This is an old revision of the document!
Old Windows starter guide
So you want to jump into old Windows? Fasten your seatbelt, as you might not be ready for what it takes.
Note on virtualisation of Windows 9x
When in doubt, go NT. Windows 9x is terrible on new processors, as after some Spectre / Meltdown mitigations it just keeps BSoDing even on VMs. I think Intel 10th or 11th gen was the first one to go quirky 1). On AMD anything marked with Ryzen is probably also a sudden death scenario 2). If you are on those processors, forget KVM, forget hardware-accelerated virt. It will yield you nothing, unless I do not know something yet.
Somehow, Me was the least quirky during testing on a Ryzen 4000-series mobile CPU - it got through the install, but it's still barely bearable. I cannot stress it enough - when in doubt, go NT.
If you really need 9x in a box on modern hardware, the way to go is 86box / PCem and trying to set up a virtual PC fast enough to not make you commit crimes.
If you're somehow still on Windows 7, great news! Virtual PC 2007 is the king there, and it works flawlessly. Otherwise, you can get some success on VMware. But only if you are not on a said cursed processor. Skylake works fine tho.