# Windows Calculator

9 Hacker News commenters recommended Windows Calculator and 34 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 5 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Windows' built-in calculator, liked by people who prefer the classic Windows 7 version. Common caveat: the newer version is slow to launch and feels sluggish.

## Why people recommend it

- Prefers the classic Windows 7 version (3 comments): "i don't like win 10+ calc design" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48586791)) "I’m still installing the classic (Windows 7) calculator on each new Windows setup." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50253119)) "Luckily, one can still revert to the classic calculator" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48588060))

## What people warn about

- Very slow to launch (5 comments): "The calculator takes 17 seconds to launch and be usable on the Windows computer I'm forced to use at work." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48593693)) "A goddamn calculator application shouldn't require a high performance workstation to even launch." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47165932)) "the entire contents of the window are a stupid logo--for at least 5 full seconds" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46571127))
- Input lag and dropped key presses (2 comments): "Notepad and Calculator got the same "treatment" and now struggle to keep up with key presses." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45892021)) "The new calculator isn't just slow to open, it seems to have actual input lag too." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47166014))
- Over-engineered, Electron-style app (2 comments): "even calculator is electron app. Slow, poor quality and for any engineer below acceptable" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48559507)) "the code for Windows Calculator is truly astonishingly over-engineered" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49241706))

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Windows Calculator", https://hackerapproved.com/p/windows-calculator/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).