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Windows 11 LTSC

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had
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.
silver Android smartphone
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.
Microsoft admits Windows 11's right-click menu is a mess, will let you customize it after years of complaints
Winsage
June 4, 2026

Microsoft admits Windows 11’s right-click menu is a mess, will let you customize it after years of complaints

Microsoft is updating the right-click context menu in Windows 11, allowing users to customize it by adding or removing items. The new context menu will load faster and provide a more streamlined experience. Marcus Ash from Microsoft highlighted that the context menu will be configurable based on user preferences. The update aims to address previous criticisms regarding the cluttered and slower performance of the context menu compared to Windows 10. Microsoft will retain access to the classic context menu through the “Show more options” feature. Additionally, other customization options for Windows 11, such as repositioning the taskbar and resizing the Start menu, are being introduced.
Windows 11 File Explorer is finally getting faster in 2026, but it’s been slower than Windows 10 for years
Winsage
March 30, 2026

Windows 11 File Explorer is finally getting faster in 2026, but it’s been slower than Windows 10 for years

Microsoft plans to enhance the File Explorer experience in Windows by 2026, with initial improvements available to Windows Insiders as early as April. Key updates will focus on a quicker launch experience, reduced flicker, smoother navigation, and improved performance for everyday file tasks. Enhancements will address latency issues in search, navigation, and context menus, aiming for faster and more reliable file copying and moving. The context menu will see lower latency when right-clicking, and system-level changes will aim to reduce interaction latency and improve the shared UI infrastructure. Third-party file managers currently demonstrate faster performance compared to the default File Explorer, highlighting the need for Microsoft to improve its application.
How to make your ATMs Windows 11 ready
Winsage
November 26, 2025

How to make your ATMs Windows 11 ready

ATM operators are facing challenges in transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as support for Windows 10 ends. Many ATMs currently operate on various versions of Windows 10 IoT LTSC, including 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021, each with different support lifecycles and upgrade paths. The most urgent concern is the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC/LTSB 2015, which will lose support on October 14, 2025. The readiness of ATM manufacturers for Windows 11 varies; Diebold Nixdorf and Hyosung have announced their support, while NCR Atleos has not provided public information on its plans. Effective migration to Windows 11 requires thorough planning and testing, as manual testing processes may be inefficient. Utilizing virtualization and automation can enhance testing capabilities, allowing for concurrent testing of multiple OS versions, automated regression testing, and remote access to testing environments. Advanced tools like VirtualATM can help organizations manage the upgrade process more effectively.
Ever wondered how small Windows 11 can get? Meet Nano11
Winsage
September 13, 2025

Ever wondered how small Windows 11 can get? Meet Nano11

Microsoft is set to officially discontinue Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, urging users to transition to Windows 11, which claims to be up to 2.3 times faster than its predecessor. Approximately 400 million users remain on Windows 10, but the upgrade may be complicated by stringent system requirements and design flaws. Alternatives like Tiny11 and Nano11 have emerged, with Tiny11 designed for older PCs and recently updated to support Windows 11 version 25H2 by removing pre-installed applications. Nano11, a more minimal version, reduces the OS footprint to less than 3 GB and supports any Windows SKU, but once installed, it cannot be modified or updated. Nano11 is primarily intended for testing, development, or embedded use in virtual machines.
Nano11 compresses Windows 11 install footprint to as little as 2.8GB — 'extreme experimental script' is 3.5 times smaller than Tiny11 and comes with 'none of the fluff'
Winsage
September 12, 2025

Nano11 compresses Windows 11 install footprint to as little as 2.8GB — ‘extreme experimental script’ is 3.5 times smaller than Tiny11 and comes with ‘none of the fluff’

NTDEV has released the Nano11 Builder, a tool for Windows 11 that allows users to create a significantly smaller installer image. The Nano11 Builder can reduce the official Windows 11 ISO size from 7.04GB to as little as 2.29GB using a PowerShell script. If starting with the Windows 11 LTSC ISO, the installation size can shrink to 2.8GB. The tool strips away unnecessary components, resulting in a streamlined version of Windows 11. Initial installation may occupy 11.0GB of disk space, but further steps like using the 'Compact' command can reduce it to approximately 3.2GB. The Nano11 Builder is intended for experimental use and not for daily tasks.
Microsoft Windows IoT for Client Systems: A Historical Journey and Today's Latest Innovations
Winsage
December 23, 2024

Microsoft Windows IoT for Client Systems: A Historical Journey and Today’s Latest Innovations

Microsoft's Windows Embedded and Windows IoT products began in 1999 with Windows NT Embedded, codenamed Impala. Windows XP Embedded, known as Mantis, expanded toolkit capabilities with tools like Target Designer and Component Designer. Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 catered to the point-of-sale sector, maintaining a consistent kernel across consumer and embedded versions. Windows CE supported mobile devices with various architectures and reached its end of support in 2023. Windows Embedded 7 Standard and Windows 7 for Embedded Systems required special licensing agreements. Windows Embedded Standard 8 did not succeed in the industrial market, while Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, launched in 2015, introduced LTSB/LTSC options with a decade of security updates. A tiered licensing structure was introduced for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, accommodating different CPU performances. The Base license allowed Windows 10 IoT Enterprise on industrial Arm devices, specifically the NXP i.MX8 family. Windows 11 21H2 established the General Availability Channel for IoT, with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 LTSC set to debut in May 2024. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC supports Arm Qualcomm CPUs and introduces features like USB 4.0 and Wi-Fi 6/7 support, along with a commitment to 10 years of security updates. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC will remain supported until 2031.
Microsoft closes the door on Windows 11 supporting older hardware
Winsage
December 4, 2024

Microsoft closes the door on Windows 11 supporting older hardware

Microsoft has confirmed that the hardware requirements for Windows 11, including the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, are non-negotiable. The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 2025. TPM 2.0 is essential for encrypting data, validating digital signatures, and enhancing security on Windows devices. It integrates with security features like Credential Guard, Windows Hello for Business, and BitLocker disk encryption, and supports Secure Boot. Windows 11 also requires support for virtualization-based security and hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), limiting compatibility to CPUs released from 2018 onward. Although there are workarounds for unsupported hardware, Microsoft has tightened upgrade processes and is promoting new PC purchases to encourage upgrades from Windows 10.
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