Software evolves in both user interface and functionality, or it gets replaced with new technology. Take Microsoft Word, for example. It has undergone countless changes and looks nothing like it did when it first debuted in 1983. The theory of evolution applies not just to us as a species, but also to the things we create. However, some software has seen little to no change since its debut and has still managed to survive. In fact, many applications that are over two decades old remain fully functional on Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 11.

7 Disk Cleanup

It can still help you free up space

Disk Cleanup is a computer maintenance utility included in Microsoft Windows designed to free up disk space. It was introduced in Windows 98 and has been a part of Microsoft Windows ever since.

While Windows 11 introduced Storage Sense for automated cleanups, Disk Cleanup persists as a manual, granular tool for advanced users. It excels at deleting system restore points, temporary files, and outdated Windows Update remnants — features Storage Sense lacks. You can access Disk Cleanup by simply searching for it in the Start menu.

6 Windows Media Player

Still quite alive

Windows Media Player first made its debut as part of an optional package in Windows 3.0. Over the years, it grew into a full-featured media player. Back in the days of Windows XP and Windows 7, it was your all-in-one solution for playing DVDs, organizing your music collection, ripping CDs, and even syncing some music players. Even today, many people still turn to it for those classic tasks.

Even though the modern Media Player app supports a wider range of formats and offers some extra features, the legacy version is still available in Windows 11. If you want to use it, simply search for "Turn Windows features on or off," go to the Media Features section, and check the box for Windows Media Player Legacy.

5 Control Panel

But Microsoft is trying hard to replace it

A list of legacy apps would be incomplete without the Control Panel. This tool has been a cornerstone of Windows since its very first version in 1985. While Microsoft is encouraging us to use the modern Settings app these days, the Control Panel still plays an important role by giving access to legacy tools such as Backup and Restore, advanced network configurations, and device management utilities.

In some instances, the Settings app even directs you to the Control Panel. You can easily find it by typing "Control Panel" into the search bar or by pressing Win + R and entering "control."

4 Character Map

In case you need to add some weird characters

Character Map is a utility first introduced in Windows 3.1 in 1992 that allows you to access every glyph available in their installed fonts. While the modern emoji panel (accessed via Win + ;) handles everyday symbols, the Character Map can be useful when inserting specialized characters, such as mathematical notations or historic scripts.

Its interface has remained largely unchanged since the Windows XP era, offering a nostalgic snapshot of 90s design. Simply search for "Character Map" in the Start menu to launch this unique tool.

3 Notepad

It also has spell check now

Microsoft isn’t exactly a fan of legacy software. Just last year, it shut down WordPad — the free and surprisingly capable word processor that had been around since Windows 95. However, Notepad is still going strong and has even gained a new spell check feature. This minimalist text editor has been a core part of Windows since 1983, debuting in Microsoft’s very first Windows release.

Wikipedia says the Notepad program is actually older than Windows itself, going all the way back to the Multi-Tool Notepad program that was included in the MS-DOS update which introduced mouse support in 1983.

The Windows 11 version of Notepad includes features that make editing text easier, such as browser-style tabs, an updated visual interface, and rich formatting options.

2 Snipping Tool

The OG tool for taking screenshots

The Snipping Tool first showed up in Windows Vista back in 2007 and has come a long way since then. It briefly changed to Snip & Sketch in Windows 10, but Windows 11 brought it back with new features like screen recording and delayed captures.

It’s still one of the easiest ways to take screenshots, thanks to its simple design and handy shortcut. In 2023, it got even better with OCR-powered text extraction, letting you copy text straight from images. With the right tips and tricks, you can do a lot more with it than just basic screenshots.

1 WinZip

ZIP files weren't always easy to open

Opening ZIP files wasn’t always easy in Windows. These days, Microsoft offers native support, and apps like 7-Zip and WinRAR make file compression a breeze. But before all that, WinZip was the go-to solution.

This third-party compression tool debuted in 1991 and has remained popular ever since. Its interface still has that classic Windows 98 look, yet it works perfectly on Windows 11. The software is still being sold today, with different pricing options if you want to unlock extra features.

Take a trip down memory lane

Perhaps it’s a testament to Microsoft’s legacy that some popular applications from the late 1990s still run on Windows 11. If you want to explore more classic software, check out these pieces of software history that are still usable in 2025. There are also many old features that Microsoft has abandoned, but you can easily replace them with third-party software.