A browser-based Windows emulator lets you run various Windows versions on your device. It’s great for nostalgia, learning, or testing applications in a simulated environment. You can also use it on macOS, Linux, or Windows browsers with ease. Some emulators act like virtual machines, allowing you to install and test software. Explore this handy collection of Windows emulators in browsers.
Good to know: check out how to transfer user profile data to another in Windows quickly.
1. Windows 11 Emulator by AppOnFly VPS
AppOnFly VPS is not just some recreation of Windows 11, but an actual virtual private server. Once it loads, you will have a generous 50 minutes to use the trial version before you’re cut off. That might not be enough for most of us, but you can load your free trial a few times more. Just don’t do it often or you will run into a trial limit for your IP address!
Simulating Windows 11 demands significant resources to replicate its latest features, but AppOnFly almost nails it. The emulator even includes Edge browser Copilot suggestions, introduced in 24H2 update. Plus, in Settings, you’ll find all the familiar Windows 11 options.
You can test PowerShell or the Registry Editor here, but the emulator won’t save your progress once closed. Still, if I were a Mac or Linux user, this would be the closest I could get to occasional Windows usage without a major expense. To lift off the trial limits, they have premium plans starting at $6 per 100 hours of annual usage.
Tip: not sure if you should upgrade from Windows 10? Check out the standout Windows 11 improvements.
2. Win11React by Blue Edge
Win11React is an emulator that uses web technologies to replicate Windows 11 as closely as possible in your browser. The developer built it using JavaScript, React, and CSS. You cannot install Windows programs here. You also have access to the Settings app, but you can’t change anything. The base-level menus are available, but you can’t navigate to the deeper settings pages.
Win11React works well as an emulator for getting a basic feel of Windows 11. Many icons seem frozen in time, but it runs fairly well with Edge, despite not being up-to-date. You can even save files to a File Explorer folder on the desktop.
Tip: avoid getting fooled. Learn how to spot a Windows Defender security scam.
3. Windows 10 Lite by OnWorks
OnWorks is a popular site hosting various Linux applications for Mac and Windows. Its emulator, “Windows 10 Lite,” replicates the Windows 10 Start menu, Control Panel (labeled Settings), and File Explorer. To run Windows 10 Lite, choose the Sim environment for your operating system on this access webpage.
You can run almost everything there used to be in a Windows 10 system. The fact that this is an entirely Linux-based program will come as a surprise.
For browsing, the Firefox icon works flawlessly, though you can install Edge or Chrome if needed. There are no time limits with this simple emulator, but menu response times can be slow, requiring patience. It’s best suited for a dual-monitor setup on a desktop.
Tip: if you need to create a Windows 11 USB installer, you can do so directly from Command Prompt.
4. Windows 10 Online Emulator by Web Jeet
While the applications aren’t very responsive, Web Jeet offers a decent simulator showcasing Windows 10 as it was at launch. This would mainly benefit those with a nostalgia for the menu placements of earlier Windows 10 versions, although the contemporary 22H2 versions have moved far away from it.
From the Start menu to Settings, Microsoft Store, and Office applications, it delivers a classic Windows 10 experience. The utility is surface-level, but its broad coverage highlights how much Windows 10 has evolved over the years.
5. Windows 7 Emulator: Win7 Simu
Although you shouldn’t use this operating system anymore, Windows 7 was very popular in its heyday. Win7 Simu is another faithful recreation of this nostalgic trip. You can explore some of Windows 7’s features in the emulator and run some applications and games.
The default Chrome browser may not be fully functional, but plenty of other features work. The Command Prompt closely mirrors the Windows 7-era terminal, and you can launch Control Panel, pictures, documents, and even simulate the Run command. However, don’t expect to access PowerShell, Registry Editor, or other advanced tools.
To run Internet properly, you’d need to download an extension that loads the websites using iframes. Various popular games are preinstalled, including Minesweeper and Solitaire. There are other online games, such as Flappy Bird, Among Us, Minecraft Survival, and Zombs Royale.
6. Windows XP Emulator: WinXP
With WinXP, you can experience a faithful recreation of Windows XP’s user interface. Unfortunately, you won’t get the full functionality, as some programs and options do not work. For instance, while you can launch Internet Explorer, you cannot access the Internet with it.
Some of Windows XP’s standout features – like its improved user interface for the time, with a task-based Start menu – are prominently visible in this emulator. The streamlined navigation also enhances file-saving within the simulated folder, ensuring efficient task completion, a hallmark of that era.
A number of programs are already installed, including Google Chrome, Calculator, Notepad, Paint, and Command Prompt. They’re functional, and they work just as well as you can expect. You can even save files that you create in Notepad and Paint.
7. Windows 98 Emulator: Windows 98 – Virtual x86
Windows 98 – Virtual x86 offers a fully functioning version of Windows 98 in a virtual environment. It’s complete with access to programs, games, and tools.
You can even browse the Web through Internet Explorer, but you may not be able to access some modern websites. Make sure to run the networking.bat file first if you want the emulator to have Internet access. You’ll find it on the desktop. On top of that, if you’re tech-savvy enough, you can install some compatible games and programs within the emulator.
This emulator allows you to load disk images from external storage devices. Furthermore, you can save the emulator’s states, which your browser will download as BIN files. You can load them later and pick up right where you left off.
Tip: looking for a worthy terminal emulator instead? Check out our list to see the best options.
8. Windows 95 Emulator: Windows 95 in DOSBox
If you’re hankering for a piece of the 90s, the Windows 95 in DOSBox emulator will take you back. You can run this “ancient” version in your browser, thanks to the DOSBox emulator, which compiles the source code of a Windows 95 disk image into JavaScript. The emulator loads the image in RAM and creates a virtual environment for you to interact with the operating system.
Once you load the emulator, you will be able to do various things, including drawing in Paint and writing in WordPad. You can even play the built-in games that came with Windows 95, such as FreeCell, Hearts, Minesweeper, and Solitaire.
The Windows 95 emulator will save the changes you make in the browser’s local storage so that you can find any files you’ve created in a Windows 95 program, like WordPad, on the desktop, What you can’t do, however, is transfer files in and out of the emulator or access the Internet through Internet Explorer.
The purpose of using a Windows emulator in a browser depends on the user. For the most part, they offer a time-capsule preview of older Windows operating systems. However, for newer ones like Windows 11, they provide a great way for non-Microsoft users to experience Microsoft’s OS. All they require is a browser.
Browser emulators for Windows aren’t the only ones, though. You can easily use emulators for Android as well. Specific emulators, such as Game Boy (*GBA) emulators for iOS, are available. And if you’re a nostalgic gamer, try these Nintendo 64 emulators.
