XP Archives

Winsage

August 21, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 will auto-enable Point-in-Time Restore by default, how to check yours

Microsoft is introducing the Point-in-Time Restore feature in Windows 11 26H2, which will be enabled by default. This feature allows users to create backup points for their PCs, enabling them to revert to a previous state, including applications, settings, and files. It uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to create backup snapshots while applications are in use and retains backups for up to 72 hours, generating new backups every 24 hours. The feature will be automatically activated for eligible systems with a Windows OS volume of 200GB or larger when Windows 11 26H2 is released, expected between late September and early October 2026. Users can manually enable it on smaller volumes, and enterprise administrators can block it via Group Policy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Believe the hype for Wardogs, possibly the next great multiplayer FPS

Wardogs, a military simulation first-person shooter from the creators of Battalion 1944, will enter early access on September 10. The game supports up to 100 players in player-versus-player action and features a mode where three teams compete for control over a territory on a large map. Players earn account-level currency through various actions, which can be spent on gear, creating a personal stake in survival. The game encourages collaborative play and strategic loadout management, offering generous cash rewards for gameplay. Preorders are available, and players can request refunds if they find the beta unsatisfactory. The studio has committed to avoiding monetization during early access, with cosmetic skins earned through gameplay. Wardogs is designed as a PC-first FPS and will support community servers.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 Early Access Trial Available Now With EA Play

Members of EA Play can access a 10-hour early access trial of EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27, featuring the new Persona Engine and enhanced gameplay. Players receive an EA Play Welcome Pack and can carry over progress if they purchase the full game. The game is available on platforms like XBOX Cloud Gaming and PC Game Pass. EA Play members also receive a 10% discount on digital purchases and a monthly Madden Ultimate Team Pack. Madden NFL 27 introduces a dynamic Franchise experience, improved gameplay mechanics, an expanded G.O.A.T. Career Journey, and a revamped upgrade system for roster building. Additional EA Play rewards include items for Apex Legends, EA Sports FC 26, and EA Sports NHL 26.

Winsage

August 2, 2026

Former Microsoft dev brings Windows Task Manager to Mac

Dave W. Plummer, the original developer of the Windows Task Manager, has launched a beta project called Task Manager OG (TMOG) as an alternative to macOS's Activity Monitor. TMOG is built from scratch using Swift and does not contain any code from Windows XP. Microsoft provided Plummer with the source code of the XP Task Manager, but TMOG is independent. Initially intended for distribution through the Mac App Store, TMOG will instead be available for direct download due to Apple's sandboxing restrictions and guidelines against terminating other applications. Plummer plans to develop a Windows version and potentially a Pro version in the future.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Windows NT 4.0 brought the Win95 UI to servers 30 years ago today — milestone unifying modern Windows OS hi…

On July 31, 1996, Microsoft unveiled Windows NT 4.0 to its manufacturing partners. This release, codenamed Cairo, integrated the Windows 95 interface into a 32-bit enterprise OS and was the last version to support Alpha, MIPS, or PowerPC CPU architectures. The first public release of the NT line was Windows NT Server 3.1 in 1993, followed by versions 3.5 and 3.51 in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Windows NT 4.0 introduced features like My Computer and My Documents, as well as advanced components such as the cryptography API, DCOM, TAPI 2.0, and DirectX (v2). It had low minimum system requirements, recommending a CPU of 33 MHz or better, 32MB of RAM, SVGA graphics, and a 256 MB hard disk. NT 4.0 served as the foundation for Windows XP, which was released in 2001.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Windows NT 4.0 brought the Win95 UI to servers 30 years ago today — milestone unifying modern Windows OS hit RTM in the Pentium era

On July 31, 1996, Microsoft released Windows NT 4.0, codenamed Cairo, which integrated the Windows 95 interface into a 32-bit enterprise operating system. It was the last version to support multiple CPU architectures, including Alpha, MIPS, and PowerPC. Windows NT 4.0 included features such as the Start Menu, Taskbar, Task Manager, and support for advanced functionalities like the cryptography API and DirectX (v2). The minimum hardware requirements were a CPU of 33 MHz or better, 32MB of RAM, SVGA graphics, and a 256 MB hard disk. Following its launch, Microsoft introduced versions for embedded systems and a Terminal Server edition. The release of Windows XP in 2001 marked a shift away from DOS-based consumer operating systems.