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Posted by mitchivin 9/7/2025

Show HN: I recreated Windows XP as my portfolio(mitchivin.com)
Years ago I stumbled across a basic version of this concept and it stuck with me. I knew if I was ever going to take on such a project, it would need to be flawless, but without coding experience it was just another idea that would never happen. By the end of 2024, as AI coding tools exploded everywhere, I finally had a way to make it real.

I started from zero knowledge and spent months collaborating with AI agents as a learning experience. Every pixel and every function went through me. The AI translated what I asked for into code, but every decision was human. I didn't use existing OS frameworks because the goal was learning how basic coding languages worked while also developing my skills with AI collaboration. Apart from basic libraries like xp.css and paint.js, it's all original code.

The result is a fully functional Windows XP recreation running in your browser. Complete experience with sounds, animations, and working applications. Even works properly on mobile, which required rebuilding everything to maintain the authentic feel without becoming unusable on touchscreens.

This project taught me more about coding and AI collaboration than I ever expected. Would love to hear your thoughts on the execution and any feedback on the technical approach.

1032 points | 323 commentspage 12
kennyloginz 9/7/2025|
No offense, maybe I am jaded by our environment, but this reads like an ai ad….
makuchaku 9/7/2025||
Amazing work!
poundtown 9/7/2025||
pretty badass sir...cheers to you.
nategreb 9/7/2025||
this is sick
lurquer 9/7/2025||
Very cool
clbrmbr 9/7/2025||
Wow. You are going places, Mitch. Epic design skills. Listening to Unwritten and loading up that email form… can’t wait to see what you build.
mitchivin 9/7/2025|
thank you so much for the kind words, appreciate it more than you probably realize :)
VitoVan 9/7/2025||
I need to right-click and refresh the desktop, please.
mitchivin 9/7/2025|
If I glance over at my TODO's its pretty close to next on the list - stay tuned
adastra22 9/7/2025||
No minesweeper?! I’m severely disappointed.
mitchivin 9/7/2025|
it's on my list!
adastra22 9/7/2025||
Awesome job btw. Impressed by hell well it works on mobile. (Can even type in the terminal!)
mitchivin 9/7/2025||
thank you so much

only since a few days ago haha

quantummagic 9/7/2025||
Great job, well done. This really highlights that people who obsess in telling us that "AI hallucinates", and "AI isn't intelligent", are missing the point. At the end of the day, it's simply useful, and incredibly empowering.
mitchivin 9/7/2025|
thanks mate haha yeah I stay out of those convos
rawxtl 9/7/2025|
This shit is fucking awsome!
mitchivin 9/7/2025|
Thanks boss!
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