diff --git a/.github/codeql/codeql-config.yml b/.github/codeql/codeql-config.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6a83a24c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/codeql/codeql-config.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+name: "CodeQL Config for eMule MorphXT"
+
+# Paths to include in analysis
+paths:
+  - srchybrid
+  - cryptopp
+  - ResizableLib
+  - ReplaceVistaIcon
+
+# Paths to exclude from analysis
+paths-ignore:
+  - "**/build/**"
+  - "**/Debug*/**"
+  - "**/Release*/**"
+  - "**/obj/**"
+  - "**/out/**"
+  - "**/external/**"
+  - "srchybrid/lang"
+  - "srchybrid/res"
+
+# Disable default queries to use custom ones
+disable-default-queries: false
+
+# Additional queries to run
+queries:
+  - uses: security-and-quality
+  - uses: security-extended
+
+# Query filters
+query-filters:
+  - exclude:
+      id: cpp/poorly-documented-function
+  - exclude:
+      id: cpp/fixme-comment
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-emule.yml b/.github/workflows/build-emule.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5ba0271aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-emule.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,167 @@
+name: Build and Test
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main, master, develop]
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [main, master, develop]
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+env:
+  SOLUTION_FILE_PATH: srchybrid/emule.sln
+  BUILD_CONFIGURATION: Release
+  BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT: srchybrid/build
+
+jobs:
+  build:
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        platform: [Win32]
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          submodules: recursive
+
+      - name: Setup MSBuild and Install MFC/ATL
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-msbuild-mfc
+      - name: Cache NuGet packages
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: ~/.nuget/packages
+          key: ${{ runner.os }}-nuget-${{ hashFiles('**/packages.lock.json', '**/packages.config') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            ${{ runner.os }}-nuget-
+
+      - name: Restore NuGet packages
+        run: nuget restore "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
+
+      - name: Build Solution
+        run: |
+          # Note: TreatWarningsAsErrors not enabled to allow gradual warning cleanup
+          $outDir = Join-Path "${{ env.BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT }}" "${{ matrix.platform }}\${{ env.BUILD_CONFIGURATION }}\Binary\"
+          msbuild /m `
+            /p:Configuration=${{ env.BUILD_CONFIGURATION }} `
+            /p:Platform=${{ matrix.platform }} `
+            /p:OutDir="$outDir" `
+            "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
+
+      - name: Verify Build Output
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $exePath = Join-Path "${{ env.BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT }}" "${{ matrix.platform }}\${{ env.BUILD_CONFIGURATION }}\Binary\emule.exe"
+          if (Test-Path $exePath) {
+            Write-Host "✓ Build successful: $exePath exists"
+            $fileInfo = Get-Item $exePath
+            Write-Host "  Size: $($fileInfo.Length) bytes"
+            Write-Host "  Modified: $($fileInfo.LastWriteTime)"
+          } else {
+            Write-Error "✗ Build failed: $exePath not found"
+            exit 1
+          }
+
+      - name: Upload Build Artifacts
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: emule-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ env.BUILD_CONFIGURATION }}
+          path: |
+            ${{ env.BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT }}/${{ matrix.platform }}/${{ env.BUILD_CONFIGURATION }}/Binary/**
+          retention-days: 30
+          if-no-files-found: warn
+
+  build-debug:
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        platform: [Win32]
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          submodules: recursive
+
+      - name: Setup MSBuild
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          # Find Visual Studio installation using vswhere (pre-installed on windows-latest)
+          $vsPath = & "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe" `
+            -latest `
+            -products * `
+            -requires Microsoft.Component.MSBuild `
+            -property installationPath
+
+          if ($vsPath) {
+            Write-Host "Found Visual Studio at: $vsPath"
+
+            # Add MSBuild to PATH
+            $msbuildPath = Join-Path $vsPath "MSBuild\Current\Bin"
+            if (Test-Path $msbuildPath) {
+              Write-Host "Adding MSBuild to PATH: $msbuildPath"
+              echo "$msbuildPath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8
+            }
+
+            # Add vswhere location to PATH for consistency
+            $vswherePath = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer"
+            echo "$vswherePath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8
+
+            # Persist the install path for later steps
+            echo "VS_INSTALL_PATH=$vsPath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Encoding utf8
+          } else {
+            Write-Error "Visual Studio installation not found!"
