Mezzano

Mezzano: 16-bit OS

Open-source operating system recreating 1990s MS-DOS/Windows feel, running on modern 64-bit CPUs with text and basic GUI options.

What is Mezzano?

Mezzano is an open-source operating system project that aims to reimagine and recreate 16-bit operating systems from the 1990s like MS-DOS or Windows 95/98 and bring their look, feel, and APIs to modern 64-bit hardware. It is implemented from scratch in Common Lisp and Assembly and can run on bare metal or in virtual machines on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Mezzano provides both a text-based interface reminiscent of MS-DOS as well as a basic graphical interface similar to Windows 95. It supports running 16-bit software originally written for old operating systems by reimplementing many of their APIs and ABIs in its kernel and standard library. This allows running vintage productivity apps, games, and educational software on Mezzano.

As an operating system, Mezzano includes many built-in features people would expect like a filesystem, networking capabilities, drivers for audio, storage, and input devices, etc. But it also comes bundled with apps like a text editor, image viewer, file manager, and simple paint program to make it usable out of the box.

The goal of Mezzano is not just 90s nostalgia but to explore what a modern reimagination of those old UIs and APIs could enable. By opensourcing the OS and making it easily portable, the project aims to spur community innovation around the 16-bit computing experience.

Mezzano Features

Official Links