driver updates Archives

Winsage

June 23, 2025

Fixing your broken Windows 11 PC is about to get even harder

Windows 11, version 24H2, now retains System Restore points for up to 60 days after the June 2025 security update, an increase from the previous retention period of 10 days. This change aims to provide users with more time to address issues following installations or updates. Users can create a System Restore point by accessing the System Protection tab in the System Properties menu, enabling the feature, and naming the restore point. System Restore points allow users to revert their system to a previous state, offering a comprehensive backup solution for applications, files, and settings.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

I used Winaero to customize Windows, and here’s how it went

Winaero Tweaker is a free application that offers a suite of tools for customizing Windows 11, organized into sections for appearance, behavior, and more. It allows users to enable or disable features such as the Copilot and automatic updates, modify Windows Explorer options, and enhance visual settings. Users can enable the classic full context menu, modify the Windows Explorer Window, resize scroll bars, and prevent Windows themes from changing mouse pointers and desktop icons. The Context Menu Tweaker allows customization of right-click options, adding shortcuts for functions like the Control Panel and Snipping Tool. Winaero also provides tools for modifying support and maintenance settings, including automatic registry backups and creating multiple System Restore points. It offers features to restore classic Windows functionalities and install legacy applications. While Winaero presents many options to enhance the user experience, users should be cautious as some features may pose security risks or performance issues. The application includes a Recent Changes feature for reviewing modifications and reverting to default settings if necessary.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Microsoft to stop pushing older Windows 11 drivers through Windows Update

Microsoft is implementing a policy change in Windows Update that will no longer display older legacy drivers when a newer version is available. This update is being rolled out but does not affect the replacement of newer drivers manually installed from Intel, AMD, or Nvidia. The initiative is described as a “periodic cleanup of drivers from Windows Update,” primarily targeting OEMs. When a driver expires and a newer version exists, the older driver will be removed from Windows Update listings. This cleanup focuses on legacy drivers, and while users may not notice significant changes, it aims to streamline the update process. Future expansions may include expired drivers without replacements, but currently, the focus is on legacy drivers with available updates. OEMs can republish expired drivers with justification. The policy will not resolve issues where manually installed drivers are replaced by older versions via Windows Update, as Windows Update drivers may have higher version numbers despite being older. The policy does not affect users on unsupported hardware, as a driver is only marked as “expired” when a new replacement is available.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

6 essential steps that Windows 11 users often miss after a fresh install

Many users overlook crucial default settings after installing Windows 11, which can lead to performance issues, privacy vulnerabilities, and complications during recovery. Key settings to configure include: 1. System Restore: This feature is disabled by default and allows users to revert system files and settings to a previous state. To enable it, users must access the System Properties page, select the main drive, click Configure, and turn on system protection. 2. BitLocker Recovery Key: Windows 11 automatically activates BitLocker on new installations. Users should back up their recovery key in their Microsoft account to avoid issues during startup. 3. Power Settings: Users should adjust power settings to prevent underperformance. This includes selecting "Best Performance" for both "Plugged in" and "On battery" modes and configuring screen and sleep timeouts. 4. Privacy Settings: Windows 11 collects diagnostic data by default. Users can enhance privacy by turning off features like "Find my device," "Personalized offers," and "Advertising ID," as well as disabling optional diagnostic data transmission. 5. Device Drivers: Users should verify that all device drivers are correctly installed, as the operating system may not install drivers for critical components. This can be checked in Device Manager, and updates can be managed through Windows Update. 6. System Backup: Establishing a backup is essential for data protection. Users can set up regular backups using the "Backup and Restore" feature by connecting an external drive and following the setup process in Control Panel.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Nvidia GPUs are broken in one of the most demanding new PC games, says developer

Nvidia users with RTX 40-series and 50-series GPUs may experience crashes when launching the Hell is Us demo, prompting Rogue Factor to recommend lowering graphics settings and disabling upscaling and frame generation options before starting the game. The developer is working on a patch ahead of the game's official release on September 4. Previous titles have also faced similar issues, with suggestions for Nvidia users to roll back driver installations due to ongoing driver stability challenges. The crashing issue is tentatively linked to Nvidia's DLSS technology, which has been implicated in crashes across various games. The system requirements for Hell is Us indicate that an RTX 4090 is necessary for 4K gameplay at 30 fps, while an RTX 2080 Ti is recommended for 60 fps at 1080p.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

‘Two firm promises of USB-C on Windows 11’ — How Microsoft plans to eliminate connectivity confusion

