Intel processors Archives

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Finally! Microsoft brings most Copilot+ AI features to AMD, Intel PCs

Microsoft has announced that all Copilot+ PCs, including those with AMD Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel Core Ultra 200V processors, will now have access to AI-driven features, previously limited to Snapdragon devices. Features available include Live Captions, Cocreator, Restyle Image, and Image Creator, though some functionalities, like photo resizing, remain exclusive to Snapdragon-powered PCs. The Voice Access feature is currently limited to Snapdragon devices, with plans for AMD and Intel compatibility later this year. Upcoming features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, following the November 2024 update, and will be rolled out gradually via Windows controlled feature rollout. Users can access updates by navigating to Settings > Windows Update.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Windows 11 KB5053656 update released with 38 changes and fixes

Microsoft has released the KB5053656 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2, featuring 38 enhancements, including real-time translation capabilities for Copilot+ PCs with AMD and Intel processors. This update addresses authentication issues and blue-screen errors, and is classified as an "optional non-security preview update." It introduces live captions and real-time translation support for over 44 languages, enhances Windows Search with improved capabilities, and fixes issues related to the MsiCloseHandle API and boot menu entries. The update also phases out the Location History feature and acknowledges known issues affecting Citrix components and Roblox on Windows Arm devices. Users can install the update via Windows Update or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update upgrades systems to build 26100.3624. Windows 11 24H2 is broadly deployed and accessible to all users.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC

Windows 11 is introducing a natural language search feature for Copilot+ PCs, currently in testing. The latest Beta channel preview (build 26120.3585) includes 'local semantic search' capabilities for laptops with AMD or Intel processors, and Snapdragon (Arm-powered) PCs can access it in the Release Preview. This feature allows users to query settings directly and utilizes the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for local processing, ensuring no data is sent to the cloud. It can also retrieve photos from OneDrive alongside local files. Microsoft plans to extend support to third-party cloud storage services. The feature will gradually roll out in the Beta channel, and users may need to reboot their devices to activate it. Semantic indexing is enabled by default on Copilot+ PCs, with options to disable it or exclude specific files. The AI-driven search capability has progressed from the Dev channel to the Beta and Release Preview stages, indicating a strong likelihood of a finalized version for Windows 11.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

Windows 11’s awful search is getting an AI boost soon, and that’s not all

Microsoft is set to release updates for Windows 11, including two preview builds—Windows 11 Build 26100.3613 and Windows 11 Build 26100.3624—available to Windows Insiders, with a rollout expected in April. Key features include: - Semantic search capability, allowing users to search using descriptive phrases, initially exclusive to Windows on Snapdragon PCs. - Enhanced Voice Access feature with a more flexible command structure for natural language control. - Live captions and real-time translation capabilities for Copilot+ PCs, supporting up to 44 languages, with translation from English to Chinese for Snapdragon users. - A new emoji interface accessible via a dedicated icon in the taskbar. - A redesigned Windows Settings interface featuring "cards" for quick access to CPU, memory, and storage specifications. - Refinements in CPU utilization monitoring in Task Manager. - A new Xbox gamepad keyboard interface for typing via an Xbox controller.

Winsage

March 5, 2025

Microsoft updates Windows 11 CPU support for OEM systems to include 8th to 10th Gen Intel CPUs

In mid-February 2025, Microsoft updated its support documentation regarding Intel processors' compatibility with Windows 11 24H2, adding several models from the 8th, 9th, and 10th generations that were previously excluded. These processors, introduced about eight years ago, can still perform adequately if their motherboards meet the TPM 2.0 requirement. Microsoft confirmed that these Intel CPU models meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 and indicated that future processor generations meeting similar principles will also be considered supported. Although the three Intel generations have not been reinstated on the official list, systems using these processors will not be rendered obsolete or stop receiving updates. Manufacturers are advised against using these older processors in new systems running Windows 11. An official list of supported CPUs for non-OEM or custom PC builders is not available, but builders should refer to Microsoft’s Windows 11 System Requirements, which require a CPU operating at 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores. It is possible to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware by adjusting certain registry values, but this may result in missing system and security updates. Users can also continue using Windows 10 for ongoing security updates or consider transitioning to a Linux operating system.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

