IBM ThinkPad T43 enthusiast installs almost every version of Windows on the single-core laptop without using a virtual machine — 26 years of Windows running bare metal, from Windows NT 4.0 in 1996 to Windows 10 22H2 on legendary hardware

A Reddit user proved the 2005 IBM ThinkPad T43 can run nearly every major Windows release, from NT 4.0 to Windows 10 22H2, directly on the hardware.

The setup used a mix of upgrades, clean installs, and multiboot configurations rather than virtual machines.

The experiment was carried out on the original Pentium M-era laptop, underscoring the machine’s unusually broad compatibility.

It also highlights the enduring appeal of well-built retro hardware and long-term Windows driver support.