Intel Archives

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign: Can Your PC Run the Gothic Multiplayer Action?

Elden Ring Nightreign is set to launch on May 30, 2025, for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, with a base price of .99 and a deluxe edition priced at .99. The game will introduce co-op multiplayer elements and emphasize multiplayer combat, where teams must defeat a boss within a limited timeframe. The minimum system requirements include Windows 10 (64-bit), AMD Ryzen 5 5500 or Intel Core i5-10600 CPU, 12GB RAM, AMD Radeon RX 580 (4GB) or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (3GB) GPU, and 30GB of available storage. The recommended specs are Windows 11 (64-bit), AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-11500 CPU, 16GB RAM, AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (8GB) or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB) GPU, and 30GB of available storage. The game will support various controllers and is expected to use third-party DRM through GuardIT, though Steam Deck compatibility is yet to be confirmed.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Microsoft: Windows Server hotpatching to require subscription

Microsoft will transition hotpatching for Windows Server 2025 to a paid subscription model starting July 1, 2025, with a cost of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Microsoft has made a significant announcement regarding the future of hotpatching for Windows Server 2025, a feature that allows administrators to apply security updates without the need for system restarts. As the company prepares for the general availability of this service, it will transition to a paid subscription model starting July 1, 2025. Subscription Details and Preview Phase In a proactive move, Microsoft is encouraging administrators to take advantage of the free preview of hotpatching before it becomes a subscription-based service. This opportunity will remain available until June 30, after which those currently testing the service will be automatically subscribed unless they opt out. “Hotpatching for Windows Server 2025, made available in preview in 2024, will become generally available as a subscription service on July 1st, 2025. With hotpatching, we are taking what was previously an Azure-only capability and now making it available to Windows Server machines outside of Azure through Azure Arc,” Microsoft stated. Upon the subscription launch, hotpatching will be priced at .50 USD per CPU core per month. To utilize this feature in multi-cloud environments or on-premises, users will need both a Hotpatch service subscription and an Azure Arc-connected server running Windows Server 2025 Standard or Datacenter. How to Enable Hotpatching Enabling hotpatching on your server is a straightforward process. First, connect your server to Azure Arc by following the specified steps. Next, navigate to Azure Update Manager within the Azure Portal, select your Azure Arc-enabled server, and check the hotpatching option as outlined in the provided documentation. A Brief History of Hotpatching Hotpatching has been a part of Microsoft's offerings since February 2022, initially available for Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition. This feature allows for the deployment of security updates by patching the in-memory code of running processes, eliminating the need for reboots after each installation. However, it is important to note that servers still require reboots for updates delivered through the standard Windows update channel, which are not included in the Hotpatch program. This includes non-Windows updates, such as .NET patches, and Windows non-security updates. Microsoft began public testing of hotpatching for Windows Server 2025 in September 2024, with further expansions to Windows 11 24H2 and Windows 365 following in November 2024. By April 2025, hotpatch updates will be generally available for business customers using Windows 11 Enterprise 24H2 on x64 (AMD/Intel) systems." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].50 per CPU core per month. A free preview of the service is available until June 30, 2025, after which users testing the service will be automatically subscribed unless they opt out. Hotpatching allows administrators to apply security updates without system restarts and will be available for Windows Server machines outside of Azure through Azure Arc. To enable hotpatching, servers must be connected to Azure Arc and configured via the Azure Update Manager. Hotpatching was initially introduced in February 2022 for Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition and allows for in-memory code updates, but standard Windows updates still require reboots. Public testing for Windows Server 2025 began in September 2024, with general availability for Windows 11 Enterprise 24H2 expected by April 2025.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers Gets Official PC Requirements

505 Games has outlined the PC system requirements for WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers. The minimum requirements are an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 16GB of RAM, and either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or an AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. The recommended specifications include an Intel Core i5-12600KF or AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, 32GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT. The game is scheduled for release on July 24th and features a narrative set during the late Ming Dynasty, where players assume the role of Wuchang, a pirate warrior with amnesia. Players will explore the world, enhance their arsenal, and make choices that affect the game's multiple endings. A Discord channel and social media platforms are available for community engagement.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign’s PC requirements are here to birth thee anew

The system requirements for Elden Ring Nightreign are as follows: Minimum specifications: - Operating System: Windows 10 - Processor: Intel Core i5-10600 or AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - Memory: 12GB RAM - Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 4 GB - Storage: At least 30 GB Recommended specifications: - Operating System: Windows 11 - Processor: Intel Core i5-11500 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600 - Memory: 16GB RAM - Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB or AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 8 GB The game is scheduled for release on May 30th.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Microsoft Confirms $1.50 Windows Security Update Fee Starts July 1

