Microsoft Easter Eggs

Microsoft "Easter Eggs"

As you have probably guessed, this section is about Windows95's little, hidden secrets which many people have deemed "Easter Eggs." Why you ask? Because they are programming secrets which have been inserted into the program by the authors which you have to find, much like an Easter Egg hunt.

The Microsoft Windows Product Team

Hide the Start Button - Surprise your friends, impress your co-workers, make everyone beg you to tell the answer!

Hi Mom! - A little Mother's Day surprise - for Microsoft Office

Hidden Screen Saver Secrecies - for Windows95 OSR2 and WindowsNT 4.0!

Just a few of the hidden prizes to be found in the wonderful world of Microsoft Products!

Have one not listed here? Perhaps for a different company or software application? Let Yimmy Know!

The Microsoft Windows Products Team!

Here's the lowdown on this. This is a hidden item in Windows95 which displays the authors/designers of Windows95 all to the tune of...well, uh...I don't know. Try and decide for yourself! The following lines must be typed exactly as written below without any mistakes or it will not work correctly. You can cut and paste the text into the new folder name.

2.) Now rename(F2) this folder:

3.) Finally, rename the folder to:

Now, double-click the folder and stand back! This little secret will play for a little over 10 minutes. Something to ponder while watching: You now how big a multimedia AVI file can be, no wonder Windows95 is so huge! Where's this baby coming from?

Hide the Start Button

Yes indeed! You have heard about, perhaps even been fooled by it, but suffer no longer! The secret is out!

2.) Press the ESC key.

3.) Hold down the ALT key and press the minus(-) key.

4.) From the menu that appears, choose "Close"

Voila! The Start Button is magically gone! Now, the question is do let somebody know how to get out, or do you let them sweat it out and try and find it themselves? Ahh...I guess I'll let ya out :-) Simplest way to get it back is to reboot your computer. You don't have to go to Shutdown and restart the though. Just hit Ctrl-Alt-Del, then click on 'Explorer' and then "End task". The Shutdown dialogue box will come up. Just ignore it and in about 5 seconds, a window will appear with "End Task" and "Cancel" buttons. Simply click "End Task." Your start button will then be replaced.

Hi Mom!

This one involves the Microsoft Office suite. This has been confirmed on Office v4.2, v4.2C, v4.3 and Office95. It has not been tested for Office97 so if somebody would be kind enough to let me know...

1.) Go to the Microsoft Office Toolbar at the top/side of the screen(position will vary according to which version you are using).

2.) Click on the Office icon.

3.) Go to "About Microsoft Office..."

4.) Hold down ALT+CTRL and then double-click the Office logo.

If done right, you should receive a little "Hi Mom!" message. Awww...How cute! Wonder what Bill's mom is thinking now...

Hidden Screen Saver Secrecies

Here is a cool little trick. This one is for Windows95 OSR2 owners only. This also works on NT 4.0 Workstation and Server!

Windows95 OSR2 and WindowsNT 4.0

1.) Go into Start, Settings, Control, Panel and choose the Display icon. Then choose the Screen Saver tab at the top.

2.) Now choose "3D Text" as your screen saver.

3.) Then click the Settings button.

4.) Make sure the Display box is set to Text and type in "volcano" as the text, minus the quotes of course. Set any other options you want and click OK.

You will now be able to Preview the screen saver before Apply'ing it. Notice that the word "Volcano" is not displayed. Instead, names of various volcanoes from around the world randomly bounce, wiggle, and rotate around your screen.

WindowsNT 4.0 only

2.) Type in "Not Evil" as the text, without the quotes of course. Set any other options you want and then click OK.

You will now be able to Preview the screen saver before Apply'ing it. Notice the words "Not Evil" are not displayed. Instead, the names of the programmers from the WindowsNT 4.0 project randomly bounce, wiggle, and rotate around your screen.