+            exit 1
+          }
+
+      - name: Install MFC and ATL components
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $vsInstallPath = $env:VS_INSTALL_PATH
+          if (-not $vsInstallPath) {
+            throw "Visual Studio install path was not exported from the setup step."
+          }
+          $installer = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vs_installer.exe"
+          if (-not (Test-Path $installer)) {
+            throw "Visual Studio installer not found at $installer."
+          }
+          & $installer modify `
+            --installPath $vsInstallPath `
+            --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.ATLMFC `
+            --quiet --wait
+
+      - name: Cache NuGet packages
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: ~/.nuget/packages
+          key: ${{ runner.os }}-nuget-${{ hashFiles('**/packages.lock.json', '**/packages.config') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            ${{ runner.os }}-nuget-
+
+      - name: Restore NuGet packages
+        working-directory: ${{ github.workspace }}
+        run: nuget restore "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
+
+      - name: Build Debug Configuration
+        working-directory: ${{ github.workspace }}
+        run: |
+          $outDir = Join-Path "${{ env.BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT }}" "${{ matrix.platform }}\Debug\Binary\"
+          msbuild /m `
+            /p:Configuration=Debug `
+            /p:Platform=${{ matrix.platform }} `
+            /p:OutDir="$outDir" `
+            "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
+
+      - name: Verify Debug Build Output
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $exePath = Join-Path "${{ env.BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT }}" "${{ matrix.platform }}\Debug\Binary\emule.exe"
+          if (Test-Path $exePath) {
+            Write-Host "✓ Debug build successful: $exePath exists"
+            $fileInfo = Get-Item $exePath
+            Write-Host "  Size: $($fileInfo.Length) bytes"
+            Write-Host "  Modified: $($fileInfo.LastWriteTime)"
+          } else {
+            Write-Error "✗ Debug build failed: $exePath not found"
+            exit 1
+          }
diff --git a/.github/workflows/code-quality.yml b/.github/workflows/code-quality.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..710b85258
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/code-quality.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+name: Code Quality
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main, master, develop]
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [main, master, develop]
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+env:
+  SOLUTION_FILE_PATH: srchybrid/emule.sln
+
+jobs:
+  static-analysis:
+    name: Static Analysis
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          submodules: recursive
+
+      - name: Setup MSBuild
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          # Locate the latest Visual Studio installation that includes MSBuild.
+          $vsPath = & "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe" `
+            -latest `
+            -products * `
+            -requires Microsoft.Component.MSBuild `
+            -property installationPath
+
+          if ($vsPath) {
+            Write-Host "Found Visual Studio at: $vsPath"
+
+            # Add MSBuild to PATH for subsequent steps.
+            $msbuildPath = Join-Path $vsPath "MSBuild\Current\Bin"
+            if (Test-Path $msbuildPath) {
+              Write-Host "Adding MSBuild to PATH: $msbuildPath"
+              echo "$msbuildPath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8
+            }
+
+            # Persist installer paths for later steps.
+            $vswherePath = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer"
+            echo "$vswherePath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8
+            echo "VS_INSTALL_PATH=$vsPath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Encoding utf8
+          } else {
+            Write-Error "Visual Studio installation not found!"
+            exit 1
+          }
+
+      - name: Install MFC and ATL components
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $vsInstallPath = $env:VS_INSTALL_PATH
+          if (-not $vsInstallPath) {
+            throw "Visual Studio install path was not exported from the setup step."
+          }
+          $installer = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vs_installer.exe"
+          if (-not (Test-Path $installer)) {
+            throw "Visual Studio installer not found at $installer."
