FixWindowsWindows 95

Windows 95: install programs and drivers, fix common problems

Add or remove programs, install a driver, and work through Windows 95 errors such as Windows protection error, from the safest step to the most drastic.

  • Updated
  • 15 min
  • Intermediate
Applies to
  • Windows 2000 and older

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Everyday jobs on a Windows 95 computer: installing and removing programs, adding a driver (the software that lets Windows use a device), and recovering from startup errors and crashes.

Windows 95 no longer gets security updates

Microsoft ended support for Windows 95 on December 31, 2001. An unsupported version of Windows receives no updates from Microsoft and is at greater risk from viruses and malware. Keep it off the internet. Do not use it for banking or email, and plan to move to a supported system.

Before you start

Back up anything you cannot replace. An old hard disk can fail at any time. See how to back up your files. Only use disks and files from the maker of the program or device. Files from unknown sites can carry malware that this system cannot detect or block. See safe downloads and fake driver sites.

Install a program

Windows 95 introduced Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.

  1. Close all open programs and insert the program's disc or first floppy disk.
  2. Select Start then Settings then Control Panel, then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, select Install, then Next. Windows looks for a setup program on the disk.
  4. If it finds one, select Finish. If not, select Browse and choose the file named SETUP.EXE or INSTALL.EXE.
  5. Follow the program's own questions. When it finishes, look in the Start menu under Programs for the new entry.

Remove a program

  1. Open Add/Remove Programs as above.
  2. On the Install/Uninstall tab, select the program in the list, then Add/Remove.
  3. Follow the prompts. If the program is not listed, it does not support automatic removal. Check its folder for an uninstall file, or leave it in place.

Do not delete program folders by hand

Deleting a folder leaves behind settings and shared files that other programs may use. It can also remove your own saved documents.

Add a driver for a device

  1. Open the Control Panel and double-click Add New Hardware, then follow the wizard. Windows 95 tries to detect devices automatically.
  2. If Windows asks for a disk, insert the one from the device maker. A driver usually comes as an .INF file with its companions on that disk.
  3. Restart if asked.
  4. To check the result, right-click My Computer, select Properties, then the Device Manager tab. A device with a yellow mark or red cross has a problem.

Do not use a "driver updater" tool. If you lost the disk, use the device maker's own website. Do not use third-party download portals.

Fix a problem

Windows 95 will not start: try in orderA top-to-bottom flow chart with 6 boxes. Work through them in order and stop when the problem is fixed. The full text follows the picture.Windows 95 will not start: try inorderNo1Restart and remove anyfloppy disk from the drive2Restart and press F8 toopen the Startup menu3Choose Safe mode andstart Windows4Undo the last driver orprogram you added5Does Windows start normallynow?Yes: You are doneBack up what you can, thenreinstall Windows
Each step takes a few minutes. Stop when Windows starts normally.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Step 1: Restart and remove any floppy disk from the drive
  2. Step 2: Restart and press F8 to open the Startup menu
  3. Step 3: Choose Safe mode and start Windows
  4. Step 4: Undo the last driver or program you added
  5. Question 5: Does Windows start normally now? If yes: You are done. If no, go on to the next item.
  6. If nothing worked: Back up what you can, then reinstall Windows

Use Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Windows 95 with basic drivers so you can fix a faulty one.

  1. Restart the computer. When the words Starting Windows 95 appear, press F8.
  2. From the menu that appears, choose Safe mode and press Enter. The screen looks coarse. That is normal.
  3. Open Device Manager as above. Select the device that caused trouble, then Remove, or use Add/Remove Programs to remove the last program you installed.
  4. Restart normally.

The menu also offers Step-by-step confirmation and Command prompt only. Step-by-step lets you decline one startup item at a time.

Common error messages

Windows 95 errors and the usual first step
MessageWhat it usually meansFirst step
Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer.A driver failed while loading, often after a changeStart in Safe Mode and undo the last driver or program change
Fatal exception 0EA fault in a driver. Faulty memory or a damaged file are possible causesRestart, then undo recent changes. If it keeps happening, switch off and unplug the PC before reseating the memory modules
This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut downOne program crashedRestart Windows, then reinstall that program

These are common patterns, not guarantees. Microsoft shipped a newer driver-loading file with OSR2.1 that fixed some Windows protection errors, so a later Windows 95 release may behave better.

Check the disk

After a power cut or crash, run the disk checker from Start then Programs then Accessories then System Tools, if ScanDisk is installed. Choose the standard test first.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my computer freeze after being on for weeks?

Windows 95 has a known fault that can crash it after about 49.7 days of continuous running. Restarting clears it, and a later patch from Microsoft fixed it.

Can I run modern programs?

No. Windows 95 runs programs written for it and earlier versions. Newer programs need a newer Windows.

Can I get online safely?

Not safely. It receives no security updates and cannot use modern secure connections. Copy files with disks instead.

Should I reinstall?

Only as a last resort, after backing up. See how to install Windows 95.

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Official resources used

Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.

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