USB-C ports are standard on contemporary Windows laptops, but not all deliver the same performance. A recent blog post by Microsoft revealed that 27% of Windows PCs with USB4 ports experience a "limited functionality" notification when connecting peripherals. This issue arises from inconsistent USB-C implementations by manufacturers, often leaving users unaware of their ports' capabilities. To address these challenges, Microsoft is updating the Windows 11 Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) to ensure that laptops shipping with Windows 11 version 24H2 will have WHCP certification. This certification guarantees universal USB data, charging, and display support across all USB-C ports, and full compatibility for USB4 ports with 40Gbps performance with Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 peripherals. The WHCP will enforce minimum capabilities for each USB-C version, requiring USB-IF certified silicon in certified laptops, ensuring USB Power Delivery capabilities for all ports, and mandating DisplayPort Alt Mode for external display support. Additionally, a new requirement for Microsoft's driver stack will ensure PCs receive the latest USB driver updates. USB4 introduces two performance tiers: 40Gbps and 80Gbps. New laptops with USB4 connections at 40Gbps will be required to ensure compatibility with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 accessories. WHCP certification will also apply to 80Gbps USB4 ports, mandating 80Gbps transfer speeds and a specific mode for high-resolution displays. The WHCP certification will be enforced through a Hardware Lab Kit, incorporating user feedback and automated testing.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Windows 11’s new update system is a brutal reminder of where the Microsoft Store falls short

Microsoft has introduced a "unified future for app updates" through a new Windows Update orchestration platform, aiming to streamline the update process for applications, drivers, and components on personal computers. This initiative addresses the fragmented nature of traditional app and driver updates, which often burden IT administrators. In late 2024, Microsoft began testing a feature allowing the Microsoft Store to update applications not hosted on its servers, transforming it into a "one-stop shop for all app updates." The new orchestration platform supports apps and components not listed in the Microsoft Store, enhancing the update experience alongside improvements to the Microsoft Store and the Windows Package Manager.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Microsoft Releases Detailed Guide to Fix Windows Blue Screen Errors

Microsoft has released an official guide to address the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issues in Windows 11 and Windows 10, updated on May 11, 2025, following a significant global outage in July 2024 caused by a problematic CrowdStrike update. The guide categorizes troubleshooting into basic and advanced steps, highlighting common error codes like PAGEFAULTINNONPAGEDAREA (0x00000050). Approximately 75% of stop errors are attributed to faulty drivers, making driver verification essential. Basic troubleshooting includes removing recently added hardware, booting into Safe Mode, checking Device Manager for problematic components, ensuring 10-15% free disk space, installing the latest Windows Updates, and using System Restore. Advanced troubleshooting involves using Event Viewer, running Windows Memory Diagnostics, and analyzing memory dumps with WinDbg. The guide emphasizes the resource-intensive nature of Driver Verifier and suggests testing suspicious drivers in smaller groups. It also includes hardware-specific troubleshooting tips, such as checking for overheating components and performing disk diagnostics with the “chkdsk” command.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

Struggling with the latest Windows 11 update? You aren’t alone

Many users are experiencing issues with Windows 11 following a recent update, including sluggish performance, Wi-Fi connectivity problems, and blue screen errors. To troubleshoot, users should first ensure their PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, which include: - Processor: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC. - RAM: At least 4 GB. - Storage: 64 GB or more of available storage. - Firmware: UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability. - TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 must be enabled. - Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later and have a WDDM 2.0 driver. - Display: High definition (720p) display, at least 9 inches diagonally, with 8 bits per color channel. - Internet and Microsoft account: Required for initial setup of Windows 11 Home and for updates and some features on all editions. To resolve issues, users can: 1. Uninstall the latest update via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. 2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter found in Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. 3. Check for driver updates in Device Manager by looking for devices with a yellow exclamation mark. 4. Perform a System Restore through Control Panel > Open System Restore. 5. Use Microsoft's built-in repair tool "Fix problems using Windows Update" found in Settings > System > Recovery. 6. Check for known issues acknowledged by Microsoft. 7. Access advanced startup options by holding down the Shift key while clicking Restart to use Startup Repair or Command Prompt. 8. Reset the PC from the advanced recovery menu, which can reinstall Windows while preserving files or perform a clean reset. Users should back up important files before proceeding with significant troubleshooting steps.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Microsoft fixes actively exploited Windows CLFS zero-day (CVE-2025-29824)

April 2025 Patch Tuesday introduced fixes for over 120 vulnerabilities, including a critical zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-29824) that is actively exploited. CVE-2025-29824 is a user-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS), allowing privilege escalation to SYSTEM on compromised Windows machines. Microsoft has patched 32 CLFS vulnerabilities since 2022, with six exploited in the wild. Updates for Windows 10 are not yet available. Other notable vulnerabilities include CVE-2025-26663 and CVE-2025-26670, both unauthenticated user-after-free vulnerabilities in Windows LDAP, and CVE-2025-27480 and CVE-2025-27482 in Windows Remote Desktop Services. None of these vulnerabilities have been patched for Windows 10 systems, but updates are forthcoming. Microsoft reversed its decision to discontinue driver update synchronization to WSUS servers, confirming that WSUS will continue to synchronize driver updates.