Devs blame Windows for VLC media player bug that causes 33-second delay when playing MP3 files — creators allege Microsoft Defender blocking plugin cache is to ...

xda-developers.com/open-source-apps-that-survived-every-productivity-trend/

Credibility C

Oct 12

6 forgotten open-source apps that survived every productivity trend by keeping things simple

Key FactsSix older open-source apps the author still uses

Oct 2, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com

The author uses Everything on Windows, where it indexes files within seconds for rapid filename searches.

The author uses 7-Zip through File Explorer to package files or open archives without launching a separate application.

The author uses Ditto’s clipboard history to retrieve earlier text and files while writing and researching.

WinDirStat gives the author a visual drive breakdown, making unusually large files and folders easier to identify.

There is something valuable about software that simply stays useful without constantly trying to reinvent itself.
— Yash, author of the article, explaining why durable software endures.

2 similar articles

xda-developers.com/vlc-painfully-slow-windows-11-pc-change-this-setting/

Oct 03

VLC was painfully slow on my Windows 11 PC until I found what was throttling it: It turns out VLC wasn't to blame at all; it was Microsoft all along

Key FactsVideoLAN Links Slow VLC Launches to Defender Bug

Sep 29, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com

On August 12, VideoLAN highlighted the problem and said a Defender update had quarantined VLC’s plug-in cache.

On affected PCs, VLC sometimes took around 15 seconds to launch, according to the author.

When the article was published, Microsoft had not released a patch for the Defender bug.

Users can regenerate VLC’s cache and exclude the VideoLAN or VLC folder from Defender scans.

3 similar articles

xda-developers.com/replaced-microsoft-default-windows-apps-with-open-source-alternatives-and-never-looked-back/

Oct 01

I replaced Microsoft’s default Windows apps with open-source alternatives and never looked back

Key FactsAuthor replaces Windows defaults with open-source alternatives

Oct 1, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com

The author finds Files more modern and lightweight than File Explorer, with tabs, dual-pane viewing, and customizable sidebars.

According to the author, Zen fits better than Edge, is Firefox-based, and offers Workspaces, Compact Mode, and Split View.

The author says ImageGlass opens images faster than Photos, while VLC supports many formats and advanced playback controls.

According to the author, OnlyOffice edits DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files offline; Syncthing syncs files directly between his devices.

xda-developers.com/i-replaced-vlc-with-faster-open-source-alternative-i-wish-i-did-it-sooner/

Sep 24

I replaced VLC with a leaner open-source player, and I'm not going back: It runs circles around VLC, and then some

xda-developers.com/lightweight-tools-i-install-before-anything-else-on-a-new-pc/

Sep 21

6 lightweight tools I install before anything else on a new PC: You shouldn't live without these

xda-developers.com/20-year-old-windows-utilities-that-still-do-things-windows-11-cant/

Sep 15

4 20-year-old Windows utilities that still do things Windows 11 can't: These old-school utilities will do what you want it to.

Key FactsFour Older Tools Address Windows 11 Gaps

Aug 17, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com

Autoruns lists all startup locations Windows checks during boot and sign-in, providing more detail than Task Manager.

WinDirStat analyzes connected drives, visualizes storage use down to individual files, and can identify duplicates and produce CSV reports.

Ditto expands Windows 11's clipboard from 25 entries capped at 4MB each to a default capacity of up to 500 saved items and can retain content longer.

According to the article, VLC plays DVDs, Blu-rays, and rare file formats that Windows 11 Media Player does not support or requires an additional codec extension to handle.

Microsoft does a great job of adding new features to Windows 11. However, most of them, users don't want or need. Copilot is the low-hanging fruit of needless junk that has invaded virtually all aspects of Windows 11.
— Brian Burgess, author of the XDA-Developers article about Windows 11 features and long-running utilities

xda-developers.com/lightweight-tools-i-install-before-anything-else-on-a-new-pc/

Sep 06

6 lightweight tools I install before anything else on a new PC: You shouldn't live without these

Key FactsSix lightweight tools the author installs first

Sep 6, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com

According to the author, VLC reliably plays various video formats on macOS and can play DVDs on Windows.

For large screens, the author uses window managers, mentioning FancyZones, MacsyZones, and Tiling Shell.

Flow Launcher on Windows and Raycast on macOS search for apps, files, and additional information through extensions.

Everything indexes Windows files within seconds, updates results instantly, and integrates with Flow Launcher.

