Start Menu Archives

Winsage

August 28, 2025

This secret Windows command summons every app on your PC

To view all applications installed on your PC, press the Windows key + R, type Shell:appsfolder in the command prompt, and hit Enter. This will open a window displaying all your applications, allowing you to manage them easily. You can launch apps, pin them to the Taskbar or Start menu, and create shortcuts using right-click functionality.

Winsage

August 27, 2025

Microsoft rolls out Windows Backup for Organizations

Microsoft has introduced Windows Backup for Organizations, a tool aimed at IT administrators to manage device resets and migrations from Windows 10 to Windows 11. This tool focuses on preserving Windows settings and a list of installed Microsoft Store apps, rather than serving as a comprehensive backup solution. Backups can be initiated from supported versions of Windows 10 (22H2) or Windows 11 (22H2 and later), with restoration limited to Windows 11 (22H2 and beyond). Only fully Entra-joined devices can restore settings and apps directly to the Start Menu. The backup policy can be enabled through mobile device management (MDM) or Group Policy and is opt-in by default. A scheduled task runs every eight days for backups. The Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) will be used for system restoration, but alternative restoration methods are not supported. The tool does not back up user files, and backup data is stored within the enterprise's tenant without support for cross-tenant migration or Cloud PCs.

Winsage

August 27, 2025

Windows 95 XNUMXth Anniversary: The Start Menu That Changed the World | mashdigi – Technology, New Products, Fun Facts, Trends

In August 1995, Microsoft launched Windows 95, which sold over one million units within four days. It introduced a user-friendly interface with the Start Menu, long file names, plug-and-play capabilities, and a 32-bit multitasking architecture. The minimum hardware requirements were an Intel 386 DX processor, 4MB of RAM, and a VGA graphics card, with a launch price of approximately . Windows 95 significantly impacted gaming and internet access, leading many developers to release compatible titles. Its design principles, such as the Start Menu and multitasking, continue to influence modern operating systems like Windows 11.

Winsage

August 27, 2025

Happy birthday Windows 95: the system that changed PCs forever!

On August 24, 2025, the 30th anniversary of Windows 95 was marked. Windows 95 was Microsoft’s first mass-market 32-bit consumer operating system, which sold one million copies in the first four days and approximately 40 million within a year. It aimed to unify MS-DOS and Windows into a single user experience with low minimum requirements: a 386DX processor, 4 MB of RAM, and 50-55 MB of disk space. Key innovations included the Start button, a unified interface, a full 32-bit Win32 API, and multitasking support for software from three generations. Official support for Windows 95 ended in December 2001, but its influence persists in modern operating systems. The launch featured the Rolling Stones’ song “Start Me Up,” which became iconic in tech marketing, despite initial challenges in securing the rights. The advertising campaign included celebrity appearances and contributed to Windows 95's cultural phenomenon status.

Winsage

August 24, 2025

Why Microsoft defined the modern PC with Windows 95

Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995, in the United States, and became a cultural phenomenon, supported by a significant advertising campaign featuring the Rolling Stones' song "Start Me Up." The operating system introduced the "Start" menu and was technically advanced for its time, despite some user interface challenges. Microsoft faced intense competition from IBM's OS/2 and the growing home PC market, which included the rise of gaming consoles. Windows 95 was made available for testing through a beta program, and its launch was backed by a 0 million advertising budget. The operating system included a "Plug & Play" feature, although it often led to crashes. Windows 95 relied on a DOS substructure and introduced DOS version 7.0, allowing better use of 32-bit processors. Microsoft also launched "The Microsoft Network" (MSN) alongside Windows 95, but Internet Explorer was only available in the additional "Plus!" package. By the end of 1995, Microsoft sold 40 million licenses for Windows 95, which continued to receive updates until 2001. The startup sound composed by Brian Eno was later added to the US Library of Congress in 2025.

Winsage

August 24, 2025

Who should consider Windows PowerToys?

Windows PowerToys is a collection of utilities for the Windows operating system, originally created for power users in the Windows 95 era and revived as an open-source project in 2019 for Windows 10 and 11. It is actively maintained by Microsoft engineers and volunteers. Key features include: - FancyZones: A window manager for creating custom snap layouts. - PowerToys Run: A launcher for quickly opening applications and files. - Keyboard Manager: Allows remapping of keys and creation of new shortcuts. - Text Extractor: Enables copying text from images or on-screen elements. - Mouse Utilities: Includes cursor highlighting and keyboard control of the mouse. PowerToys also offers File Explorer add-ons, a Color Picker, and utilities for batch renaming or resizing files. It is beneficial for users looking to streamline tasks and customize their systems, but may not be necessary for those engaged in basic computer activities. There may be a learning curve and occasional bugs due to its open-source nature.

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Improve your PC’s performance for under $15 with Microsoft’s most advanced operating system

A lifetime license for Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, down from its regular price of 9. This offer includes advanced security features, performance enhancements, and an AI-powered assistant called Copilot. Windows 11 Pro supports TPM 2.0, BitLocker encryption, and DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming. Customers receive a digital key and installation instructions upon purchase. The offer is limited and subject to change.

AppWizard

August 23, 2025

Windows 11 Build 26200 Enables Android App Resumption on PCs

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5761 in the Dev Channel, allowing users to resume Android app sessions on Windows PCs through the Start menu for linked devices. This update enhances AI capabilities, particularly for devices with Copilot+ hardware, and introduces an upgraded energy saver mode. It addresses issues like intermittent crashes in File Explorer and improves compatibility with third-party antivirus software. The update encourages cross-platform app development and aims to streamline workflows in enterprise environments. Microsoft has noted potential audio glitches on certain hardware and is gathering user feedback for further improvements.

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Troubleshooting File System Errors on Windows 10/11 Drives

File system errors on Windows 10 and 11 can occur due to corrupted system files, faulty updates, bad sectors on the drive, malware infections, hardware issues, or application conflicts. Common error messages often include numeric codes indicating the type of problem. To fix these errors, users can follow several methods, starting with simpler solutions: 1. Restart the Computer: A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. 2. Uninstall Problematic Windows Updates: If an error follows a recent update, uninstalling it may help. 3. Run DISM and SFC Commands: These commands repair the Windows system image and verify system files. 4. Run CHKDSK Command: This scans for bad sectors and repairs the file system structure. 5. Reset the Microsoft Store Cache: This clears the cache for Store-based apps without affecting installed apps. 6. Reinstall the Problematic Application: Uninstalling and reinstalling specific applications can resolve app-related errors. 7. Reset this PC: As a last resort, this option reinstalls Windows while allowing users to keep personal files or remove everything. Each method is arranged from least to most disruptive, allowing users to stop once the error is resolved.

Winsage

August 22, 2025

Linux Fu: Windows Virtualization The Hard(ware) Way

The Linux community faces challenges when certain applications are only available on Windows, despite solutions like Wine and virtual machines. A new approach using hardware instead of virtualization has emerged. The author received a Surface Laptop 2 that was non-functional until the keyboard was removed, revealing it was operational. While transitioning Windows installations from VirtualBox to KVM, the author discovered WinApps, a script that allows Windows applications to run on a Linux desktop via a virtual machine. However, this setup caused performance issues due to constant disk activity. The author experimented with connecting WinApps to a physical Windows machine on the network, successfully running Windows software directly on their desktop. The setup required executing an installation script on the Windows machine and making registry changes to enable RDP applications. Minor hurdles included compatibility issues with a dual-monitor setup and user permission bugs. Ultimately, Microsoft Word ran smoothly on the author's KDE desktop, demonstrating the potential for utilizing older computers for occasional tasks.