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Windows 11 Still Runs on 1990s Code
7 May
Summary
- Windows 11's core functions still rely on 1990s Win32 API code.
- Microsoft's CTO admits Win32's longevity was unexpected.
- Win32 API is foundational, built upon by numerous apps and ecosystems.
Despite Microsoft's assertions of Windows 11 being the most advanced operating system, a significant portion of its underlying technology originates from the 1990s. A senior executive confirmed that core functionalities, such as right-clicking files and launching desktop applications, still execute code written decades ago using the Win32 API.
Mark Russinovich, CTO of Microsoft Azure, expressed surprise at the Win32 API's sustained importance, stating that nobody in the 1990s expected it to remain a primary API surface through 2026. He attributed its longevity to its fundamental role as the bedrock upon which many applications and technological ecosystems have been built.
Russinovich also mentioned previous attempts, like WinRT, to replace the Win32 API, which did not fully achieve their goals. This enduring legacy highlights the persistent influence of foundational technology in modern software development, with other decades-old tools like Sysinternals and Sysmon also remaining relevant.
