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May 2016
Opera 37.0
31 May 2016
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 37.0.2178.54. This version updates Chromium as well as providing security and bug fixes.
Site Update
29 May 2016
It seems that there's a bit of confusion over the new Nvidia Fast Sync Vertical Synchronization feature implemented in the latest GeForce drivers, so I've updated Page 8 of the Nvidia GeForce Tweak Guide with some details.
Update: I've also added a tentative description of the new Optimal Power option under the Power Management Mode setting on Page 7 of the guide.
Nvidia GeForce 368.25 WHQL
27 May 2016
Nvidia has released the 368.25 WHQL certified graphics driver. This driver is only for the new GTX 1080 under Windows 7, 8 and 10. It is the recommended driver for Overwatch, World of Tanks and War Thunder. The driver package contains PhysX version 9.16.0318 and GeForce Experience version 2.11.3.
Chrome 51.0
26 May 2016
Google has released Version 51.0.2704.63 of the Chrome browser. This version improves password management, optimizes page rendering, and provides security and bug fixes.
Windows Updates
26 May 2016
Microsoft has released a non-critical update for Windows 7 and 8.1. Note: This is KB3035583, the main 'Get Windows 10' app, being re-released yet again.
CCleaner 5.18
25 May 2016
A new Version 5.18.5607 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. Changes include improvements to Edge and Firefox cleaning, optimized detection and cleaning of portable browsers, as well as minor improvements and bug fixes.
Site Update
24 May 2016
Microsoft has kicked its 'Get Windows 10' deception up another notch. As reported in articles such as this one, the already deceitful GWX nagware, which famously prompts Windows 7 and 8.1 users with only two options, both of which result in upgrading to Windows 10, has been modified again. Previously, you could click the small X in the top right corner of the prompt to exit without upgrading; now, clicking the X also starts the upgrade process. So basically, less tech-savvy users, who are not aware of third party tools like GWX Control Panel or Never10, will now wind up being upgraded to Windows 10 no matter what they click. Microsoft has single-handedly changed operating system upgrade etiquette from "Do you wish to upgrade your OS?" to "Just try and stop us from upgrading your OS". And bear in mind that Windows 10 isn't some critical security update for, or arguably even functionally better than, Windows 7 or 8.1 - this shameful deception is entirely for Microsoft's commercial benefit.
I've already made my rather negative views about Windows 10 and Microsoft known, most recently in this mini-rant a couple of months ago. But there are other voices with equally harsh views regarding Microsoft's ignominious slide into untrustworthiness. The latest is Susan Bradley, Microsoft MVP, who says this regarding the forced Windows 10 upgrades: "...I think Microsoft is being a bully on the Internet. A big bully. The manner in which Windows 10 has been pushed out the patching channel has me seriously questioning if I want to be associated with this Company going forward."
Update: Even Paul Thurrott, who has long defended all things Microsoft, says: "This is indefensible...the violation of trust here is almost indescribable."
AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.5.3
24 May 2016
AMD has released the Crimson Edition 16.5.3 driver for the HD 7700, HD 8500 series and above on Windows 7, 8.1 and 10. This driver adds support for Total War: Warhammer, Overwatch, and Dota 2 with the Vulkan API. It also provides new CrossFire profiles for Total War: Warhammer and Overwatch, as well as a range of bug fixes.
Nvidia GeForce 368.22 WHQL
24 May 2016
Nvidia has released the 368.22 WHQL certified graphics driver. It is the recommended driver for Overwatch, World of Tanks and War Thunder. The driver package updates PhysX to version 9.16.0318 and contains GeForce Experience version 2.11.3.
7-Zip 16.02
21 May 2016
A new Version 16.02 of the free 7-Zip archival utility has been released. This update fixes a bug with split archives.
7-Zip 16.01
20 May 2016
A new Version 16.01 of the free 7-Zip archival utility has been released. This update provides bug fixes.
Skype 7.24
20 May 2016
A new Version 7.24.0.104 of the communications utility Skype has been released.
Windows Updates
18 May 2016
Microsoft has released non-critical updates for Windows 7 and 8.1. They are listed in more detail in this Microsoft Article. Note: KB3123862 is a Windows 10 upgrade related patch.
Note further that with KB3125574, Microsoft has provided what it calls a new Convenience Rollup patch for Windows 7 SP1. The Convenience Rollup patch is essentially like the legacy Service Pack: it contains all of the security and non-security patches since the release of Windows 7 SP1 right up to April 2016. Unfortunately, it also contains many of the Windows 10 upgrade related and telemetry patches. In any case it's an optional download that I would only recommended if you've just done a fresh install of Windows 7 SP1 and want to install what amounts to SP2.
