Windows 95 Archives

Winsage

September 24, 2026

86Box Setup Guide 2026: Emulate a Windows 98 PC in 13 Steps

86Box is an emulator that meticulously reconstructs vintage PCs, allowing users to boot operating systems like MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows XP. The latest version, 6.0, was released on May 31, 2026, featuring a native Windows ARM64 build and discontinuing support for macOS 10.13 High Sierra. It has approximately 2,400 monthly searches in the U.S., indicating a demand for setup guides among enthusiasts. Unlike DOSBox, which creates a generic DOS environment, 86Box emulates specific hardware components for authentic execution of various operating systems. Originally a fork of PCem, 86Box has expanded its supported motherboards and developed a community of contributors. Version 6.0 has established it as the preferred choice for retro-PC builders in 2026. Before installation, users need a minimum of a 64-bit Intel Core 2, AMD Athlon 64, or ARMv8 CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and a compatible host operating system. The installation process involves downloading the appropriate build, sourcing a legal ROM set, and configuring the virtual machine using the 86Box Manager. Users can select specific graphics cards and sound hardware to replicate the original systems accurately. The setup requires installation media for the guest operating system, which must be sourced legally. Common pitfalls during setup include ensuring the BIOS ROM is available, matching CPU speed to software era, and installing the correct drivers. A properly configured virtual machine should display a BIOS POST screen and boot the selected operating system. Troubleshooting common issues often involves checking for missing ROMs, uninstalled drivers, or performance settings. 86Box is open-source and legal to use, but users must ensure they have legitimate licenses for any software used within the emulator.

Winsage

September 22, 2026

Microsoft’s most useful Windows toolkit turns 30 this year, and it still doesn’t ship with Windows 11

A fresh installation of Microsoft Windows 11 includes features like Copilot but lacks certain user control tools. The Sysinternals suite, maintained by Microsoft since its acquisition in 2006, consists of over 70 utilities and has received regular updates since its establishment in 1996. Notable updates include a modern interface for DebugView and enhanced support for startup apps in Autoruns. Sysinternals tools, such as Process Explorer and Autoruns, offer advanced functionality compared to standard Windows tools. Microsoft is integrating some Sysinternals utilities into PowerToys, starting with ZoomIt, and Sysmon has been introduced in Windows 11 Insider builds. Users have expressed interest in further integration of Sysinternals tools, particularly Process Explorer.

Winsage

September 20, 2026

Windows 11 is getting a new look as Microsoft’s design boss confirms more ancient dialogs are next

Microsoft is modernizing outdated dialogs in Windows 11, including the Voice packages dialog, which currently lacks the rounded corners characteristic of the operating system's design. March Rogers, Partner Director of Design at Microsoft, confirmed that this dialog is scheduled for redesign, along with other legacy interfaces from older Windows versions. Microsoft is using a dual strategy for modernization: some dialogs are receiving dark mode support, while others are being rebuilt using WinUI 3. The File Properties dialog has already been successfully updated with this framework. The new Run dialog, developed with C# and WinUI 3, features dark mode and improved performance, while the legacy version will still be available. Additionally, the AutoPlay feature and Print Management app are also being redesigned in WinUI 3. Outdated interfaces, such as the local-account switching flow and the Windows 8-style input switcher on the login screen, are also set for redesign. Microsoft is updating various pages in the Settings menu, but the Control Panel will remain part of the Windows ecosystem.

Winsage

September 15, 2026

Microsoft rolls out emergency update for Windows 11’s latest patch — recent update causes crashes on AMD graphics, Explorer hang-ups, and broken third-party integrations

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update to address issues from the September 2026 Windows 11 patch, which introduced new features and fixed nearly 1,000 security vulnerabilities. The update includes a movable taskbar, adjustable height, configurable Start menu layouts, enhanced Windows Search, and size indicators in File Explorer. However, users with AMD Radeon GPUs are experiencing crashes due to driver instability, and reinstalling drivers has not resolved the issue. Microsoft did not address these GPU concerns in its communication. The update also fixed instability issues with Remote Desktop Services, but users still report audio output and microphone input failures, which Microsoft has included a fix for in the emergency patch. Lenovo users have reported unexpected black screens or shutdowns linked to power management issues.

