WSL9x Brings Linux 6.19 to Windows 95

WSL9x is an experimental “Windows 9x Subsystem for Linux” that demonstrates running a modern Linux 6.19 kernel inside Windows 95/98/ME without rebooting. Instead of virtualization, Linux runs cooperatively alongside the Win9x kernel using three pieces: a patched Linux kernel adapted from UML to call Win9x APIs in ring 0, a VxD driver that sets up memory mappings and dispatches interrupts/page faults, and a tiny 16-bit wsl.com client to connect DOS prompts to the Linux TTY. Because Win9x can’t easily host an int 0x80 handler, syscalls are trapped via the general protection fault handler. The project is a feasibility proof, not a safe daily driver.

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Windows 9x Subsystem for Linux

A project called WSL9x brings a modern Linux kernel (6.19) to Windows 9x by running Linux cooperatively inside the Win9x kernel via three components: a patched Linux kernel, a VxD driver, and a 16-bit wsl.com client. The VxD initializes memory mappings, loads vmlinux via DOS interrupts, starts a System VM thread, and dispatches events (IRQs, page faults, syscalls) into the Linux kernel. Syscalls are handled through the general protection fault handler because Win9x lacks room for a proper int 0x80 handler. The Linux side is based on UML but adapted to call Win9x kernel APIs and run in ring 0. The project demonstrates a technical feasibility proof for running modern Linux alongside legacy Windows without rebooting.

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HNluuApril 22, 2026

Windows 9x Subsystem for Linux

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NewsNowApril 22, 2026

You can now run WSL on Windows 95, in case you're crazy, too

A developer called Hailey released WSL9x, a hack that runs the Linux 6.19 kernel cooperatively inside Windows 9x (95/98/ME) as a WSL-like environment. WSL9x comprises a patched kernel that invokes Win9x APIs, a VxD virtual device driver to initialize the system and relay syscalls/page faults, and a tiny 16-bit DOS client that connects DOS prompts to the kernel TTY. To work around Win9x limits, the driver captures Linux int 0x80 syscalls via the general protection fault handler and dispatches them to the kernel. Hailey warns the kernel runs with ring 0 privileges alongside the Windows kernel, risking instability and security issues. Source code and installation instructions are on Codeberg.