Microsoft has introduced a subscription model for no-reboot security "hotpatch" updates, which will be available for Windows 11 Enterprise, version 24H2, and Windows Server 2025. Users must operate on Windows Server 2025 Standard or Datacenter, connected to Azure Arc, to access these updates. Starting July 1, 2025, there will be a charge of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the realm of operating systems, security updates are paramount, especially when they pertain to software utilized by billions globally. However, Microsoft has recently found itself in a challenging spotlight following a controversial Windows security patch that inadvertently introduced a mysterious folder, sparking a wave of confusion and concern among users. Social media commentators hastily advised users to delete this folder, only for Microsoft to counter with a warning that such actions could leave systems vulnerable to attacks. This incident has now unveiled a broader issue within the Windows security update framework, particularly surrounding the introduction of a subscription model for no-reboot security “hotpatch” updates. What Is Windows Hotpatching, And Who Needs To Pay The .50 A Month Fee? As previously reported, Microsoft is advancing towards a system where hotpatching will eliminate the need for users to reboot their Windows systems after a security update. This innovative feature allows security fixes to be downloaded and installed seamlessly in the background, integrating directly into the in-memory code of processes that are already running. Initially, this functionality is set to be available for a specific segment of users: those operating Windows 11 Enterprise, version 24H2, on x64 (AMD/Intel) CPU devices managed through Microsoft Intune. Recent confirmations from Janine Patrick, Windows Server product marketing manager, and Artem Pronichkin, a senior program manager at Microsoft, indicate that the hotpatching system for Windows Server 2025, which has been in preview since 2024, will transition to a subscription-only model starting July 1. To utilize the no-reboot hotpatch security updates, users must operate on “Windows Server 2025 Standard or Datacenter,” with an essential requirement of being connected to Azure Arc. The noteworthy and contentious aspect of this announcement is the introduction of a subscription fee for the Hotpatch service. While hotpatching has long been available for Windows Server Datacenter: Azure Edition at no cost, users of Windows Server 2025 will incur a charge of .50 per CPU core each month for these security updates. Microsoft emphasizes that while hotpatching will significantly reduce the frequency of required reboots—approximately four times a year for baseline updates—this new approach aims to alleviate the traditional inconveniences associated with Patch Tuesday." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].50 per CPU core each month for the hotpatch service, which aims to reduce the frequency of required reboots to approximately four times a year for baseline updates.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Microsoft Recall finally launches for AI PC users, along with some other new features, almost one year after Copilot+ was announced

Microsoft has reintroduced its Recall feature, initially designed for Qualcomm Snapdragon X-powered laptops, which captures snapshots of users' desktops to help locate old documents, images, and web pages. Enhanced security measures have been implemented, including Windows Hello sign-in, data encryption, and isolation protocols, with all data processed locally on users' devices. Recall is an opt-in feature that can be removed. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced an AI-powered Windows search mechanism that allows users to search for files by description. These features are currently exclusive to devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors, with support for AMD Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel Core Ultra 200V series chips expected later this year. Users without compatible hardware must rely on traditional file management methods.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

Driveclub can now run on PC via the PS4 emulator, shadPS4

In October 2024, shadPS4 successfully booted the PS4 racing game Driveclub, which can now enter the game environment due to advancements with shadPS4Plus. Currently, Driveclub operates at approximately 38 frames per second (FPS) on a system with an Intel Core i5 3600KF and an NVIDIA RTX 3080Ti, but significant visual glitches remain, making it not fully playable. There is optimism that continued development could eventually achieve a smooth 60FPS experience on high-end PCs. Other PS4-exclusive titles like inFamous: Second Son and The Last Guardian are also not yet playable, while Godzilla 2014 shows more promise in rendering graphics. If development continues at the current pace, players might enjoy Driveclub by the end of 2025.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Microsoft rolls Windows Recall out to the public nearly a year after announcing it

Microsoft is rolling out enhancements for Copilot+ PCs, including the Recall feature and a revamped Search function that understands contextual meanings for a more intuitive experience. The new "Click to Do" feature allows users to copy text from images, search on-screen content, and summarize or rewrite text by pressing the Windows key and clicking. To use Copilot+, PCs must have specific hardware requirements, including a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of over 40 trillion operations per second. Supported processors for Copilot+ include Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips, Intel's Core Ultra 200V-series laptop chips, and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series. The Recall feature and enhanced Search are available for both Arm and x86 PCs, while some Click to Do features are exclusive to Arm systems.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Consumers make their voices heard as Microsoft’s huge venture flatlines in popularity

In January 2024, Microsoft launched its Copilot assistant, utilizing advanced large language model technology, and introduced various offerings such as Copilot Pro subscription plans and specialized devices. Despite these efforts, Copilot has attracted only 20 million users weekly, which is significantly lower than ChatGPT's 400 million weekly users. This represents just over 1% of the 1.5 billion Windows users globally. Microsoft's Chief Financial Officer, Amy Hood, presented data showing stagnant user engagement for Copilot, raising concerns within the company about the return on its substantial investments in AI technology. Additionally, Microsoft has had to adjust its strategy regarding the Copilot key on keyboards, allowing for customization, and Intel has noted that its AI hardware is not gaining market traction.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Intel confirms layoffs, reports point to 20% cut

Intel plans to cut approximately 20 percent of its workforce to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy. This follows a previous reduction of 15,000 positions. The layoffs are expected to begin in the second quarter of the year, although the exact number of affected employees has not been disclosed. New CEO Lip-Bu Tan aims to revitalize the company's engineering functions and has emphasized the need for strategic investments in engineering talent and technology. He acknowledged the necessity of cost reductions and mentioned that Intel's current cost structure exceeds competitive benchmarks. The company has revised its operating expense and capital spending targets, with further details to be shared in an upcoming investor call.