Media Player Archives

Winsage

January 12, 2026

VLC gets native support for Snapdragon-powered PCs — but its devs haven’t forgotten your ancient Windows XP rig

The latest update to VLC, versions 3.0.22 and 3.0.23, introduces native support for Arm processors, specifically for Windows ARM64, requiring a minimum of Windows 10 RS5 17763 / 1809. This update improves playback across various formats, enhances subtitle rendering, includes codec updates, introduces a Dark Mode user interface, allows users to manage playing files, and addresses multiple security issues. The Snapdragon X2 Plus chip outperforms Intel's Core Ultra 7 265U and 256V processors, delivering up to 3.5 times the CPU performance of the former and a 52% increase in multi-core performance compared to the latter. Microsoft reported that 90% of usage time on Arm-based PCs is dedicated to natively compiled applications.

Winsage

January 11, 2026

Windows Media Player’s ‘find album information’ functionality has been removed — you’ll have to find other software for playing and ripping CDs with relevant track information

Microsoft has removed the 'find album information' and 'update album info online' functionalities from the Media Player applications in Windows 11. Neither the Windows Media Player Legacy nor the latest Media Player app can connect to retrieve data such as album artwork, track names, and details when an audio CD is inserted. The built-in 'Find Album Information' service, which relies on musicmatch-ssl.xboxlive.com, is unreachable. Users attempting to update album information in the latest Media Player app receive an error message indicating a connection issue, despite having a stable internet connection. The removal of these features is disappointing for users who still appreciate physical media, especially as optical drives are becoming rare in new computers.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Puppy Linux vs. Linux Lite: Which distro is right for your old Windows 10 PC?

Puppy Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution with a footprint of 500 MB to 1.5 GB, capable of running entirely in RAM and allowing users to boot from a USB drive without altering their existing OS. It offers session persistence, comes pre-installed with essential applications, and supports various package managers. It is ideal for users prioritizing performance over aesthetics. Linux Lite is based on the latest Long Term Support release of Ubuntu and features a desktop layout similar to Windows, making it user-friendly for newcomers. It includes pre-installed applications like Chrome, LibreOffice, VLC, and GIMP, and utilizes the Xfce desktop environment for customization. It is optimized for speed and resource efficiency and facilitates a smooth transition from Windows. The choice between Puppy Linux and Linux Lite depends on individual needs: Puppy Linux is suited for those wanting a lightweight, portable solution, while Linux Lite is better for users seeking a traditional OS experience.

Winsage

December 24, 2025

How to Get Moving Wallpapers on Windows 11: Guide to Animated Desktops

Windows 11 is set to introduce native video wallpaper support in late 2025, currently available in testing builds for Windows Insiders, supporting formats like MP4, MKV, and WebM. Users can access animated wallpapers through third-party applications, with Lively Wallpaper being a recommended free option that supports various formats and features. Wallpaper Engine is a paid alternative known for its extensive library and interactive wallpapers. VLC Media Player can also set videos as wallpapers, but it has limitations such as requiring constant operation and higher resource usage. Animated wallpapers generally consume more battery and system resources, but modern applications include features to mitigate these impacts. Users are advised to download wallpapers from trusted sources to ensure safety.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

Android Auto may finally let you cast media from your phone

Google is developing Google Cast support for Android Auto, as indicated by code strings in version 15.9 that reference Cast integration. This feature will allow audio and video casting from smartphones to cars. Android Auto is also adopting Material 3 Expressive design, with updated media controls in the latest build. While the casting feature is not yet publicly available, it is expected to enhance in-car entertainment experiences. Additionally, Google is testing video support for Android Auto, and the media player in version 15.9 is transitioning to a new design with a refreshed progress bar and button styles, although these features are not enabled by default.

Winsage

December 14, 2025

Use Windows 3.1 Straight From Your Browser To Boot Up Pure Nostalgia

Jeff Parsons has created a fully functional emulation of Windows 3.1 accessible through modern web browsers, allowing users to explore the iconic Program Manager interface and various retro applications like File Manager, Paintbrush, and Media Player. The emulator operates seamlessly using JavaScript, requiring no installation, and offers both full-screen and windowed views with nostalgic elements like a floppy-disk dropdown. It includes classic shareware, vintage Microsoft Word versions, digitized PC Magazine issues, and games such as King's Quest and The Oregon Trail. This project highlights the slower pace of computing in the early 90s and serves as a reminder of advancements in hardware over the years. Previous attempts to run vintage operating systems on actual hardware have faced limitations, contrasting with Parsons' success in running Windows 95 in a browser.

