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Windows 98

Use a Goofy Windows 98 Disk Defragmenter Simulator as a Prank
Winsage
September 7, 2026

Use a Goofy Windows 98 Disk Defragmenter Simulator as a Prank

Defragmenting hard drives was a common maintenance task for Windows users in the 90s and early 2000s that organized scattered files to enhance access speed. With the introduction of solid-state drives (SSDs), the need for defragmentation diminished. A web application, defrag98.com, allows users to simulate the defragmentation experience, complete with sounds and progress bars, providing a nostalgic experience without real utility.
Windows 95's Start menu was invented by a chimpanzee-lab psychologist: 'Even a rocket scientist couldn't figure out Windows'
Winsage
September 2, 2026

Windows 95’s Start menu was invented by a chimpanzee-lab psychologist: ‘Even a rocket scientist couldn’t figure out Windows’

A user on X highlighted their new 5K Dell UltraSharp monitor, leading to a discussion about the Windows 11 taskbar's alignment. Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, expressed his preference for a left-aligned taskbar, which he viewed as a stand against center alignment. The Start button's creation is attributed to Danny Oran, a behavioral psychologist who joined Microsoft in 1992. Oran's background included teaching chimpanzees to communicate, which informed his approach to user interface design. He observed users struggling with Windows 3.1 and proposed a single button for access to all features, initially called "System" but later renamed "Start." The placement of the Start button in the bottom-left corner was influenced by Fitts's law, which suggests users can quickly click targets in screen corners. Joe Belfiore confirmed this placement aligned with reading habits. The initial implementation of the Start button in Windows 95 had an issue with padding that was corrected in Windows 98. Oran also designed the taskbar, which was ultimately placed at the bottom of the screen to differentiate it from Apple's macOS. Oran holds the original patent for both the Start menu and the taskbar introduced in Windows 95.
Why Windows stopped including fun games like Minesweeper, Solitaire, and Pinball
Winsage
August 31, 2026

Why Windows stopped including fun games like Minesweeper, Solitaire, and Pinball

Microsoft integrated games into the Windows operating system from its early versions, starting with Reversi in Windows 1.0 in 1985 and introducing Solitaire in Windows 3.0 in 1990. Over the years, various versions of Windows included a range of built-in games, peaking with Windows Vista and Windows 7, which featured titles like Chess Titans and Mahjong Titans. However, with the release of Windows 8, Microsoft removed classic games from the operating system and transitioned to an app-centric model, directing users to the Windows Store for gaming. The Microsoft Solitaire Collection became a single app, while other games were made available as separate downloads. This shift marked a change in how Microsoft approached gaming, moving from integrating games as part of the OS to treating Windows as a platform for independent applications and services.
Using Windows 11 On An LGA 775 PC With AGP Videocard
Winsage
June 6, 2026

Using Windows 11 On An LGA 775 PC With AGP Videocard

The Core 2 Quad Q6600 Intel CPU is being reimagined to run Windows 11 by tech enthusiast Omores. The project aims to create a multi-boot environment with various Windows operating systems, including Windows 98 and DOS, using the Q6600 CPU, which operates at 2.4 GHz, and 3 GB of DDR1 RAM. The system is built on an Asrock 865PE mainboard from 2003 and utilizes a Radeon HD 4650 graphics card, the highest-performing AGP GPU from 2009. Omores has found a workaround for Windows 11's lack of AGP support by using the Intel AGP440.sys driver from Windows 10. Windows 11 is compatible with the WDDM driver model, allowing installation of Catalyst drivers from 2012. However, Windows 11's 24H2 version requires SSE4.2 instructions, which the Q6600 does not support, limiting the setup to Windows 11 version 23H2, with only the Education and Enterprise editions receiving security updates. Benchmarks indicate that Windows 7 performs better on this hardware.
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
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).
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