Open Source
The latest Open Source coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
NTDEV's Nano11 Builder Produces 2.29GB Windows 11 ISOs – But Removes Windows Update
A new open-source tool called Nano11 Builder can compress a standard Windows 11 installation image down to a mere 2.29 GB, a 67% reduction from the original 7.04 GB ISO. The builder, created by...
XL Converter Puts AVIF and JPEG XL Within Reach for Windows Users
A free and open-source utility called XL Converter is quietly reshaping how Windows and Linux users approach image optimization, packing support for next-generation formats like JPEG XL and AVIF into...
Flyoobe Installs Windows 11 on Unsupported PCs Sans Bloatware and Copilot Nags
Flyoobe, the open-source successor to Flyby11, now lets users upgrade obsolete Windows 10 machines to a slimmed-down Windows 11—stripping out Copilot and default bloatware before the desktop even...
From Obsidian to Joplin: One User’s Journey to a Truly Open-Source, Low-Maintenance Notes App
After years of painstakingly building a knowledge base in Obsidian, one user faced growing pains—sluggish performance, subscription costs for sync, and hours lost to maintenance. The solution? A...
Bill Gates' Earliest Code Hits GitHub: Microsoft Open-Sources 6,955 Lines of 6502 BASIC Assembly
Microsoft has taken a rare step into its pre-history by releasing the original assembly source code for the 6502-targeted BASIC interpreter that powered millions of early home computers. The...
FlyOOBE Turns Unsupported PCs into Lean, Customized Windows 11 Machines
An open-source tool called FlyOOBE is rewriting the rules of Windows 11 deployment by enabling installations on hardware Microsoft deems incompatible—and stripping out unwanted apps from the...
Nova Launcher’s Last Dev Leaves, Open Source Promise Uncertain; Microsoft Launcher Stagnates, What’s Next?
Kevin Barry, the founder and sole remaining developer of Nova Launcher, has left Branch Metrics after being told to halt work on making the launcher open source, leaving one of Android’s most...
6 Free Windows Apps That Break the Built-In App Bottleneck
Microsoft ships Windows 11 with a respectable suite of default apps—Snipping Tool, Clipboard History, Photos, Edge’s PDF handler, Windows Search, and Media Player—but for anyone who pushes past...
Windows 11’s Default Apps Are Slowing You Down: Here Are 6 Free Replacements to Supercharge Your Workflow
The Snipping Tool, Photos app, and Windows Search are familiar faces on any Windows 11 PC—but familiarity doesn’t mean efficiency. While these built-ins handle the basics, they often stumble when...
Nobara 42: Gaming on Linux Made Easy, But Secure Boot Takes a Backseat
Nobara 42 has arrived, and it’s the Fedora-based distribution that’s tailor-made for gamers who want to jump from Windows to Linux without the usual setup slog—but it achieves that convenience...
Community-Built Files 4.0 Delivers Omnibar, Split Panes, and Git Integration to Windows
Files 4.0, the open-source Windows file manager, just hit a major milestone with a release that packs an Omnibar with command palette, dual-pane navigation, tags, and developer tools into a free...
Debian 13.1 Trixie Point Release Delivers 71 Bug Fixes and 16 Security Patches for Smoother Linux Deployments
The Debian Project shipped the first point release for Debian 13 “Trixie” on September 6, 2025, aggregating 71 bug fixes and 16 security patches into fresh installation media and a repository...