ARCHIVED NEWS
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July 2009
Flash Player 10.0.32.18
31 July 2009
Adobe has released Version 10.0.32.18 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers.
Silverlight 3.0.40723.0
31 July 2009
Microsoft has released Version 3.0.40723.0 of the Silverlight multimedia plugin.
Game Patches
30 July 2009
Windows Security Update
29 July 2009
Microsoft has released a Security Update which addresses a critical vulnerability in Internet Explorer. The relevant patch can be downloaded from the link above or through Windows Update.
CCleaner 2.22.968
29 July 2009
A new Version 2.22.968 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This version adds support for Opera 10 Beta, Safari 4.0, improves cleaning in Windows 7 and fixes several bugs.
VLC Media Player 1.0.1
29 July 2009
The free VLC Media Player has been updated to Version 1.0.1. This is primarily a bug fix release, as well as containing several improvements.
Game Patches
29 July 2009
Fallout 3 1.7 Patch
28 July 2009
Bethesda has released a 1.7 Patch for Fallout 3. This patch prepares the game for the upcoming Mothership Zeta DLC by adding new achievements. I have updated the Fallout 3 Tweak Guide but there are no significant changes.
Game Patches
28 July 2009
Game Patches
25 July 2009
Realtek HD Audio 2.29
25 July 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.29 of its HD Audio drivers. Note if you have problems with the link, click the 'High Definition Audio Codecs' link at the top of the page and select 'Software'.
AutoRuns 9.52
24 July 2009
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.52, updating this free startup software identification utility. The change list for this version is not available yet.
Process Monitor 2.5
24 July 2009
The free Process Monitor utility has been updated to Version 2.5. This is a major update which adds a number of enhancements, including new by-extension and by-directory views in the File Summary dialog, a new Network Summary view, quick filtering in all the summary views, additional IOCTL and error result decoding, and bug fixes.
Shockwave 11.5.1.601
24 July 2009
Adobe has released a new Version 11.5.1.601 of the Shockwave player plugin for browsers.
Game Patches
24 July 2009
EVGA SLI Enhancement Patch
23 July 2009
EVGA has released a new SLI Enhancement Patch which updates the SLI profiles in the latest official Forceware drivers to include SLI support for a range of recent games. Note that this patch works for all graphics cards, not just EVGA cards.
ATI Catalyst 9.7
23 July 2009
ATI has released the Catalyst 9.7 graphics drivers for the HD2000 series and newer under Windows Vista and Windows 7. This version is the first official unified WHQL certified graphics driver for Windows 7 RTM and Vista. Importantly it contains changes to the Catalyst Control Center, updates the ATI video encoder to provide support for Windows 7, provides performance improvements in cases where framerates are CPU limited, and has a range of bug fixes. Note that the XP version of these drivers will be released shortly.
Update: The Windows XP version of these drivers has now also been released.
Driver Sweeper 2.0.5
23 July 2009
Guru3D has released a new Version 2.0.5 of the free Driver Sweeper driver file residue cleanup utility. This version improves startup and load times for the utility, and importantly fixes several bugs.
Game Patches
23 July 2009
Windows Update
22 July 2009
Microsoft has released an Update for Windows which resolves issues caused by revised daylight saving time and time zone laws in several countries.
Windows 7 RTM
22 July 2009
Microsoft has released details of Windows 7 Release to Manufacturing (RTM) availability. In particular for Technet subscribers, Developers/IT Professionals and Business Customers, the RTM will be available on August 6 or 7. For consumers, including beta testers, the release date is still October 22.
Driver Sweeper 2.0
22 July 2009
Guru3D has released a new Version 2.0 of the free Driver Sweeper driver file residue cleanup utility. This version has a number of changes, including an improved cleaning engine and better Vista and Windows 7 support.
Game Patches
22 July 2009
Nvidia Forceware 190.38
21 July 2009
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 190.38 driver for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. These WHQL certified drivers are for all GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200 and ION series cards. The drivers appear to be identical to the 190.38 Beta Forceware released a few days ago. They add support for OpenGL 3.1 and CUDA 2.3, and include several new control panel features such as a user-controlled power management setting for the GeForce 9 series and above. The package also contains the 9.09.0428 PhysX drivers. Note that I've updated the Nvidia Forceware Tweak Guide for all the changes and new features in these latest drivers - see in particular pages 3 - 7.
CPU-Z 1.52
21 July 2009
A new Version 1.52 of the CPU-Z information utility has been released. This update includes a range of changes, including a new 64-bit version, a new UI design with a Graphics tab that contains basic information about the GPU, improved support for Windows 7, and support for new chipsets.
Nvidia Forceware 186.34
18 July 2009
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 186.34 driver for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. These WHQL certified drivers are specifically for the new GeForce GT 220 graphics card. There are no release notes available.
PerfectDisk 10
18 July 2009
Raxco has released a new Build 114 of the PerfectDisk 10 defragmentation utility.
Game Patches
18 July 2009
Firefox 3.5.1
17 July 2009
Mozilla has released Version 3.5.1 of the Firefox browser. This version fixes several stability and security issues, and also improves startup performance on some machines.
Chrome 2.0.172.37
17 July 2009
Google has released a final Version 2.0.172.37 of the Chrome browser.
