XP Archives

Winsage

May 27, 2026

Nvidia kills Windows XP-era Control Panel “after 20 years of dedicated service”

Users of RTX Pro, RTX, and Quadro GPUs still rely on the Nvidia Control Panel, as essential professional features have not yet been transferred to the newer Nvidia app. The Nvidia Control Panel was introduced in February 2006 with the ForceWare 83.60 driver package and remains compatible with graphics cards dating back to the GeForce 2 MX from 2000. Its aesthetic has changed little over the years, maintaining a Windows NT-style dialog box. Users express frustrations about feature regressions and difficulties with the new Control Panel, often preferring the old version.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

World of Warcraft housing expert recreates The Burning Crusade’s iconic login screen on their in-game PC

In World of Warcraft, player housing has led to creative designs, including a decorative version of the Dark Portal gifted to players after the Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary. A notable creation by Reddit user 'Idibegajranolegaj' features a miniature recreation of the Burning Crusade loading screen on a tiny PC, complete with a monitor, neon purple tower, desk lamp, hand-crafted keyboard, and a cozy gaming chair. The interactive setup allows players to engage with UI buttons on the monitor. The original concept was intended as a Windows XP wallpaper, but the arrival of the portal inspired this transformation.

Winsage

May 26, 2026

Windows’ classic 3D Space Cadet pinball is getting a physical re-creation

3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet was included with several Microsoft operating systems until Windows XP and was part of the Full Tilt! Pinball software collection launched by Maxis in 1995. Deeproot Pinball attempted to create a physical version of Space Cadet but faced collapse before completion. Hobbyist CNCDan is now working on a physical Space Cadet table, featuring 3D-printed mechanical flippers, pop bumpers with embedded LEDs, slingshots, and a raised playfield. He has encountered challenges with the size and positioning of table elements, resulting in a playfield that measures 56 cm in width, which is smaller than typical commercial pinball tables.

Winsage

May 23, 2026

Microsoft says you should pause Windows 11 Updates when you need to work, as it tests greater controller

Microsoft is shifting its approach to Windows updates, responding to user frustrations about receiving update notifications during critical work hours. The company is currently testing more nuanced controls for updates with Windows Insiders, including a "Pick a date" feature that allows users to pause updates for up to 35 days, with the option to extend the pause indefinitely. Retail Windows 11 users can pause updates for up to five weeks, after which updates will automatically download without further pause options. Microsoft acknowledges that the frequency of updates can disrupt workflows for its 1.6 billion users, many of whom view mandatory updates as interruptions. The time required for updates has increased due to larger cumulative update packages, which can exceed 4GB, and the complexity of the operating system. To improve user control, Microsoft is testing a new power menu that separates update and shutdown options, allowing users to power down without installing updates. Additionally, updates will now include device class information in their titles for better user awareness. These changes aim to streamline the update experience and address long-standing user complaints.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Windows Firewall stands between you and greasy delight

A fast-food venue in Sheffield's Centertainment is experiencing a glitch on its order progress screen due to a notification from the Windows Defender Firewall, indicating that some software is attempting to breach the kitchen's digital defenses. The pop-up message cannot be dismissed by customers and highlights the restaurant's reliance on technology. The Windows Defender Firewall has been a part of digital security since Windows XP and has evolved significantly over time. The incident suggests potential misconfigurations within the restaurant's system and raises questions about opportunities for branding enhancement.

Winsage

May 17, 2026

Classic 7 is Windows 10 LTSC cosplaying as Windows 7

Classic 7 is a heavily modified version of Windows 10 IoT LTSC designed to replicate the aesthetics of Windows 7, incorporating real binaries from Windows 7 and earlier versions. It integrates features like the original Windows 7 Explorer and the Control Panel Restoration Pack, allowing users to experience a nostalgic interface while still receiving updates until 2032. Classic 7 has been in development for over a year and a half and is based on a collaborative effort using various tools, including Winaero Tweaker. However, it raises legitimacy concerns as it is a modified version of an Enterprise edition of Windows, which requires a Volume License Agreement, making it unsuitable for production use. Testing in a virtual environment revealed a positive experience, although initial installation faced challenges. Classic 7 supports contemporary applications and drivers, including a Firefox version styled to resemble Internet Explorer.

Winsage

May 13, 2026

Linux gains more critical Windows apps … 3D Movie Maker and Space Cadet Pinball

Several notable Windows applications, including Space Cadet Pinball and Microsoft 3D Movie Maker, have been successfully ported to Linux. Space Cadet Pinball, originally part of the Microsoft Plus Pack for Windows 95, has been decompiled and rebuilt, now available across 14 platforms, including Linux, thanks to Muzychenko Andrey. The source code for Microsoft 3D Movie Maker was released by Microsoft, and a new fork has been developed by Mark Cave-Ayland and Ben Stone, enabling it to run on Linux. Their project also includes bug fixes, 64-bit compatibility, and builds for ARM64 Windows, with plans for a Raspberry Pi version.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

My Windows 11 PC now has the iconic Windows XP taskbar, and it’s weirdly perfect

An enthusiast with a gaming PC featuring an RTX 4070 Ti and 32GB of DDR5 RAM integrated a Windows XP taskbar into their Windows 11 setup using Windhawk, a customization tool. After installing Windhawk, they selected the "WinXP" theme from the "Windows 11 Taskbar Styler" mod, transforming the taskbar into a nostalgic XP version without compromising functionality. Core features like notifications and pinned applications remained intact, and the system tray adopted the XP theme. The user also explored various other mods, including real-time CPU and RAM usage display, a middle-click application close feature, and a volume control center on the taskbar, enhancing their personalized computing experience.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

Microsoft denies Windows 11 CPU boost trick is a lazy fix, says Apple does this and you love it

The Low Latency Profile feature in Windows 11 temporarily increases CPU frequency to improve responsiveness for high-priority tasks, benefiting even low-powered virtual machines. It is currently available in Windows 11 Insider builds and aims to optimize performance with minimal impact on battery life and thermal performance. Critics have labeled it a "band-aid" solution for a bloated operating system, while Microsoft’s VP Scott Hanselman defended it as a standard practice in modern operating systems. He noted that the feature is particularly effective on ARM architecture, such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, and explained that the complexity of contemporary Start menus requires more processing power than older versions. Microsoft is working to streamline the Start menu while also enhancing performance through the Low Latency Profile.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

PC Users Can Claim 2 Free Games Worth $40, Includes 92% Rated Hit

The Epic Games Store will offer two complimentary games for free until Thursday, May 14, at 4 PM BST. The games are exclusive to PC but can be played on devices like the Xbox ROG Ally in Windows Mode. The titles available are: 1. Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure - A puzzle RPG where players help the protagonist, Jemma, restore balance to her world by solving various tasks. The game has a user rating of 92% on Steam and takes approximately five to eight hours to complete. 2. Trash Goblin - A shopkeeping game where players, as a goblin, clean and restore trinkets for sale. It features 40 NPCs, over 120 quests, and more than 20 hours of story content, with a Steam rating of 88%. Both games are valued at just under , with each typically retailing for .99.