clipboard Archives

Winsage

July 12, 2026

Microsoft wants to integrate your smartphone more natively across Windows 11’s user experience

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows 11 user experience by improving the integration of smartphones through significant upgrades to the Phone Link feature. Key upgrades include enhancements to the Phone Companion feature in the Start menu, allowing users to view recent activities and notifications without launching the app. A new smartphone flyout will be tested in the Taskbar's system tray, displaying a phone icon for connected devices and offering quick access to settings and file sharing. Clipboard history synchronization between the phone and PC is also being considered, enabling users to access a comprehensive list of copied content. Additionally, a standalone Messages app for Windows 11 is in development, allowing users to sync SMS conversations and respond directly from their PC. These features are in the exploration and prototyping stages, with feedback from Insiders expected before any final decisions are made. Microsoft aims to create a cohesive ecosystem where smartphones and PCs work seamlessly together.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

This Windows feature has been eating users’ RAM for years, Microsoft still hasn’t fixed it

Memory leaks have been reported with the Phone Link feature in Windows 11, specifically the Cross Device Service, which is consuming excessive amounts of RAM. Users have noted that this service can use between 15 to 30GB of RAM, leading to significant system slowdowns and reduced internet speeds. Complaints about this issue have been ongoing since early 2023, with users often needing to manually intervene via Task Manager to restore system performance. The Cross Device Service is intended to facilitate features like clipboard sharing and notification syncing but appears to malfunction and enter a loop that increases memory usage. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the problem, and while generic troubleshooting steps have been suggested, they may not resolve the issue for all users. Disabling the Phone Link feature has been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate memory consumption.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Windows 11 Has a Hidden Tracker – Here’s How to Limit It

Peter Stokes is involved in a breach with a luxury retailer, using tactics like VPNs and rotating IP addresses to hide his digital activity. The FBI discovered a Global Device Identifier (GDID) linked to his Windows installation, which is a persistent device-level identifier that uniquely identifies Windows installations. GDID remains unchanged through operating system updates but resets with a full reinstallation. Disabling GDID is not possible, as attempts to do so would disrupt Windows activation. Users can minimize data linked to GDID by using a local account, reducing diagnostic telemetry, disabling Activity history, and carefully managing reinstalls. VPNs do not prevent Microsoft from logging GDID, IP address, and URL data. Privacy researchers view GDID as a covert tracking mechanism, and Windows lacks user-facing options to reset this identifier, unlike Apple and Google.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Trojanized LetsVPN installer gives attackers remote access to Windows PCs

A malware campaign has been discovered that exploits the VPN service LetsVPN. Researchers from ThreatLocker found a malicious Windows installer that pretends to be the legitimate LetsVPN application while deploying a remote access trojan (RAT) called GoodPersonRAT. The malware allows attackers to control infected systems using stealth techniques. The malicious installer first deploys the RAT and then installs the authentic LetsVPN application, creating an illusion of legitimacy. The package identified as Kuailian_win-setup.86.msi contains the legitimate LetsVPN installer, a loader, and an encrypted payload. GoodPersonRAT features include remote desktop control, file upload/download, command execution, proxying, keylogging, and clipboard monitoring. It specifically targets Telegram Desktop users by archiving critical account information and altering proxy settings. The malware ensures persistence through Windows services and scheduled tasks and can undermine security software. The LetsVPN installer is legitimate and signed, but the MSI package is unsigned and contains malicious components. Users are advised to download software only from official sources and verify digital signatures.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Windows 11 cleanup is finally simple with this powerful open‑source tool that strips bloat, boosts speed, and gives you real control

Windows 11 includes built-in tools like Storage Sense, Temporary Files settings, and Storage Recommendations for managing storage. BleachBit is a free, open-source cleanup utility for Windows 11 that removes temporary files, caches, logs, and browsing data without ads. Users can download it via a standard installer or a portable version, with installation possible through the command line. BleachBit features a "Preview" option to estimate storage recovery before deletion and offers recommended cleanup options such as temporary files, logs, and the Recycle Bin. It includes a file shredder for securely deleting sensitive files and can wipe free disk space, although this is not recommended for regular maintenance. BleachBit does not have a Registry cleaner, which can prevent potential system issues. While it does not directly speed up Windows 11, it can free up storage space and resolve some cache-related issues. Users comfortable with Windows 11's built-in tools may not need BleachBit, but it offers greater control for those wanting to manage browser data and temporary files more effectively.