Game Patches
17 July 2009
Nvidia Beta Forceware 190.38
16 July 2009
Nvidia has released the Beta Forceware 190.38 driver for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. These drivers are for all GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200 and ION series cards. The drivers add support for OpenGL 3.1, add support for CUDA 2.3, and add several new control panel features including a new user-controlled power management setting for the GeForce 9 series and above. The package also contains the 9.09.0428 PhysX drivers.
Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility 9.1.1.1015
16 July 2009
Intel has released Version 9.1.1.1015 of the Chipset Software Installation Utility, the main motherboard driver for Intel chipset-based motherboards.
iTunes 8.2.1
16 July 2009
Apple has released an update for iTunes, bringing it up to Version 8.2.1. This version has a range of bug fixes and addresses an issue with verification of Apple devices.
Game Patches
16 July 2009
SoundBlaster Audigy 2.18.0011
15 July 2009
Creative has released an official 2.18.0011 driver for the Audigy series (excluding Audigy LS, SE and Value cards) under Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.
Microsoft Security Updates
15 July 2009
Microsoft has released its monthly set of Windows security updates which you can get through Windows Update. Alternatively you can view and download them individually from here - click the 'Released' column header once to sort by date.
Game Patches
15 July 2009
Windows 7 RTM
14 July 2009
To counter rumours that Windows 7 has reached Release to Manufacturing (RTM) status, Microsoft has released Official Details of when Windows 7 will RTM, the various methods available to get this final version of Windows 7, and answers to other FAQs related to this issue.
Game Patches
14 July 2009
Elder Scrolls I & II Free
11 July 2009
Bethesda has released the first two chapters of The Elder Scrolls series for free. The Elder Scrolls: Arena, and The Elder Scrolls II: DaggerFall can both be downloaded from the official Elder Scrolls site, but note that both games require the installation of the free DOSBox emulation software to run - use this Guide to install and run DOSBox.
Realtek HD Audio 2.28
11 July 2009
Realtek has released Version 2.28 of its HD Audio drivers. Note if you have problems with the link, click the 'High Definition Audio Codecs' link at the top of the page and select 'Software'.
ATI Catalyst 9.3.1
10 July 2009
ATI has released the Catalyst 9.3.1 drivers specifically for older 'legacy' cards, namely the Radeon 9500 series through to the Radeon X2100 series. ATI will periodically update the drivers for legacy cards only to provide critical fixes.
Silverlight 3.0
10 July 2009
Microsoft has released Version 3.0 of the Silverlight multimedia plugin. The latest version introduces a range of new features and has performance and quality improvements.
Safari 4.0.2
9 July 2009
Apple has updated the Safari browser to Version 4.0.2 for Windows. This update includes compatibility, stability and security fixes.
Google Chrome OS
9 July 2009
Google has announced that it is developing the Google Chrome Operating System, a free, open-source, lightweight OS initially targeted at netbooks. The new OS is intended to be released in the second half of 2010.
Game Patches
9 July 2009
STALKER: Clear Sky 1.5.10 Patch
8 July 2009
GSC has released the 1.5.10 Patch for STALKER: Clear Sky. This patch contains bug fixes and anti-cheat improvements. I have updated the Clear Sky Tweak Guide but there are no significant changes.
Microsoft Security Advisory
7 July 2009
Microsoft has released a Security Advisory warning of a major vulnerability on systems using Internet Explorer and Windows XP or Windows Server 2003. This exploit does not affect users of Windows Vista, 7 or Server 2008.
VLC Media Player 1.0
7 July 2009
The free VLC Media Player has been updated to Version 1.0. This is a major release with a large number of changes including a new user interface, new decoders, and new features.
Game Patches
4 July 2009
Firefox Tweak Guide
3 July 2009
I have revised the Firefox Tweak Guide for all the changes in Firefox 3.5. The guide not only contains descriptions of the new features, as well as all existing features, it has every major tip and tweak required to customize Firefox 3.5 to suit your needs and get the most out of this browser.
Game Patches
3 July 2009
Winamp 5.56
2 July 2009
The free Winamp media player has been updated to Version 5.56. Changes include a range of fixes and improvements.
SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 1.04.0090
2 July 2009
Creative has released an official 1.04.0090 driver specifically designed for the X-Fi Xtreme Audio under Windows Vista and Windows 7.
AutoRuns 9.51
2 July 2009
Microsoft has released AutoRuns 9.51, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version fixes several bugs and adds support for showing the Windows 7 Sidebar Gadget configuration.
Game Patches
2 July 2009
Game Patches
1 July 2009
Firefox 3.5
1 July 2009
Mozilla has released Version 3.5 of the Firefox browser. This is a major release, as it updates Firefox with a range of changes, most of which are under the hood, resulting in faster performance, greater stability and support for new web technologies. The most obvious new feature of Firefox 3.5 is Private Browsing Mode which allows users to browse without Firefox retaining any data on which sites and pages have been visited. I recommend that all users do a full uninstall of their existing version of Firefox as covered at the bottom of this page of the Firefox Tweak Guide, and then reboot and install Firefox 3.5. Note that I will update the Firefox Tweak Guide for Firefox 3.5 in the next few days.
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