nostalgia Archives

Winsage

September 10, 2026

Developer uses Claude to vibe code a Windows 3.1 shell in an hour — reanimated 12MB retro launcher runs on both Windows 11 and Apple Silicon

Developer Mayuki has introduced ReProgman, a homage to the classic Windows 3.1 Program Manager ('progman.exe'). The application captures the essence of its predecessor and was created by Claude Code within an hour. The initial version is lightweight, ranging from 12 to 16MB, and requires the .NET SDK 10.0 or higher to build and run. The source code is available on GitHub under the MIT license. Some enthusiasts prefer the authentic experience of running MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 on vintage hardware, with recent demonstrations showing the capability to run Windows 3.1X on modern hardware.

AppWizard

September 10, 2026

SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection 2 announced for PS5, Switch, and PC

SUNSOFT will release "SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection 2" on December 17 for PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC (Steam). Physical editions will be available in Japan for PlayStation 5 and Switch, including a special Collector’s Box. The collection features newly integrated save and rewind features and a Gallery Mode showcasing rare materials from the original games. Included titles are: - Super Arabian: An action-adventure game from 1985 where players rescue a kidnapped princess. - Ikki: A quirky action game where players collect gold coins and rice balls while rebelling against taxes. - The Mystery of Atlantis: A high-difficulty action game with 100 stages set on the island of Atlantis. - Maharaja: An adventure RPG from 1989 involving a mysterious wooden box in India.

AppWizard

September 9, 2026

Corporations want to kill physical media, but Big Box PC game packaging just got a second chance

Interest in classic big box PC games from the 1990s has surged, particularly after Sony announced it would stop producing physical PlayStation games. GOG is offering printable big boxes inspired by scans of authentic commercial packages, allowing enthusiasts to showcase collections on shelves. Revenue from CD sales increased by 58% in 2026 compared to the previous year, indicating a resurgence in physical media. GOG's DRM-free model enables users to burn game files onto CDs or DVDs, fostering a sense of ownership in a digital landscape.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

In other nudes: Google’s new Android shield blocks your NSFW photos

Android's Photo Picker is set to receive an enhancement called the Sensitive Content Warning (SCW), which is currently operational in Google Messages. The SCW automatically blurs images or videos that may contain nudity and is designed to protect users from sharing explicit content. Google is working to integrate this tool into the broader Photo Picker ecosystem, potentially extending its protective capabilities to various applications. The SCW functions as an on-device scanner that identifies explicit content, providing warnings before sending and automatically blurring incoming media. The feature is automatically activated for Supervised users, such as young children, while parents can disable it for teenagers aged 13 to 17. Although the SCW aims to enhance monitoring of shared content, media can still be transmitted as files, which may bypass these protections.

Winsage

September 8, 2026

Feel peak Windows was 7? You might like Kumander Linux

Kumander Linux is set to launch version 3.0, built on Debian 13.6 with the Xfce 4.20 desktop environment. It aims to replicate the look and feel of Windows 7 using free and open-source software, including LibreOffice 25.2 and GIMP 3.0.4. The distribution replaces the default Task Manager with a new System Manager and includes an intuitive Software Center. It has a download size of 4.25 GB and requires 11 GB of disk space, consuming approximately 725 MB of RAM when idle. The name "Kumander" references Commodore computers and reflects its Filipino origins. The distribution is currently in its Release Candidate 2 phase.

Winsage

September 7, 2026

Use a Goofy Windows 98 Disk Defragmenter Simulator as a Prank

Defragmenting hard drives was a common maintenance task for Windows users in the 90s and early 2000s that organized scattered files to enhance access speed. With the introduction of solid-state drives (SSDs), the need for defragmentation diminished. A web application, defrag98.com, allows users to simulate the defragmentation experience, complete with sounds and progress bars, providing a nostalgic experience without real utility.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Games Inbox: When will GTA 6 be released on PC?

Grand Theft Auto 6 is anticipated to potentially release a PC version about six months after its console launch, possibly around May. Historically, GTA 4 had a seven-month gap for its PC version, while GTA 5 had a 19-month gap. The timeline for GTA 6 may be influenced by the launch of GTA Online 2. There are hopes that GTA 6 will feature innovative moral choices affecting gameplay, with complex character dynamics between protagonists Lucia and Jason. Microsoft has introduced a cap on streaming hours for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to 15 hours per month and five hours for basic tier users, raising concerns about the viability of cloud gaming. Speculations suggest future consoles may include a high-end model priced around £1,200 and a more affordable streaming-only option. Consumer reactions reveal frustration over cloud gaming limitations and a commitment to physical game copies amid concerns about digital ownership. The potential role of artificial intelligence in gaming is also being discussed, with mixed opinions on its impact on non-player character dialogue.

Winsage

September 6, 2026

I gave Windows 11 an old-school makeover by restoring its classic icons

Users can customize icons in Windows 11 by following different methods depending on the type of icon. For folders and shortcuts, right-clicking the item and selecting Properties allows users to change icons easily. Taskbar items require pressing Shift while right-clicking the closed app. Desktop icons like "This PC" and the Recycle Bin can be modified through Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. More complex changes, such as altering icons for file types or drives, involve editing the Windows registry. Windows retains a selection of classic icons within DLL files, including moricons.dll, pifmgr.dll, and netshell.dll. Users can also access the Windows Icon Archive project for a repository of icons from various Windows versions, though .png files need conversion to .ico format for use. Limitations include the inability to change icons for new folders automatically, modifications not reflecting in Quick Access for special folders, and restrictions on altering application icons. Programs like OpenShell can help modify taskbar and Start menu icons, but achieving a perfect replica of older versions is not possible.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

ReactOS 0.4.16 serves ’90s Windows nostalgia with fewer bugs

ReactOS has released version 0.4.16, which includes a unified boot and live CD image, a graphical installer, and significant upgrades to video, audio, networking, and storage stacks. The update addresses compatibility issues with legacy software, particularly with video drivers and the kernel’s system page table entries, improving stability. A new HD audio bus driver has replaced an older implementation, and the UniATA driver has been replaced with a new ATA driver for better compatibility and boot times. Networking capabilities have improved with expanded support for adapters and asynchronous connections. A headless Server Core installation type has been introduced, and compatibility restrictions with Windows Server 2003 have been lifted. ReactOS remains in an alpha state, and version 0.4.16 is available for download.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

How Enterprising Modders Installed Windows NT On Nintendo GameCubes

Console modding is experiencing a resurgence as enthusiasts enhance classic hardware, with a notable project involving the installation of Windows NT 4.0 on the GameCube. This initiative builds on previous work by Entii for Workcubes and has gained attention through videos by creators like Jiga Tech and Michael MJD. The process involves utilizing the shared PowerPC architecture of the GameCube and Wii, allowing modders to run the vintage operating system. Demonstrations of the modding process began in February 2025, showcasing the installation of a mod drive and software. Despite the challenges posed by modern gaming companies, such as Nintendo's strict anti-modding policies, these projects highlight the creativity of the modding community and the potential for innovative uses of older consoles.