Windows 96 Lite
The default desktop with open start menu
Windows 96 Lite is a cut down version of Windows 96 released on the 6th of May 2021.
It is designed to be used by people who prefer a lighter installation or by people who have a terrible internet connection.
The lite version can be found at https://lite.windows96.net
Differences from the regular version
- Due to Windows 96 Lite being extremely lightweight, it receives updates far less frequently.
- Most apps are removed to make the OS lighter to load. Only the package manager, terminal, text editor, and file explorer remain to retain basic functionality.
- It is possible to restore some system apps with package manager in the future.
- An alternate boot logo is used instead of the regular Mikesoft one.
- The base system image has been made completely bare with all wallpapers and READMEs removed.
- Some joke files are also removed.
- The true system files are heavily cut down and there are no other themes available.
Trivia
- Windows 96 Lite takes about 1.6 MB of space uncompressed and 622 KB compressed with 7-zip ultra compression.
- There is a planned floppy release for the lite edition as a limited collectible.