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Tested: Microsoft cloned Outlook Classic's look into a New Outlook theme, instead of building a native Windows 11 app
Winsage
October 3, 2026

Tested: Microsoft cloned Outlook Classic’s look into a New Outlook theme, instead of building a native Windows 11 app

Microsoft introduced a new theme for its New Outlook that resembles Outlook Classic, responding to user preferences for a familiar interface. In August 2026, an optional setting was rolled out for New Outlook on Windows 11 and Windows 10, allowing users to enable a “classic Outlook style” through Settings > General > Appearance. This feature alters the interface to echo Outlook Classic while functioning as a web app. Key redesigns include a dark background title bar, updated navigation bar, and a new Calendar view. The mail folder list has been made more compact, and the ribbon has been updated with familiar design elements. Despite these changes, users still express a desire for a native Outlook app, as the current version operates as a resource-intensive Edge instance.
Your old phone isn't useless: 4 smart ways to get more life out of it
AppWizard
October 2, 2026

Your old phone isn’t useless: 4 smart ways to get more life out of it

Phone upgrades often lead to replacing devices every couple of years, but old phones still hold value. Users typically choose to deal with their old phones in the following ways: 26% sell or trade it in, 26% hand it down to family or friends, 42% turn it into a dedicated gadget, and 5% let it sit in a drawer. Old phones can be kept as second devices for personal and work separation, used as an Android Auto display, or serve as a backup phone for emergencies. They can also be repurposed into gadgets like dash cams, security cameras, music players, e-readers, universal remotes, or PC companions. Additionally, they can replace webcams, act as second screens, or provide portable storage. If repurposing isn’t appealing, selling the phone is a practical option, with a strong market for used phones on platforms like SellCell, Swappa, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Trading it in may yield better benefits, especially with retailer promotions, and donating it to charity is another option.
At last: I can build a home out of raw Windows Vista-era nostalgia
Winsage
October 1, 2026

At last: I can build a home out of raw Windows Vista-era nostalgia

In 2007, software aesthetics featured glossy, rounded plastics and serene landscapes, creating a tranquil atmosphere. A new home-building simulator called Frutiger Home has been released on Steam, allowing players to create personal sanctuaries inspired by the optimistic design elements of the past. The term Frutiger Aero aesthetic describes the polished visual language prevalent in tech and UI design from the mid-2000s to early 2010s. The game invites players to decorate homes with nostalgic imagery, such as clownfish and dandelions, reminiscent of earlier technology like the Zune. Frutiger Home is available on Steam for a low price.
The best frog in all of gaming, Touch Me, is now appreciable in all its glory thanks to a FF7 model viewer
AppWizard
September 29, 2026

The best frog in all of gaming, Touch Me, is now appreciable in all its glory thanks to a FF7 model viewer

Pardall Games has released a collection of 3D models from the 1997 game Final Fantasy 7, including a frog model referred to as "my sweet, sweet boy." Users can interact with nearly every model, including characters and summon animations, in a 3D viewer. The viewer allows for rotation of models and comparison with map screens. A notable model is that of Touch Me, which has been renamed Amphidex in the recent Rebirth remake, and can be transformed into a GIF to showcase its animations.
This week in PC games: new Ace Combat, Transport Fever 3, and a System Shock-alike set on a disco space station
AppWizard
September 28, 2026

This week in PC games: new Ace Combat, Transport Fever 3, and a System Shock-alike set on a disco space station

The world of video game journalism is thriving, with a variety of new PC game releases showcasing creativity and innovation. Notable new titles include: - Camp Whittlewood: A pixel-art horror RPG featuring cub scouts on a camping adventure without typical horror tropes. - HR: Human Remains: Players navigate Hell as an office clerk managing a to-do list amidst a war between humans and demons. - Yots: A co-op extraction game set in a procedurally generated city reminiscent of the PS1 era and Silent Hill. - Drop Command: Combines cockpit combat with 90s Mechwarrior and 4X gameplay elements. - Nivalis Nights: A cyberpunk restaurant management simulation with lush visuals. - Toem 2: A sequel featuring gentle platforming and photography puzzles. - Transport Fever 3: A detailed simulation game focused on trains. - Tiny Flock: A VR shepherding simulation with whimsical elements. - Radiosol: Players control a mechanical spider in a world of dusty megastructures, utilizing generative AI for multilingual support. - Okko The Exiled: A 2D visual game featuring a small protagonist with a large club. - Songs of Glimmerwick: A witch school RPG combining magic and music. - By God Alone: An expansion for Crusader Kings 3 allowing players to control the Vatican. - Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered: Revives the classic musou experience with enhanced graphics. - RetroSpace: A survival game set aboard a space station drawn into a black hole. - Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: The latest installment in the aerial combat franchise.
One of the best classic Lego games has a free remake you can play
AppWizard
September 28, 2026

