MicroChat is an open-source and ultra-light chat framework, written on pure C with raw WinAPI. No heavy libraries and extra dependencies.
Project is feature-complete and frozen.
No features are plannced, but t serves as a stable, lightweight baseline and framework for chat applications.
- No dependencies: Works everywhere (Windows 2000 - Windows 11).
- Lightweight: Single-file executable, low memory footprint.
- Pure C implementation: No external libraries beyond standard Win32 API
- Open source: Fully transparent, easy to audit or extend.
- Cross-version compatible: Designed to run on legacy and modern systems.
Security Notice: MicroChat transmits all data in plain text by default.
If you plan to fork or extend it, it is strongly recommended to add your own encryption layer (XOR/AES/custom protocol).
- Compiler:
- GCC/MinGW-w64 (via MSYS2 or Cygwin) - recommended for MicroChat builds.
- Resource Editing Tool:
- Resource Hacker (optional) - required only if you want to customize connection dialog or icons (not used in build process anymore).
- Basic Skills:
- Knowledge of CMD/CLI navigation.
- Intermediate understanding of C programming, WinAPI and WinSock.
- Build Environment:
- Any Windows OS starting from Windows 7 (Win 7, 10, 11 recommended for build tools).
- Testing Environment:
- Virtual Machines preferred: 2000, XP, 7 through 11.
- Download or clone this repository.
- Run
build.bat. Make sure you have GCC in PATH.
Using Resource Hacker you also can add:
- Your icon (Action -> Add an Image or Other Binary Resource)
- Your version info (Action -> Add using Script Template)
- And anything else.
Build anything from this raw engine:
- Copy
microchat.cinto your project. - Adapt: Change the port, swap the UI (Qt/WPF/Console), or strip it for a library.
- Customize: Implement your own protocol, encryption, or binary data handling.
- Build & Deploy: Compile with GCC/MSVC and run anywhere.
This application is distributed under MIT license. Explore, learn, enhance.
Created by WinXP655, 2025-2026