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Posted by mitchivin 6 days ago

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.

1018 points | 316 commentspage 2
ftruzzi 5 days ago|
This is really nice work, and it does showcase your skills, ability to learn, persistence and attention to detail.

I disagree with others who complain that either the design was copied or a few little details are not exactly the same as the original – I don't think that's the point here.

Congrats!

felarof 6 days ago||
Wow, this is cool!

You should open source this and let other people contribute and build apps that work inside this sim. I would love to build a version of our browser into this. (https://github.com/browseros-ai/BrowserOS)

_-_-__-_-_- 6 days ago||
This is wonderful. You should be proud. It's a fun recreation and it was fun to use. Back when I was using XP (2004-2010), I had a 19" black CRT monitor. Once I got a laptop, it became a second monitor. I got whatever the family didn't want and the few things I scrounged from used computer stores. In 2010, I jumped to Windows 7. The theming of Windows XP always reminds me of seeing it for the first time, how colourful and inviting it looked.
mitchivin 6 days ago|
if they remember the site, they'll remember me :) kinda?
zephyreon 5 days ago||
This is really good. I’ve seen recreations before but the attention to detail made this delightful to use. Agree with some of the other points that you’re recreating a design that already exists but it’s evident you spent some effort on this even with the help of AI (which was disclosed in the AUTHOR command in command prompt, thank you!)
StarterPro 6 days ago||
"AI agents " I KNEW something was up with it. Wrap it up.
mitchivin 6 days ago|
its nice and warm in here, come on.. join us
Obscurely 3 days ago||
This was so nostalgic... I really like it and I am very impressed by how well it performs. Regardless of wether the design is original or not if you implemented this from the ground up and used something else as inspiration this is still a clear showcase of your skills. I think this could be considered as the equivalent of looking on StackOverflow for backend programming solutions.

Congrats!

djshah 6 days ago||
This is amazing! Really enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

It would be wonderful if you could also share or write a post about your vibe coding journey to put this together!

mitchivin 6 days ago|
just like the site itself, I'm slowly trying to piece something together in a coherent way when the process itself was the complete opposite. When I do figure it out I'll do a post/series of posts on LinkedIn most likely. there's a few posts already on there about it, but nothing super in-depth

im open to all connections btw :) i'm just getting started!

ctxc 5 days ago||
Would be nice if you can add your contact details to your profile too :)
Dwedit 6 days ago||
No right-click menus anywhere. How am I supposed to Lock The Taskbar? (As seen in https://madeupandprobablydoesnotexist.com/taskbar/)
mitchivin 6 days ago|
i've been putting together a list of things for the right click menu, thanks for that one.
ldbooth 6 days ago||
I'd love to see that command line working for some Easter eggs.
mitchivin 6 days ago|
hit me with some idea's. in terms of novelty ideas ive thought maybe unlocking extra songs in the music player, or opening a different version of my projects that looks like it should (internet explorer) showing my wow logs or something lame hahah just some for the ones who would respect it
unop 6 days ago||
Maybe cmd.exe launch into "your terminal" - styled with starship or whatever, your shell aliases but taking the user into your (code?) projects' directories that they can have a nosey around with (mirroring github repos?)
stevenfoster 6 days ago|
This made me immediately want to play Age of Empires and drink a Mountain Dew. Well done sir.
mitchivin 6 days ago|
do it!
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