Minesweeper Archives

BetaBeacon

January 30, 2026

10 Games To Play On Your Phone Instead Of Doomscrolling

- Slay the Spire is a popular roguelite deckbuilder game that was released on PC and console in 2019 and later brought to iOS and Android. - The game offers quick plays on mobile devices and allows players to pick up where they left off. - It is considered one of the best games ever made and offers infinite play time. - The mobile version of Slay the Spire is properly priced. - The game Balatro, a poker-ish game, became popular on PC and console before being released on iOS and Android in 2024. - Like Slay the Spire, Balatro is worth the price and offers a unique experience with each run. - Polimines Deluxe is a puzzle game that combines elements of Picross, Hexcells, and Minesweeper. - The mobile version includes both Polimines 1 and 2, offering a challenging and clever gameplay experience. - The game makes players feel like geniuses when solving puzzles and is reasonably priced.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Grandson Visits His Grandpa To Fix His Computer, But Ends Up Astounded With His Computer Knowledge And Minecraft Use

An 89-year-old grandfather surprised his grandson with his proficiency in using a Windows 10 laptop, having already installed the operating system and played Minesweeper. He requested help connecting to the internet and demonstrated knowledge of network diagnostics by using the Command Prompt. The grandson was astonished to learn that the grandfather had learned these skills from his wife. The story highlights that age does not limit one's ability to adapt to technology.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

Microsoft’s 2025 Limted Edition Windows Ugly Sweater celebrates 50 years of nostalgia with Clippy, DOS, MSN, and more— and it’ll sell out fast, so act now!

Microsoft has released the Windows Ugly Sweater for 2025, featuring characters like Clippy and the Paint application in celebration of the company's upcoming 50th anniversary. It is available for purchase through the Microsoft Company Store. The tradition began in 2019 with the Windows XP Ugly Sweater, initially gifted to influencers, and became available to a wider audience in 2020. Subsequent themes included Minesweeper in 2021, Clippy in 2022, and the Windows XP Bliss wallpaper in 2023. There was no Ugly Sweater in 2024, but it has returned for 2025.

Winsage

November 21, 2025

Windows turns 40 as the most influential software product in history

Microsoft Windows celebrated its 40th anniversary on November 20, 2025. The journey began with the launch of Windows 1.0 in 1985, designed as a graphical layer atop MS-DOS, requiring a graphics card and 256KB of RAM. Subsequent releases included Windows 2.0 in 1987, Windows 3.0 and 3.1 in 1990 and 1992, respectively, which introduced significant features like a 3D-styled interface and popular games. Windows 95, launched in the mid-1990s, introduced the Start menu and taskbar, selling over seven million copies shortly after its release. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the introduction of Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP in 2001, which was noted for its stability. Windows Vista was released in 2007, followed by Windows 7 in 2009, and Windows 8, which faced user backlash. Windows 10 was launched in 2015, adopting a Windows-as-a-Service model, and Windows 11 continues to evolve with new design and hardware requirements.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

I miss when Windows came with fun games

Windows has included built-in games since its inception, starting with Reversi in Windows 1.0. Classic games like Minesweeper, Pinball, and chess were staples, particularly during the golden era of Windows XP in 2001, which offered a diverse selection of games. Windows Vista and 7 maintained enjoyable built-in games, but Windows 8 marked a decline, moving many classic games to the Windows Store and redesigning them with monetization strategies. Windows 10 further complicated the gaming landscape by integrating heavily monetized titles, leading to a perception of greed rather than enjoyment. The shift in gaming experiences reflects broader industry trends, with fewer companies offering free built-in games.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

