RETRO-PC
A noncommercial museum of 1990s computing, distributed as a bootable system you can run on your PC.
The project demonstrates what it was like to use the computers of the era. Period operating systems and applications run through emulation, preserving their interfaces, workflows, and quirks.
The computing experience
Browse screenshots from RETRO-PC, including HOME and the complete games and hidden games lists. Open a screenshot to see it at full size.
Four environments are included:
- MS-DOS — command-line programs and games.
- Windows 3.1 — an early graphical desktop.
- Windows 95 — the Start menu, desktop applications, and games.
- Classic Macintosh — the desktop and System 7.5.3.
Work with documents and spreadsheets, explore multimedia, or spend time with the games of the era.
The museum is about using the software: finding your way around a desktop, making something, and learning how these systems worked.
Built on Linux
RETRO-PC uses Debian Linux to handle the host computer's display, sound, storage, and networking. Openbox provides the fullscreen emulator session, and an XFCE desktop provides access to setup and maintenance tools. Python and shell scripts connect the environments through the HOME screen.
The emulators
- DOSBox-X runs MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 in a shared emulated PC, with Sound Blaster audio and virtual hard drives, CDs, and floppies.
- QEMU/KVM runs Windows 95 with a virtual PC's graphics, sound, and network hardware. KVM uses the host CPU's hardware virtualization support, while QEMU supplies the devices expected by the guest.
- Basilisk II runs Macintosh System 7.5.3 on an emulated Motorola 68k Mac, using a Macintosh disk image and support for virtual CD and floppy media.
The operating systems and their software run inside these environments. Disk images hold their files and settings. The USB system uses a compressed SquashFS base with an OverlayFS writable layer so documents, settings, and saved games persist between sessions.
Networking utilities
DOSBox-X's virtual modem connects to a local PPP service built with socat and SLiRP. This gives DOS and Windows 3.1 a dial-up-style connection through the Linux host for period networking workflows.
The RETRO-PC LAN service discovers nearby machines over wired Ethernet and carries the Windows 95 guests' Ethernet frames between them. It supports the TCP/IP and IPX traffic used by period multiplayer software and assigns each machine its own network identity.
AIM chat uses Open OSCAR Server and a companion service that selects a local chat host, adds nearby signed-in users to buddy lists, and takes over hosting on another machine when needed. The Wi-Fi / Network utility uses NetworkManager and nmtui to select networks and remember connections.
The Online Play utility uses WireGuard tunnels and nftables firewall rules to connect private groups over the internet. It carries the same LAN and chat traffic through the group connection.
Installation and media tools
The Python and Tkinter Install a Game wizard and Manage Game Discs utility prepare archives, installers, extracted folders, and disc images for the chosen environment. They provide installation instructions and manage virtual media. You run the original software's installer inside its operating system.
The built-in disk installer copies the complete Linux system, emulators, and library from the USB to an internal drive without an internet connection. It uses lsblk to identify disks, sfdisk and ext4 tools to prepare the selected drive, rsync to copy files, and GRUB for BIOS and UEFI boot. Installation reformats the selected drive. You can choose a fresh setup or copy your USB saves and settings.
Hardware Settings provides display and sound selection, sound tests, software-rendering controls, Bluetooth pairing, keyboard layout, and time-zone settings. These utilities make the collection usable across different host PCs while preserving the period interfaces inside the emulators.
Supported machines
RETRO-PC targets ordinary 64-bit Intel and AMD PCs, including business desktops and mini PCs. Intel Core i3/i5 systems from the 4th–7th generation and comparable AMD systems are the intended class. Examples include Dell OptiPlex, HP EliteDesk and ProDesk, and Lenovo ThinkCentre machines with suitable hardware.
- CPU — x86-64 with at least two physical cores. Windows 95 requires working Intel VT-x or AMD-V/SVM virtualization enabled in firmware.
- Memory — 4 GB nominal with at least 3.5 GiB usable by Linux. 8 GB is recommended.
- Storage — a 64 GB or larger USB drive to run the image, or a 64 GB or larger internal drive for installation. An SSD is preferred for loading and saving.
- Display and sound — Linux-supported graphics and a working audio output. Hardware Settings can select outputs and test sound.
- Networking — optional for offline use. Local LAN games and chat use wired Ethernet. Wi-Fi can connect the Linux host to a network.
The image includes legacy BIOS and 64-bit UEFI boot support. RC56 passed virtual BIOS, UEFI, Secure Boot, and 64 GB installation checks. Physical compatibility depends on the individual machine's firmware, graphics, sound, and network adapters, and hardware qualification is ongoing.
Download RETRO-PC
AMD64 · 61 GB (56.8 GiB) · .img disk image
Run it from USB with persistent saves, or install it on your PC. No account is needed to download or use the system.
Write the USB
- Download the image and use a 64 GB or larger USB drive.
- Use a disk-image writing utility to write the downloaded image to the whole USB drive. Writing the image erases that USB drive.
- Boot your PC from the USB. Run RETRO-PC, or choose Install to disk.
LAN play and chat
Multiplayer games and instant messaging are part of the experience. RETRO-PC includes local LAN play and period chat in Windows 95.
- On the same network: connect RETRO-PCs by Ethernet for LAN games and chat. No account or internet connection is needed.
- Over the internet: connect a private online group, then meet in your games and chat.
Create an online group · Sign in
Private online groups require an account and an online-enabled RETRO-PC build. Connection quality depends on the network between players.