+          }
+          & $installer modify `
+            --installPath $vsInstallPath `
+            --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.ATLMFC `
+            --quiet --wait
+
+      - name: Restore NuGet packages
+        run: nuget restore "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
+
+      - name: Run Code Analysis
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $outDir = Join-Path "srchybrid/build" "Win32/Release/CodeAnalysis/"
+          msbuild /m `
+            /p:Configuration=Release `
+            /p:Platform=Win32 `
+            /p:RunCodeAnalysis=true `
+            /p:CodeAnalysisRuleSet=NativeRecommendedRules.ruleset `
+            /p:OutDir="$outDir" `
+            "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
+        continue-on-error: true
+
+      - name: Upload Analysis Results
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        if: always()
+        with:
+          name: code-analysis-results
+          path: |
+            **/*.nativecodeanalysis.xml
+          retention-days: 7
+
+  lint-check:
+    name: Format Check
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Install clang-format
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y clang-format
+
+      - name: Check formatting (dry-run)
+        run: |
+          find srchybrid -type f \( -name "*.cpp" -o -name "*.h" \) | while read -r file; do
+            clang-format --dry-run --Werror "$file" 2>&1 | tee -a format-errors.txt || true
+          done
+        continue-on-error: true
+
+      - name: Show formatting issues
+        if: always()
+        run: |
+          if [ -f format-errors.txt ]; then
+            echo "Formatting issues found:"
+            cat format-errors.txt
+          else
+            echo "No formatting issues found"
+          fi
+
+  documentation-check:
+    name: Documentation Check
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Check for README updates
+        run: |
+          if [ "${{ github.event_name }}" = "pull_request" ]; then
+            BASE="${{ github.event.pull_request.base.sha }}"
+            HEAD="${{ github.event.pull_request.head.sha }}"
+          else
+            BASE="${{ github.event.before }}"
+            HEAD="${{ github.sha }}"
+          fi
+
+          if [ -z "$BASE" ]; then
+            echo "::notice::Unable to determine base revision for README comparison."
+          else
+            git fetch origin "$BASE" --depth=1 || true
+            CHANGED=$(git diff --name-only "$BASE" "$HEAD" || true)
+            if ! echo "$CHANGED" | grep -qi "readme.md"; then
+              echo "::notice::No README updates in this change."
+            fi
+          fi
+
+      - name: Check for broken links in markdown
+        uses: gaurav-nelson/github-action-markdown-link-check@v1
+        with:
+          use-quiet-mode: 'yes'
+          use-verbose-mode: 'no'
+        continue-on-error: true
+
+  dependency-check:
+    name: Dependency Review
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    if: github.event_name == 'pull_request'
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Dependency Review
+        uses: actions/dependency-review-action@v4
+        with:
+          fail-on-severity: moderate
+        continue-on-error: true
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/codeql.yml b/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
index 8dfed3bf1..1d1e9b0cc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
@@ -1,114 +1,103 @@
-# For most projects, this workflow file will not need changing; you simply need
-# to commit it to your repository.
-#
-# You may wish to alter this file to override the set of languages analyzed,
-# or to provide custom queries or build logic.
-#
-# ******** NOTE ********
-# We have attempted to detect the languages in your repository. Please check
-# the `language` matrix defined below to confirm you have the correct set of
-# supported CodeQL languages.
-#
-name: "CodeQL Advanced"
+name: "CodeQL Security Scan"
 
 on:
   push:
-    branches: [ "main", "legacy" ]
+    branches: [main, master, develop]
   pull_request:
-    branches: [ "main", "legacy" ]
+    branches: [main, master, develop]
   schedule:
-    - cron: '32 6 * * 4'
+    - cron: '0 0 * * 1'
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+env:
+  SOLUTION_FILE_PATH: srchybrid/emule.sln
 
 jobs:
   analyze:
-    name: Analyze (${{ matrix.language }})
-    # Runner size impacts CodeQL analysis time. To learn more, please see:
-    #   - https://gh.io/recommended-hardware-resources-for-running-codeql
-    #   - https://gh.io/supported-runners-and-hardware-resources
-    #   - https://gh.io/using-larger-runners (GitHub.com only)
-    # Consider using larger runners or machines with greater resources for possible analysis time improvements.
-    runs-on: ${{ (matrix.language == 'swift' && 'macos-latest') || 'windows-latest' }}
+    name: Analyze C++
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 360
+
     permissions:
-      # required for all workflows
       security-events: write
-
-      # required to fetch internal or private CodeQL packs
       packages: read
-
-      # only required for workflows in private repositories
       actions: read
       contents: read
 
-    strategy:
-      fail-fast: false
-      matrix:
-        include:
-        - language: c-cpp
-          build-mode: manual
-        # CodeQL supports the following values keywords for 'language': 'actions', 'c-cpp', 'csharp', 'go', 'java-kotlin', 'javascript-typescript', 'python', 'ruby', 'rust', 'swift'
-        # Use `c-cpp` to analyze code written in C, C++ or both
-        # Use 'java-kotlin' to analyze code written in Java, Kotlin or both
-        # Use 'javascript-typescript' to analyze code written in JavaScript, TypeScript or both
-        # To learn more about changing the languages that are analyzed or customizing the build mode for your analysis,
-        # see https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/code-scanning/creating-an-advanced-setup-for-code-scanning/customizing-your-advanced-setup-for-code-scanning.
