Windows features we loved and miss from earlier OS versions

Windows XP Bliss Source: Microsoft

Windows has been around for a while, 35 years, in fact. It's come a long manner since its debut in 1985 every bit a graphical user interface that was powered by MS-DOS. There accept been so many different versions of Windows, many of which with excellent features that are no longer adult or part of the product today. Allow's take a wait back through history as some of the all-time features from older versions of Windows.

Windows 95: Space Cadet 3D Pinball

3D Pinball Source: TechRepublic

It'due south a archetype, and 1 of the best congenital-in Windows games of all time. 3D Pinball was the tiptop of fun when your internet connection was downwardly or taking a long time to load. Introduced with Microsoft Plus Pack for Windows 95, and then preinstalled in later releases of the OS up to Windows XP, Space Cadet 3D Pinball was a simple, yet fun, pinball game to keep the ball from falling into a pigsty at the bottom of the table.

Information technology kept track of your score, and yous could even compete with friends on a leader board that was saved locally to your PC. The game was based on Cinematronic's ain Full Tilt! Pinball game published past Maxis in 1995 and was ported over as a built-in game for Windows by David Plummer at Microsoft.

Windows XP was the last version of Windows to include Pinball out of the box. Subsequent versions of the OS, including Windows XP 64-bit Edition, had Pinball removed. The reason for this is that Microsoft had problem porting Pinball to the 64-scrap architecture. Today, yous can find versions of the game that have been ported by third parties.

Windows ME: Movie Maker

Windows Movie Maker Source: DeviantArt

Believe it or not, Microsoft used to parcel a video editor in Windows, and information technology was rather good for the audience it was congenital for. Windows Movie Maker was designed for editing together home video clips, allowing you to add championship cards, text, music, and awesome video transitions to make little dwelling videos to share with friends and family unit.

Windows Motion picture Maker was first bundled with Windows ME in 2000 and was updated and preinstalled on Windows XP and Windows Vista before transitioning to a standalone app called Windows Live Picture Maker that could be installed on Windows 7 and Windows viii releases. Windows Movie Maker was Microsoft's version of Apple'due south iMovie for Mac. A simple, easy to apply video editor that was complimentary with Windows.

Many have been request for Microsoft to bring dorsum Windows Moving picture Maker, as the built-in video editor on Windows 10 isn't peculiarly good. Many early videos on YouTube were edited using Windows Movie Maker, including build video walkthroughs and screencasts from yours truly. It got the task done, that's for sure.**

Windows XP: Media Centre

Windows Media Center Source: skullbox.net

Windows Media Center was a feature not everyone needed only was loved by those who did. It immune you to turn your PC into a hub for all your digital content, including photos, videos, movies, music, and even live TV. Information technology was first introduced in a dedicated version of Windows XP titled "Windows XP Media Centre Edition" and shipped on media-centric laptops and desktops.

Windows Media Center would afterwards be included on Windows Vista, Windows seven and the Xbox 360, before being made available as a paid addition for Windows 8. Microsoft disbanded the Windows Media Center development team in 2009, before long after the release of Windows seven, significant no farther work was existence put in to maintain or add new features to Windows Media Center.

As a consequence, Microsoft discontinued support for Windows Media Center with the launch of Windows 10, not even allowing users to install it as an optional addition for money. In that location are workarounds to install it manually, but it may not work as intended anymore. Those who used Windows Media Eye back in the twenty-four hour period swore by information technology, and information technology's a shame it's no longer around.

Fun fact, the Windows Media Eye app included some of the earliest "Metro UI" designs that would after be seen in products like Zune and Windows Telephone.

Windows Vista: Aero Flip

Aero Flip Source: Online Tech Tips

When Microsoft demoed Windows Vista for the start time, I remember beingness mesmerized by a demo that showed off a new 3D UI for switching between Windows. This UI would eventually be known every bit Aero Flip 3D and was the Win+Tab UI in Windows Vista for switching between open programs on the fly.

Aero Flip was simple, only it was so satisfying to use. Never has Windows had a cooler animation for switching between open apps. It seems like such a uncomplicated thing today, but back when Windows Vista first launched, it was nix merely futuristic. Aero Flip was too included in Windows seven, but Microsoft removed information technology when information technology moved to a apartment UI design with Windows 8. Sad times.

Windows Vista: Beginning Menu

Vista Start Menu Source: Ars Technica

Windows Vista got a lot incorrect, but it also got a lot correct. Its Beginning bill of fare is, for me, a contender for the best Start menu Windows has ever had. It was elegant, sleek, and was the beginning to include an integrated search that could also search the web. Search in Windows XP and previous versions of Windows was terrible, only Windows Vista's Start carte fabricated the search and so easy.

It was also first to move abroad from the flyout menu pattern for installed programs, opting for a simplified listing that sat inside the Offset menu instead. It was the first good First carte that worked well and was intuitive to utilize. It was so good that Microsoft kept it the same on Windows 7, only updating its design and feature gear up slightly.

Microsoft would later remove this version of the Showtime menu in favor of the Start Screen on Windows eight, which did not go downward well with customers. People wanted the Offset card dorsum, and Microsoft eventually listened. Unfortunately, the Start card we have today is not as good equally the one nosotros had with Windows Vista and Windows vii, every bit the Outset menu in Windows 10 is a consummate rewrite that doesn't take search built-in.

What features practise y'all miss?

That'southward our selection of best old Windows features that nosotros wish were still effectually. What would you put on your list? Permit us know in the comments. And take function in our poll asking which archetype Windows game is your favorite!

Elden Ring: Which class should you choose?

Starting off on the right foot

Elden Ring: Which form should you choose?

Picking a grade is one of the most important things y'all'll ever do in Elden Band. Here's a detailed breakdown of everything you lot demand to know near each of the game'due south classes and then yous can brand an informed decision.

These laptops have bright screens great for outdoor use

Shine bright like a diamond

These laptops have brilliant screens great for outdoor use

Due to the never-ending war against dominicus glare, laptop developers have made their laptop screens brighter than e'er in recent years. Here's a collection of some of our favorite laptops with bright displays.