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Posted by mitchivin 7 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.

1021 points | 319 commentspage 9
mjankowski 6 days ago|
"Dyanamic" typo.

otherwise, cool, nice, great work!

mitchivin 6 days ago||
fixed the typo! thanks
Lprince 6 days ago||
At this point do you even need a portfolio? You can already build amazing software, why not create your own startup?
colinscruggs 13 hours ago||
he didn't build the software. AI did. also, why is an aspiring graphic designer so reliant on using AI to generate visual assets anyways?
phito 6 days ago|||
Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur
mitchivin 6 days ago||
When I started building this I needed any design job more than I can explain haha
storus 6 days ago||
One thing that immediately popped up was how much nicer Windows XP looks compared to the current OS UIs...
submeta 6 days ago||
Wow, really enjoyed clicking trough it. Super smoooth. Lots of attention to detail. Excellent. Well done mate.
mitchivin 6 days ago|
thanks dude!
tayo42 6 days ago||
I've gotten so used to instant loading operating systems, I've forgotten about those loading screens.
skwashd 7 days ago||
Very cool. There's an impressive number of little details. My favourite is that the Paint app actually works.
mitchivin 7 days ago|
Vyvanse is a hell of a drug
windows_hater_7 7 days ago||
Amen
mitchivin 6 days ago||
IYKYK
supersparrow 6 days ago||
Wow! Seriously, well done! I love it.
mitchivin 6 days ago|
Thanks so much mate, appreciate the kind words
rvz 7 days ago||
Great portfolio site.

Now try windows93 [0]

enjoy.

[0] https://www.windows93.net

indigodaddy 7 days ago|
Holy shit!
Hiro-Nakamoto 6 days ago||
We are learning. The thing about open access and giving access to those codes is so the knowledge is there, anyone can do it, use it for a reason, and hopefully they generate rewards for improvements people that are much better at coding than I will be able to fix and add on it never goes stale in 100 years the improvements are made .
voodooEntity 6 days ago|
Well it kinda feels like the optimal example of "if you cant make it good make it look good".

While, if the author reached its goal and is happy about it, thats fair and fine - tho for me as a former webdev looking at the source and how its build well it basically yells AI... and absolutly not in a good way....

If you really want to learn coding - put the AI aside and learn it by yourself. You may use AI to search for documentations and stuff, but dont try to learn coding style/sturcturing from it ... because its very bad at it.

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