-        # If you are analyzing a compiled language, you can modify the 'build-mode' for that language to customize how
-        # your codebase is analyzed, see https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/code-scanning/creating-an-advanced-setup-for-code-scanning/codeql-code-scanning-for-compiled-languages
     steps:
-    - name: Checkout repository
-      uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      with:
-        submodules: recursive
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          submodules: recursive
+
+      - name: Initialize CodeQL
+        uses: github/codeql-action/init@v4
+        with:
+          languages: cpp
+          config-file: ./.github/codeql/codeql-config.yml
+          queries: +security-and-quality
+
+      - name: Setup MSBuild
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          # Locate the latest Visual Studio installation that includes MSBuild.
+          $vsPath = & "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe" `
+            -latest `
+            -products * `
+            -requires Microsoft.Component.MSBuild `
+            -property installationPath
+
+          if ($vsPath) {
+            Write-Host "Found Visual Studio at: $vsPath"
 
-    # Add any setup steps before running the `github/codeql-action/init` action.
-    # This includes steps like installing compilers or runtimes (`actions/setup-node`
-    # or others). This is typically only required for manual builds.
-    # - name: Setup runtime (example)
-    #   uses: actions/setup-example@v1
+            # Add MSBuild to PATH for subsequent steps.
+            $msbuildPath = Join-Path $vsPath "MSBuild\Current\Bin"
+            if (Test-Path $msbuildPath) {
+              Write-Host "Adding MSBuild to PATH: $msbuildPath"
+              echo "$msbuildPath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8
+            }
 
-    # Initializes the CodeQL tools for scanning.
-    - name: Initialize CodeQL
-      uses: github/codeql-action/init@v4
-      with:
-        languages: ${{ matrix.language }}
-        build-mode: ${{ matrix.build-mode }}
-        # If you wish to specify custom queries, you can do so here or in a config file.
-        # By default, queries listed here will override any specified in a config file.
-        # Prefix the list here with "+" to use these queries and those in the config file.
+            # Persist installer paths for later steps.
+            $vswherePath = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer"
+            echo "$vswherePath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8
+            echo "VS_INSTALL_PATH=$vsPath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Encoding utf8
+          } else {
+            Write-Error "Visual Studio installation not found!"
+            exit 1
+          }
 
-        # For more details on CodeQL's query packs, refer to: https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/code-scanning/automatically-scanning-your-code-for-vulnerabilities-and-errors/configuring-code-scanning#using-queries-in-ql-packs
-        # queries: security-extended,security-and-quality
+      - name: Install MFC and ATL components
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $vsInstallPath = $env:VS_INSTALL_PATH
+          if (-not $vsInstallPath) {
+            throw "Visual Studio install path was not exported from the setup step."
+          }
+          $installer = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vs_installer.exe"
+          if (-not (Test-Path $installer)) {
+            throw "Visual Studio installer not found at $installer."
+          }
+          & $installer modify `
+            --installPath $vsInstallPath `
+            --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.ATLMFC `
+            --quiet --wait
 
-    # Setup MSBuild for manual build mode
-    - name: Setup MSBuild
-      uses: microsoft/setup-msbuild@v2
+      - name: Restore NuGet packages
+        run: nuget restore "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
 
-    # Install MFC and ATL components required by the project
-    - name: Install Visual Studio components (MFC, ATL)
-      shell: powershell
-      run: |
-        # Get Visual Studio installation path
-        $vsPath = & "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe" -latest -property installationPath
-        Write-Host "Visual Studio installation path: $vsPath"
-        
-        # Install MFC and ATL components separately
-        & "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vs_installer.exe" modify --installPath "$vsPath" --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.ATL --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.ATLMFC --quiet --wait
-        
-        Write-Host "MFC and ATL components installation completed"
+      - name: Build with MSBuild
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $outDir = Join-Path "srchybrid/build" "Win32/Release/CodeQL/"
+          msbuild /m `
+            /p:Configuration=Release `
+            /p:Platform=Win32 `
+            /p:OutDir="$outDir" `
+            "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
 
-    # If the analyze step fails for one of the languages you are analyzing with
-    # "We were unable to automatically build your code", modify the matrix above
-    # to set the build mode to "manual" for that language. Then modify this step
-    # to build your code.
