Software Archives

Winsage

August 5, 2026

I played DOOM inside MS Paint on Windows 11 by hijacking the clipboard, and it’s shockingly good

Mark Russinovich, the Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft Azure, has created a project called DoomPaint, which allows the classic game DOOM to be displayed within Microsoft Paint. The game operates through the ViZDoom engine, rendering frames headlessly and transferring them to Paint via the Windows clipboard. DoomPaint features full keyboard controls, sound effects, and a MIDI soundtrack, maintaining a frame rate of around 35 FPS. To run DoomPaint, users need to download the project from GitHub, ensure Python is installed, extract the folder, and run a batch file, which sets up a virtual environment and opens Microsoft Paint for gameplay. The default controls include movement with W/S or arrow keys, turning with A/D or arrow keys, strafing with Q/E, firing with Ctrl/F, and other functions assigned to different keys. The project uses the shareware DOOM1.WAD for the initial episode and additional maps from Freedoom due to licensing restrictions. DoomPaint differs from previous attempts to integrate DOOM into Paint by using Paint’s canvas as the sole display for the game. The clipboard race condition was addressed by allowing the application to own the clipboard as a reference-counted OLE data object. Sound effects come from ViZDoom through OpenAL, and music is played using a separate module that loops through the Windows MIDI sequencer. Russinovich utilized Claude Fable 5 for this project, demonstrating how AI tools can enhance software development.

Winsage

August 5, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 arrives in October. Here’s why you shouldn’t skip it

The Windows 11 update designated as 26H2 is expected to be released as early as the last week of September. It is anticipated to be a lightweight update, delivered through an enablement package of 174 KB, activating features already embedded in previous versions. The Windows 11 Home and Pro versions are currently available at a reduced price.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Need to run Windows or Android apps on Linux? This new release makes it easy

AnduinOS V2.0 has launched, featuring a full Wayland stack that improves user experience. It is a custom Linux distribution based on Ubuntu, designed for newcomers to Linux, with a GNOME desktop environment that resembles Windows. The distribution includes minimal preinstalled software, such as Firefox and a music player, but allows users to install additional applications via GNOME Software with Flathub integration. A key feature is the onboarding process that prompts users to enable the Windows Compatibility Sandbox for running Windows applications. Waydroid can be easily set up with two terminal commands, providing access to Android apps. AnduinOS maintains stability and speed comparable to other Linux distributions, supports easy application installation, and offers user-friendly customization options. It promotes open-source principles by combining Linux, Android, and Windows functionalities.

Winsage

August 5, 2026

Desktop Linux just cracked 10% market share – and Windows 11 is mostly to blame

Desktop Linux has reached a market share of 10.65% in North America, doubling from a 5% share in 2025. When including Chrome OS, the combined market share rises to 12.72%. The US federal government's Digital Analytics Program (DAP) reports Linux's market share at 5.8%, with a total end-user Linux share of approximately 19% when factoring in Android and Chrome OS. Key reasons for users leaving Windows include the transition to Microsoft 365, improved gaming on Linux, better user-friendliness, enhanced hardware compatibility, and privacy concerns. Approximately 25% of Windows 10 PCs are ineligible for an upgrade to Windows 11, with 22.16% of Windows users still on Windows 10. A survey found that 26% of users plan to continue using Windows 10 after support ends. Users are frustrated with Windows, viewing Windows 11 as a promotional platform for Microsoft's services. Modern Linux distributions are user-friendly, and installation is straightforward. Linux is recognized for its superior security compared to Windows, which has faced numerous vulnerabilities and security patches.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Android users, beware: Your location data might be being inadvertently shared

Recent findings from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) indicate that many applications on Android phones may unintentionally share users' location data with advertisers without explicit user knowledge. This issue arises from certain Software Development Kits (SDKs) used by app developers, which collect location data by default when users grant permission. The EFF report emphasizes that users likely do not expect their location data to be shared with third parties. Android users can manage their location sharing preferences through the device's Settings by reviewing app permissions or disabling location sharing entirely, though the latter may impact apps that require location access.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Android Developers Unknowingly Leak User Location Data

Recent research from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has revealed that millions of Android users' location data are being inadvertently exposed to advertisers through third-party code libraries. This occurs when seemingly harmless applications, like weather services and fitness trackers, integrate third-party SDKs that collect user location information automatically upon permission approval, often without developers' awareness. Data brokers aggregate this location information to create detailed movement profiles sold to advertisers and government agencies. Despite privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, enforcement is inconsistent, and developers may claim ignorance regarding data practices they did not implement. Google has improved Android's privacy controls, but visibility into third-party libraries accessing data remains limited. Developers face challenges in auditing third-party code due to resource constraints, leading to a complex landscape where user information traverses multiple entities without clear accountability. Privacy advocates are calling for new technical standards to require SDKs to disclose their data practices.

Winsage

August 4, 2026

This August 11 deadline could cut off your Windows Insider builds

Microsoft is renewing flight certificates for Windows Insider Preview builds, which are set to expire on August 11, 2026. This renewal will now extend to the Canary, Experimental, and Beta channels. Users are advised to check their Windows Insider Channels and Windows 11 versions, as the required certificate version may vary. Microsoft has provided a list of minimum requirements for each version and channel.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Private Internet Access now lets you ditch Google as it brings its VPN app to F-Droid

Private Internet Access (PIA) has launched its VPN application for Android on F-Droid, a platform known for privacy and open-source software. This allows users to download the VPN without sideloading, simplifying the installation process and reinforcing PIA's commitment to transparency. The F-Droid platform provides a catalog of free and open-source Android applications, ensuring that apps are compiled from public source code by volunteers, which helps eliminate concerns about tampering. The introduction of PIA's app on F-Droid allows users to install the VPN easily while prioritizing their privacy. F-Droid operates under a model emphasizing user trust and community engagement, with strict privacy policies in place. This collaboration enhances PIA's accessibility and solidifies its position in the open-source VPN market.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Why I’m so excited for the Googlebook Android app experience on a desktop

Support for independent tech journalism is emphasized, particularly for Chrome Unboxed, which offers a membership for an ad-free experience and exclusive access to a private Discord. The author expresses frustration with the limitations of Android apps on ChromeOS, specifically citing issues with PUBG Mobile's performance on Chromebooks. The introduction of Googlebook, particularly the Lenovo Googlebook ‘Sapphire’ detachable tablet, is highlighted as a potential solution, featuring an architecture built on native Android, which promises improved app compatibility, native input mapping, direct hardware acceleration, and seamless Play Store integration. The author envisions an ideal tablet experience that combines the functionality of a desktop Chrome browser with robust Android applications.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Android app developers may be unwittingly sharing their users’ location data with advertisers

Mobile apps often require precise location data for functionality, but there are concerns about the unintentional sharing of this sensitive information with third parties, such as advertisers and data brokers. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) found that third-party code in apps may collect location data without users' explicit consent due to default settings in software development kits (SDKs). Unless developers disable this feature, SDKs inherit app permissions, leading to the collection of users' location data. This raises privacy issues, as users' location histories can be sold to data brokers and potentially accessed by military and intelligence agencies. The EFF identified that certain Android apps, downloaded over 60 million times, were sharing location data without user awareness. Currently, there are no SDK-specific location permissions, meaning that consent to share location data with an app also extends to advertisers. The EFF calls for a change in industry standards to prevent default data sharing by advertising SDKs.