x86 Archives

Winsage

September 21, 2025

Microsoft’s pivotal Windows NT 3.5 release made it a serious contender, 31 years ago today

Today marks the 31st anniversary of the public release of Windows NT 3.5. Windows NT was targeted at the enterprise sector, contrasting with Windows 3.1, which was aimed at casual users. It was a fully 32-bit operating system requiring a minimum of an 80386 processor and 12MB of RAM. Windows NT featured cross-platform capabilities, with builds for various architectures, including MIPS, DEC's Alpha, and PowerPC. The user interface of NT 3.5 resembled Windows 3.1, which may have affected its adoption among professional users. Nine months after NT 3.5, Windows NT 3.51 was released, enhancing compatibility with Windows 95 applications. Windows NT 4.0, released in 1996, integrated the Windows 95 shell, leading to Windows 2000 and ultimately Windows XP in 2001, which unified workstation and consumer markets under a single NT codebase. Windows NT 3.5 was a crucial transitional release that laid the groundwork for future operating systems.

AppWizard

September 21, 2025

Nvidia invests $5bn in Intel

Nvidia has announced a substantial investment in Intel, focusing on collaboration in consumer-grade PC products and enterprise technologies, including data centers. The partnership will integrate Nvidia's NVLink technology with Intel's chip architectures to enhance product performance. Intel plans to develop x86 system-on-chips incorporating Nvidia's RTX GPUs for improved graphics and processing capabilities. Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, highlighted the partnership's potential to transform computing, while Intel's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, expressed confidence in combining their strengths to drive industry breakthroughs.

Tech Optimizer

September 19, 2025

Surfshark boosts its antivirus offering with a revamped interface and full ARM support

Surfshark has updated its antivirus software with a new interface that improves user experience and compatibility with ARM hardware. The update aims to enhance accessibility and transparency in its cybersecurity suite, Surfshark One, which combines VPN, antivirus, private search engine, and data breach monitoring services. Key features of the revamped antivirus include a detailed protection history, easy access to additional features, and an improved repair function. Core functionalities like webcam protection and customizable security settings remain unchanged, and the antivirus uses the Avira SDK as its engine. The update addresses previous limitations for Windows ARM users, responding to increased demand for ARM support.

Winsage

September 19, 2025

Microsoft celebrates Windows 11 on Arm progress as users now spend the majority of their time in natively compiled apps — compatibility is no longer a concern

Microsoft has reported that 90% of user engagement on Arm-based PCs is now with natively compiled applications for Windows 11 on Arm. The Arm app ecosystem is expanding, with native Arm versions available for apps representing 90% of total user minutes. Collaboration with Qualcomm, particularly through the Snapdragon X series of PC chips, has been crucial in this development. Major OEMs have adopted this technology, leading to new Arm-based PCs that compete with Apple Silicon. Adobe has released flagship applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro in native formats. Notable applications now natively compiled for Windows on Arm include 7 Zip, Google Drive, Dropbox, Trello, Todoist, Libre Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Camtasia, Paint.NET, Djay Pro, CapCut, Figma, Apple TV, Apple Music, Google Chrome, Telegram, WhatsApp, Spotify, Davinci Resolve, Blender, and Luminar Neo. The current generation of Snapdragon X processors supports applications still reliant on emulation, with robust performance. Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon PC chips, likely named Snapdragon X2, are expected to enhance performance and efficiency further.

Winsage

September 3, 2025

Meta Quest: Microsoft Adds Windows on Arm Support to Mixed Reality Link App

Microsoft's Mixed Reality Link app now supports Windows on Arm PCs, allowing users of Arm-based devices like the Surface Pro 11 to connect with Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets. This update, rolled out around August 29 via the Microsoft Store, enables users to stream their Windows desktop and create a multi-monitor setup with up to three virtual screens. Initially launched for x86-based PCs in December 2024, this expansion to Arm reflects Microsoft's commitment to feature parity across its hardware ecosystem. The update strengthens the partnership between Microsoft and Meta, aiming to establish mixed reality headsets as essential tools for work and leisure. The Meta Quest 3S, recently launched, is designed to make VR technology more accessible, and includes an "Xbox Edition" bundle with an Xbox controller and Game Pass subscription. This update positions Microsoft strategically in the spatial computing landscape, targeting mainstream consumer and prosumer markets while maintaining Windows as a core productivity hub.

