Microsofts Hidden Doom Clone in Excel 95 Still Works Today

In 1995, Microsoft included a hidden first-person shooter game inspired by Doom within Excel 95 as a playful nod to its developers. This Easter egg, known as the Hall of Tortured Souls, remains playable today with the right setup. To access it, users need to run Excel 95 in a virtual machine (VM) emulating the Windows 95 environment, as modern operating systems struggle to support the legacy software.

Setting up the VM requires installation media for both Windows 95 and Office 95, though the legal status of obtaining these files is unclear. Once the VM is configured, users must install Excel 95 and navigate to a specific row in a blank worksheet. By holding down a combination of keys and clicking a button in the About dialog, the hidden game is unlocked. Movement is controlled via arrow keys, and players can explore a blocky 3D environment displaying developer names.

The real surprise comes after typing a cheat code, excelkfa, which reveals a narrow path leading to images of the developers. The game is more of a credits sequence than a full-fledged game, rewarding patience over reflexes. Despite its age, the Easter egg remains a fascinating piece of tech history for those willing to take the time to uncover it.