minimalist aesthetic Archives

Winsage

November 24, 2025

You won’t believe how much the Windows Start Menu has changed in 40 years — including THAT ill-fated departure with Windows 8

On November 20, 1985, Windows 1.0 was launched. Windows XP debuted in 2001 with a redesigned Start menu featuring a two-column layout. Windows Vista, released in 2007, integrated search functionality into the Start menu. Windows 7, launched in 2009, introduced "Jump Lists" and streamlined power options. Windows 8 replaced the Start menu with a full-screen Start screen in 2012, which was optimized for touch input. Windows 8.1 reintroduced the Start button but not the Start menu. Windows 10, released in 2015, brought back the Start menu with a customizable two-pane design and merged classic elements with Live Tiles. Windows 11, introduced in 2021, featured a centered Taskbar and a simplified Start menu layout. In November 2025, a Security Update introduced a new Start menu version that adapts to screen resolution, offering a larger layout divided into three sections: "Pinned," "Recommended," and "All," with options for user customization.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

The videogame that started it all gets a roguelike reimagining 53 years after launch, and it’s free to try

Devolver Digital and Kenny Sun have released Ball x Pit, a roguelike game that reimagines the classic Pong. Kenny Sun is known for his minimalist design but has opted for a maximalist style in this game, featuring vibrant chaos and frenetic gameplay. Players must redirect streams of ammunition, reminiscent of Pong, while incorporating roguelike mechanics such as optimizing builds and engaging in multiple rounds. Ball x Pit is available on Steam for .99 / £11.69, with a demo offered for players to try before purchasing.

AppWizard

August 26, 2025

Eversolo’s Control app comes to Android TV

The author connected an Eversolo DMP-A8 streaming DAC to KEF LS60 Wireless speakers via coaxial cable to achieve bit-perfect and gapless streaming of Apple Music, which the built-in services of KEF could not provide. The Eversolo Control app for Android TV was introduced, allowing seamless integration with various streaming services and displaying essential information about the currently playing track. The app is compatible with all DMP-Ax players and Eversolo's Play products, with an Apple TV version in development. Users are advised to adjust settings on the Google Chromecast TV for uninterrupted playback. The app's design features a gradient background based on cover art, enhancing readability compared to competing apps. Eversolo's app is noted for being the first to offer 'now playing' functionality on Android TV devices, providing practical utility in streaming compared to competitors like Sonos.

Winsage

July 6, 2025

I replaced my Windows desktop with this custom shell, and I actually love it

Cairo Shell is an application that transforms the Windows desktop experience by altering the taskbar and user interface elements. It serves as a file browser, displaying the contents of the desktop folder and allowing easy navigation through any folder directly from the desktop. Users can access their desktop contents via a keyboard shortcut or taskbar button, maintaining workflow continuity. The menu bar, reminiscent of macOS, provides access to settings, favorite programs, and user folders, allowing customization and quick access to files. The taskbar features a floating design with adjustable icon sizes and an option to auto-hide, though it does not combine icons for the same application. Cairo Shell is user-friendly, with a straightforward setup process that enhances the overall experience.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Microsoft updates Notepad app with new features after decades

Microsoft's Notepad is undergoing an update that introduces enhanced formatting features, moving away from its traditional minimalist design. The new version will support "lightweight formatting," including Markdown-style input, a formatting toolbar for bold, italic, hyperlinks, lists, and headings. Users who prefer the classic Notepad can revert to its original simplicity by clearing formatting or disabling new features in the app settings. Notepad was first launched in 1983 as "Multi-Tool Notepad" and became a part of the Windows operating system starting with Windows 1.0 in 1985.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

What’s The Best Alternative To Shazam For Android Users?

Shazam was launched in the UK in 2002 as a service where users could call a number to identify songs for a fee. Acquired by Apple in 2018, it remains available for Android users and integrates with various music platforms while being free to use. Shazam struggles with identifying earworms. SoundHound, Shazam's main competitor, has around 100 million users and can identify songs quickly, providing detailed information and lyrics. It allows users to hum or sing songs for identification, though this feature is not always accurate. SoundHound's free version includes ads, while SoundHound Infinity offers an ad-free experience for .99. Musixmatch is another alternative that identifies songs and focuses on lyrics, allowing users to create "lyrics cards" and offering a translation feature. It requires the actual song for identification. The Google app also provides quick song identification, including for hummed or sung versions, but gives candid feedback on user performance.

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Here’s why Windows 7 took so long to boot with solid color backgrounds in 2009

Some users of Windows 7 experienced a 30-second boot delay when using solid color desktop backgrounds shortly after its launch in October 2009. This issue arose because Windows waited for system components, including desktop icons and the background, to report readiness. If any element was absent, the operating system paused for up to 30 seconds. The problem was also linked to group policies that hid desktop icons. Microsoft addressed the glitch by November 2009. As of recent data, Windows 7's market share has decreased to 2.5 percent, and Microsoft has ceased support for the operating system.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

A Minecraft Movie Review: An Imaginative Family Fun Adventure

The recently released A Minecraft Movie is directed by Jared Hess and features a whimsical and campy aesthetic. The plot follows a quirky group of characters, including an eccentric video game store owner, two grieving siblings, and an aspiring petting zoo entrepreneur, as they embark on a classic fantasy quest in the Overworld. Jack Black voices the iconic avatar Steve, while Jason Momoa plays Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a comedic lead. The film effectively translates the game's blocky aesthetic into a vibrant cinematic experience, with detailed environments and action sequences that reference in-game mechanics. However, it faces pacing issues, particularly in the middle act, and sometimes struggles to balance humor with emotional storytelling. The movie appeals primarily to fans of Minecraft but remains accessible to newcomers, incorporating Easter eggs without overwhelming them.

Winsage

March 9, 2025

Enable old Classic Notepad in Windows 11 24H2 without AI and modern UI

Users can restore the classic Notepad experience by disabling the .txt execution for notepad.exe in the App execution aliases settings. To launch the legacy version, they can use the Windows Run dialog and type notepad.exe. Microsoft has introduced a ChatGPT-based "Rewrite" feature in Notepad, requiring a Microsoft account and a Microsoft 365 subscription for access, while core functionalities remain available without an account. To enable the classic Notepad in Windows 11, users should check if it is installed, remove the association with the new Notepad, and associate .txt files with the legacy version. They can also create a Start menu shortcut for the classic Notepad. To revert to the new Notepad, users can delete the classic shortcut and adjust settings in the Registry Editor and App execution aliases.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

5 apps that give you the desktop widgets Microsoft won’t

Microsoft has reintroduced a side widget feature in Windows 11, but it lacks extensive customization options. Users nostalgic for Windows 7's desktop gadgets can explore several third-party applications to enhance their desktop experience: 1. Rainmeter: A powerful desktop customization tool that allows users to create and apply skins as widgets displaying various information, with a vibrant community providing thousands of skins and mods. 2. Widget Launcher: A simple application for adding various widgets like calendars and clocks to the desktop, allowing resizing, but includes ads during the installation process. 3. GadgetPack: Restores the classic Windows 7 gadget experience on Windows 10 and 11, featuring around 50 pre-installed gadgets that can be customized and placed anywhere on the desktop. 4. BeWidgets: A modern widget application for creating custom widgets for time, date, finances, and weather, designed with a minimalist aesthetic, though it requires manual creation of widgets each time. 5. Widgets Box: Offers a diverse collection of widgets, including digital clocks and calendars, but many features require a paid subscription. It includes unique tools like a browser search bar and a stylish flip clock.