driver updates Archives

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Deprecation approaches for WSUS driver synchronization

Microsoft has announced the deprecation of driver synchronization through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), effective April 18, 2025. After this date, drivers will still be available through the Microsoft Update Catalog for on-premises environments, but importing them directly into WSUS will no longer be possible. A 2024 survey indicated that 34 percent of respondents were using WSUS for driver synchronization, with 8 percent expressing concerns about the deprecation. Alternatives to WSUS include Device Driver Packages, Microsoft Intune, and Windows Autopatch. WSUS has been included in the deprecation list since September 2024, and while it remains operational, Microsoft has stopped active development on it.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Avowed PC Technical Report – Solid Work from Obsidian: 4K@200FPS with DLAA and Max Settings

Avowed is set for release on February 18, with early access available for Premium Edition owners. The game is developed using Unreal Engine 5 and is noted for its smooth performance, impressive expansive zones, and commendable visual fidelity. It features ray-traced reflections, particularly on water, and minimal stuttering issues when a frame rate cap is applied. Obsidian has implemented a shader generation process during initial loading to enhance gameplay smoothness. The game does not currently support NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation, but a workaround for subtitle ghosting was utilized. Performance testing was conducted at 4K resolution with max settings on a high-end rig, achieving an average of 200 FPS with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation set to 4x. The visuals are striking, although there is no native HDR support, which can be enabled through a workaround. The game supports the DualSense Edge controller, and Dolby Atmos performs well. The credits reveal collaboration with several supporting studios, including the Xbox Games Technology Group.

Tech Optimizer

February 5, 2025

Avast Antivirus Statistics and Facts (2025)

Avast's global revenue for 2024 is projected to reach USD 950 million, with a growth rate of 4% compared to the previous year. The company has over 435 million active users globally, with 60% of its revenue coming from Europe and North America. Avast controls 6.5% of the global antivirus market and ranks among the top five providers in the cybersecurity industry. Its VPN services, using AES-256-bit encryption, saw a 12% increase in subscriptions. Additionally, 80% of Avast's products integrate AI and machine learning, and mobile security products account for 20% of its total revenue. Avast has raised USD 100 million in funding, bringing its valuation to USD 2,865.9 million, and partnerships with major tech companies contribute 10% of its total revenue. The company employs more than 1,800 individuals and has around 9 million weekly active users. Avast prevents nearly 1.5 billion attacks each month and has users in 59 countries. A total of 859 companies utilize Avast for organizational cybersecurity solutions, and the software is available in 45 different languages. Avast offers a 30-day free trial and has a highly accurate antivirus solution, with a 94.2% offline detection rate and a 99.5% online detection rate. Avast is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. The software features include real-time protection, Wi-Fi Inspector, CyberCapture, and email shield. Paid plans range from INR 4,144.79 (USD 49.99) to INR 6,632.17 (USD 79.99) per year. In Q1 2024, social engineering attacks were identified as the biggest threat, with scams increasing by 61% on mobile and 23% on desktop. Avast's global risk ratio was 31%, with a total of 3.52 billion blocked attacks. The company secured the fourth position in the antivirus market, with 8% paid users and 18% free users. As of July 2024, avast.com had 14.1 million visits, with the United States contributing 20.1% of the traffic. Male users made up 62.93% of visitors, and the highest percentage of users were aged 25 to 34. Organic search generated the highest traffic rate, accounting for 45.9%, while YouTube was the leading source of social media referrals.

Tech Optimizer

February 5, 2025

Avast Antivirus Statistics and Facts (2025)

Avast has a user base exceeding 435 million globally and employs over 1,800 individuals. The company’s projected global revenue for 2024 is USD 950 million, with approximately 60% generated from Europe and North America. Avast commands 6.5% of the global antivirus market and has raised USD 100 million in funding, elevating its valuation to USD 2,865.9 million. The software prevents nearly 1.5 billion attacks each month and operates in 59 countries. It is available in 45 languages and competes with brands like Symantec and McAfee. Avast's antivirus solution has a 94.2% offline detection rate and a 99.5% online detection rate. Paid plans range from INR 4,144.79 (USD 49.99) to INR 6,632.17 (USD 79.99) annually. In Q1 2024, Avast blocked 3.52 billion attacks, with social engineering attacks being the predominant threat. The website avast.com recorded 14.1 million visits in July 2024, with the United States accounting for 20.1% of total traffic. Organic search generated 45.9% of total visits, and YouTube was the leading social media referral source.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