-    # ℹ️ Command-line programs to run using the OS shell.
-    # 📚 See https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/workflow-syntax-for-github-actions#jobsjob_idstepsrun
-    - name: Build with MSBuild
-      if: matrix.build-mode == 'manual'
-      shell: cmd
-      run: |
-        echo Building eMule solution with all dependencies...
-        msbuild srchybrid\emule.sln /t:Rebuild /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform=Win32 /m
+      - name: Perform CodeQL Analysis
+        uses: github/codeql-action/analyze@v4
+        with:
+          category: "/language:cpp"
 
-    - name: Perform CodeQL Analysis
-      uses: github/codeql-action/analyze@v4
-      with:
-        category: "/language:${{matrix.language}}"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..af7f6765a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+name: Release Build
+
+on:
+  release:
+    types: [created, published]
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      version:
+        description: 'Version number (e.g., 1.0.0.0)'
+        required: true
+        default: '1.0.0.0'
+
+env:
+  SOLUTION_FILE_PATH: srchybrid/emule.sln
+  BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT: srchybrid/build
+
+jobs:
+  build-release:
+    name: Build Release (${{ matrix.platform }})
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        platform: [Win32]
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          submodules: recursive
+
+      - name: Setup MSBuild
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          # Locate the latest Visual Studio installation that includes MSBuild.
+          $vsPath = & "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe" `
+            -latest `
+            -products * `
+            -requires Microsoft.Component.MSBuild `
+            -property installationPath
+
+          if ($vsPath) {
+            Write-Host "Found Visual Studio at: $vsPath"
+
+            # Add MSBuild to PATH for subsequent steps.
+            $msbuildPath = Join-Path $vsPath "MSBuild\Current\Bin"
+            if (Test-Path $msbuildPath) {
+              Write-Host "Adding MSBuild to PATH: $msbuildPath"
+              echo "$msbuildPath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8
+            }
+
+            # Persist installer paths for later steps.
+            $vswherePath = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer"
+            echo "$vswherePath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8
+            echo "VS_INSTALL_PATH=$vsPath" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Encoding utf8
+          } else {
+            Write-Error "Visual Studio installation not found!"
+            exit 1
+          }
+
+      - name: Install MFC and ATL components
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $vsInstallPath = $env:VS_INSTALL_PATH
+          if (-not $vsInstallPath) {
+            throw "Visual Studio install path was not exported from the setup step."
+          }
+          $installer = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vs_installer.exe"
+          if (-not (Test-Path $installer)) {
+            throw "Visual Studio installer not found at $installer."
+          }
+          & $installer modify `
+            --installPath $vsInstallPath `
+            --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.VC.ATLMFC `
+            --quiet --wait
+
+      - name: Restore NuGet packages
+        run: nuget restore "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
+
+      - name: Build Release
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $outDir = Join-Path "${{ env.BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT }}" "${{ matrix.platform }}\Release\Binary\"
+          msbuild /m `
+            /p:Configuration=Release `
+            /p:Platform=${{ matrix.platform }} `
+            /p:OutDir="$outDir" `
+            "${{ env.SOLUTION_FILE_PATH }}"
+
+      - name: Verify Release Binaries
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $exePath = Join-Path "${{ env.BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT }}" "${{ matrix.platform }}\Release\Binary\emule.exe"
+          if (Test-Path $exePath) {
+            Write-Host "✓ Release build successful: $exePath"
+            $info = Get-Item $exePath
+            Write-Host "  Size: $($info.Length) bytes"
+            Write-Host "  Modified: $($info.LastWriteTime)"
+          } else {
+            Write-Error "✗ Release build failed: $exePath not found"
+            exit 1
+          }
+
+      - name: Package Release
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $artifactRoot = "emule-${{ matrix.platform }}-release"
+          $binarySource = Join-Path "${{ env.BUILD_OUTPUT_ROOT }}" "${{ matrix.platform }}\Release\Binary"
+          New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $artifactRoot | Out-Null
