8 Places Windows XP Is Hiding in Windows 11
Microsoft has made many changes over the years. However, there are a few things it has kept constant. Many can still see some features from Windows XP in the latest Windows 11 OS.
While Windows constantly makes changes to old apps and games, there are certain things they cannot change as it would cause a chain reaction, and most apps would break. This article will look at some components of Windows XP that you can still see in Windows 11.
Command Prompt
Windows was first built to run on DOS. The earlier versions would accept commands via the command prompt. It later changed how its system functioned, and this removed the need for a DOS-based system. The first operating systems based on the new version were Windows NT and Windows XP.
Just like Windows XP, Windows 11 also has a command prompt. It is used for running batch scripts or command line utilities. Microsoft has recently tried to merge the command prompt, PowerShell, and command line shells into one terminal.
Control Panel
Although your latest Windows OS uses settings to take care of all your apps, the control panel is still home to various other settings. This is similar to the way it was in XP.
One of the similarities includes the file explorer box. Although Microsoft has changed over the years, the layout and settings are almost identical.
Run Dialog Box
Most people use the run dialog box and have been using this for decades. While the look of the dialog box may have changed over the years, the functionality has remained the same, including the shortcut (Windows+R).
Character Map
This simple tool shows how each character looks in all fonts. It also gives you the shortcut for these characters, so you don't have to copy and paste them. Although the look has changed over the years, the overall functionality has not changed.
System Information
There are different ways to check your hardware and software data. You can use the settings app, the task manager, or the device manager. However, apart from these, the system information app has stayed constant over the years. This app has all the information for your system and has remained constant over the last two decades.
Disk Cleanup
Most people would be aware of the disk cleanup function. It is one of the best ways to clear the system files and cache. This utility has been present since the days of Windows XP.
ODBC Data Source Administrator
Windows also has a utility called the ODBC Data Source Administrator. This setting is useful for computers in enterprise deployments or work settings. For Windows XP, you could access this from the control panel under the administrative tools. You can access this on Windows 11 by looking for ODBC.
Winver
Winver is a simple app available in Windows 11 and XP. This is a panel that displays the current OS logo and the build number, along with the copyright information. Although the text information has changed over the years, not a lot is different.
Same Same but Different
Microsoft has made various changes over the years. There are different components to each of their operating systems; however, the basics have remained constant. This has allowed them to maintain a familiar feel over the years and keep their fanbase loyal.
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XP? Just dig in system directory and there is moricons.dll back from W3 era :) Thats a real artifact of past!
@Shania-“So in future perhaps we will be seeing more and more of “how to” articles.”
hopefully that doesn’t happen. There was another site called dottech.org, and it was similar to Ghacks in regards to tech news articles, but all of a sudden they turned into a “How-To” site and they lost many visitors. They are still up and running but not as popular as they once were, from what I recall.
I’d hate to have to leave this site as well and go fishing for another.
John G: type Disc cleanup in search let’s you access it. Windows 11 is terrible. I copied a phone number and pasted it in File Explorer’s search bar. It reversed the prefix and suffix. This NEVER happened before. Pasting elsewhere works fine. Microsoft keeps breaking W11 more all the time. No wonder Windows share has dropped from over 90% ten years ago to about 75 today.
Thanks again @Seeprime for the info! :]
I think that the “disk cleanup” is no longer present at W11 22H2. At least I can’t find it. Thanks @Shaun for the article. :]
John G: type Disc cleanup in search let’s you access it. Windows 11 is terrible. I copied a phone number and pasted it in File Explorer’s search bar. It reversed the prefix and suffix. This NEVER happened before. Pasting elsewhere works fine. Microsoft keeps breaking W11 more all the time. No wonder Windows share has dropped from over 90% ten years ago to about 75 today.
Thanks @Seeprime for the info! :]
“made many changes over the years” redirects to CCleaner article,
“some components of Windows XP” redirects to Winrar article,
“take care of all your apps” redirects to SumatraPDF article,
“functionality has not changed” redirects to Windows 11 upcoming new features article,
“stayed constant over the years” redirects to a software named TranslucentFlyouts article,
“made various changes” redirects to Windows 12 gossip article.
At most, the fourth/sixth could be said to provide some context to the hyperlinks but certainly not others.
Also I noticed Martin seems to be an editor (atleast the URL says so) of Softonic now
https://en.softonic.com/editor/martinbrinkmann
So in future perhaps we will be seeing more and more of “how to” articles.
So apparently I am not the only one who understands absolutely nothing about what the links are for.
In fact, I believe they have nothing to do with it at all and serve as a distraction from the quality of this writing (I can’t even call it an article.).
It is page filling which may have the intention of giving the writer more credibility.
I feel like every news website about every thematic (tech, games, books, etc.) has reached the bottom of the barrel.
Does anyone know and can suggest me some such alternatives that feel like how gHacks was in the beginning? Posts by 1-2 passionate people who just express their opinion and don’t care about public opinion or writing articles devoid of any personality that makes them like robots?
Yeah, I am also starting to feel the same way. Nothing lasts forever. Its good that Martin was able to cash out, but Softonic obviously has a very different vision which I have to say I hope ends badly for them.