driver Archives

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Another Nvidia GPU driver has issues, causing up to 16% drops in performance

Nvidia's driver version 595.71 has introduced performance issues, limiting core clock speeds, voltage levels, and power outputs, resulting in performance drops of up to 16%. The update, released on March 2, aimed to fix problems from the previous version 595.59 but has negatively impacted overclocked graphics cards. For example, an RTX 5090 that previously achieved clock speeds over 3,100MHz now struggles to maintain speeds above 3,000MHz. Benchmark tests showed the older driver (591.74) achieving 171fps compared to 144fps with the new driver. Users are advised to revert to an earlier driver version from the 591 series to restore performance.

Winsage

March 2, 2026

Windows 11 tops market share as 10 faces extended farewell

Recent data from Statcounter indicates that Windows 11 has a market share of 72.57 percent, while Windows 10 holds 26.45 percent. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 has surpassed one billion users. Statcounter's data is collected from over 1.5 million websites and may be subject to revision. Microsoft will discontinue support for many versions of Windows 10 in October 2025, leading some organizations to consider Extended Security Updates (ESU), which can incur additional costs. Windows Server 2016 has a 20.3 percent share among monitored servers, and Windows 10 2016 LTSB accounts for 0.5 percent of Windows devices, making up 19.8 percent within the LTSC/LTSB category. The higher usage of LTSC/LTSB is attributed to special-purpose devices in consumer and retail sectors, which face stricter upgrade protocols.

Winsage

February 28, 2026

Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?

The handheld PC market is currently divided between powerful Windows devices, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, and Steam OS-powered devices that focus on gaming immersion. Steam OS allows users to access their game libraries immediately upon booting, providing a distraction-free experience. In performance comparisons, devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S show a 69% speed increase on SteamOS (39 fps) compared to Windows (23 fps), while the ROG Ally X can see a 32% performance boost with SteamOS. Battery life differs significantly, with the Steam Deck offering 3 to 6 hours of gameplay versus the ROG Ally X's 2 to 4 hours, despite the latter having a larger battery. Windows handhelds provide compatibility with various gaming platforms but suffer from inefficiencies due to background processes that consume CPU resources. Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience attempts to improve usability but does not resolve the underlying issues. Windows handhelds typically have 8GB or 16GB of VRAM, which may be insufficient for future games, while SteamOS's lighter footprint allows for better VRAM allocation, enhancing performance. SteamOS is gaining traction not necessarily due to technical superiority but because of its efficiency in addressing the unique constraints of handheld gaming.

Winsage

February 26, 2026

Windows Update KB5077241 February 2026 Issues Nvidia GPU Bugs Task Manager Errors and ViVeTool Guide

Windows Update KB5077241, released in February 2026, is a 4.5GB feature update for the 24H2 and 25H2 versions. It poses significant performance risks for older hardware, particularly laptops and desktops without a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Users with outdated Nvidia graphics cards, specifically the 900 Series (Maxwell) and 1000 Series (Pascal), report issues such as game stuttering, screen flickering, and system boot failures. The update also contains a flaw that inaccurately displays CPU usage in Task Manager, showing 0% utilization even under load. Many users face installation issues, encountering Error 0x800F0983, requiring them to delete update cache files and run repair tools. The update introduces features like a Taskbar Speed Test, Sysmon Security, improved Sleep/Wake functionality, and WebP wallpaper support, but many remain locked. Users can enable these features using ViVeTool with specific commands. Overall, the update is advised against for those with older Nvidia GPUs due to potential conflicts and performance issues.

Winsage

February 26, 2026

Microsoft Won’t Kill Support For Your Legacy Printer In Windows 11 After All

Microsoft has confirmed that if an older printer is currently functioning within the Windows ecosystem, it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The company clarified that it has not ended support for legacy printer drivers, despite earlier indications that V3 and V4 drivers would no longer be supported starting in January. However, as of January 15, 2026, new legacy drivers will be approved on a case-by-case basis for Windows Update.

