Bliss Archives

Winsage

July 16, 2026

See how the iconic Windows XP Bliss wallpaper location has changed over the years

Windows XP's default wallpaper, known as Bliss, was photographed by Charles O’Rear in January 1996 while he was driving on Highway 121 in Sonoma County, California. The image was taken after a storm, showcasing vibrant grass and fluffy clouds, using a medium-format Mamiya RZ67 camera with Fujifilm Velvia film. Microsoft acquired the rights to the photograph through Corbis and made it the default desktop background for Windows XP starting in 2001. The landscape has evolved over the years, with vineyards being removed due to a phylloxera infestation, resulting in a lush green hill that has changed with cycles of planting and removal.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

This week in PC games: vert-ramping trains, a retold murder mystery, and Cthulhu’s new gig as an AI Director

Edwin is currently sidelined by an illness following TennoCon, and he is expected to submit stories on Soulframe and Warframe: Tau before fully resting. New PC games being released this week include: - Ascend to Zero: A sci-fi action-roguelike with temporal manipulation. - Forensics: Crime Scene Detective: A game focused on managing fingerprint and bullet comparisons. - Soulforge Lost Path: A Survivorslike/bullet heaven game with limited inventory management. - D-Topia: A puzzle adventure about maintaining an AI-managed society. - The Incident at Galley House: A visual novel remake of a murder mystery text adventure. - Happy's Humble Burger Cult: A cooking horror game for 1-4 players. - Moss: The Forgotten Relic: A 3D platformer available for non-VR PC players. - Storebound: A cooperative horror puzzler launching into version 1.0. - Wreck Runners: A multiplayer game set in a haunted Bermuda Triangle. - Fogpiercer: A tactical roguelike deckbuilder focused on defending a train. - Frozen Ship: A first-person survival game launching in early access on the 17th. Additionally, today marks RPS’s 19th birthday, and the team will be scattered in the coming days for various events and holidays.

Winsage

May 9, 2026

Windows 11’s iconic system sounds may be getting a refresh, Microsoft drops a hint

Microsoft is planning to refresh the audio experience in Windows 11, as indicated by Marcus Ash, the head of Design and Research for Windows and Devices. He announced that the sound designer who worked on the Windows 11 startup sound has rejoined the team, suggesting the development of new system sounds, including notifications, error alerts, and a potential new startup chime. The current Windows 11 startup sound lasts one second and is noted for its modern quality. The initiative aims to enhance the auditory experience of the operating system, which aligns with broader improvements in functionality and user interaction, including haptic feedback effects and a more compact taskbar design.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

I turned my $1,000 phone into a 1995 desktop computer with this quirky Android launcher

Most Android launchers focus on functionality, with options like Microsoft Launcher for productivity and Senior Home for a decluttered interface. The author struggles with organization, preferring a chaotic arrangement of apps and files. They decided to transform their Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra into a Windows 95 homage, inspired by nostalgia for the operating system. The community on the r/windows95 subreddit celebrates this legacy. To achieve the transformation, the author used Launcher95, which offers a free and paid version. The app provides a home screen reminiscent of Windows 95, featuring a Start button, alphabetical app listing, and customization options. While initially a novelty, the author found useful features like quick links to webpages. Launcher95 may not suit everyone, especially those with many apps, but it offers a unique charm and can promote a simpler digital experience when used minimally.

Winsage

April 15, 2026

Windows Vista: A Beautiful Disaster that Stole My FPS 💻🔥

Windows Vista was released in January 2007 after five years of development, following the long tenure of Windows XP since 2001. Initially, it promised a revolutionary file system, enhanced security, and improved graphics. However, a significant "Development Reset" in 2004 led to a rushed launch with many issues. Vista required a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, significantly more than Windows XP's 512 MB, causing performance problems on older computers. Many games that ran well on XP became unplayable on Vista, and users faced frequent crashes due to driver issues. The User Account Control feature was seen as intrusive and annoying. Ultimately, many users, including the author, reverted to Windows XP due to dissatisfaction with Vista, which was later followed by the more successful Windows 7 in 2009. Despite some relevant features introduced by Vista, it is often viewed as a failure compared to its predecessor.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

Windows 11 meets the iconic Windows 10 “Hero” in this new mashup

Windows 11 features a new square and symmetrical logo, while a Reddit user named "Reamed" has created a wallpaper that combines the nostalgia of Windows 10's "Hero" wallpaper with the Windows 11 logo. Reamed used the Windows 11 logo as the sole asset and applied various filters to create the wallpaper. Windows 10's original wallpaper was created by Bradley Munkowitz using practical photography techniques involving lasers and smoke. The blending of the modern Windows 11 logo with the nostalgic Windows 10 wallpaper serves as a tribute to Munkowitz's work.

Winsage

March 30, 2026

Combine the best of Windows 11 and Windows 10 with this gorgeous wallpaper

Windows 11 features a new square and symmetrical Start menu logo, which has received mixed reactions from users. A Reddit user named "Reamed" created a wallpaper that combines Windows 10's "Hero" image with the Windows 11 logo, using various filters in their design process. The original Windows 10 wallpaper was a photograph created using lasers and a smoke machine, documented by Bradley Munkowitz. As Windows 10 marks its 11th anniversary, there is a nostalgic appreciation for practical photography amidst the rise of AI-generated art. Reamed's homage integrates the new logo into their artwork, and there are also AI-generated wallpaper options available.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

I changed my Windows 11 wallpaper immediately the moment my friend sent me this

A new wallpaper titled "Feeling of Nostalgia - Windows 11 Bliss Wallpaper" combines the "Bliss" image from Windows XP with the "Bloom" wallpaper of Windows 11, generating mixed reactions on Reddit. Users expressed a range of opinions, from playful comments to serious critiques. The discussion included accusations of cult-like behavior among participants. Additionally, a colleague created an AI-generated version of the Windows 11 "Bloom" wallpaper using Gemini, incorporating the colors of the Windows Central logo. A high-resolution version and more Windows Central-themed content are planned for future release.

Winsage

March 4, 2026

Windows XP “Bliss” has been remixed for 2026 — here’s how to download it.

Windows XP's "Bliss" wallpaper, photographed by Charles O'Rear, was made the default wallpaper for Windows XP after Microsoft secured the rights in 2000. The default wallpaper for Windows 11, called Bloom, was created by the design studio Six N. Five. A Reddit user, Left_Hovercraft451, combined the Bliss image with the Windows 11 wallpaper, reflecting a desire for more personalized desktop aesthetics as we approach 2026. The rise of AI tools has sparked debates about ownership and originality in art, particularly regarding AI-generated content inspired by specific photographs.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

30 years later, the iconic ‘Bliss’ green hill from Windows XP is still thriving — lucky passerby captures the hill looking almost identical to the 1996 photograph in ‘super rare’ event

A Reddit user discovered a scene resembling the "Bliss" wallpaper from Windows XP, which features a serene rolling green hill chosen by Microsoft in 2001. The original hill, located in Sonoma County near Napa, has changed over the years, often covered by vineyards. The user captured the hill when it temporarily resembled its former state, with vibrant greenery, due to the removal of vineyards for pest control. The original photograph was taken by Charles O'Rear in 1996.