Winsage

September 15, 2026

Microsoft rolls out emergency update for Windows 11’s latest patch — recent update causes crashes on AMD graphics, Explorer hang-ups, and broken third-party integrations

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update to address issues from its recent Windows 11 patch, which introduced new features and fixed nearly 1,000 security vulnerabilities. The September 2026 update includes a movable taskbar, a transformed Start menu with configurable layouts, improved Windows Search, and updates to File Explorer showing file sizes in various units. However, users with AMD Radeon GPUs are experiencing crashes due to driver instability, and reinstalling the driver has not resolved the issue. Microsoft did not address AMD GPUs in its communication. Additionally, there are ongoing problems with audio output and microphone input, with some audio devices starting up with incorrect configurations. A temporary workaround for audio issues has been provided. Lenovo users are reporting black screens or sudden shutdowns linked to power management issues.

Winsage

September 14, 2026

Microsoft quietly reveals a redesigned Windows 11 mouse cursor

Microsoft is set to unveil a redesigned mouse cursor featuring a wider frame, symmetrical design, and softer, rounded corners, without a tail. This design aligns with recent trends in Microsoft's promotional materials. The company is also phasing out outdated user interface elements from Windows 95 as part of a strategy to enhance system performance and reliability. An internal project called “Windows K2” is in development to address common user grievances. Microsoft has not announced a launch timeline for the redesigned cursor.

Winsage

September 11, 2026

ReProgman – The Windows 3.1 interface on PC and Mac

Developer Mayuki Sawatari has created ReProgman, a modern homage to the Windows 3.1 Program Manager, which operates on both Windows 11 and macOS. The application mimics the early '90s interface, scanning the Start menu on Windows or the Applications folder on Mac to organize programs into groups without altering actual shortcuts. Users can drag and drop icons, utilize classic window arrangements, and experience a recreated exit dialog box. The project was initially developed in just an hour, with a detailed specification document available in its git repository. ReProgman is released under the MIT license and is available as a standalone binary, though Mac users need to adjust permissions to run it. Currently, it supports only Windows 11 on x64 and Arm architectures and macOS on Apple Silicon, excluding Windows 10 and Intel Macs.

Winsage

September 10, 2026

Developer uses Claude to vibe code a Windows 3.1 shell in an hour — reanimated 12MB retro launcher runs on both Windows 11 and Apple Silicon

Developer Mayuki has introduced ReProgman, a homage to the classic Windows 3.1 Program Manager ('progman.exe'). The application captures the essence of its predecessor and was created by Claude Code within an hour. The initial version is lightweight, ranging from 12 to 16MB, and requires the .NET SDK 10.0 or higher to build and run. The source code is available on GitHub under the MIT license. Some enthusiasts prefer the authentic experience of running MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 on vintage hardware, with recent demonstrations showing the capability to run Windows 3.1X on modern hardware.

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 6, 2026

I gave Windows 11 an old-school makeover by restoring its classic icons

Users can customize icons in Windows 11 by following different methods depending on the type of icon. For folders and shortcuts, right-clicking the item and selecting Properties allows users to change icons easily. Taskbar items require pressing Shift while right-clicking the closed app. Desktop icons like "This PC" and the Recycle Bin can be modified through Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. More complex changes, such as altering icons for file types or drives, involve editing the Windows registry. Windows retains a selection of classic icons within DLL files, including moricons.dll, pifmgr.dll, and netshell.dll. Users can also access the Windows Icon Archive project for a repository of icons from various Windows versions, though .png files need conversion to .ico format for use. Limitations include the inability to change icons for new folders automatically, modifications not reflecting in Quick Access for special folders, and restrictions on altering application icons. Programs like OpenShell can help modify taskbar and Start menu icons, but achieving a perfect replica of older versions is not possible.