With new Windows 11 updates that recently came, Microsoft ensures that users won't be bored with non-stop features such as Copilot and taskbar upgrades.
To make it more enjoyable for gamers, a 90's retro game is now playable on a Microsoft Surface laptop or tablet.
Gaming While You Wait
When you unbox your brand-new Microsoft Surface device, you're greeted with a setup and update process before you can fully explore your device.
Now, Microsoft has injected a dose of entertainment into this process to ensure that it's no longer a lonely waiting game.
According to TechRadar, The Verge's Tom Warren is the one who tested if "SkiFree" will work on his Surface Laptop Studio 2. This game might be unfamiliar to some of you since it's from 1991. It was created by Chris Pirih, a programmer who worked at Microsoft.
Related Article: Microsoft Plans to Ship ARM-Equipped Surface Go 4; Smaller Surface Pro Also Coming
The Return of SkiFree
SkiFree has not made its debut as an update-day companion. Microsoft fans may recall that it has been tucked away as an easter egg in Microsoft's Edge browser since 2020.
Accessing the game is as simple as entering "edge://surf" in your Edge browser. While playing SkiFree, you may encounter this diversion when you have pending Windows updates or when restoring settings from a previous Windows Backup.
However, the specific conditions for enjoying SkiFree remain somewhat ambiguous. We are not yet sure if this gaming feature is only accessible during Surface's setup process. It's also possible that it's only a part of the Windows 11 update on select devices.
Regardless, the inclusion of SkiFree adds a delightful touch to the update. The Windows setup process has already made substantial strides, replacing the extensive and sometimes vexing guidance of Cortana during previous Windows versions.
The Source of Inspiration
Intriguingly, BetaNews reports that Microsoft might have borrowed the feature from "Windows Utopia" to bring a retro game from the grave.
According to the report, it originally came from "AR 4789," a Windows developer who came up with the concept a couple of months ago. With this feature, Windows users can play games while installing the operating system.
In other news, Apple is no longer allowing iOS 17 downgrades to work on iPhones. If you want to go back to iOS 16, there's no way you can do that unless you buy an iPhone with this iOS version.
For others, downgrading might be an issue since they believe that it can address app incompatibility. However, Apple clarifies that it's essential to solve security flaws. This would make it harder for the hackers to crack down on your device.
If you're an iPad user, expect that the same update will roll out soon. iPadOS 17 is on its way to your tablet and this might also address the iOS downgrading to protect your device from vulnerabilities.
Read Also: Microsoft Surface Duo 3 Reportedly Features a Foldable Screen