Winsage

November 23, 2025

6 classic Windows XP apps I miss

Windows XP was a pivotal moment in personal computing, characterized by a unique charm and user-friendly built-in tools. Six notable applications from this era include: - Windows Movie Maker: A user-friendly video editing tool with drag-and-drop functionality that introduced many to video editing. - Windows Media Player: Known for its clean interface and swift performance, it featured iconic visualizations and a library view that many modern media applications struggle to replicate. - MSN Messenger: A popular messaging tool that allowed for self-expression through custom emoticons and personalized screen names, influencing modern messaging platforms. - Space Cadet Pinball: A built-in game that became a cultural touchstone for Windows XP users, evoking fond memories associated with the operating system. - Winamp: A lightweight music playback application known for its customizable interface and robust performance, creating a personal experience for users. - Microsoft Plus!: A premium customization pack that offered wallpapers, themes, and updates for core applications, adding charm to the operating system. These applications marked a groundbreaking moment in software development, shaping user interactions with technology.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

5 tools I still use on Windows 11 that I wish Microsoft included natively

Windows 11 has introduced updates to its native applications, including the Snipping Tool's new OCR capabilities, Paint's additional utilities, and improvements to File Explorer such as expanded archive format support, a tabbed view, and a revamped Home page. However, users still find a lack of essential features that should be included by default. Key tools that could enhance Windows 11 include: - Monitorian: A minimalist app that allows users to adjust display brightness for external monitors directly from the system tray. - Bulk Crap Uninstaller: A tool that enables batch removal of applications, including Store apps, which is not supported in Windows 11's Settings app. - VLC Media Player: A versatile media player that supports a wide range of formats and simplifies playback without the need for additional codecs. - ExplorerPatcher: A tool that restores the movable Taskbar design from Windows 10, allowing for greater customization. - WinDirStat: A storage management tool that provides a comprehensive view of disk usage and allows users to identify and delete large folders and files easily. These tools highlight the potential for Windows 11 to improve user experience by integrating basic functionalities that are currently missing.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

New release roundup: Timelie, Minecraft Blast, Temple Run 3, and more

Mojang Studios and King are releasing Minecraft Blast, a mobile puzzle game set in the Minecraft universe featuring iconic creatures and customizable worlds. Urnique Studio has developed Timelie, a stealth puzzle game that allows players to manipulate time while controlling a girl or a cat with unique abilities. Kemco's Hero Seekers is a pixel-art adventure where players summon legendary warriors for turn-based battles. Imangi Studios has soft-launched Temple Run 3 in regions like Indonesia and the Philippines, maintaining the classic endless running gameplay. Wemade's Legend of Ymir combines Norse mythology with blockchain mechanics, allowing players to engage in auto battles and real-time combat. The Nintendo Store app offers features for tracking and reviewing playtime for games on the Switch and Switch 2.

Tech Optimizer

November 13, 2025

Hackers Using RMM Tools LogMeIn and PDQ Connect to Deploy Malware as Legitimate Software

Cybersecurity researchers at AhnLab Security Intelligence Center (ASEC) have discovered an attack campaign that uses legitimate Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools, specifically LogMeIn Resolve and PDQ Connect, to deploy backdoor malware on users' systems. Attackers lure victims to fake download sites that mimic legitimate software pages for utilities like Notepad++, 7-Zip, and VLC Media Player, delivering modified versions of LogMeIn Resolve. The malicious installers are disguised with filenames such as "notepad++.exe" and "chatgpt.exe." Once executed, these files install the RMM tool and additional malware capable of stealing sensitive information. ASEC has identified three CompanyId values associated with the attacks: 8347338797131280000, 1995653637248070000, and 4586548334491120000. The malware, known as PatoRAT, is a Delphi-developed backdoor that gathers system information and has extensive malicious capabilities, including keylogging and remote desktop access. Users are advised to download software only from official websites and verify digital signatures, while organizations should monitor for unauthorized RMM installations and the identified indicators of compromise.