Re: 1.9MB floppies
Microsoft also distributed software on 3.5" disks (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distribution_Media_Format) which gave them ~1.6MB on a 1.44MB disk by adding a few sectors per track, as well as limiting how many sectors the FAT12 tables took up.
I don't remember how many floppies Win95 came on, but I guess if you could squeeze it down enough to save even 1 disk per copy, that adds up.
Every byte counts when you're buying them by the cargo container.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