Microsoft has also started moving towards releasing Monthly Rollup patches for Windows 7 and 8.1, which contain all of the non-security updates released during the month. This month they are KB3156417 for Windows 7 and KB3156418 for Windows 8.1. These may be useful for people who were having difficulties downloading them individually due to lengthy delays with Windows Update, but as with the Convenience Rollups, there is now the real risk of also installing undesirable Windows 10 upgrade and telemetry patches this way.
iTunes 12.4.0
18 May 2016
Apple has released a new Version 12.4.0 of the iTunes software. This version updates the interface design, with changes to menus, navigation, media picker and sidebar, as well as providing bug fixes.
AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.5.2.1
17 May 2016
AMD has released the Crimson Edition 16.5.2.1 driver for the HD 7700, HD 8500 series and above on Windows 7, 8.1 and 10. This driver improves performance in Doom on R9 390 series GPUs.
Nvidia GeForce 365.19 WHQL
14 May 2016
Nvidia has released the 365.19 WHQL certified graphics driver. It is the recommended driver for Doom, Homefront: The Revolution, and Master of Orion. The driver package contains PhysX version 9.15.0428 and updates GeForce Experience to version 2.11.3.
GPU-Z 0.8.8
14 May 2016
GPU-Z, a free graphics card information utility, has reached Version 0.8.8. Changes include a new Settings option when clicking at the top left of the GPU-Z window, support for new chipsets and bug fixes.
Flash Player 21.0
12 May 2016
Adobe has released Version 21.0.0.242 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.
AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.5.2
12 May 2016
AMD has released the Crimson Edition 16.5.2 driver for the HD 7700, HD 8500 series and above on Windows 7, 8.1 and 10. This driver adds support for Doom, includes a new CrossFire profile for Battleborn, and provides a range of bug fixes.
Chrome 50.0
12 May 2016
Google has released Version 50.0.2661.102 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.
Microsoft Security Updates
11 May 2016
Microsoft has released its monthly set of Windows security updates which you can view here and obtain via Windows Update. This includes a cumulative update for Windows 10, with the changes noted here. Note: KB3035583 and KB3150513 are Windows 10 upgrade related.
Acrobat Reader DC 2015
11 May 2016
Adobe has released a new Version 2015.016.20039 of its free software for viewing PDF documents, now known as Acrobat Reader DC. This update contains security and bug fixes.
7-Zip 16.00
11 May 2016
A new Version 16.00 of the free 7-Zip archival utility has been released. This update adds extraction of multivolume ZIP archives, as well as providing bug fixes.
Opera 37.0
11 May 2016
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 37.0.2178.43. This update provides security and bug fixes.
'Get Windows 10' App to be Removed
7 May 2016
According to this article, Microsoft has indicated that once the Windows 10 free upgrade offer ends on 29 July 2016, it will also disable and eventually remove the 'Get Windows 10' nagware from Windows 7 and 8.1 systems.
AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.5.1
5 May 2016
AMD has released the Crimson Edition 16.5.1 driver for the HD 7700, HD 8500 series and above on Windows 7, 8.1 and 10. This driver improves performance in Forza Motorsport 6: Apex on the R9 Fury X.
Windows Updates
5 May 2016
Microsoft has released a non-critical KB3150513 Update for Windows 7 and 8.1. Note: This is a new Windows 10 upgrade related patch.
Opera 37.0
5 May 2016
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 37.0.2178.32. Changes in this update include a built-in ad blocker, a video pop-out feature, a Chromium update, as well as security and bug fixes.
Windows Updates
4 May 2016
Microsoft has released a non-critical KB3035583 Update for Windows 7 and 8.1. Note: This is the main 'Get Windows 10' app, being re-released yet again. Use the free GWX Control Panel or Never10 utilities if you wish to remove the GWX app and prevent the installation of Windows 10.
Firefox 46.0.1
4 May 2016
Mozilla has released Version 46.0.1 of the Firefox browser. This update contains bug fixes.
VLC Media Player 2.2.3
4 May 2016
The free VLC Media Player has been updated to Version 2.2.3. This update provides improvements such as resume, improves codec support by adding new formats and providing faster decompression, as well as a large number of security and bug fixes.
Nvidia GeForce 365.10 WHQL
3 May 2016
Nvidia has released the 365.10 WHQL certified graphics driver. It is the recommended driver for Battleborn, Forza Motorsport 6: APEX Beta, Overwatch Beta, and Paragon Beta. The driver package contains PhysX version 9.15.0428 and GeForce Experience version 2.11.2.
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