Vista Archives

Winsage

June 2, 2026

COSMIC Desktop’s Frosted Glass Is Giving Windows Aero Vibes

The COSMIC desktop environment, built on Rust and Wayland, is introducing a "Frosted Glass" appearance reminiscent of Windows Aero. System76 CEO Carl Richell announced that the feature is nearing completion and aims to balance aesthetics and functionality, allowing users to adjust the effect's prominence or disable it. Development screenshots have been shared, and the Frosted Glass effect will be integrated into the COSMIC compositor and libcosmic toolkit, with an expected release in the near future.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

Download It Now! Steam Offers Two Free PC Games For A Highly Limited Time

Valve has launched a limited-time promotional event on Steam, offering two free games: IQ Under Construction and Moonrise Fall. IQ Under Construction is a cooperative climbing game requiring teamwork and communication, with a redemption window of six hours from the announcement. Minimum system specifications include a 3.2 GHz Dual-Core CPU, 4 GB of RAM, Intel HD Graphics, DirectX 11, and 2 GB of available storage on Windows 10. Moonrise Fall is an atmospheric exploration and puzzle adventure about a boy lost in a supernatural forest after a car accident. The redemption window for this game closes on June 2. Minimum hardware requirements are a 64-bit compatible Intel Dual-Core CPU, 4 GB of RAM, a DX9-compatible graphics card, and 600 MB of storage on Windows Vista or newer.

Winsage

May 29, 2026

IBM ThinkPad T43 enthusiast installs ‘almost’ every version of Windows on the single-core laptop without using virtual machine — 26 years of Windows running bare metal, from 1996 Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 10 22H2 working on legendary hardware

An enthusiastic user of the IBM ThinkPad T43 has successfully installed nearly all versions of Windows from NT 4 to 10 22H2 on the device, complete with driver support, without using virtual machines. The ThinkPad T43, released in 2005, was IBM's last laptop model before the company was acquired by Lenovo. The user documented their process on Reddit, showcasing a gallery of screenshots of various Windows versions. The T43 originally came with Windows XP and has key components including an Intel Pentium M processor, ATi Mobility Radeon X300 or X300SE graphics, a 14.1-inch screen, support for up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and storage options from 40GB to 100GB HDD. It also features connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and various ports. The laptop is noted for its robust build quality and exceptional keyboard, weighing approximately 2.3 kg (5.1 pounds).

Winsage

May 13, 2026

Microsoft aims to speed Windows with ‘leap forward’ in WinUI 3 perf

Microsoft has announced a 25 percent improvement in the performance of WinUI 3, specifically in File Explorer components. There has been a 41 percent reduction in memory allocations and a 45 percent decrease in function calls. Some optimizations may involve breaking changes, which will initially be optional for developers. The enhancements are intended to become the default in future iterations of WinUI and the Windows App SDK. Despite these improvements, developers have expressed concerns about WinUI 3's performance, noting it is slower than WPF and UWP. The reliance on WinRT interop for component actions is seen as a significant factor hindering speed. Additionally, there are historical tensions regarding the adoption of Microsoft's frameworks within the Windows and Office teams, leading to skepticism about their reliability.

Winsage

May 13, 2026

Linux gains more critical Windows apps … 3D Movie Maker and Space Cadet Pinball

Several notable Windows applications, including Space Cadet Pinball and Microsoft 3D Movie Maker, have been successfully ported to Linux. Space Cadet Pinball, originally part of the Microsoft Plus Pack for Windows 95, has been decompiled and rebuilt, now available across 14 platforms, including Linux, thanks to Muzychenko Andrey. The source code for Microsoft 3D Movie Maker was released by Microsoft, and a new fork has been developed by Mark Cave-Ayland and Ben Stone, enabling it to run on Linux. Their project also includes bug fixes, 64-bit compatibility, and builds for ARM64 Windows, with plans for a Raspberry Pi version.

Winsage

May 9, 2026

Windows 11’s iconic system sounds may be getting a refresh, Microsoft drops a hint

Microsoft is planning to refresh the audio experience in Windows 11, as indicated by Marcus Ash, the head of Design and Research for Windows and Devices. He announced that the sound designer who worked on the Windows 11 startup sound has rejoined the team, suggesting the development of new system sounds, including notifications, error alerts, and a potential new startup chime. The current Windows 11 startup sound lasts one second and is noted for its modern quality. The initiative aims to enhance the auditory experience of the operating system, which aligns with broader improvements in functionality and user interaction, including haptic feedback effects and a more compact taskbar design.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

MOTORSLICE (PC) Review

MOTORSLICE is an action-adventure game developed by Regular Studio that combines hack-and-slash mechanics with parkour elements. The game features a ten-hour storyline where players control P, a Slicer, accompanied by a drone named Orbie. P's mission is to infiltrate "the Megastructure" and dismantle its machines. The game is noted for its intricately designed world, low-poly graphics, and unique parkour mechanics, including the Motorslice feature that allows P to traverse walls using a chainsaw. Players face various challenges and boss battles, though some encounters may feel limited. The game includes collectibles in the form of drones but lacks deeper lore integration. It has some bugs that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, MOTORSLICE is recommended for those who enjoy challenging parkour experiences.

Winsage

May 4, 2026

6 months after Windows 10 was put to pasture, over a quarter of Steam users are still on the dying OS

Windows holds a 93.47% share of users on Steam, but only 67.74% have upgraded to Windows 11 nearly five years after its launch, with 25.53% still using Windows 10. The adoption of Windows 11 has been hindered by the TPM 2.0 requirement and high hardware costs. Linux's share of Steam users decreased from 5% to 4.52%. Governments, including France, are considering alternatives to Windows.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

Hate the Windows 11 Taskbar? Here’s the ultimate way to bring back a classic look from Windows 95 to Windows Vista

Windows 11 has received criticism for its restrictive Taskbar, with users wanting the ability to reposition it to the top of the screen. RetroBar is a free application that restores functionalities from earlier Windows versions, allowing users to customize the Taskbar's position and appearance, including nostalgic themes from Windows XP, Longhorn, and Vista. RetroBar supports custom designs, is compatible with multi-monitor setups, and can be easily installed from GitHub. Users can revert to the standard Windows 11 Taskbar with a simple exit command. The application offers various themes and can be set to launch at startup. RetroBar's code is available on GitHub, including a native ARM64 build for Snapdragon devices.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

There’s No Saving Windows 11. It’s Time for Windows 12

Windows 11 has faced user frustration due to its cluttered interface and the addition of Copilot AI features, leading to questions about its viability. Recent updates allow users to skip installations during initial setup and offer enhanced taskbar customization. Microsoft is committed to improving Copilot integration, but performance issues and bugs persist. The Recall feature has raised privacy concerns, as it can expose sensitive information, with a researcher demonstrating a way to bypass security measures. The 25H2 update has been plagued by bugs, and users have noted dissatisfaction with ads promoting Microsoft services. The integration of AI has increased RAM usage, affecting system performance. Many users are calling for a focus on developing Windows 12 to restore confidence in Microsoft's operating systems.