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February 2014
Windows Security Update
28 February 2014
Microsoft has released a Security Update for Windows 8. The update revokes several non-compliant UEFI boot loader modules. However, since the modules are currently not publicly available, this is not a critical update.
iTunes 11.1.5
27 February 2014
Apple has released a new Version 11.1.5 of the iTunes software. This update fixes a bug that could cause iTunes to quit unexpectedly when a device was connected.
QuickTime 7.7.5
26 February 2014
Apple has released a new Version 7.7.5 of the QuickTime media player. This version has security fixes.
Microsoft Office 2013 SP1
26 February 2014
Microsoft has released Service Pack 1 (SP1) for the Office 2013 suite. This Service Pack is also available via Windows Update.
AMD Catalyst 14.2 Beta
26 February 2014
AMD has released the Catalyst 14.2 Beta 1.3 graphics driver for the HD 5000 series and above on Windows 7 and 8. This beta improves performance in Thief as well as providing an updated CrossFire profile for the game, adds support for multi-GPU under Mantle in Battlefield 4, adds Frame Pacing for dual graphics and non-XDMA configurations at resolutions above 2560x1600 in BF3 and BF4, and also contains bug fixes.
CCleaner 4.11
26 February 2014
A new Version 4.11.4619 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. Changes include improved Google Earth, WinAmp and Windows Live Messenger cleaning, the addition of duplicate content detection and an upper file size threshold to File Finder, improved SSD detection for Drive Wiper, along with a range of minor improvements and bug fixes.
Windows 8.1 Update 1
24 February 2014
Microsoft has officially announced that an update will be released for Windows 8.1 in Spring, which means some time between March and May. The changes in this update have not been officially revealed, but the announcement specifically says that it will "make the UI more familiar and more convenient for users with mouse/keyboard".
Chrome 33.0
21 February 2014
Google has released Version 33.0.1750.117 of the Chrome browser. This version contains security and bug fixes.
Windows Essentials
21 February 2014
Microsoft has updated the Windows Essentials package, which contains a range of programs including Windows Live Mail, Photo Gallery and Movie Maker. Changes include the renaming of SkyDrive to OneDrive, but the full changelog is not yet available.
Flash Player 12.0
21 February 2014
Adobe has released Version 12.0.0.70 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers.
Update: Internet Explorer in Windows 8/8.1 also gets a Flash player update via Windows Update.
Foxit Reader 6.1.4
21 February 2014
The free Foxit PDF Reader has been updated to Version 6.1.4.0217. This version fixes a bug with large videos embedded in PDF files, and also has a security fix.
Internet Explorer 9 & 10 Security Patch
20 February 2014
Microsoft has released a Fixit Patch which addresses a security vulnerability in Internet Explorer 9 and 10. Earlier versions of IE, as well as the latest Internet Explorer 11, are not affected by this issue.
Nvidia GeForce 334.89 WHQL
19 February 2014
Nvidia has released the 334.89 WHQL certified graphics driver. This driver is for GeForce 8 and higher graphics cards under Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8. It adds support for the GTX 750 and 750 Ti, provides performance increases in a range of games, has new SLI and 3D Vision profiles, as well as bug fixes. The driver package also contains the 9.13.1220 PhysX drivers.
Intel SSD Toolbox 3.2
17 February 2014
Intel has released Version 3.2.1 of the SSD Toolbox, which includes a range of tools for managing the health and optimal performance of Intel Solid State Drives.
GPU-Z 0.7.7
15 February 2014
GPU-Z, a free graphics card information utility, has reached Version 0.7.7. Changes include an adjustable sensor refresh rate, support for new chipsets as well as bug fixes.
Firefox 27.0.1
14 February 2014
Mozilla has released Version 27.0.1 of the Firefox browser. The update contains two JavaScript-based bug fixes.
Opera 19.0
13 February 2014
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 19.0.1326.63. This version updates Chromium.
Microsoft Security Updates
12 February 2014
Microsoft has released its monthly set of Windows security updates which you can download individually from here or get through Windows Update.
Shockwave 12.0
12 February 2014
Adobe has released Version 12.0.9.149 of the Shockwave player plugin for browsers.
Site Update
8 February 2014
Looking through the Steam Hardware Survey results for January 2014, it's interesting to note that Windows 8/8.1 adoption is up to 21.3% for gamers. While I'm certainly not a huge fan of Windows 8/8.1, it's true that it can provide performance benefits in DX11 games - though not as much as some will claim. More importantly, leaked builds of the upcoming Windows 8.1 Update 1, apparently set for release in April, show various improvements aimed at making the OS more Desktop-oriented. For example, see Paul Thurrott's rundown of the various changes here, here, and here. Since these builds are in a constant state of flux, I'm not going to even attempt to get across the changes until the update is officially released. But I am revising my earlier advice against upgrading to Windows 8 based on the fact that Microsoft finally seems to be getting the message. In particular, given Microsoft will officially cease support for Windows XP on 8 April 2014, I suggest any existing XP users seriously consider jumping straight to a new Windows 8 system by April, just in time for Update 1.
Site Update
6 February 2014
If you're using Adblock Plus, you may notice that some Google text ads are now showing up on the right hand side of this site. They've always been there, but Adblock Plus users now also see them because TweakGuides was recently accepted as part of ABP's Acceptable Ads policy. This policy is designed to support sites with unobtrusive ads. Don't panic - this site has never had, nor will ever have, any animated, intrusive, or distracting advertising.
VLC Media Player 2.1.3
5 February 2014
The free VLC Media Player has been updated to Version 2.1.3. This update provides a range of bug fixes.
Firefox 27.0
5 February 2014
Mozilla has released Version 27.0 of the Firefox browser. The most significant changes are that you can now run more than one service at a time with Firefox SocialAPI, and TLS 1.1 and 1.2 security protocols are now enabled by default. Details are on page 3 of the updated Firefox Tweak Guide.
Flash Player 12.0
5 February 2014
Adobe has released Version 12.0.0.44 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. Note that Internet Explorer in Windows 8/8.1 also gets a Flash player update via Windows Update.
Opera 19.0
5 February 2014
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 19.0.1326.59. This version updates Chromium.
Chrome 32.0
4 February 2014
Google has released Version 32.0.1700.107 of the Chrome browser. The changelog is not yet available.
Media Player Classic Home Cinema 1.7.3
4 February 2014
A new Version 1.7.3 of the free Media Player Classic Home Cinema player has been released. This update contains bug fixes.
AMD Catalyst 14.1 Beta
2 February 2014
AMD has released the Catalyst 14.1 Beta graphics driver for the HD 5000 series and above on Windows 7 and 8. This beta adds support for the new A10-7850K and A10-7700K Desktop APUs, enhances CrossFire frame pacing, and also contains bug fixes. Importantly, it also adds support for the Mantle API on R9, R7, HD 8000, HD 7000, A10-7000 and A8-7000 series cards/APUs under Windows 7 or 8/8.1. Mantle can improve performance in games which support it, such as Battlefield 4 as detailed here, and the Star Swarm demo.
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