+          Copy-Item -Path (Join-Path $binarySource "*") -Destination (Join-Path $artifactRoot "Binary") -Recurse -Force
+          Copy-Item -Path "srchybrid\lang" -Destination (Join-Path $artifactRoot "lang") -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          Copy-Item -Path "emule\config" -Destination (Join-Path $artifactRoot "config") -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          Copy-Item -Path "emule\webserver" -Destination (Join-Path $artifactRoot "webserver") -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          Copy-Item -Path "emule\wapserver" -Destination (Join-Path $artifactRoot "wapserver") -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          Copy-Item -Path "Readme.md" -Destination $artifactRoot -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          Copy-Item -Path "emule\license.txt" -Destination $artifactRoot -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          $version = if ("${{ github.event.inputs.version }}") { "${{ github.event.inputs.version }}" } else { "${{ github.ref_name }}" }
+          @"
+eMule MorphXT
+Version: $version
+Platform: ${{ matrix.platform }}
+Build Date: $(Get-Date -Format "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss")
+Commit: ${{ github.sha }}
+"@ | Out-File -FilePath (Join-Path $artifactRoot "VERSION.txt") -Encoding utf8
+
+      - name: Create ZIP archive
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $version = if ("${{ github.event.inputs.version }}") { "${{ github.event.inputs.version }}" } else { "${{ github.ref_name }}" }
+          $zipName = "emule-${{ matrix.platform }}-$version.zip"
+          Compress-Archive -Path "emule-${{ matrix.platform }}-release\*" -DestinationPath $zipName -Force
+
+      - name: Upload Release Artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: emule-${{ matrix.platform }}-release
+          path: emule-${{ matrix.platform }}-*.zip
+          retention-days: 90
+
+      - name: Upload to Release
+        if: github.event_name == 'release'
+        uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v2
+        with:
+          files: emule-${{ matrix.platform }}-*.zip
+        env:
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+  create-installer:
+    name: Create Installer
+    needs: build-release
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    if: github.event_name == 'release'
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Download Win32 artifacts
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v6
+        with:
+          name: emule-Win32-release
+          path: ./artifacts/Win32
+
+      - name: Download x64 artifacts
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v6
+        with:
+          name: emule-x64-release
+          path: ./artifacts/x64
+
+      - name: Create installer
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          # Placeholder for installer creation using a tool such as NSIS, WiX, or InnoSetup.
+          Write-Host "Installer creation step is not yet implemented."
+
+# The "Upload Installer" step has been removed until installer creation is implemented.
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/stale.yml b/.github/workflows/stale.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6409ec325
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/stale.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+name: Mark Stale Issues and PRs
+
+on:
+  schedule:
+    - cron: '0 0 * * *'
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  stale:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      issues: write
+      pull-requests: write
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/stale@v10
+        with:
+          repo-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          stale-issue-message: |
+            This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity.
+            It will be closed if no further activity occurs within 7 days.
+            If this issue is still relevant, please comment to keep it open.
+          close-issue-message: |
+            This issue has been automatically closed due to inactivity.
+            If you believe this issue is still relevant, please reopen it or create a new issue with updated information.
+          days-before-issue-stale: 90
+          days-before-issue-close: 7
+          stale-issue-label: 'stale'
+          exempt-issue-labels: 'pinned,security,bug,enhancement,good-first-issue'
+          stale-pr-message: |
+            This pull request has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity.
+            It will be closed if no further activity occurs within 14 days.
+            If this PR is still relevant, please comment or push new commits to keep it open.
+          close-pr-message: |
+            This pull request has been automatically closed due to inactivity.
+            If you would like to continue this work, please reopen the PR or create a new one.
