Nvidia has rolled out the GeForce Hotfix Display Driver 581.94, addressing performance issues that emerged in certain games following the installation of Microsoft’s mandatory patch KB5066835. This update, released in October, impacted systems running Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, leading to a noticeable decrease in game frame rates for some users, as reported by Windows Latest.
Performance Fixes and Recommendations
Given the nature of this cumulative update, future Windows patches may also encounter similar performance challenges. Therefore, Nvidia strongly advises gamers experiencing performance dips post-update to promptly download and implement the latest GPU driver. While Nvidia noted that only a subset of games was affected, the severity of the issue warranted a swift hotfix rather than waiting for the next scheduled driver update.
The complexity of GPU drivers cannot be overstated, as Nvidia must navigate an extensive array of hardware and software configurations. Typically, driver updates are synchronized with significant hardware launches and game releases, following rigorous testing protocols. However, the urgency of the situation led Nvidia to issue a hotfix outside its regular timeline.
In a proactive response, Nvidia released a second hotfix just a week later to tackle remaining issues, including crashes and clock speed irregularities. The initial patch also caused problems such as rendering USB keyboards and mice unusable in the Windows Recovery Environment and inadvertently triggering BitLocker, which encrypts hard drives without prior warning. Fortunately, Nvidia acted swiftly to rectify the disruptions caused by the Windows Update.
As for Intel and AMD, it remains uncertain whether they will follow suit with their own driver updates to counteract the effects of KB5066835. Neither company has publicly acknowledged any issues related to this Windows Update, although Windows Latest has indicated that performance problems are also affecting GPUs from both manufacturers due to this particular patch.