New Windows 11 24H2 bug list: 12 reasons to avoid this update for now

On October 1, Microsoft released the 2024 update for Windows 11, named Windows 11 24H2, which includes an upgraded Copilot AI, a revamped File Explorer, and performance improvements. The update is available through the Windows Update screen or can be downloaded from Microsoft's website. However, the rollout has encountered several bugs, prompting Microsoft to temporarily halt the update for certain devices. Key issues reported include: 1. Conflicts with Ubisoft games, causing freezes or crashes. 2. Problems with the Auto HDR feature leading to incorrect color displays or unresponsive games. 3. Incompatibility with Easy Anti-Cheat software, resulting in blue screens for users with Intel's Alder Lake+ processors. 4. Blue screens due to driver incompatibilities, particularly with Intel's Smart Sound Technology and certain hardware configurations. 5. A bug causing the mouse pointer to disappear in Chromium-based applications. 6. Erratic internet connectivity issues, with some devices unable to obtain a valid IP address. 7. A time zone setting issue preventing users without administrative privileges from changing their time zone. 8. Problems with the clipboard history feature appearing empty despite copied items. 9. Network sharing issues where devices fail to appear in the network list. 10. Printer setup difficulties for users of Copilot+ PCs, particularly with HP, Canon, and Brother printers. 11. Audio output issues for users utilizing Dirac Audio technology. 12. Microsoft Outlook failing to launch for users relying on Google Workspace Sync. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and is working on patches and solutions. Users are advised to delay upgrading to the 2024 version until these problems are resolved.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Your Windows 11 PC is acting up? 4 essential settings I always check first

Windows 11 users may experience a decline in performance due to resource-heavy applications, unoptimized settings, or malware. A simple reboot can refresh the RAM and system connections. To enhance performance, users can: 1. Download the latest updates by checking the Windows Update section in Settings and installing any pending patches. Users can revert to a previous version if performance issues arise post-update. 2. Disable startup applications through the Task Manager to prevent them from launching at boot, which can improve system performance. OneDrive syncing can also be paused to reduce slowdowns. 3. Deactivate unused features, such as notifications and Transparency Effects, to free up system resources. 4. Remove malware by installing a robust antivirus program. Windows Security provides basic protection, but alternatives like Bitdefender Total Security or AVG Antivirus may offer more comprehensive security against threats.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

Final Windows 11 Dev Channel build of 2024 adds support for live captions and real-time translation to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs

Windows 11 Build 26120.2705 introduces real-time translation and live captions for Copilot+ PCs powered by AMD and Intel processors, expanding features previously exclusive to Qualcomm Snapdragon devices. Users can access these functionalities by installing the latest build and ensuring their drivers are updated through Windows Update. The live captions feature translates over 44 languages into English, enhancing communication during video calls and streamed content. Additionally, real-time translation support for Snapdragon-powered PCs now includes Chinese (Simplified), with an expanded range of supported languages.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

Using Windows 11? Change these 4 settings to keep your PC running smoothly

Windows 11 users may experience a decline in performance due to resource-heavy applications, unoptimized settings, or malware. Restarting the computer can refresh RAM and system connections. To improve performance, users should: 1. Download the latest updates: Check for updates in the Windows Update section of Settings and install any pending updates. Users can also look for optional driver updates and revert to previous versions if performance declines after an update. 2. Disable apps on startup: Manage startup applications through the Task Manager by disabling unnecessary ones, which can improve boot time and performance. Pausing OneDrive syncing may also help. 3. Deactivate unused features: Evaluate and disable unused features, such as notifications and Transparency Effects, to free up system resources. 4. Remove malware: Install a reliable antivirus program for protection against malware. Windows Security provides basic protection, but alternatives like Bitdefender Total Security and AVG Antivirus offer more comprehensive security options.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

Intel driver 23.100.0 adds improved Wi-Fi sensing to Windows 11 / Windows 10

Windows 11 and Windows 10 users can benefit from Intel's driver update version 23.100.0, which enhances Wi-Fi connectivity and improves the detection of Wi-Fi networks, particularly on Windows 11 devices like the Spectre. The update includes a new refresh button for Windows 11 24H2 users, although it does not significantly speed up detection. Windows 10 users do not have this refresh option. The update also optimizes Intel adapters for better performance with Wi-Fi 6 technology and includes various security enhancements. Users can obtain the update through Windows Update or the Driver and Support Assistant tool. Additionally, Microsoft has warned of potential BSOD issues for Windows 11 24H2 users with outdated audio drivers, advising the use of the latest drivers for improved performance.

Winsage

December 17, 2024

How to update audio drivers on Windows 11

Updating audio device drivers on Windows 11 is essential for optimal performance and resolving issues like crackling sounds or audio loss. To update audio drivers from Settings: 1. Open Settings. 2. Click on Windows Update. 3. Navigate to Advanced options. 4. Click on Optional updates under Additional options. 5. Select Driver updates. 6. Check for available audio driver updates. 7. Click Download & install. To update audio drivers from Device Manager: 1. Download drivers from the manufacturer's support website and extract the files. 2. Open Start and search for Device Manager. 3. Expand Audio inputs and outputs. 4. Right-click the "Speakers" device and select Update driver. 5. Choose Browse my computer for drivers. 6. Click Browse and select the folder with the audio driver files. 7. Ensure Include subfolders is checked and click Next, then Close. To reinstall audio drivers: 1. Open Start and search for Device Manager. 2. Expand Audio inputs and outputs. 3. Right-click the "Speakers" device and choose Uninstall device. 4. Click Uninstall and restart your computer. 5. (Optional) Open Settings, click on Windows Update, navigate to Advanced options, and check for audio driver updates. After following these steps, the updated or reinstalled drivers should be successfully installed on your system.