VLC is a must-have.
— From the article's author, João Carrasqueira, describing why VLC is essential on Mac for playing videos across formats (noting that QuickTime can't play exported MP4s).

pcgameshardware.de

Aug 19

VLC sometimes takes 30 seconds to start under Windows 11: VLC can sometimes take an unusually long time to start on the first launch under Windows 11 ...

pcgameshardware.de/Windows-Software-277633/News/Win-11-Defender-VLC-Start-verzoegert-1551457/

Key FactsVideoLAN suspects Defender behind delayed VLC starts on Windows 11

Aug 19, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: pcgameshardware.de

User reports describe waits of roughly 10 to more than 30 seconds when launching VLC or opening an MP3 file for the first time, while later launches may be faster.

According to VideoLAN, Microsoft Defender may quarantine the plugins.dat file after a Windows 11 update, forcing VLC to rescan its plug-ins; Microsoft has not confirmed this.

The findings are inconsistent: Tom's Hardware and PCGH could not reproduce the delay, while Windows Central measured about five seconds initially and less than one second after excluding VLC from Defender scans.

VideoLAN cites reinstalling VLC or rebuilding the plug-in cache as possible approaches, while several reports found that excluding VLC reduced startup times but weakened the antivirus scanner’s protection.

winfuture.de/news,160632.html

WinFuture.de Aug 15

After Criticism of Slow Player: VLC Developers Blame Windows: When the VLC player takes over 30 seconds to play a simple MP3 file, it’s a major source of ...

androidauthority.com/windows-phone-link-notification-preview-3693965/

androidauthority.com

Aug 03

Windows is testing a new way to preview Android phone notifications: Microsoft is rolling out a test of a new Phone Link experience that gives you more ...

Key FactsSix Small Open-Source Alternatives for Windows 11

Aug 3, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com

ShareX is presented as a configurable alternative to Snipping Tool and, in version 17.1.0, requires a little over 50 MB to download and 181 MB after installation.

Notepad++ expands basic text editing with tabs, syntax highlighting, and Markdown support, while Windows reports that it uses just over 17 MB after installation.

Flow Launcher speeds up app launches and web searches, can be extended with plug-ins, and occupies about 200 MB after installation according to Windows.

KDE Connect synchronizes notifications and files with smartphones, LocalSend transfers files across platforms on a local network, and VLC plays numerous media formats; their Windows downloads are about 81 MB, under 15 MB, and 43 MB respectively.

"tiny" is subjective, but I aimed to include the smallest apps I could find that still offer a great experience.— The article's author explains that the term 'tiny' is subjective and that they aimed to include the smallest apps possible that still offer a good experience.

2 similar articles

neowin.net

Jul 19

How to install apps on your Windows 11 PC with Windows Package Manager (winget): Learn how to use Windows Package Manager (winget) to search for, install ...

neowin.net/guides/how-to-install-apps-on-your-windows-11-pc-with-windows-package-manager-winget/

Key FactsStreamlined App Installation via Windows Package Manager

Jul 19, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: neowin.net

Windows Package Manager (winget) provides a centralized command-line interface to install thousands of apps quickly.

The tool comes preinstalled on Windows 11, recent Windows 10 versions, and Windows Server 2025 editions.

Users can search, install, update, or uninstall applications like VLC using concise winget commands.

Installation locations can be customized for certain apps, enhancing user control over app deployment.

xda-developers.com/best-potplayer-features-that-will-have-you-uninstalling-vlc-in-no-time/

Jul 08

I replaced VLC with PotPlayer, and these 5 fantastic features convinced me not to go back

2 similar articles

xda-developers.com/repalced-vlc-free-windows-11-media-player-absolutely-beautiful/

Apr 03

I replaced VLC with this free Windows 11 media player and it's absolutely beautiful

xda-developers.com/6-powerful-linux-tools-that-make-windows-alternatives-look-outdated/

Mar 01

6 powerful Linux tools that make Windows alternatives look outdated: There are some quality Linux tools out there that make Windows alternative look featureless.

heise.de/news/VLC-mit-offizieller-Windows-on-ARM-Version-11140196.html

heise online

Jan 16

VLC with official Windows-on-ARM version: VLC Media Player 3.0.23 is officially available natively for Windows on ARM platforms. It includes further improvements ...

tomshardware.com/software/windows/these-are-the-top-six-free-windows-tools-that-i-use-on-a-daily-basis

tomshardware.com

Sep 17 25

These are the top free Windows tools that I use on a daily basis to boost my productivity

xda-developers.com/lightweight-tools-install-before-anything-else-new-pc/

Sep 10 25

6 lightweight tools I install before anything else on a new PC: Some apps are useful; others are essential. These are the ones I always install before anything ...