Some time ago, I discussed the intended uses of the icons in progman.exe and moricons.dll and we even looked at those icons (progman.exe, moricons.dll).

But what about pifmgr.dll?

The pifmgr.dll file was added in Windows 95. Its job was, as the name might suggest, to manage PIF files, which are Program Information Files that describe how to set up a virtual MS-DOS session for running a specific application.

Whereas the icons in moricons.dll were created with specific programs in mind (list) and the icons in progman.exe were created for general categories of applications, the story behind the icons in pifmgr.dll is much less complicated.

The icons in pifmgr.dll were created just for fun. They were not created with any particular programs in mind, with one obvious exception. They were just a fun mix of icons for people to use for their own homemade shortcut files.

MS-DOS logoMS-DOS logoUmbrellaUmbrellaPlay blockPlay blockNewspaperNewspaperApple with biteApple with biteCloud with lightningCloud with lightningTubaTubaBeach ballBeach ballLight bulbLight bulbArchitectural columnArchitectural columnMoneyMoneyDesktop computerDesktop computerKeyboardKeyboardFiling cabinetFiling cabinetDesk calendarDesk calendarClipped documentsClipped documentsCrayon with documentCrayon with documentPencilPencilPencil with documentPencil with documentDiceDiceWindow with cloudsWindow with cloudsEye chart with magnifying classEye chart with magnifying classDominosDominosHand holding playing cardsHand holding playing cardsSoccer ballSoccer ballPursePurseDecorated tree with wandDecorated tree with wandRace car with checkered flagRace car with checkered flagCruise shipCruise shipBiplaneBiplaneInflatable raftInflatable raftTraffic lightTraffic lightRabbitRabbitSatellite dishSatellite dishCrossed swordsCrossed swordsSword and shieldSword and shieldFlail weaponFlail weaponDynamite and plungerDynamite and plunger

I don’t know if it was intentional, but I find it interesting that clouds were the theme image for Windows 95, and we have a window with clouds. At the same time we have an apple with a bite, but the bite is on the left hand side, as opposed to the right hand side in the logo of Apple Computer.

Coincidence? Tip of the hat? Subtle jab? You decide.

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