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December 2018
Nvidia GeForce 417.58 Hotfix
30 December 2018
Nvidia has released the 417.58 Hotfix graphics driver. This driver is for the GeForce 600 series and above under Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, but note that RTX 2000 series GPUs are not supported under Windows 8.1. This hotfix addresses: a black screen when resuming from monitor sleep on some DisplayPort monitors; FPS drops when using G-sync with V-Sync in games on Windows 7; occasional crashes in DX12 mode on Shadow of the Tomb Raider; a black screen on the BenQ XL2730 monitor at 144Hz refresh rate; and lockups when resuming from sleep on an MSI GT83 notebook.
Site Update
29 December 2018
Happy New Year, and a successful 2019 to you and yours!
Given some confusion over my recent Site Update, here are some more details: I'll start off with only Windows 10 on my new system. Once the system is bedded down and working without a hitch, I will then create a dual boot with a suitable version of Linux. Then, I plan to either totally eliminate, or severely restrict, my usage of Windows 10. By transitioning to Linux in this manner, my guide(s) will hopefully serve the widest audience, as I realise that many readers will want to keep a Windows 10 install for gaming at the very least. Ultimately though, my personal goal is to completely eliminate any dependence on Windows 10, because I genuinely believe that, despite its technically solid underpinnings, it is a trainwreck of an OS due to Microsoft's inept, haphazard, anti-consumer strategies. However, even if Linux becomes my primary or only OS, I will continue to post the regular software updates on the front page as always, with the only change being some additional Linux-related news. Lastly, I provide my new system specs on a placeholder page for (hopefully) a new Hardware Confusion 2019 article in the coming month or so.
VLC Media Player 3.0
28 December 2018
The free VLC Media Player has been updated to Version 3.0.5. This update provides minor improvements and bug fixes.
Site Update
25 December 2018
A new year is fast approaching, and hopefully most of you will be able to take a break and enjoy yourselves with loved ones. I've given myself a Christmas present in the form of a new Intel Core i7 9700K-based system, almost exactly ten years to the day since I built my last one. For a range of reasons, this will likely be the last desktop PC I ever build, and almost certainly the last computing device to run Windows. I receive the components in early January, so join me next year as I detail my choices for this system in a brief Hardware Confusion 2019 guide, and then, shortly thereafter, I will begin my journey towards breaking my reliance on Windows and transitioning to a Linux Debian-based OS, documenting it in a guide or series of articles, aimed at helping others who also want to regain control over their PCs. Have fun and I'll see you soon :)
Intel HD Graphics 25.20
22 December 2018
Intel has released Version 25.20.100.6471 of its HD Graphics drivers for the optimal performance of Intel Integrated Graphics on Intel CPUs. As of this version, Intel moves to UWD-only drivers for Windows 10. Changes include new features such as improved 4K/HDR support, improved performance, and bug fixes.
AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition 18.12.3
21 December 2018
AMD has released the Adrenalin Edition 18.12.3 driver for the HD 7700, HD 8500 series and above on Windows 7 and 10. This driver provides a range of bug fixes.
Windows Updates
20 December 2018
Microsoft has released a Cumulative Update for Windows 10, as well as Windows 7 and 8, which addresses a security vulnerability in Internet Explorer. It is available via Windows Update.
Windows 10 October 2018 Update
19 December 2018
Microsoft officially re-released the Windows October 2018 Update on 13 November as Version 1809 Build 17763.134, and has subsequently patched it to Version 17763.194. However, this re-release was made available on a rolling basis such that some systems may not have yet received it. Microsoft has now posted a small notice on the Windows 10 Update History page stating: "Rollout Status as of December 17, 2018: Windows 10, version 1809, is now fully available for advanced users who manually select "Check for updates" via Windows Update". So if you've been waiting to receive the update, go to Settings>Update & Security and click the 'Check for Updates' button to download and install it.
Note: I've been running the October Update since it was released, and while the initial update caused serious issues on my system to the point where I had to erase my drive and do a full restore from a System Image I'd taken days earlier, the current release can be considered relatively stable if you want to chance it.
Intel Rapid Storage Technology 16.8
16 December 2018
Intel has released Version 16.8.0.1000 of the Rapid Storage Technology driver for optimal drive performance on Intel chipset-based motherboards.
Opera 57.0
14 December 2018
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 57.0.3098.102. This update provides bug fixes.
AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition 18.12.2
14 December 2018
AMD has released the Adrenalin Edition 18.12.2 driver for the HD 7700, HD 8500 series and above on Windows 7 and 10. This driver improves support for Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, DOOM, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and Strange Brigade. It also adds or improves a large number of features, including Radeon ReLive gameplay recording/streaming, AMD Link, Radeon Overlay, Radeon Game, Settings and Upgrade Advisors, Radeon WattMan, Radeon Chill, Radeon FreeSync 2, Virtual Super Resolution, and added Vulkan support, along with bug fixes.
CCleaner 5.51
14 December 2018
A new Version 5.51.6939 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. The main change in this update is a new 'subscription management' button.
Chrome 71.0
13 December 2018
Google has released Version 71.0.3578.98 of the Chrome browser. This update provides security and bug fixes.
Nvidia GeForce 417.35 WHQL
13 December 2018
Nvidia has released the 417.35 WHQL certified graphics driver. This driver is for GeForce 600 and higher graphics cards under Windows 7, 8 and 10. It provides the optimal experience for the Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) beta in Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition. The driver also contains PhysX version 9.18.0907 and GeForce Experience version 3.16.0.
Autoruns 13.93
12 December 2018
Microsoft has released Autoruns 13.93, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version fixes a UserInitMprLogonScript bug and by-default enables HCKU scanning for the console version.
Process Explorer 16.22
12 December 2018
Microsoft has released Version 16.22 of the free Process Explorer utility, which is a more detailed version of Task Manager. This version fixes a bug that can cause a bluescreen.
Acrobat Reader DC 19
12 December 2018
Adobe has released a new Version 2019.010.20064 of its free software for viewing PDF documents, now known as Acrobat Reader DC. This update provides new features, as well as security and bug fixes.
Microsoft Security Updates
12 December 2018
Microsoft has released its monthly set of Windows security updates which you can view here and obtain via Windows Update. This includes the latest Windows 7 Rollup and Windows 8.1 Rollup updates, as well as Windows 10 Cumulative Updates.
Firefox 64.0
12 December 2018
Mozilla has released Version 64.0 of the Firefox browser. The changes in this major update include enhanced tab management, improved performance management under about:performance, additional sharing features, an option to remove add-ons by right-clicking on their toolbar buttons, along with security and bug fixes.
GPU-Z 2.16.0
11 December 2018
GPU-Z, a free graphics card information utility, has reached Version 2.16.0. This version adds support for new chipsets, indicates UWD/DCH drivers, moves the 'Check for Updates' setting to the main Settings panel, and provides bug fixes.
Edge Browser Moving to Chromium
7 December 2018
Microsoft has confirmed the recent rumor that the Edge browser will be moving to the open source Chromium engine.
Opera 57.0
7 December 2018
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 57.0.3098.91. This update provides bug fixes.
AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition 18.12.1.1
6 December 2018
AMD has released the Adrenalin Edition 18.12.1.1 driver for the HD 7700, HD 8500 series and above on Windows 7 and 10. This driver adds support for the Epic Games Store.
Windows Updates
6 December 2018
Microsoft has released a Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1809 which, among other things, fixes the mapped drives failing to reconnect issue. This update brings Version 1809 up to Build 17763.168.
Flash Player 32.0
6 December 2018
Adobe has released Version 32.0.0.101 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.
iTunes 12.9.2
6 December 2018
Apple has released a new Version 12.9.2 of the iTunes software. If you don't wish to use the Windows Store to download iTunes, direct download links are provided: 64-bit Version, 32-bit Version. This version contains security fixes.
Chrome 71.0
5 December 2018
Google has released Version 71.0.3578.80 of the Chrome browser. This update provides a range of improvements, as well as security and bug fixes.
Nvidia GeForce 417.22 WHQL
4 December 2018
Nvidia has released the 417.22 WHQL certified graphics driver. This driver is for GeForce 600 and higher graphics cards under Windows 7, 8 and 10. It provides the optimal experience in Battlefield V Tides of War Chapter 1: Overture Update. The driver also contains PhysX version 9.18.0907 and GeForce Experience version 3.16.0.
Sticky Notes 3.1
3 December 2018
Microsoft has released a new Version 3.1 of the free Sticky Notes app for Windows 10. It is available for download from the Microsoft Store and adds several features including dark mode support, faster sync support, and various bug fixes.
CCleaner 5.50
1 December 2018
A new Version 5.50.6911 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This update adds a new Updates section under the Options menu, providing additional controls for automatic updates and update notifications.
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