Darren Allan

Developer Justin Marshall has created a fully native Windows x64 port of Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a, originally released in 1990, that runs on Windows 10 and 11 and uses less than 1MB of RAM. The project adapts Microsoft’s publicly released source code with modern replacements for obsolete 16-bit and Win16 components. It cannot be distributed as a ready-to-install package because of the source code’s copyright restrictions, so users must compile it themselves with tools including Visual Studio, CMake and PowerShell. Although the port demonstrates how lightweight a word processor can be, its outdated file-format support and lack of security updates make it impractical for most users; TinyRetroPad and older versions of Microsoft Office are mentioned as easier alternatives.

A Reddit modder known as PhyFawkes has transplanted the Steam Deck’s motherboard, controls, speakers and battery into a 3D-printed Game Boy-style case called the SteamBoy. The prototype can run using an external monitor, but its built-in screen is not yet functional because the Steam Deck firmware must be updated with the new display’s properties; triggers are also still missing. The project reportedly runs cool with slight undervolting and has generated strong interest from gamers who say they would buy or back a finished version.

Microsoft has reportedly raised the price it charges PC manufacturers for Windows 11 licenses by 7% to 10%, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News. The increase would be larger than Microsoft's typical annual single-digit adjustment and may already be reflected in the prices of new PCs, particularly systems with faster processors. The reported software hike comes as manufacturers face rising costs for RAM, SSDs, GPUs and other components, with Acer and Asus systems in Taiwan expected to become about 5% more expensive in the third quarter of 2026. The report is based on an unnamed PC-maker executive and remains unconfirmed, but the article argues that an unusually large licensing increase would add further pressure to consumers and businesses.

Windows 11's default Weather app can consume roughly 800MB to more than 1GB of RAM, reportedly reaching 1.2GB, because it operates as a web app using multiple Chromium processes. The app also displays third-party advertisements inherited from the MSN network. The combination of high resource usage and ads is presented as an example of Windows 11's broader bloat, particularly problematic as affordable 8GB laptops return to the market. Microsoft is pursuing wider performance improvements and has promised to reduce upselling, but the article argues that removing ads and streamlining the Weather app would be an easy improvement.

The RAM shortage and associated price increases appear to be worsening, with industry warnings that the crisis could intensify through 2027 and persist into the next decade. Rising memory costs are also putting pressure on graphics-card, laptop, CPU and phone prices, while reported increases from Gigabyte, MSI and Asus suggest GPU prices may rise globally. The author recommends buying a graphics card sooner rather than later, particularly a budget or mid-range model, and considers higher-end gaming laptops a potentially sensible early purchase. RAM and SSD upgrades are harder to justify at current prices unless necessary, though reasonably priced storage or memory may still be worth buying.

Developer Humza Khalid created an open-source Windows utility for Asus Astral RTX 5080 and 5090 graphics cards that monitors per-pin 12VHPWR current and shuts down the PC if a pin exceeds 9.5 amps for 15 seconds. A future version may lower the GPU power limit more quickly instead. The tool is intended as a last line of defense rather than a substitute for properly seating the connector, and the article cautions users about installing software from an unknown developer. Its creation reflects continuing anxiety over reports of melting connectors and other failures involving Nvidia’s high-end RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs.

Rumors indicate that MSI may raise Nvidia GPU prices in China by 20% or more because of increasing GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory costs, with comparable increases potentially affecting other regions and older RTX 3000 and 4000 cards. The reports follow claims of significant Gigabyte price hikes and rising prices for Nvidia RTX 5000 cards in South Korea. Nvidia is offering limited Verified Priority Access for RTX 5070, 5080, and 5090 Founders Edition cards at MSRP at QuakeCon in Texas, but supplies are expected to sell out quickly.

A Windows 11 process called Windows Health and Optimized Experiences is not a newly introduced spyware service. It records targeted performance diagnostics locally when the system detects sluggish behavior, and the data is sent to Microsoft only if a user chooses to submit it through Feedback Hub. The controversy arose after an X user inaccurately claimed that the process continuously transmitted telemetry, but the episode reflects wider distrust caused by Microsoft's historical telemetry practices, promotional tactics and handling of Recall. Microsoft could rebuild confidence by offering Windows 11 Home users a clearly accessible zero-telemetry option, apart from essential security data.

Microsoft says it will reduce Windows 11’s memory footprint and improve performance on PCs with 8GB of RAM, alongside planned improvements to setup, family controls, and voice functionality. The move is welcomed but criticized as overdue, especially as rising RAM costs are encouraging manufacturers to sell more 8GB laptops. The piece also argues that Microsoft must address a broader Windows Update problem: hardware manufacturers can apparently distribute companion software without clear user consent, as illustrated by LG’s delivery of a McAfee pop-up through its monitor software.