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Microsoft just broke custom folder icons in Windows, and the reason is a bug from 2003
Winsage
July 6, 2026

Microsoft just broke custom folder icons in Windows, and the reason is a bug from 2003

Microsoft has updated Windows to stop trusting untrusted desktop.ini files, a change aimed at addressing a long-standing security vulnerability that has existed since 2003. This decision affects the display of custom folder icons, as Windows will now ignore customization metadata from potentially unsafe sources. Users can still use custom folder icons if the desktop.ini file and icon resources come from trusted locations. A workaround allows users to manually create a desktop.ini file with the desired icon while following new security protocols.
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.
Best Antivirus for Windows XP: Options That Still Work
Tech Optimizer
July 3, 2026

Best Antivirus for Windows XP: Options That Still Work

Finding a reliable antivirus solution for Windows XP is challenging due to the lack of support since 2014. Major antivirus vendors have withdrawn compatibility, leaving limited options. Panda Security continues to support Windows XP with its Panda Dome antivirus, which offers real-time protection and a cloud-based engine. Antivirus software can block known malware, flag suspicious activity, and stop recognized threats, but it cannot patch the operating system itself. Users have fewer choices for protection as new vulnerabilities emerge. Several antivirus tools compatible with Windows XP include: - Panda Dome: Actively maintained, offers real-time protection, free and paid plans available. - Avast (v18.8): Limited support, last updates in October 2024, free legacy version only. - AVG (v9): Discontinued in 2019, operates offline, free legacy version only. - ClamWin: Open-source, actively maintained, no real-time protection, free. - 360 Total Security: Active legacy version, multi-engine approach, real-time protection, free and premium options. - Malwarebytes (legacy): Only older versions support XP, best as a supplement, free legacy version. - VirIT eXplorer Lite: Actively maintained, free lite version with real-time protection. Choosing the right antivirus requires consideration of internet connectivity, hardware age, update status, and whether to use free or paid options. For most users, Panda Dome is recommended for its active support and real-time protection. To enhance security on Windows XP, users should keep machines offline when possible, use ad blockers, be cautious with emails and links, avoid fake antivirus downloads, transfer files via USB from modern computers, and keep third-party software updated.
'Pure old-school Windows': Ex-Microsoft engineer shrinks down Notepad to 2.5 kilobytes with 'no bloat, no telemetry, no nonsense'
Winsage
July 1, 2026

‘Pure old-school Windows’: Ex-Microsoft engineer shrinks down Notepad to 2.5 kilobytes with ‘no bloat, no telemetry, no nonsense’

A former Microsoft software engineer, Dave Plummer, has launched TinyRetroPad, a minimalist text editing application designed as an alternative to the increasingly complex Notepad. TinyRetroPad is a fork of Tiny Editor, which was based on Plummer's earlier project, HelloAssembly. The application aims to provide a simple and efficient user experience, reminiscent of earlier Windows versions, by utilizing existing Windows components to maintain a small footprint. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with Notepad's growing complexity, prompting a search for lightweight alternatives. TinyRetroPad offers a compact interface without unnecessary features or telemetry.
Former Microsoft engineer shrinks Notepad down to size
Winsage
July 1, 2026

Former Microsoft engineer shrinks Notepad down to size

Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, has created TinyRetroPad, a minimalist text editor that is only 2.5 kilobytes in size. It aims to provide a simple text editing experience, reminiscent of older software like Notepad, which has become bloated over time with unnecessary features. TinyRetroPad includes essential functions such as Open and Save As dialogs, font selection, and printing capabilities, while using assembly language and the RICHEDIT50W from the WinAPI. The application requires more system resources to run effectively but focuses on maintaining lean code and binaries.
PC Game Pass: Rethink buying games
AppWizard
June 29, 2026

PC Game Pass: Rethink buying games

PC Game Pass from XBOX offers access to over 500 high-quality PC games for a monthly fee of .90. It includes new releases available on launch day, classic AAA titles, and indie games, allowing players to explore various genres without the need for an XBOX console. Gamers can download and play multiple titles simultaneously, with no restrictions on installations. The library features popular games like Forza Horizon 6, EA SPORTS FC 26, Age of Empires IV, and Minecraft. PC Game Pass is part of a tiered subscription model, with trial promotions available for the first 14 days. Game Pass Ultimate offers additional benefits, including access to Ubisoft+ Classics and online multiplayer features.
Marathon players are amassing way too much loot in Season 2, and the primary cause is a mystery: 'We're still unravelling the source'
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Marathon players are amassing way too much loot in Season 2, and the primary cause is a mystery: ‘We’re still unravelling the source’

Season 2 of Marathon began with technical issues and a free-to-play week, but introduced new features like the Night-time Dire Marsh map and Sponsored Survival mode. Players experienced unexpected ease in progression, leading to an influx of treasures and a disrupted in-game economy. Bungie acknowledged that player progression and access to power in Season 2 moved much faster than in Season 1, with players accumulating wealth comparable to weeks 11 and 12 of Season 1 by the second week of Season 2. Contributing factors included bugs causing guaranteed gold drops, early access to Sponsored Kits, and lucrative chests in the Complex Control area. Bungie is investigating the source of excessive loot, as it was not observed in internal playtests. Temporary adjustments have been made, such as disabling boosted containers and reducing Cradle XP rates, with plans to reinstate previous conditions later in the season.
This 1986 Japanese adventure game showing up on Steam in 2026 guarantees it makes my GOTY list—you've really got to play it
AppWizard
June 20, 2026

This 1986 Japanese adventure game showing up on Steam in 2026 guarantees it makes my GOTY list—you’ve really got to play it

Pasokon Retro highlights the rediscovery of the action-adventure game Relics, originally released in 1986 by Bothtec for platforms like MSX and PC-88/98. The game features distinctive blue and yellow graphics and a modest frame rate, offering players a unique experience filled with bizarre scenarios. Players encounter various challenges, including character deaths that require restarts, and the game’s design allows for different outcomes based on player choices. Relics concludes in a cyclical manner, emphasizing exploration and personal growth. It has recently debuted on Steam, inviting new players to engage with its unconventional gameplay.
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