One of the best classic Lego games has a free remake you can play

Lego Racers has been reintroduced as "Step On It," a free online game accessible through web browsers. This remake retains the original's essence while adding features like online multiplayer for up to six players. All content from the original game is available from the start, and enhancements such as rebalanced items and adjusted AI can be toggled. The project was developed by isledecomp, known for the Lego Island browser remake.
Microsoft was better at software in the '90s, and these still-useful Windows utilities prove it
Winsage
September 28, 2026

Microsoft was better at software in the ’90s, and these still-useful Windows utilities prove it

Microsoft PowerToys originated during the development of Windows 95 as small programs created by engineers to test concepts and ease workloads. The first collection of PowerToys included tools like FindX, Send To X, and Tweak UI. System Configuration (MSConfig) helps isolate configuration and startup issues by allowing selective loading of services and startup components, remaining useful despite modern management shifting to Task Manager. Disk Cleanup was launched with Windows 98 to help users reclaim disk space, featuring commands that allow saving cleanup profiles, a functionality that persists in Windows 11. Task Scheduler, introduced in 1995 as System Agent in the Microsoft Plus! pack for Windows 95, automates tasks based on specific triggers. System File Checker (SFC), dating back to Windows 98, scans and repairs protected Windows resources, evolving from a graphical utility to a command-line tool. Device Manager provides an expandable tree of hardware components and reflects advancements in Microsoft's Plug and Play system from Windows 95, continuing to assist users in hardware inspection and troubleshooting. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag) was created for gamers in the late '90s to examine hardware and software configurations related to DirectX and remains available in Windows 11.
After Warcraft 3's first new campaign in 23 years, let's normalize releasing new DLC for ancient RTS games
AppWizard
September 26, 2026

After Warcraft 3’s first new campaign in 23 years, let’s normalize releasing new DLC for ancient RTS games

The gaming landscape is experiencing renewed interest in older titles, as seen with expansions for classics like Songs of the Past for The Witcher 3. Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur's Gate 3 are expected to remain relevant for years, making them candidates for future downloadable content. Quake has added a new episode, and Nightdive is remastering Thief. At BlizzCon 2026, the Warcraft 3 Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom expansion was announced, highlighting nostalgia for RTS games. Microsoft has revitalized the Age of Empires series with updates, while newer titles like Age of Empires 4 have struggled. Relic's Dawn of War: Definitive Edition has sold 750,000 copies, indicating demand for remastered RTS games. The remaster of Command & Conquer and Red Alert in 2020 shows the potential for nostalgia-driven content. Expanding existing titles like Rise of Nations and Supreme Commander could be beneficial, and while reactions to new content may be mixed, the concept has promise. The RTS genre has an opportunity to leverage its history while innovating for the future.
Drop everything and grab the popcorn: Majuular's 4.5-hour documentary on Ultima Online is here to devour your weekend
AppWizard
September 26, 2026

Drop everything and grab the popcorn: Majuular’s 4.5-hour documentary on Ultima Online is here to devour your weekend

YouTube essayist Majuular has released a new video focused on Ultima Online, part of a series that took six months to produce. The video explores the game's origins under Richard Garriott and Starr Long, its development by Raph Koster and his team, and its impact on the gaming landscape. Ultima Online has adapted to competition and remains accessible through official and fan-operated servers, including the In Mani Ylem server. Majuular's efforts to document the making of Richard Garriott's series have gained him over 200,000 followers on YouTube. His retrospective highlights Ultima's influence on role-playing games and includes personal stories and historical context.
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