Treasure Digging Game

Windows 11 may look like it has a new UI, but none of the old stuff has been removed... It's a mix of various fresh features and ancient code, making it a real treasure trove!

Trying to dig up some legacy features in Windows 11 that still work is truly fascinating. If you don't believe me, you can try challenging yourself:

• Dig up the classic file explorer in Windows 11
• Dig up IE in Windows 11
• Dig up the classic theme settings in Windows 11
• Dig up screen savers in Windows 11
• Dig up the classic Start menu in Windows 11
• Dig up the classic Task Manager in Windows 11
• Dig up the classic Notepad in Windows 11
• Dig up the classic Photos Viewer in Windows 11
• Dig up the classic Edge browser engine (non-Chromium) in Windows 11
• Dig up Windows 7 window borders in Windows 11

I have already accomplished a few of these. Here I share my findings.

(Note: If a "treasure hunt" requires downloading binary content via the internet, it is not considered "digging" but rather "installation." This list does not include items that require installation; only those that can be "dug up" offline are included.)

Unearthing the Classic File Explorer in Windows 11

In the current Insider build of Windows 11, the file explorer already has Tab functionality.

However, the classic file manager can still be recovered. The method is:

• Directly search for Control Panel to open Task Manager, then click Up.

You will then be able to see the classic file explorer.

Uncovering the IE Browser in Windows 11

Quite magical. It was supposed to be deprecated, but apparently you can still dig it up...

First, search for and open Internet options:

Go to Programs -> Manage add-ons

Click Learn more about tool bars and extensions, and then you can open IE.

Unearthing Classic Themes in Windows 11

As is well known, Windows 11 has new theme settings.

However, you can still find the old theme settings.

Press Start + R and enter:

shell:::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921} -Microsoft.PersonalizationpageWallpaper

Then press Enter to see the theme settings for the ancient era.

Uncovering the Screen Saver in Windows 11

It's very simple. Following the previous step, just click here:

It seems to work really well!

Strictly speaking, Microsoft probably didn't intend to deprecate this feature. Searching for Screen saver directly via Start + S will still find it. This should be the simplest step.

Digging Up the Classic Photo Viewer in Windows 11

Run the following PowerShell with administrator privileges:

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://git.aiursoft.cn/Anduin/configuration-script-win/raw/branch/main/restore-photo-viewer.reg" -OutFile ".\restore.reg"
regedit /s ".\restore.reg"

Now you can view photos using the classic photo viewer!

Digging Up the Classic Notepad in Windows 11

First, open Settings (shortcut Start + I), then select Apps -> Advanced app settings -> App execution aliases.

Turn off Notepad here.

Then run notepad.exe or open a .txt file with Notepad, and you will have the classic Notepad.

Unearthing the Classic Task Manager in Windows 11

First, open cmd and run the command:

taskmgr /d

Success!

Unfortunately, the classic Task Manager cannot be opened at the same time as the new Task Manager.

There are still many more treasures...

I'm digging...