A Windows 11 update has tanked performance on some Intel CPUs — Here’s what it means for you

Windows 11 version 24H2 has performance and compatibility issues, particularly affecting Intel 11th Gen processors due to a flaw in the Intel Smart Sound Technology driver, causing blue screen errors. Gaming performance concerns have also been noted but appear to have been addressed. Ubisoft titles like Star Wars Outlaws, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Assassin's Creed: Valhalla experienced unresponsiveness, which has been resolved. A new bug affects users with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU, causing startup errors linked to a recent CPU or microcode update. Affected users report performance throttling when applications are minimized or out of focus, with significant drops in performance during benchmark tests. This issue seems limited to certain Intel CPUs, as other models like the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and Intel Core i9 12900K are not affected. Users with Intel's Lunar or Arrow Lake CPUs may be vulnerable, and it is recommended to report issues via the Microsoft Feedback Hub.

Winsage

March 2, 2025

Windows 10 is once again the most popular OS on Steam

Valve's Steam Hardware and Software Survey for February 2025 reveals that Windows 11's user share has decreased to 44.10%, down 9.36 points, while Windows 10 has increased to 53.34%, gaining 10.47 points. Windows 7 remains at approximately 0.10% of Steam users. Overall, Windows accounts for 97.58% of users, up 1.03 points, with Linux at 1.45% (down 0.61 points) and macOS at 0.97% (down 0.43 points). In terms of hardware, 68.89% of users have Intel processors, 31.07% have AMD, and 0.05% have Microsoft chips. For graphics cards, 83.07% use Nvidia, 11.49% use AMD, and 5.21% use Intel, with the Nvidia RTX 4060 being the most popular at 8.37%.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Microsoft trims more CPUs from Windows 11 compatibility list

Microsoft has released a list of CPUs compatible with Windows 11 24H2, specifying that OEMs must use Intel's 11th-generation or later processors for new PCs. This update is directed at OEMs, not end users, and emphasizes that older pre-11th-generation Intel processors are not supported. Intel's 11th-generation chips were introduced in 2020 and have since been phased out, with many older processors now in a "legacy software support model." Users with eighth, ninth, and tenth-generation Intel processors may still use them if they meet other requirements like TPM 2.0. Microsoft has not clarified if this announcement indicates future reductions in CPU support, although it has historically adjusted hardware requirements.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Windows tests long-awaited changes to Start, Share, and Search

Microsoft has released two test builds of Windows 11: Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (KB5052078) in the Beta Channel and Insider Preview Build 26120.3291 (KB5052080) as an optional release in both Beta and Dev Channels. Build 26120.3291 introduces a semantic search capability, allowing searches by descriptive terms, but is limited to Qualcomm-powered Snapdragon PCs. Users of the Recall feature will lose all saved snapshots during the upgrade process. Build 22635.4950 tests a new Share interface that simplifies file sharing through a drag-and-drop mechanism. The Start menu will receive new configuration options, including a grid view and a "categories" view for app organization. These updates will be available to Windows Insiders receiving updates for Windows 11, version 24H2.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

The latest Windows 11 update did not end support for older Intel chips. Here’s the source of the confusion.

Windows 11 has stringent minimum requirements, leaving many PCs unable to upgrade. A Microsoft support document caused confusion by excluding several Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen processors, leading to speculation about their support status. However, there are no new devices being produced with processors older than Intel's 11th Generation, so the changes are unlikely to affect many users. Even if a PC has an unsupported processor, it may still upgrade to Windows 11 if it meets other minimum requirements. The document is intended for OEMs to determine which processors can be used in new devices and does not impact existing Windows support for consumers. The list of Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen chips eligible for upgrading remains unchanged, and devices must comply with all minimum requirements, including TPM 2.0. Recent updates were misreported, primarily affecting OEMs without requiring significant changes to their strategies.