Windows 95 Archives

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Microsoft fixes Message Queuing issue in new update

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update to fix a Message Queuing (MSMQ) issue that arose after the December 2025 update. This patch is available for several Windows versions, including Windows 10 22H2 ESU, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, and Windows 10 LTSB 2016, as well as various Windows Server versions from 2008 to 2019. The issue primarily impacted enterprise environments, while users on Pro and Home editions were "very unlikely" to experience it. The root cause was a change requiring MSMQ to have write access to areas typically restricted, leading to message queuing disruptions and misleading error logs. Microsoft documented the known issue on December 12, 2025, after several days of recognition, during which administrators had to implement workarounds. The update addresses the problem but raises concerns about Microsoft's quality assurance practices, especially given MSMQ's importance in corporate infrastructures. Users expressed dissatisfaction due to service disruptions caused by the issue.

Winsage

December 17, 2025

Microsoft security updates breaks MSMQ on older Win systems

Microsoft has acknowledged that Message Queuing (MSMQ) may fail on certain Windows 10 devices and older Windows Server versions after the December 2025 Security update. Reported issues include MSMQ queues becoming inactive, IIS sites generating "Insufficient resources to perform operation" errors, and applications failing to write to queues. System logs may show misleading messages about insufficient disk space or memory due to folder permissions and MSMQ's write access requirements. The root cause is linked to changes in the MSMQ security model and NTFS permissions for the C:WindowsSystem32MSMQstorage folder, which now requires write access typically restricted to administrators. This issue primarily affects Windows 10 versions 22H2 and earlier, as well as Windows Server versions 2012 to 2019, with minimal impact on Windows Home or Pro editions. Microsoft recommends contacting support for workarounds, and some users have resolved the issue by uninstalling the update, though this would remove security enhancements. The problems are confined to older operating systems often used by enterprises delaying upgrades.

Winsage

December 14, 2025

Use Windows 3.1 Straight From Your Browser To Boot Up Pure Nostalgia

Jeff Parsons has created a fully functional emulation of Windows 3.1 accessible through modern web browsers, allowing users to explore the iconic Program Manager interface and various retro applications like File Manager, Paintbrush, and Media Player. The emulator operates seamlessly using JavaScript, requiring no installation, and offers both full-screen and windowed views with nostalgic elements like a floppy-disk dropdown. It includes classic shareware, vintage Microsoft Word versions, digitized PC Magazine issues, and games such as King's Quest and The Oregon Trail. This project highlights the slower pace of computing in the early 90s and serves as a reminder of advancements in hardware over the years. Previous attempts to run vintage operating systems on actual hardware have faced limitations, contrasting with Parsons' success in running Windows 95 in a browser.

Winsage

December 11, 2025

Windows 3.1 going full ketchup & mustard wasn’t inspired by any actual ‘Hotdog Stands’ — Veteran Microsoft designer calls it a garish choice with a catchy name

Windows 3.1 featured a color scheme known as the 'Hotdog Stand,' characterized by a garish combination of red and yellow, which was not intended as a joke but rather as a bold design choice. Virginia Howlett, a designer at Microsoft since 1985, noted that the color themes in Windows 3.1 were a radically new feature, as prior versions had minimal customization options. The Hotdog Stand scheme gained notoriety partly due to its catchy name, although it was simply a choice made during development. Additionally, Microsoft used a miniature version of Windows 3.1 for the setup installation of Windows 95, as it was fully debugged and facilitated a smoother installation process.

Winsage

December 9, 2025

Windows 3.1 included a red and yellow ‘Hot Dog Stand’ color scheme so garish it was long assumed to be a joke, so I tracked down Microsoft’s original UI designer to get the true story

Virginia Howlett, a pioneering interface designer at Microsoft since 1985, was part of the team that created the themes for Windows 3.1, including the vibrant "Hot Dog Stand" color scheme. This theme featured bright yellow and red and was one of several color palettes designed to allow user customization. Howlett noted that the user interface primarily used black lines on a white background with shades of gray for 3-D buttons. She expressed surprise at the continued interest in Windows 3.1 as it approaches late 2025. The Hot Dog Stand theme was not intended as a joke but rather as a memorable design choice in the history of Windows.

Winsage

December 7, 2025

Microsoft’s revamping Windows 11’s Run prompt, and already there are jokes about Copilot integration – alongside more serious worries

A significant update for the 'Run' dialog box in Windows 11 is forthcoming, featuring a modern design aligned with Microsoft's Fluent design language. The revamped Run box will display a list of recently used commands above the command line and include icons for applications. This update will not replace the existing version but will be an optional feature that users can enable through the Settings menu. Screenshots suggest the new Run box is ready for broader use, although it will not include AI enhancements at this time. The Run box can be accessed by pressing Windows key + R, allowing users to input various commands.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Microsoft finally has a better looking Run dialog for Windows 11

Microsoft is redesigning the Run dialog prompt in Windows, introducing a dark mode and a modernized interface that aligns with Windows 11 aesthetics. The revamped Run dialog resembles a contemporary launcher while retaining its core functionality, allowing users to access applications via commands. Users can toggle the new design on and off in the advanced system settings of Windows 11. Although no official announcement has been made, the modern Run prompt is expected to be included in upcoming builds. Additionally, Raycast has launched on Windows, offering a launcher, clipboard manager, and shortcut system, which may prompt further refinements to the Run dialog.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

After 30 years, Microsoft is redesigning the Run dialog box on Windows 11 — now with an updated modern UI for the first time

Microsoft is revamping the Windows Run dialog box for the first time in three decades, introducing a new user interface that aligns with its Fluent Design language. The Run dialog box has not seen a significant update since Windows 95. A dark mode option has also been introduced for the classic Run dialog box, enhancing its usability and visual appeal.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Microsoft finds an unlikely ally — Linux developer defends Windows against BSoD jokes

Windows has traditionally held a dominant market share in operating systems, but Linux is gaining traction, particularly after Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Zorin OS, a Linux distribution, attracted around 780,000 former Windows users within a month of this announcement. Bazzite delivered a petabyte of ISO files in one month, indicating a growing interest among Windows 10 users in alternatives to Windows 11. Linus Torvalds highlighted that many blue screen errors in Windows are linked to hardware issues rather than software bugs and recommended using Error-Correcting Code (ECC) memory for better stability. Microsoft has changed its error reporting from the blue screen of death to a black screen to enhance security and prevent destabilizing updates. There are three types of Blue Screen of Death errors: the Windows 3.1 Ctrl+Alt+Del screen, the Windows 95 kernel error, and the Windows NT kernel error.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

Microsoft preloads File Explorer to mask performance issues

Microsoft is addressing sluggish launch times for File Explorer by preloading the application in the background, rather than streamlining its code or removing features. This update is available in a Windows Insider build for the Dev and Beta Channels. The preloading feature is experimental and can be disabled by users in the Folder Options under the View tab in File Explorer. Microsoft previously open-sourced the classic Windows File Manager in 2018, which was a lightweight tool for file system activities. Over time, File Explorer has increased in size and complexity, leading to performance challenges.