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Show HN: I recreated Windows XP as my portfolio (mitchivin.com)

1032 points by mitchivin ↗ HN
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.

132 comments

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pbohun
This is cool! I like how you can toggle the pixel effect. A lot of great attention to detail.
tptacek
You got this far have DIR print something!
zb3
The "recently used" part was clever :)
mitchivin
hey haha I tried to post this a few weeks ago but my post didn't go through - i'm glad you guys are enjoying it!

edit: I'm new here! let me get some of that sweet sweet karma!

VitoVan
I need to right-click and refresh the desktop, please.
oslem
Mind Your Manners brought back some seriously nostalgic memories. Thank you!
skwashd
Very cool. There's an impressive number of little details. My favourite is that the Paint app actually works.
JeliHacker
Love this! The nostalgia hit hard, I immediately felt the urge to play Raft Wars on Miniclip
sethops1
I miss the Windows XP look & feel so, so much.
cr125rider
This works incredibly well on mobile too. Awesome job
petermcneeley
The paint app is very accurate. Kinda shocking really.
stevenfoster
This made me immediately want to play Age of Empires and drink a Mountain Dew. Well done sir.
adastra22
No minesweeper?! I’m severely disappointed.
poundtown
pretty badass sir...cheers to you.
tombert
Pretty cool stuff.

Every time I see it, a part of me misses the styling of Windows XP. It was kind of the only well-regarded windows that tried to actually be fun; the fact that there was a little dog mascot in the search results, the fact that the bar on the bottom kind of looks like a Fisher Price toy, Clippy!

I kind of miss when professional programs were allowed to be goofy.

As a side note, I really like your avatar; has kind of a Simpsons/Bob's Burgers vibe that I find appealing.

msephton
Phenomenal work. Excellent!
zx8080
To me, the CRT effect looks like an early LCD (TFT panel) one. CRT monitors picture did not look like made of dots from what I can remember (maybe not for all monitors). Except maybe the Trinitron ones.

Great site, thanks for nostalgia!

StrangeDoctor
This looks and feels really good, nice work.

Makes me wonder what windows mobile could have been

jolmg
Extreme nitpick, but the progress bar animation on bootup was stepped, IIRC.
scripper1
That CRT effect is dope. It's amazing it's even possible.
carlsborg
Arguably the most familiar desktop user interface on the planet. I often wonder why complex web apps do not use this searchable start menu format.
clbrmbr
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.