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Windows turns 40 as the most influential software product in history
Winsage
November 21, 2025

Windows turns 40 as the most influential software product in history

Microsoft Windows celebrated its 40th anniversary on November 20, 2025. The journey began with the launch of Windows 1.0 in 1985, designed as a graphical layer atop MS-DOS, requiring a graphics card and 256KB of RAM. Subsequent releases included Windows 2.0 in 1987, Windows 3.0 and 3.1 in 1990 and 1992, respectively, which introduced significant features like a 3D-styled interface and popular games. Windows 95, launched in the mid-1990s, introduced the Start menu and taskbar, selling over seven million copies shortly after its release. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the introduction of Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP in 2001, which was noted for its stability. Windows Vista was released in 2007, followed by Windows 7 in 2009, and Windows 8, which faced user backlash. Windows 10 was launched in 2015, adopting a Windows-as-a-Service model, and Windows 11 continues to evolve with new design and hardware requirements.
Millennium edition of Windows is 25 years old
Winsage
September 14, 2025

Millennium edition of Windows is 25 years old

On September 14, 2000, Microsoft released Windows ME, the last version of Windows to rely on MS-DOS. It was intended as a successor to Windows 95, 98, and 98 SE, offering discounted updates and compatibility with existing software. Windows ME obscured DOS, making it less accessible for users, and eliminated the ability to create bootable DOS copies from formatted floppy disks. It inherited system file protection from Windows 2000 to prevent "DLL hell," where application software replaced system libraries, causing other programs to fail. Windows ME aimed to bridge the gap between Windows 98 and Windows XP, but users faced compatibility issues with programs not designed for the new version. The control panel adopted a web-like appearance, and documentation transitioned to HTML format. Windows ME had minimal system requirements of a 150 MHz Pentium and 32 MB of RAM, and performance tests showed negligible differences compared to Windows 2000. Windows XP was released a year later, marking the end of DOS's relevance in Microsoft's operating systems.
40 years of Windows: How XP changed everything
Winsage
August 6, 2025

40 years of Windows: How XP changed everything

In 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP, which combined consumer and business versions of Windows and was built on the Windows NT core. It provided a more stable platform compared to Windows 98 and Windows Me, despite initial malware issues. Windows XP featured a vibrant blue interface, the iconic green Start button, and the recognizable "Bliss" wallpaper. It introduced customization options, including user-created themes, and tools like Stardock's WindowBlinds. Key features included System Restore, USB plug-and-play support, built-in CD burning, native ZIP file support, and Windows Movie Maker. Microsoft implemented an activation system to combat software piracy. Security measures improved significantly with the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2 in 2004, which introduced a default firewall and a Security Center. Windows XP became popular during the rise of the internet and supported applications like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Skype. It left a lasting cultural impact, with many users expressing nostalgia for the operating system.
From pixels to pinot: The Windows XP 'Bliss' wallpaper hill was real and this is what it looks like now
Winsage
March 26, 2025

From pixels to pinot: The Windows XP ‘Bliss’ wallpaper hill was real and this is what it looks like now

Windows XP is celebrated for its user-friendly interface and vibrant aesthetics, particularly the "Bliss" wallpaper, which features a real location in Sonoma County, California. The photograph was taken by Charles O’Rear in 1996 and sold to Microsoft before the operating system's launch in 2001. The original image has a resolution of 4,510 by 3,627 pixels, compared to the 800 by 600 pixel version included with Windows XP. Over time, the depicted hill transformed into a vineyard, reflecting Sonoma County's role in California's wine production, which contributed approximately 6% of the state's output in 2021. Microsoft ended support for Windows XP in 2014, with the last version ceasing in 2019. Windows XP was a significant advancement over its predecessors and was used on the International Space Station until it was replaced by Linux in 2013. Windows 11 was released in 2021, with indications that 2025 will focus on a "Windows 11 PC refresh."
Still using Windows 95? This app will no longer work for you
Winsage
February 19, 2025

Still using Windows 95? This app will no longer work for you

AIDA64 has released version 7.60, which no longer supports Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME. The update maintains compatibility with Windows 2000 and later versions. New features include support for AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards, new dark themes, support for Asus ROG Ryujin III Series LCDs, integration of Turing LCD support, enhanced compatibility with B840, B850, and B860 chipset motherboards, support for Corsair HX1200i 2023 PSU sensors, improvements in kernel driver security, better support for Intel Arrow Lake-H and Arrow Lake-U processors, and detailed GPU information for Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 Series.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
February 18, 2025

Still using Windows 95? This app will no longer work for you

FinalWire Ltd. has released AIDA64 v7.60, which introduces new features and improvements while discontinuing support for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME. The application remains compatible with Windows 2000 and later versions. New features include support for AMD Radeon 9070 and 9070 XT GPU cards, new dark themes, support for Asus ROG Ryujin III Series LCDs, integration with Turing LCDs, enhanced compatibility with B840, B850, and B860 chipset motherboards, support for Corsair HX1200i 2023 PSU sensors, improvements in kernel driver security, better support for Intel Arrow Lake-H and Arrow Lake-U processors, and detailed GPU information for AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, as well as Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 Series cards.
Windows 10's end is coming: here's what you should do about it
Winsage
December 13, 2024

Windows 10’s end is coming: here’s what you should do about it

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 was launched in July 2015 and replaced Windows 8. Users can upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware meets the minimum specifications, which include a 1 GHz CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage, along with a second-generation Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and UEFI BIOS capable of secure boot. Many older PCs may not qualify for the upgrade, requiring at least an 8th Gen Intel processor or a Zen+ AMD processor. Users can also consider installing Linux distributions like Ubuntu or ChromeOS on older PCs. Remaining on Windows 10 after support ends poses security risks and limits access to updates.
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