+          days-before-pr-stale: 60
+          days-before-pr-close: 14
+          stale-pr-label: 'stale'
+          exempt-pr-labels: 'pinned,security,work-in-progress'
+          operations-per-run: 100
+          ascending: true
+          exempt-all-assignees: true
+          remove-stale-when-updated: true
+
diff --git a/ReplaceVistaIcon/ReplaceVistaIcon.vcxproj b/ReplaceVistaIcon/ReplaceVistaIcon.vcxproj
index ea6655629..e4bbfffd5 100644
--- a/ReplaceVistaIcon/ReplaceVistaIcon.vcxproj
+++ b/ReplaceVistaIcon/ReplaceVistaIcon.vcxproj
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@
       <PrecompiledHeader>Use</PrecompiledHeader>
       <WarningLevel>Level3</WarningLevel>
       <DebugInformationFormat>EditAndContinue</DebugInformationFormat>
+      <LanguageStandard>Default</LanguageStandard>
+      <LanguageStandard_C>Default</LanguageStandard_C>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <OutputFile>$(OutDir)ReplaceVistaIcon.exe</OutputFile>
@@ -84,6 +86,8 @@
       <PrecompiledHeader>Use</PrecompiledHeader>
       <WarningLevel>Level3</WarningLevel>
       <DebugInformationFormat>ProgramDatabase</DebugInformationFormat>
+      <LanguageStandard>Default</LanguageStandard>
+      <LanguageStandard_C>Default</LanguageStandard_C>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
       <OutputFile>$(OutDir)ReplaceVistaIcon.exe</OutputFile>
diff --git a/ResizableLib/ResizableLib.vcxproj b/ResizableLib/ResizableLib.vcxproj
index c3920dd93..d8c67776d 100644
--- a/ResizableLib/ResizableLib.vcxproj
+++ b/ResizableLib/ResizableLib.vcxproj
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>Static</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>Static</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
       <EnableFiberSafeOptimizations>true</EnableFiberSafeOptimizations>
       <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
+      <LanguageStandard>Default</LanguageStandard>
+      <LanguageStandard_C>Default</LanguageStandard_C>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_AFXDLL;NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
@@ -101,6 +103,8 @@
       <WarningLevel>Level4</WarningLevel>
       <SuppressStartupBanner>true</SuppressStartupBanner>
       <DebugInformationFormat>ProgramDatabase</DebugInformationFormat>
+      <LanguageStandard>Default</LanguageStandard>
+      <LanguageStandard_C>Default</LanguageStandard_C>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_AFXDLL;_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
diff --git a/srchybrid/CxImage/cximage.vcxproj b/srchybrid/CxImage/cximage.vcxproj
index 0000eb9ef..28f64b970 100644
--- a/srchybrid/CxImage/cximage.vcxproj
+++ b/srchybrid/CxImage/cximage.vcxproj
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>Static</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>Static</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@
       <WarningLevel>Level3</WarningLevel>
       <CompileAs>Default</CompileAs>
       <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
+      <LanguageStandard>Default</LanguageStandard>
+      <LanguageStandard_C>Default</LanguageStandard_C>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_AFXDLL;NDEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
@@ -102,6 +104,8 @@
       <WarningLevel>Level3</WarningLevel>
       <DebugInformationFormat>ProgramDatabase</DebugInformationFormat>
       <CompileAs>Default</CompileAs>
+      <LanguageStandard>Default</LanguageStandard>
+      <LanguageStandard_C>Default</LanguageStandard_C>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
diff --git a/srchybrid/emule.vcxproj b/srchybrid/emule.vcxproj
index 0a5934970..da66376d5 100644
--- a/srchybrid/emule.vcxproj
+++ b/srchybrid/emule.vcxproj
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
     <UseOfMfc>Static</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
@@ -35,13 +35,13 @@
     <UseOfAtl>false</UseOfAtl>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>Static</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>v142</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>v143</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
@@ -109,6 +109,8 @@
       <PrecompiledHeader>Use</PrecompiledHeader>
       <WarningLevel>Level4</WarningLevel>
       <DebugInformationFormat>ProgramDatabase</DebugInformationFormat>
+      <LanguageStandard>Default</LanguageStandard>
+      <LanguageStandard_C>Default</LanguageStandard_C>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>_DEBUG;_UNICODE;UNICODE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
@@ -166,6 +168,8 @@
       </PrecompiledHeader>
       <WarningLevel>Level3</WarningLevel>
       <DebugInformationFormat>ProgramDatabase</DebugInformationFormat>
+      <LanguageStandard>Default</LanguageStandard>
+      <LanguageStandard_C>Default</LanguageStandard_C>
     </ClCompile>
     <ResourceCompile>
       <PreprocessorDefinitions>NDEBUG;_UNICODE;UNICODE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>