Behind the scenes on how Windows 95 application compatibility patched broken programs

Windows 95 ensured application compatibility by using compatibility flags and, in rare cases, patching problematic programs with vendor permission. Patches were stored in the registry and applied based on detection strings, which matched file attributes or contents. If a match was found, the patch was applied to the program, often changing or appending bytes to correct issues. This approach allowed for efficient and targeted fixes, ensuring that programs ran smoothly on the new operating system.