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Windows 11 is modernizing a mouse indicator that hasn't changed since the Windows XP
Winsage
August 23, 2026

Windows 11 is modernizing a mouse indicator that hasn’t changed since the Windows XP

In the 1990s, locating the cursor on a Windows screen was challenging, leading to the introduction of a feature in the early 2000s that allowed users to press the Ctrl key to highlight the cursor, which became popular with Windows XP. This feature is being modernized in Windows 11, where users can activate a new Mouse Indicator by navigating to Windows Settings, selecting Accessibility, and toggling the “Mouse Indicator” on. The updated Mouse Indicator, which still activates with the Ctrl key, includes a circle animation and an optional feature to keep the indicator visible until dismissed using Win+Ctrl+Shift+M. Microsoft is also refreshing other features in Windows 11, such as the AutoPlay feature, which now remembers user preferences and presents a new WinUI-based dialog. The Properties sheet is being redesigned to incorporate modern WinUI elements, and a new Print Management app is expected to be released soon.
Microsoft explains why Pinball vanished from Windows: "We couldn’t afford to spend days studying the code"
Winsage
August 23, 2026

Microsoft explains why Pinball vanished from Windows: “We couldn’t afford to spend days studying the code”

3D Pinball was a space-themed game included in Windows XP since its debut in 1995. It was removed with the launch of Windows Vista due to a bug in the code that caused the game to be unplayable, not because of legal issues as commonly believed. The bug occurred during the transition of Windows XP to 64-bit architecture, where the ball would drop into the launcher and fall through the plunger. Microsoft engineer Raymond Chen, who worked on the project, noted that the original code was largely undocumented, making it difficult to fix. The game was licensed from Cinematronics and Maxis, which limited Microsoft's rights to bundling it within Windows and its Plus! packs, preventing a standalone release. Attempts to revive the game were hindered by these legal constraints. As of 2022, no official version of 3D Pinball has been included in Windows 11, and the licensing situation remains complicated due to the acquisition of Cinematronics and Maxis by Electronic Arts.
Microsoft's Windows 10 cutoff could push 400 million working PCs toward e-waste heap
Winsage
August 22, 2026

Microsoft’s Windows 10 cutoff could push 400 million working PCs toward e-waste heap

Microsoft will end standard support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, affecting an estimated 400 million PCs that may not meet the new eligibility criteria for Windows 11, which include TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, and modern processors. This could lead to a potential increase of 1.6 billion pounds of electronic waste if these devices are discarded. Users may need to invest in new hardware or alternative operating systems, despite their current machines still functioning adequately. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates program until October 12, 2027, and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, which will be supported until January 2032. Users can also consider transitioning to Linux or ChromeOS Flex for older computers.
Will Windows 11 remove the Windows 10-era right-click menu? Microsoft reveals what's next
Winsage
August 21, 2026

Will Windows 11 remove the Windows 10-era right-click menu? Microsoft reveals what’s next

Windows 11's right-click context menu has received mixed reviews since its launch, with users finding it cluttered and slower than the Windows 10 version. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and is working on updates to improve the menu's performance and customization options. The legacy context menu from Windows 10 remains accessible through the “Show more options” feature, although it will not appear by default. Microsoft is providing guidance to developers to help transition their applications to the new context menu format while ensuring that users who prefer the classic menu can still access it.
Microsoft is removing a legacy Windows feature that has been around for 25 years
Winsage
August 16, 2026

Microsoft is removing a legacy Windows feature that has been around for 25 years

WMIC, a utility for IT administrators introduced in Windows XP in 2001, will be removed from Windows 11 after August 2026. It has been deprecated since 2016 and was previously removed from Windows 10 in 2021. Although it remained available as a Feature on Demand, it was disabled by default in new installations. Recent Preview builds for Windows 11 confirmed that WMIC will not be included in version 26H2. PowerShell is suggested as a prominent replacement for WMIC tasks.
Windows has a secret database that makes your old games
Winsage
August 14, 2026

Windows has a secret database that makes your old games

Microsoft's Windows operating system has developed intricate compatibility mechanisms over decades to ensure that older games can run on modern machines. It maintains compatibility databases that recognize software with known issues and applies specific fixes, known as shims, which adjust the OS's responses to meet the game's expectations without modifying the game's executable. Users can also manually apply fixes through Compatibility settings, allowing them to emulate earlier operating system behaviors and address specific issues. The compatibility shims can modify interactions with APIs, file handling, system privileges, and display scaling. Microsoft provides AppHelp warnings for applications with known compatibility issues and maintains a comprehensive compatibility database located at C:WindowsAppPatch. Users can access this database and explore compatibility settings using the Windows ADK and the Compatibility Administrator tool.
Where to find the Shimanoyama region Treasure Hunt in Forza Horizon 6
AppWizard
August 13, 2026

Where to find the Shimanoyama region Treasure Hunt in Forza Horizon 6

The summer Horizon Mascot Party Festival Series has launched in Forza Horizon 6, introducing weekly challenges such as the Shimanoyama Treasure Hunt. Players can find the treasure chest at the Shimanoyama Drift Circuit in the north-east of the region by following these steps: head towards the circuit, veer left under the entrance sign, turn left into the circuit, and look for open garages on the left, with the chest in the third garage. Claiming the chest rewards players with 100,000 credits, 5,000 XP, and 3 Season Progress points towards acquiring the Exomotive Exocet Sport and the Datsun 2000 Roadster. Additionally, players can explore the Hokuryu Sunflower Farm and participate in a weekly challenge featuring the Toyota Japantakushi.
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