Windows Throwback theme is a wave of nostalgia for your PC
Windows users can get a blast from the past thanks to the new Windows Throwback theme.
What you need to know
- The Windows Throwback theme packs nine retro wallpapers based on PCs from the 1980s.
- The theme also includes the same sounds that shipped on older devices.
- Microsoft is on a nostalgia wave right now with the release of Windows 1.1 in the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft continues their nostalgia wave with a new Windows Throwback theme. The theme includes nine wallpapers inspired by PCs in the 1980s. In addition to the wallpapers, the theme includes Windows sounds that will bring anyone back decades.
Microsoft is riding the nostalgia wave this month. In addition to this new theme, Windows 1.11 has shown up in the Microsoft Store. It is a game based around Windows 1 and Stranger Things. Microsoft teased the release of the game all last week. The popular show's third season is based in 1985, the same year that Windows 1 came out.
You can download the Windows Throwback theme for free from the Microsoft Store. Once it's installed, you can click apply and customize it further within the Settings app.
Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love
Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.
VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)
This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.
Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.
Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)
This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.
Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.
