory.com ::: "Daves Old Computers"->Personal

U wrote a whole OS?
Or U modified some existing?
Amazing.

Cyberdyne wrote on 2025-02-26, 02:00:

Same here with retro Windows gaming. Windows 9x is just so bog hassle to get running and stable. XP runs all my retro Windows games. I do not have any exotic and mostly unknown game that refuses to run. Few older games just need some help. And i have made all my games PORTABLE. So no installations. Just copy game directory and run.

Love MS-DOS 6 HELP. By the way, there is a 7.1 community created version.

I use a corporate professional XP version, so no activation and no problem.

So we may say:
Best Windows Installer(except for 16bit versions):
Windows XP Professional-Corporate CD.
Best Windows Installer(16bit & best @ all):
The Norton Commander 5.0 ...

I personally also prefer Win7 over Win11: I find it to have a better and more functional GUI: it looks better and has more color options and functionality. I like the Start menu there and also like the Explorer's Recent Folders and Last Searches features. The only major problem is that the Command Prompt doesn't make it easy to paste text.

Cyberdyne wrote on 2025-02-26, 02:00:

Same here with retro Windows gaming. Windows 9x is just so bog hassle to get running and stable. XP runs all my retro Windows games. I do not have any exotic and mostly unknown game that refuses to run. Few older games just need some help. And i have made all my games PORTABLE. So no installations. Just copy game directory and run.

Love MS-DOS 6 HELP. By the way, there is a 7.1 community created version.

I use a corporate professional XP version, so no activation and no problem.

So we may say:
Best Windows Installer(except for 16bit versions):
Windows XP Professional-Corporate CD.
Best Windows Installer(16bit & best @ all):
The Norton Commander 5.0 ...

Grzyb wrote on 2025-02-26, 06:31:

Not burn... let's hang him instead! Like that Windows that hangs often XD […]
Show full quote

chinny22 wrote on 2025-02-26, 05:36:

leileilol wrote on 2025-02-26, 02:10:

Windows Me

Burn the Heretic

Not burn... let's hang him instead!
Like that Windows that hangs often 🤣

Back to the original question...

My favourite operating system doesn't exist.

The only OS to fully satisfy me would be something completely designed by me personally.
I'm perfectly aware that I will never be able to create such a thing - at least using conventional ways.
However, some day the AI may actually be helpful, so who knows?...

No.
Praise the original opinion,intellectuality & boldness...That person boldly wrote an unpopular opinion...& this is the opinion poll,so no1 shall be attacked for personal opinion or preference.
I was afraid,I will c just endless repeating of few most beloved OSs & it is very refreshing,when som1 has a really original vote/preferences.
For now it is the 2nd most interesting vote just after that,som1 voted for own self-writed OS.
Thanx to such intellectuals life is not boring.

amadeus777999 wrote on 2025-02-26, 08:31:

DOS

Do U feel all versions of DOS equal?
All the way from CPM prototypes with FAT8 only all the way up to FreeDOS 1.4 not excluding MS-DOS 8.0 ?
Because if U wrote just "DOS",U just added equal votes for all DOSes...including MS-DOS 4.0, 4.01 & 8.0 & also for 1.x & earlier,which cannot be installed on a hard drive,nor even c it...
If U really love all DOSes equally,Your vote counts as 1 of the most original 1s & U also have a record for shortest answer.

for retro games its 98SE it just works providing you dont mess around installing pointless shit which breaks the OS much like M.e, my first pc had 95 so i do feel nostalgic for it but 98SE is just an enhanced version will better compatibility especially when it comes to usb support, i never had 98 back in the day as i went straight to an M.e pc my dads friend built for me, it worked great and lasted a good few years, i dont know why people shit on M.e, the only downside was lack of compatiblity for dos games and that wierd transition period when games would either be 9x or 2000 compatible.

for later OS it was always XP, when vista first released it was broken as most programs from xp were incompatible so i went back to XP, until vista got fixed, i really do love that Aero theme, when windows 7 released it was the same crap when vista first came out, it was incompatible with most programs i'd been using on XP/vista, so i went back to vista for a few more years before reluctanly switching to win7, the only thing i didnt like was microsoft moving things around like in control panel and in the menu bar. etc, this was one of my main gripes with win10, they had already had things pretty well laid out with win7, ignoring the joke that was win8 which led to 8.1, with the 10 layout they just decided to completely fuck shit up, i have to admit i do like the look of win11, it had that same fresh feel as the first time i installed vista, tho the hardware requirement are a joke, after windows 8, the messing with the layout of win 10, its just not funny anymore, and now the rumours win12 will be subscription based, its over for microsoft! they've completely screwed their customers for many years due to pure greed, and people probably wont stand for it much longer, you want people to buy your products you give them what they want not what you want.

TLDR; i use 98SE and win7 SP1

also theres an LCARS theme for rainmeter, only tried it out once, i feel i need a large touchscreen imbedded in my wall to make good use of it.

Thanx for all opinions & double-thanx for those original,where some1 boldly wrote,which no1 dared be4.
Let's continue this way...

Sabina_16bit. wrote on 2025-02-27, 13:08:

No. Praise the original opinion,intellectuality & boldness...That person boldly wrote an unpopular opinion...& this is the opini […]
Show full quote

No.
Praise the original opinion,intellectuality & boldness...That person boldly wrote an unpopular opinion...& this is the opinion poll,so no1 shall be attacked for personal opinion or preference.
I was afraid,I will c just endless repeating of few most beloved OSs & it is very refreshing,when som1 has a really original vote/preferences.
For now it is the 2nd most interesting vote just after that,som1 voted for own self-writed OS.
Thanx to such intellectuals life is not boring.

Relax, it was just a joke.

Anyway, it's perfectly normal to see endless repeating of few choices in such polls.
That's how the Gaussian distribution works: majority of products are average, some are below average, some are above average - with only a small number of them at the very top.