Start button Archives

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Confused? Your Windows 10 PC still works, but the clock is running out

A customer visited a service center with a functional Dell laptop running Windows 10, which lost mainstream support from Microsoft in October 2022. While the laptop still operates, Microsoft no longer patches security vulnerabilities for Windows 10 unless specific actions are taken. Users have three options: 1. Upgrade to Windows 11 for free if the PC meets requirements, which can be checked with the "PC Health Check" app. 2. Purchase a new or refurbished PC, especially if the current device is six or seven years old. 3. Enroll in extended security updates through methods such as syncing with a Microsoft account, redeeming rewards points, or paying a fee, valid until October 2027. There has been an increase in scams related to Windows 10, with fraudulent popups and calls misleading users about their operating system's status. Microsoft will not contact users unexpectedly regarding expired systems. Users should check their PC's eligibility for Windows 11 using the "PC Health Check" app and seek professional help if needed.

Winsage

September 23, 2026

DOC IN A BOX: Confused? Your Windows 10 PC still works, but the clock is running out

A customer brought in a functional Dell laptop running Windows 10, which lost mainstream support from Microsoft in October 2025. Although the laptop still operates, Microsoft has stopped patching security vulnerabilities unless users take specific actions. Users have three options: upgrade to Windows 11 if their PC meets requirements, purchase a new or refurbished PC, or enroll in extended security updates available until October 2027. There is also a warning about potential scams related to Windows 10's support status. Users can check their PC's eligibility for Windows 11 using the "PC Health Check" app from Microsoft.

Winsage

September 7, 2026

Windows 11 hack unlocks animated profile pictures Microsoft has been hiding from you

Windows 11 typically converts profile pictures into static, resized versions for display on the Start menu, Settings page, or lock screen. A registry tweak allows users to link these entries to the original image file, enabling animated profile pictures. This method supports transparent PNGs and animated GIFs, although Microsoft does not officially support animated account pictures. Windows generates resized copies of the profile picture and stores their paths in the registry. Users can automate the process using a PowerShell tool from GitHub or manually edit the registry with elevated permissions. Users must ensure the GIF is stored in a permanent location, as moving or deleting it will break the profile picture. The workaround modifies local account settings, not Microsoft account avatars, and users with sync enabled should be cautious.

Winsage

September 2, 2026

Windows 95’s Start menu was invented by a chimpanzee-lab psychologist: ‘Even a rocket scientist couldn’t figure out Windows’

A user on X highlighted their new 5K Dell UltraSharp monitor, leading to a discussion about the Windows 11 taskbar's alignment. Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, expressed his preference for a left-aligned taskbar, which he viewed as a stand against center alignment. The Start button's creation is attributed to Danny Oran, a behavioral psychologist who joined Microsoft in 1992. Oran's background included teaching chimpanzees to communicate, which informed his approach to user interface design. He observed users struggling with Windows 3.1 and proposed a single button for access to all features, initially called "System" but later renamed "Start." The placement of the Start button in the bottom-left corner was influenced by Fitts's law, which suggests users can quickly click targets in screen corners. Joe Belfiore confirmed this placement aligned with reading habits. The initial implementation of the Start button in Windows 95 had an issue with padding that was corrected in Windows 98. Oran also designed the taskbar, which was ultimately placed at the bottom of the screen to differentiate it from Apple's macOS. Oran holds the original patent for both the Start menu and the taskbar introduced in Windows 95.

Winsage

August 27, 2026

Windows 8 Remastered concept may make you forget your hate for the controversial OS

Windows 8 Remastered is a new concept by YouTuber AR 4789 that combines modern design with the original Windows 8 interface. It features a desktop experience with Live Tiles and Widgets, a traditional Taskbar with a Start button, and a redesigned lock screen. The File Explorer has been overhauled with Fluent Design principles and larger tiles, while the Charms bar has received cosmetic enhancements. The concept also includes Snap Assist and a redesigned Windows Settings app that retains personalization options from Windows 11. It is designed to work across various devices, catering to both touch-friendly and traditional desktop users.

Winsage

August 26, 2026

Windows NT 4.0 was released on this day 30 years ago

On August 24, 2001, Microsoft launched Windows XP to manufacturing. Five years earlier, on August 24, 1996, Windows NT 4.0 was released to the public, following the launch of Windows 95 in 1995. Windows NT 4.0 featured a user interface similar to Windows 95, incorporating elements like the Start button, taskbar, and Windows Explorer, while maintaining the security and networking advantages of the NT line. It emphasized business networking, with its Server edition including Internet Information Server and support for PPTP for virtual private networks. However, it faced challenges such as increased risk of system crashes due to architectural changes and limited driver availability, lacking official USB support. The legacy of the NT line continues in modern Windows operating systems, including Windows 2000, XP, and Windows 11.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Back to the Start: How Microsoft launched Windows 95 to the world

In 1995, Microsoft launched Windows 95, an operating system designed to transition users from 16-bit to 32-bit computing, with a marketing budget estimated between 0 million and 0 million. Windows 95 featured a 32-bit architecture capable of managing up to 4GB of memory, the Start button, taskbar, Microsoft Exchange, and Plug and Play technology. The global launch event occurred on August 24 at Microsoft's headquarters, featuring Bill Gates and a promotional campaign that included The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" and a videotape guide with Friends stars. In Malaysia, the official launch was on August 29, with some dealers organizing midnight sales, although turnout was disappointing. Microsoft hosted a Windows 95 Expo in Kuala Lumpur, leading to strong sales of additional products. By 1996, Microsoft announced the shipment of 40 million units of Windows 95 worldwide.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Windows NT 4 went on sale 30 years ago today

Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 was officially released on August 24, 1996, marking its 30th anniversary today. Codenamed “Tukwila,” it integrated the Windows Explorer desktop from Windows 95 with the NT operating system. Windows 95 was released a year earlier on August 24, 1995, and was initially codenamed “Chicago.” Windows NT 4 incorporated a modern user interface while maintaining the reliability of the NT kernel. It introduced features like the journaling NTFS filesystem but had limitations such as stability issues due to changes in the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) and lack of support for FAT32 and USB interfaces. Despite these shortcomings, NT 4 was a significant operating system that contributed to the competitive landscape of operating systems.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Windows 95’s redesign is still the most profound 31 years later — I take a look at what survived more than three decades of hardware evolution

On August 24, 1995, Microsoft launched Windows 95, featuring a memorable appearance by Jay Leno and CEO Bill Gates. The launch included a promotional video set to "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones. Windows 95 introduced the Start button, marking a significant change in user experience compared to Windows 3.1, which used a full-screen Program Manager for application organization. The introduction of the Start button reshaped user interaction with computers and contributed to the legacy of Windows 95, which continues to influence users today, even with the release of Windows 11 in 2021.

Tech Optimizer

August 23, 2026

Antivirus software tips from Ely Computer Centre director

Antivirus software does not guarantee complete safety for computers, especially if the software is no longer supported. As software ages, it becomes vulnerable to security risks, and once support ends, new vulnerabilities are not addressed. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 in October 2025, meaning users will not receive security updates, increasing the risk of exploitation. Users can identify Windows 10 by checking if the Start button has four black squares. Upgrading to Windows 11 may not be possible for older computers due to hardware limitations, and replacing outdated devices is often recommended. Seeking professional advice is advisable if there is uncertainty about the operating system or upgrade options.