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Windows 8’s codename was “Modern Experience” — Microsoft says it lacked creativity
Winsage
June 4, 2026

Windows 8’s codename was “Modern Experience” — Microsoft says it lacked creativity

Raymond Chen, a Microsoft software engineer, reflected on the development of Windows 8, which was announced on June 1, 2011, and had its support withdrawn on January 12, 2016. The development team initially referred to Windows 8 as "the modern experience" to distinguish it from Windows 7, known as "the classic experience." This led to the creation of abbreviations like "MoSh" for the modern shell and "ClaSh" for the classic shell. Other terms included "MoGo" for the new Start menu and "MoSet" for the settings control panel. Microsoft has since introduced Windows K2, an internal project aimed at addressing issues in Windows 11, and has made changes based on user feedback, such as allowing indefinite postponement of updates. Users can engage in discussions about Windows K2 on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral.
Microsoft's veteran engineer says Windows 8 was all built around "modern" codenames — including the polarizing Start menu
Winsage
June 3, 2026

Microsoft’s veteran engineer says Windows 8 was all built around “modern” codenames — including the polarizing Start menu

Microsoft unveiled Windows 8 on June 1, 2011, and ceased support for it on January 12, 2016. During its development, the team referred to it as "the modern experience" to distinguish it from Windows 7, known as "the classic experience." The new shell was called "modern shell" or "MoSh," while the old shell was referred to as "classic shell" or "ClaSh." The Start menu was initially called "Go page" and later renamed "MoGo." Other components were similarly named, such as "MoSet" for the settings control panel and "MoCo" for the ListView control. Microsoft is currently working on a project called Windows K2 to address issues in Windows 11, allowing users to postpone updates indefinitely and reducing the visibility of Copilot based on feedback. A status tracker for Windows K2 is available.
Windows 8 is now 15 years old. Here's where it's still being used
Winsage
June 2, 2026

Windows 8 is now 15 years old. Here’s where it’s still being used

Microsoft launched Windows 8 on June 1st, 2011, which faced backlash for its touch-centric design. The initial working title was "modern," leading to confusion with new components labeled "Mo." In response to criticism, Microsoft released Windows 8.1 a year later, reintroducing the classic desktop environment while retaining some contentious design choices. Windows 8 was officially discontinued in January 2016, but it continues to be used in various sectors, including hospitals, supermarket checkouts, gas stations, industry machinery, and government agencies. Some private users still prefer Windows 8 or 8.1, despite initial dissatisfaction. Government agencies often use proprietary firewalls to mitigate security risks associated with outdated software, and users are advised not to connect Windows 8 systems to the internet.
Tested: Windows 11's new Start menu lets you fully customize it, and it works surprisingly well
Winsage
May 30, 2026

Tested: Windows 11’s new Start menu lets you fully customize it, and it works surprisingly well

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.8553, featuring a redesigned Start menu that addresses user complaints about customization and performance. The update introduces section-level toggles for managing the visibility of Pinned, Recent, and All sections. The Recommended section has been rebranded as Recent, allowing users to display recently accessed files and customize its visibility. Users can also disable Pinned apps and All apps, leading to a minimalist Start menu. Three size options for the Start menu are available: Automatic, Small, and Medium. The All apps section can be viewed in Grid or List format. Users can hide their name and profile picture from the Start menu. A native Start menu is in development, with plans to use native WinUI 3 frameworks for improved performance. Additionally, a new Low Latency Profile CPU boost is being rolled out to enhance responsiveness.
Microsoft admits modern Windows 11 apps actually resize worse than the old ones, fix coming this summer
Winsage
May 29, 2026

Microsoft admits modern Windows 11 apps actually resize worse than the old ones, fix coming this summer

Microsoft is working on a solution to address the black tearing issue during window resizing in WinUI 3 applications on Windows 11, with a rollout expected to begin this summer. March Rogers, Microsoft’s Partner Director of Design, confirmed that the Windows team is testing smooth resizing code on native inbox applications before extending the update to the Windows App SDK. The transition to WinUI 3 aims to replace inefficient web applications and improve user experience, with significant components like the Start menu and system-level dialog boxes being upgraded to WinUI 3. Additionally, Microsoft has launched Windows App SDK 2.0 to encourage third-party developers to adopt native app development, addressing previous issues such as bugs and lack of visual features.
The Witcher 3 reveals new system requirements and it's now Windows 11 or nothing
AppWizard
May 27, 2026

The Witcher 3 reveals new system requirements and it’s now Windows 11 or nothing

CD Projekt has announced a new expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt titled Songs of the Past, set for release in 2027. The studio will update the game's system requirements to improve performance and compatibility due to the discontinuation of support for Windows 7 and 8 in 2023 and challenges with Windows 10. The original minimum specifications included an Intel Core i5-2500K CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 GPU, 6 GB RAM, and 50 GB of storage. While updated specifications may require more modern hardware, older setups may still run the game, but players will need to upgrade for compatibility with the new expansion. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Classic is available as a beta option, but it is unclear if it will support the expansion, and players on the Epic Games Store do not have access to older builds.
The Witcher 3’s new expansion drops Xbox One and Windows 10 — “Hardware capabilities have evolved”
Winsage
May 27, 2026

The Witcher 3’s new expansion drops Xbox One and Windows 10 — “Hardware capabilities have evolved”

A beloved RPG is returning with a new expansion, leading to updated minimum PC requirements. The new specifications are as follows: - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 / Intel Core i5-8400 (previously Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz / AMD A10-5800K APU 3.8GHz) - GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB (previously NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon HD 7870) - VRAM: 6 GB (unchanged) - RAM: 12 GB (previously 6 GB) - Storage: 70 GB SSD (previously 50 GB available space) - OS: 64-bit Windows 11 (previously 64-bit Windows 7 / 64-bit Windows 8 or 8.1) Support for legacy platforms like Xbox One is being phased out. Windows 11 has a market share of 67.74%, while Windows 10 is at 25.63%. CD Projekt Red stated that the updated requirements are necessary for smooth performance and compatibility with new content. The expansion is set for release on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC in 2027.
Windows 12 at Build 2026: What to expect
Winsage
May 26, 2026

Windows 12 at Build 2026: What to expect

Microsoft Build 2026 will occur on June 2 and 3 at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, featuring a keynote by CEO Satya Nadella. The event targets AI developers and enterprise teams, emphasizing a hands-on experience. In-person tickets are priced at ,099, while the keynote and select sessions will be streamed live for free. Although there is speculation about Windows 12, Microsoft has not officially confirmed its release, with reports indicating that 2027 may be the earliest for any announcement. Current initiatives include Windows K2, aimed at improving Windows 11's performance and reliability. Build 2026 is expected to cover topics such as native Windows development with WinUI 3, on-device AI capabilities, security for AI applications, and enhancements to the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). In-person attendance will be limited, and visa support is available for international attendees.
FAQ: What you need to know about expiring Windows Secure Boot certificates
Winsage
May 26, 2026

FAQ: What you need to know about expiring Windows Secure Boot certificates

Secure Boot is a security mechanism that authenticates firmware-based software through trusted certificates during the startup process of Windows, preventing unauthorized code execution. It is part of the UEFI firmware standard and was introduced in 2011 to allow only verified, signed code to run at startup. Microsoft first implemented Secure Boot certificates in 2011 as an optional feature in Windows 8, and it remained optional in Windows 10. However, it became a mandatory requirement with the launch of Windows 11 in 2021, indicating the widespread adoption of UEFI systems.
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