Windows XP Archives

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Microsoft finally bids farewell to PowerShell 2.0

Microsoft has officially announced the discontinuation of PowerShell 2.0, as confirmed through a recent update from the Windows Insider program. PowerShell 2.0, which debuted with Windows 7 and was included in several other versions, has been deprecated since 2017 but remained available for backward compatibility. Most current Insider Preview builds of Windows 11 have removed PowerShell 2.0, and it has also been deprecated for Windows Server. Microsoft has not provided a specific timeline for its removal from the server operating system.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Windows 11 adoption spikes despite Microsoft’s free ways to stay on Windows 10

Microsoft's Windows 11 has been available for nearly four years and features a modern interface but lacks some popular features from Windows 10, such as taskbar repositioning. Security updates for Windows 10 will end on October 15, 2025, prompting users to either upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for a fee. Recent data from StatCounter shows that in the US, Canada, and the UK, Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, although globally, Windows 11 holds 47.98% compared to Windows 10's 48.76%. From March to May, market shares were stable, but in June, Windows 11's adoption increased by over four percentage points while Windows 10's declined. Windows 7 is the third most used version of Windows with a 2.19% share, followed by Windows XP at 0.43%, and Windows 8 and 8.1 at 0.31% and 0.28%, respectively. StatCounter's data comes from over 1.5 billion sites globally, providing insights into operating system trends.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Demonic sci-fi RPG Illusion City is one of those timeless pixel art games that still looks incredible in GIF form 34 years later

Pasokon Retro highlights the significance of Illusion City, a 1991 RPG developed by Micro Cabin for multiple platforms including PC-98 and MSX Turbo R. The game features a narrative set in a world of shady corporations and demons, blending magic with technology. Players engage in turn-based battles while navigating a well-crafted story that emphasizes visual detail and character expression. The protagonist, Tian Ren, is introduced through a dynamic animation, and the game showcases vibrant environments and intricate animations during combat. Illusion City is noted for its rich storytelling and immersive atmosphere, remaining influential in the realm of retro gaming.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Tested: Is reinstalling Windows to boost performance a modern PC myth?

Will Smith's investigation found that a fresh installation of Windows 11 is not essential for optimal performance. He compared his customized setup with a clean installation and observed almost no performance difference, with only a 3 percent difference in single-core tasks and slight variations in multi-threaded applications. In some cases, the older setup performed better, such as Adobe Premiere running 8 percent faster. Gaming performance showed mixed results, with slight advantages for the older setup in certain scenarios, although some games did perform better on a fresh installation. Overall, unless a computer has excessive startup programs and unwanted software, a Windows refresh may not provide significant performance improvements as it once did.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

How Discord Was Ported To Windows 95 And NT 3.1

Discord has developed a new client called Discord Messenger, which allows users on legacy systems such as Windows XP, Windows 95, and NT 3.1 to access the platform. This project utilizes the Discord API as a web application, enabling third-party client development without repercussions from Discord. The developers overcame challenges related to TLS encryption compatibility and crafted shims for API calls absent in older systems. They also addressed runtime issues on Windows NT 3.1 by backporting features from the original operating system.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

5 Windows XP features I miss dearly on Windows 11

Microsoft's Windows operating system has evolved significantly, with Windows 11 featuring enhanced multitasking and modern functionalities. However, nostalgic elements from older versions, particularly Windows XP, are missed. 1. The Disk Defragmenter in Windows XP had a visually appealing interface that represented data on the disk, which has been replaced by a text-based interface in later versions. 2. Built-in games like Solitaire, Hearts, and 3D Pinball in Windows XP provided straightforward enjoyment, while their modern counterparts have become cluttered and commercialized. 3. Windows Media Player in XP allowed users to customize with quirky skins, which added personality, a feature that is lacking in today's streamlined media players. 4. Windows Movie Maker was a user-friendly video editing tool that has been replaced by Clipchamp, which many find less intuitive and more patronizing. 5. Windows Messenger and Windows Live Messenger offered a personalized messaging experience with group organization and unique emoticons, which is not matched by current platforms like Skype and Microsoft Teams.

BetaBeacon

May 27, 2025

This classic 30-year-old Windows game is now free for Android users

- Space Cadet Pinball is no longer available on Windows PCs due to compatibility errors caused by the internal switch from AXP to Itanium in Windows Vista.

Tech Optimizer

May 27, 2025

Microsoft oversells Windows 11’s Smart App Control as a “top antivirus solution”

Microsoft's Smart App Control (SAC) is integrated into Windows 11 and requires a clean installation to function optimally. It is designed to enhance security by using artificial intelligence to proactively shield users from threats, working alongside existing antivirus software rather than replacing it. SAC aims to anticipate and block suspicious applications before they can cause harm, minimizing system performance impact by avoiding constant file scanning. However, the effectiveness of SAC and its claims of being a groundbreaking innovation have been questioned, as proactive security measures have existed for years, and modern antivirus solutions offer advanced features beyond basic scanning. Users are advised to consider independent testing platforms for reliable antimalware options.

BetaBeacon

May 20, 2025

Android phones can now play the legendary Windows XP Space Cadet pinball game for free

- The classic game "3D Pinball Space Cadet" from Windows XP has been ported to Android devices for free. - Developer Kyle Sylvertre brought the nostalgic game to Android using a GitHub decompilation of the original game by k4zmu2a. - The game is available on the Google Play Store for fans to enjoy, but users may need to scroll down or use a provided link to find the free version.

BetaBeacon

May 20, 2025

Someone ported the iconic pinball game from Windows XP to Android, and it’s free

"Space Cadet" pinball game from Windows XP has been ported to Android by developer Kyle Sylvertre. The game is optimized for touchscreens, supports 18 languages, integrates with Google Play Games for a leaderboard, and is less than 5MB in size. It is completely free with no ads or in-app purchases.