Winsage

February 26, 2026

PoC Published for Microsoft Windows Flaw That Allows Low-Privileged Users to Force Irrecoverable BSODs

Security researchers have developed a working Proof of Concept (PoC) exploit for a vulnerability in the Windows kernel, identified as CVE-2026-2636, which allows low-privileged users to induce a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), resulting in a Denial of Service. This vulnerability is linked to the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS) driver, specifically the CLFS.sys component, and arises from improper handling of invalid or special elements within CLFS (CWE-159). The PoC demonstrates that a non-administrative user can trigger the bug by executing a crafted ReadFile operation on a handle linked to an opened .blf log file without the expected I/O Request Packet (IRP) flags set. This leads to a critical inconsistency in the driver, causing Windows to invoke the kernel routine KeBugCheckEx, which results in a BSoD. The CVE-2026-2636 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (Medium) and poses a high impact on availability, allowing any authenticated user to crash the host reliably. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability in the September 2025 cumulative update, protecting systems running Windows 11 2024 LTSC and Windows Server 2025 by default. However, older or unpatched builds remain vulnerable. Organizations are advised to verify the deployment of the September 2025 updates, prioritize patching multi-user systems, and monitor for unusual spikes in BSoD events.

Winsage

February 26, 2026

Windows Could Be the Reason Your Printer Refuses to Cooperate

Microsoft has phased out support for older V3 and V4 printer drivers in Windows 11, marking them as deprecated since September 2023. While printers using these drivers will still function, they will no longer receive automatic updates through Windows Update, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. User feedback is mixed, with some appreciating the move towards modern driver architecture and others concerned about manufacturers' ability to adapt.

Tech Optimizer

February 25, 2026

Fix “kernel security check failure”: Step-by-step guide

The "kernel security check failure" error on Windows indicates corruption in critical system memory or internal data structures, triggering a bug check to prevent further damage. It is marked by the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) displaying the message “KERNELSECURITYCHECK_FAILURE” and stop code 0x139. Causes include outdated or incompatible drivers, corrupted system files, faulty RAM, disk errors, third-party software conflicts, faulty Windows updates, overclocking, and malware threats. Common fixes involve updating Windows and drivers, scanning for corrupted files, using Check Disk (CHKDSK), running Windows Memory Diagnostic, and performing System Restore. If unresolved, a clean installation of Windows may be necessary. Regular updates and avoiding unnecessary software installations can help prevent future occurrences.

Winsage

February 24, 2026

Windows 11 27H2: Microsoft splits the Canary channel – Is the big overhaul finally coming?

The software department in Redmond is preparing for a significant update named 27H2, set for 2027, aimed at addressing legacy issues from older Windows versions. The Windows Insider Program is currently testing the 28000 series, with a notable shift to the 29500 build series indicating a "platform lift" that includes enhancements to the kernel and hardware abstraction layer (HAL). Microsoft plans to phase out VBScript and WordPad, eliminate support for outdated printer driver architectures and certain legacy file systems, and adopt a "core OS" approach to optimize performance for AI technologies. This update is seen as a strategic retreat from the idea of "Windows 12," focusing on stability and a comprehensive overhaul of the underlying architecture while avoiding market fragmentation. However, there are concerns that substantial changes could render older hardware or specialized software obsolete.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

New report says older games like CS2 and League of Legends take up 35% of PC playtime, but Roblox reigns supreme

The gaming industry is experiencing significant changes, with a few major titles dominating player engagement. The "big five" PC games—Counter-Strike, Fortnite, Minecraft, League of Legends, and Roblox—account for 35% of player hours, while older titles make up about 10%. In 2025, newly released games, including annual franchises like Call of Duty, represented only 14% of player hours on Steam. A large portion of PC gamers, 45%, engage with games that are one to seven years old, and 41% play titles that are eight years or older. Despite challenges, industry revenue has been maintained or grown through price increases rather than expanding the player base. Roblox has emerged as a significant market driver, representing over 4.5% of non-China spending and accounting for 67% of net growth in 2025. Developers on Roblox are earning over 0 million annually, with a 70% year-on-year growth. Titles like Grow a Garden have surpassed engagement metrics for Blizzard's games, and others have outperformed Valve's Dota 2. The anticipated release of GTA 6 could signal a new era, although its 2026 launch is uncertain.