Tech Optimizer

July 6, 2026

‘This creates a misleading impression of safety’: Experts warn of hackers hijacking legitimate news websites and reviews to drum up publicity

Check Point Research has identified a public relations-style campaign by hackers to distribute a Rust clipboard hijacker disguised as legitimate software, targeting both Windows and macOS. The malware monitors clipboard activity for cryptocurrency wallet addresses and replaces them with those of the attackers, leading victims to send funds to the hackers. The threat actors use a phishing page as a hub, promote projects on GitHub and SourceForge through fake accounts, and operate a YouTube channel with AI-generated narrators to create a false sense of credibility.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a retired Microsoft engineer, has developed TinyRetroPad, a Notepad-like application that is only 2.5 kilobytes in size. TinyRetroPad includes features such as Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and an unsaved changes prompt. It is built on existing Windows components, allowing it to function efficiently without extensive resources. TinyRetroPad is based on Dave’s Tiny Editor and utilizes RICHEDIT50W for text handling. The application's file size increased incrementally with each feature added, with the final size being 2,476 bytes. Crinkler, a compression linker, was used to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad is still in development, facing issues like high memory consumption and compatibility problems. In contrast, Windows 11's Notepad has become larger and more complex, weighing approximately 352KB and incorporating features that some users find unnecessary. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad without modern features, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential for simplicity in application design.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, is recreating Notepad in 2.5 kilobytes with a project called TinyRetroPad, which includes features like Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and unsaved changes prompt. TinyRetroPad leverages existing Windows infrastructure, utilizing built-in resources to function efficiently. It is based on Matt Power’s Dave’s Tiny Editor and operates as a wrapper around RICHEDIT50W. The size of TinyRetroPad increased with each feature added, reaching 2,476 bytes with printing. The project uses Crinkler, a compression linker, to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad currently lacks a dedicated Releases page and may trigger false positives from antivirus software. Users have reported issues such as excessive memory usage and compatibility problems with older Windows versions. In contrast, the modern Notepad in Windows 11 has grown to approximately 352KB, with a total disk footprint nearing 5MB, leading to user backlash over its complexity. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential of leveraging existing OS capabilities rather than adding unnecessary features.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

5 Android keyboard apps you should use instead of Gboard

The keyboard is a frequently used application on Android devices, with Gboard being a popular choice, but alternatives exist for users with different preferences. Microsoft SwiftKey offers robust customization, unique layouts like split mode, and integrates an AI assistant for message refinement. It also excels in clipboard syncing with Windows when logged into the same Microsoft account. HeliBoard is a free, open-source keyboard that operates offline, prioritizing privacy and offering features like autocorrect and gesture typing. It requires downloading from GitHub or F-Droid, as it is not available on the Play Store. FUTO Keyboard is a free, open-source, offline option that includes offline voice typing but lacks cloud-synced personal dictionaries and AI writing tools. Samsung Keyboard, pre-installed on Galaxy phones, integrates with One UI and Galaxy AI’s writing tools, offering extensive customization options through the Good Lock app and KeysCafe module. Simple Keyboard is a lightweight application that provides a standard keyboard layout with minimal features, focusing on simplicity and requiring less than 1MB of storage.

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

These 5 open-source utilities should be on every Android phone

Sefirah is a local companion app for Android that connects devices on the same network, allowing users to manage notifications, messages, and applications in one place, with clipboard mirroring for enhanced productivity. PhotoSwooper is a free photo management app that allows users to swipe left or right to delete or keep images, includes an undo option, and lets users customize folders to exclude from sorting. Neo Store is an alternative app store that builds apps from public source code, prioritizing safety and allowing users to add multiple repositories and update all open-source applications simultaneously. Heliboard is a privacy-focused keyboard app that operates offline, ensuring user data remains secure, and offers features like gesture typing. LocalSend enables file sharing over a local network across various devices, enhancing the experience as more users adopt the app.