Generation Z Takes on Windows XP: A Humorous Look at Tech Nostalgia and User Experience Challenges

In a very interesting experiment that shows the technology gap between generations, young people from Generation Z were challenged to use Windows XPoperating system of Microsoft which was published in the early 2000s The result? A mixture of confusion, surprise and even frustration when faced with technologies that, for many of us, were revolutionary just two decades ago.

The test, led by the channel Linus technical tipshow the technological changes of the last two decades have completely changed our interaction with computers. Although Windows XP represents a milestone in the history of computing for many older users, for young people born in the digital age, it is a real challenge to use.

The first problem participants encountered was when trying to configure Windows XP’s iconic screen savers. Without the practicality of modern monitoring systems, young people took some time to find the basic settings of the system.

The classic 3D screen saver with pipes surprised him, as well as the unexpected encounter with Merlin, one of the first virtual assistants in the history of computing.

The system’s less intuitive interface showed how the evolution of graphical interfaces in recent years has greatly simplified the user experience. Participants, who were used to modern systems, needed a lot of time to complete tasks that are now almost automatic.

One of the most interesting moments of the experiment was when the young people had to handle CDs. The need to press a button to eject the drive tray surprised several participants.

The experience of installing programs across multiple disks was particularly challenging. Used to instant downloads and simpler installations, young people were frustrated by the need to change discs during the installation process, a common limitation at the time due to reduced storage space.

Internet speed was another source of frustration for participants. Fast connections, young people used to be impatient with the loading time of web pages, even considering that these were much simpler visually than the ones of today.

Games of the time, such as 3D Pinball and GTA 3, also generated interesting ideas. The low resolution of the monitors, simple graphics and lower frame rate attracted the attention of the participants, who are used to modern games that border on photorealism.