AppWizard

September 2, 2025

San Francisco Rush 2049 Gets Arcade-Perfect Fan Port on PC

An unofficial native port of the arcade racing games San Francisco Rush: The Rock and San Francisco Rush 2049, named Project R, is available for PC users on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Players need to obtain the game's ROM file as the project does not include any game assets. The technical requirements include a dedicated or integrated GPU supporting Vulkan 1.2 and a CPU meeting the x86-64-v2 microarchitecture level. Project R supports gamepads and wheel setups but not keyboard and mouse functionality. The latest version, V0.7.1, includes improvements such as a refined world object rendering system, faster texture conversion functions, and consistently high-detail rendering of player car models in SF2049. Project R can be downloaded via a provided link, and a video showcasing the game is available for viewing.

Winsage

August 31, 2025

How to Fix Razer Cortex Installer Not Working or Freezing

Users may experience issues with the Razer Cortex installer due to missing or outdated system components, particularly the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, which is essential for the installer interface. If WebView2 is absent or corrupted, the installer cannot display its setup window. Additionally, the installer relies on Windows services such as Windows Installer, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), and Windows Update; if these services are disabled or not running, the installer may freeze or fail. Leftover files from previous installations can also obstruct the setup process. To resolve these issues, users should: 1. Install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime by downloading the Evergreen Standalone Installer from the official Microsoft page and following the setup instructions. 2. Perform a clean boot by disabling non-Microsoft services and startup items to minimize conflicts. 3. Ensure required Windows services (Windows Installer, BITS, Windows Update) are running, setting their Startup type to Manual or Automatic if necessary. 4. Temporarily disable third-party antivirus software that may block the installer. 5. Delete any remaining Razer Cortex files and folders from specified locations to ensure a clean installation. If problems persist, users are advised to upgrade to Windows 11 or contact Razer Support for further assistance.

Winsage

August 30, 2025

How to Fix Razer Cortex Installer Not Working or Freezing

Users may experience issues with the Razer Cortex installer due to missing or outdated system components, particularly the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, which is essential for rendering the installer’s interface. If this runtime is absent or corrupted, the installer cannot display its setup window. Additionally, the installer relies on specific Windows services, including Windows Installer, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), and Windows Update. If any of these services are disabled or not running, the installer may stall or fail. Leftover files from previous installations can also cause complications, as corrupted data or registry entries may obstruct updated components. To resolve these issues, users can take the following steps: 1. Install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime by downloading the Evergreen Standalone Installer from the official Microsoft website and following the setup instructions. 2. Perform a clean boot by disabling all non-Microsoft services and startup items through the System Configuration tool and Task Manager. 3. Ensure that the required Windows services (Windows Installer, BITS, Windows Update) are running and set to Manual or Automatic startup. 4. Temporarily disable third-party antivirus software that may block the installer. 5. Delete any remaining Razer Cortex files and folders from specified locations after uninstalling the program. If issues persist, consider upgrading to Windows 11 or contacting Razer Support for assistance.

Winsage

August 29, 2025

Windows 11 is breaking from its bedrock and moving away

The Wintel Empire, once dominant in personal computing, has lost its competitive edge by 2025, with Intel struggling in desktop, server, and mobile markets as users shift to alternatives like Arm and AMD. The introduction of Windows on Arm64 marks a significant but reactionary change, as Intel faces challenges in adapting. Windows 11's launch has led to many modern PCs being deemed obsolete, causing user discontent and rushed migrations. In contrast, Apple has successfully supported older machines during its architecture transition. Microsoft has released a streamlined version of Windows 11 for Xbox handheld devices, raising concerns about its future for non-gaming applications. Intel's uncertain future may lead to collaborations that could enhance competition and innovation. Microsoft’s development approach appears reactive, raising questions about the long-term viability of its ecosystem. Despite these changes, many users may not perceive significant differences in their daily experiences with Windows.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Epic Games adds Easy Anti-Cheat for ARM devices — Feature unlocks support for Windows, Linux, and Switch 2

Epic Games has introduced ARM compatibility for its Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system, as noted in the patch notes for EOS 1.17.1.3-CL44532354, benefiting both Windows and Linux-based ARM operating systems. Game developers are encouraged to update EAC to the latest version to utilize this compatibility. EAC's support for Linux ARM devices is significant, especially with Valve's integration of ARM support for Proton. Easy Anti-Cheat is now among the few anti-cheat solutions available for ARM versions of Windows 11, alongside Battleye, Denuvo, and Wellbia Uncheater. Additionally, the update includes official compatibility for the Nintendo Switch 2, allowing developers to adapt their existing EOS SDK for the new hardware with minimal changes. Microsoft is also enhancing the gaming experience on ARM PCs with improved anti-cheat support and the Prism x86 to ARM emulation tool, as well as introducing Auto SR for better performance.