driver update Archives

Winsage

November 20, 2025

Nvidia releases emergency driver update for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 — fixes reduced gaming performance driven by botched Windows updates

Nvidia released the GeForce Hotfix Display Driver 581.94 to address performance issues in certain games caused by Microsoft's mandatory patch KB5066835, which affected Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2. The update led to decreased game frame rates for some users. Nvidia recommends that gamers experiencing performance dips download the latest GPU driver. The company issued a second hotfix a week later to resolve remaining issues, including crashes and clock speed irregularities. The initial patch also caused problems with USB keyboards and mice in the Windows Recovery Environment and triggered BitLocker encryption unexpectedly. It is unclear if Intel and AMD will release their own driver updates in response to the issues caused by KB5066835, although performance problems have been reported with their GPUs as well.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

The peril of PC gaming strikes again as NVIDIA’s latest driver breaks older Forza Horizon and Forza Motorsport games

NVIDIA's latest driver update has disrupted gameplay for several older Microsoft titles, including Forza Horizon 3, Forza Motorsport 6 Apex, and Forza Motorsport 7, due to compatibility issues. Players are encountering the AP204 error, indicating GPU incompatibility with the new driver. A workaround involves using the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove the current driver and downloading the older driver version 576.88 from the NVIDIA website to restore functionality for these classic games.

Winsage

November 4, 2025

Microsoft responds to push back from users — will listen to feedback regarding new simplified naming scheme for Windows 11 updates

Microsoft introduced a new naming convention for Windows 11 updates, aiming to simplify the process for users by using clearer labels like "Security Update" or "Driver Update" without date prefixes or platform architecture. However, user feedback indicated confusion regarding the recency of updates, prompting Microsoft to reconsider these changes. The company announced it would reintegrate elements like the date into update names to provide users with a clearer understanding of the updates being installed.

Winsage

November 1, 2025

AMD’s latest Adrenalin driver update drops Windows 10 from release notes, but the company says support continues

AMD's Adrenalin Edition 25.10.2 driver update has placed the Radeon RX 5000 and RX 6000 graphics cards into "maintenance mode," but these GPUs will continue to receive day-zero game support and essential driver updates. AMD clarified that Windows 10 is still fully supported, despite initial confusion from the release notes that emphasized compatibility with Windows 11. The omission of Windows 10 in the release notes led to concerns, which AMD addressed by confirming ongoing support for the older operating system.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Windows 11 is gaining a simplified naming scheme for updates going forward

Microsoft has introduced a new naming convention for Windows updates in Windows 11 to improve clarity for users. Each update type will be labeled during download and installation, such as "Security Update" for monthly security patches and "Driver Update" for driver enhancements. The new scheme includes relevant identifiers like KB number and version, omitting unnecessary technical details. This change applies to Windows OS quality updates, .NET Framework updates, driver updates, AI component updates, and Visual Studio updates. The new naming scheme will be visible in Windows Update and the Windows Update history page, but not in the Microsoft Update Catalog or Windows Server Update Services. Users cannot disable this server-side change.

Winsage

October 24, 2025

Microsoft issues out-of-band patch for critical WSUS flaw

Microsoft has released an urgent out-of-band update to address a critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-59287) in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), affecting Windows Server versions from 2012 to 2025. This remote code execution flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code due to insecure deserialization of untrusted data. Only servers with the WSUS role enabled are at risk. Administrators unable to apply the patch should consider disabling the WSUS role or blocking inbound traffic to ports 8530 and 8531. The update is cumulative and requires a system reboot after installation. WSUS is deprecated but remains supported, with Microsoft advising a transition to alternatives like its cloud-based Intune service.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

New AMD Radeon frame gen tech could work in any game, suggests GPU driver leak

AMD has released a new version of Fluid Motion Frames in its latest driver update, aiming to improve frame generation capabilities with the upcoming FSR Redstone technology, expected to launch in late 2025. This technology is designed to leverage machine learning while being compatible with standard GPU shaders, allowing it to work across various GPUs without the need for specialized AI cores. The new Fluid Motion Frames will enable driver-level frame generation that does not require specific game support, allowing users to toggle it on or off in their driver profiles. Code references to this technology were found in the 25.20 branch of the Adrenalin drivers, indicating the potential for AMD Fluid Motion Frames 3.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

AMD just gave you the power to enable FSR 4 in loads of games yourself, no need for official support

AMD has introduced FSR 4, which can be enabled in nearly any game that supports FSR 3.1, offering improved image quality for users of AMD Radeon RX 9000 series GPUs. Gamers can toggle FSR 4 on and off through the AMD Adrenalin 25.9.1 driver update without needing a driver whitelist or official game support. FSR 4 is currently compatible with 85 games, while Nvidia's DLSS 4 technology supports over 175 titles. However, FSR 4 will not work with FSR 3.1 titles using the Vulkan API or those that use non-standard integration methods. FSR 4 utilizes machine learning-based upscaling, leveraging AI cores in RDNA 4 GPUs. Despite advancements, AMD has not yet introduced a competitive machine learning-based frame generation system like Nvidia's DLSS, and current FSR frame generation results have been mixed.

AppWizard

August 20, 2025

Microsoft wants to soothe a big pain for PC gamers: Shaders

Microsoft is introducing "advanced shader delivery" to improve the gaming experience for PC users by standardizing shader packaging. This involves creating a State Object Database (SODB) that collects shader data, which is then paired with a cloud-based compiler to form a Precompiled Shader Database (PSDB). This PSDB will be downloaded with the game, allowing for quick access to shaders without additional compilation. The feature is currently available on the Xbox gaming store, the Xbox PC app, and devices with AMD processors. Microsoft plans to extend this technology to other storefronts and game developers, and existing games will also benefit in the future. The shader cache will refresh automatically after driver updates. Further details are expected to be shared in September.

Winsage

August 5, 2025

Still stuck on Windows 10? Microsoft reveals the reasons why you can’t upgrade to Windows 11, and how to fix them

Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has been challenging for many users due to Microsoft's strict requirements, including the necessity of a TPM 2.0 chip and other high system specifications. Microsoft has introduced a pop-up notification and a support article to assist users with the upgrade process. Steps for upgrading include checking for updates in Settings, using laptop companion applications for BIOS updates, and searching for driver updates from manufacturers' websites. It is technically possible to install Windows 11 on systems that do not meet the official requirements, but users are advised to proceed with caution due to potential compatibility issues. Microsoft has acknowledged the lack of clear guidance regarding end-of-life notifications and is now providing support initiatives to help users transition to Windows 11.