Best Arc Raiders builds

In Arc Raiders, player encounters can be critical for survival, and skill mastery is essential for success. The game features a skill tree divided into three categories: Conditioning, Mobility, and Survival, each enhancing different gameplay aspects. Conditioning Skills: - Used To The Weight: Wearing a shield has less impact on speed. - Blast-Born: Hearing is less affected by explosions. - Fight Or Flight: Regain stamina when injured in combat. - Survivor's Stamina: Faster stamina regeneration when critically hurt. - Downed But Determined: Delays collapse when downed. - Turtle Crawl: Reduced damage taken while downed. - Back On Your Feet: Health regeneration kicks in when critically hurt. - Gentle Pressure: Quieter breaching. - Proficient Pryer: Quicker breaching of doors and containers. - Unburdened Roll: First dodge roll after shield break costs no stamina. - A Little Extra: Breaching generates additional resources. - Loaded Arms: Weapon's weight has less impact on encumbrance. - Effortless Swing: Melee abilities consume less stamina. - Sky-Clearing Swing: Increased melee damage to drones. - Flyswatter: One melee attack can destroy wasps and turrets. Mobility Skills: - Nimble Climber: Enhanced climbing and vaulting speed. - Marathon Runner: Reduced stamina cost for movement. - Youthful Lungs: Increases maximum stamina. - Carry The Momentum: Sprinting after a dodge roll costs no stamina briefly. - Effortless Roll: Dodge rolls require less stamina. - Heroic Leap: Further sprint dodge rolls. - Vaults On Vaults On Vaults: Vaulting no longer consumes stamina. - Crawl Before You Walk: Increased crawling speed when downed. - Vigorous Vaulter: Vaulting is unaffected by exhaustion. - Vault Spring: Jump at the end of a vault. - Slip And Slide: Enhanced sliding distance and speed. - Sturdy Ankles: Reduced fall damage from non-lethal heights. - Calming Stroll: Stamina regenerates while walking as if standing still. - Off The Wall: Increased distance for wall leaps. - Ready To Roll: Extended timing window for recovery rolls when falling. Survival Skills: - Agile Croucher: Increased movement speed while crouching. - Revitalizing Squat: Enhanced stamina regeneration while crouched. - In-Round Crafting: Ability to craft items while topside. - Good As New: Increased stamina regeneration while under healing effects. - Stubborn Mule: Stamina regeneration is less impacted by over-encumbrance. - Three Deep Breaths: Faster recovery after stamina-draining abilities. - Minesweeper: Defuse nearby mines and explosive deployables. - Looter's Instincts: Faster loot reveal when searching containers. - Silent Scavenger: Quieter looting. - Suffer In Silence: Reduced noise while moving when critically hurt. - Broad Shoulders: Increased maximum carry weight. - Traveling Tinkerer: Unlocks additional field crafting options. - One Raider's Scraps: Chance to find extra field-crafted items when looting. - Looter's Luck: Potential to reveal double the items while looting. - Security Breach: Ability to breach security lockers. Effective Builds: 1. Perpetual Motion: Focuses on speed and agility with key skills like Used To The Weight and Marathon Runner. 2. Pack Horse: Maximizes inventory capacity with skills such as Broad Shoulders and Looter's Luck. 3. Gunslinger: Emphasizes close-quarters combat with skills like Fight Or Flight and Minesweeper.

Winsage

October 21, 2025

Windows XP never really died — it just moved into your pocket

A developer named Gorjan Jovanovski has created a Windows XP launcher for Android devices, available for free download. The launcher replicates a fully functional Windows XP desktop environment, including a Start menu, settings dialogs, and a working version of Internet Explorer. It also features designs reminiscent of Windows 95, 98, ME, and 2000, complete with unique welcome screens, music, and sounds. Key features include customizable desktop icons, a functional Start Menu, gesture controls, classic wallpapers, calendar and weather integration, and a Windows Update feature. Jovanovski has developed retro apps that mimic original counterparts, such as Internet Explorer 6, Winamp, Notepad, Phone Dialer, Registry Editor, and classic games like Minesweeper and Solitaire. Users report a complete experience, with the launcher performing well on devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. However, sideloading the 72MB launcher poses security risks, requiring users to disable firewalls and grant manual permissions. The launcher is not available on the Google Play Store due to copyright issues, and the code is not hosted on GitHub, raising concerns about security and future updates.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Steam’s Best Upcoming Games Are Free To Try In These 5 PC Demos

Steam Next Fest is showcasing five standout demos in October 2025, including: 1. Mosaic of the Strange: A Picross puzzle game that combines supernatural mystery with point-and-click elements, offering a relaxing yet engaging experience. 2. Winter Burrow: Players control a mouse navigating survival challenges while managing resources and crafting items in a cozy, picture book aesthetic. 3. Monsters Are Coming!: A tower defense game where players build characters and manage a mobile fortress to repel waves of enemies, encouraging strategic upgrades. 4. Verho: Curse of Faces: An old-school RPG inspired by King’s Field, featuring fast-paced combat and a world where wearing masks protects against a deadly curse. 5. Moonsigil Atlas: A roguelike card battler that introduces a unique mechanic of summoning geometric shapes to fit into a grid, allowing multiple card plays per round and enhancing strategic depth.

Winsage

October 2, 2025

Spiceworks Community Digest: Saying goodbye to Windows 10

Microsoft's Windows 10 will reach its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025. In celebration of this milestone, a "10 Days of Windows" countdown is being launched to reflect on the history of Windows and its memorable features. Users have expressed nostalgia for features such as solitaire, minesweeper, Windows Movie Maker, and a special edition of 3-D pinball from Windows 7.

AppWizard

August 17, 2025

35 years of Microsoft Solitaire: An illustrated history of the game’s evolution

Microsoft Solitaire has been played by over 500 million players worldwide since its launch in 1990 as part of Windows 3.0. It was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2019. The game has been localized into 65 languages and is available on various devices, despite no longer being pre-installed on Windows computers. Originally designed to help users learn mouse functionality, Solitaire became a popular choice for players seeking a break from daily life. With the release of Windows XP in 2001, online competition emerged, but traditional Solitaire remained popular. In 2015, Microsoft released Solitaire as a downloadable app within the Windows Store, including classic modes and new challenges. The game has inspired various adaptations and alternatives, while some players, like Ariana Torrey, continue to appreciate its nostalgic simplicity.