OldVersion.com
Archive website for old version of software
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
OldVersion.com is an archive website that stores and distributes older versions of primarily Internet-related IBM PC compatible and Apple Macintosh freeware and shareware application software. Alex Levine and Igor Dolgalev[2] founded the site in 2001.[1]
| |
 OldVersion.com Homepage 1 April 2025 | |
Type of site | Freeware/shareware archive of old software versions |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Created by | Alex Levine, Igor Dolgalev |
| URL | www |
| Registration | Optional (to post on forum). |
| Launched | May 31, 2001[1] |
| Current status | Up |
Levine created the site because "Companies make a lot of new versions. They're not always better for the consumer." As reported in The Wall Street Journal, 'Users often try to downgrade when they find confusing changes in a new version or encounter software bugs, or just decide they want to go back to a more familiar version,' said David Smith, an analyst at research firm Gartner. 'Often, they discover that the downgrade process is complicated, if not impossible.'[1]
When OldVersion.com was launched it offered 80 versions of 14 programs.[2]
By 2005, over 500 versions were posted.[3]
By 28 August 2007, this had grown to 2388 versions of 179 programs, in categories such as "graphics", "file-sharing", "security" and "enterprise".[4][5] The site also carries 600+ versions of 35 Macintosh programs.[6]
In 2007, PC World labeled the site "a treasure trove ... of older-but-better software";[7]
In 2005, National Review called OldVersion.com a "champion" for "software conservatives".[8]
According to Alexander Levine's own words, he has received threats from proprietary software developers for distributing old versions of web browsers, in particular, Internet Explorer which is difficult to support.[9]
Around October 2025, the website was stripped of its Google Ad revenue and currently relies on community donations to continue operations.[10] The earliest recorded instance of the banner stating a cut from ad revenue is from the 7th October.[11]
