ARCHIVED NEWS
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November 2010
Autoruns 10.06
30 November 2010
Microsoft has released Autoruns 10.06, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version fixes a bug that affects delete and disable operations on entries stored as multisz registry values.
FRAPS 3.2.4
30 November 2010
A new Version 3.2.4 of the FPS measurement, benchmarking and video capture utility FRAPS has been released. This version adds support for Stereoscopic 3D capture in DX10 and 11, adds support for Windows 7 SP1 RC, and fixes several bugs.
Game Patches
30 November 2010
Game Patches
27 November 2010
Game Patches
26 November 2010
CCleaner 3.01.1327
25 November 2010
A new Version 3.01.1327 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This update has a range of improvements including improved cleaning for various applications such as Firefox 4.0 Beta, Adobe Reader 9 and 10, and 7-zip, as well as bug fixes.
WinZip 15
25 November 2010
The archival utility WinZip has been upgraded to Version 15 Build 9327.
Game Patches
25 November 2010
Windows Updates
24 November 2010
Microsoft has released several non-critical updates for Windows 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.
Autoruns 10.05
24 November 2010
Microsoft has released Autoruns 10.05, updating this free startup software identification utility. This version adds ActiveSync autostart locations and fixes two bugs.
Process Explorer 14.01
24 November 2010
Microsoft has released Version 14.01 of the free Process Explorer utility, which is a more detailed version of Task Manager. This update adds a new Summary tab, and fixes a DLL view bug.
Game Patches
24 November 2010
Game Patches
23 November 2010
Nvidia Forceware 263.09
22 November 2010
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 263.09 WHQL certified driver for Windows XP, Vista and 7. This driver is only for the new GeForce GTX 580 and GTX 460 SE cards. The driver package also contains the 9.10.0514 PhysX drivers.
Safari 5.0.3
20 November 2010
Apple has released Version 5.0.3 of the Safari browser for Windows. This update contains general compatibility, reliability and security fixes.
Game Patches
20 November 2010
7-Zip 9.20
19 November 2010
A Version 9.20 of the free 7-Zip archival utility has been released. This major update contains a range of changes including support for LZMA2, XZ and PPMd, updating of solid .7z archives, speed optimizations, as well as bug fixes.
Logitech SetPoint 6.20
19 November 2010
Logitech has released Version 6.20 of the SetPoint software for mice and keyboards. Changes include a reduced download size, updated control panel for standard mice and keyboards, as well as various fixes and stability enhancements.
Adobe Reader X
19 November 2010
Adobe has released Version 10.0 of the Adobe Reader software for viewing PDF documents, now known as Adobe Reader X. This major update introduces Protected Mode for greater security, along with interface refinements, commenting, sharing and creating PDFs from files among other changes.
Sandra 2011
19 November 2010
SiSoftware has released a new 2011 Build 17.20 of the free system information utility Sandra.
Nvidia Forceware 263.06
18 November 2010
Nvidia has released the Forceware 263.06 driver for Windows XP, Vista and 7. These drivers are a special release intended primarily for developers, providing support for the CUDA Toolkit 3.2, so they are best used for experimental purposes.
AMD Catalyst 10.11
18 November 2010
AMD has released the official Catalyst 10.11 graphics driver for the HD 2000 series and above. This WHQL certified driver provides performance improvements in Battleforge and Stalker: Call of Pripyat benchmark, as well as containing bug fixes.
Internet Explorer 9 Preview 7
18 November 2010
Microsoft has released a new Internet Explorer 9 Preview 7, which is designed primarily for developer feedback purposes. This preview adds three new benchmark tests.
Game Patches
18 November 2010
Adobe Reader 9.4.1
17 November 2010
Adobe has released a Version 9.4.1 update for their Adobe Reader software for viewing PDF documents. This update addresses a critical security vulnerability.
Process Explorer 14
17 November 2010
Microsoft has released Version 14.00 of the free Process Explorer utility, which is a more detailed version of Task Manager. This major update introduces a range of new features and improvements, including network and disk monitoring, improved multi-tab system information dialog, additional memory statistics, and improved DLL scanning.
Foxit Reader 4.3
17 November 2010
The free Foxit PDF Reader has been updated to Version 4.3. This version adds support for reading PDFs embedded in HTML, as well as fixing several issues.
Game Patches
17 November 2010
Call of Duty: Black Ops
16 November 2010
Given it's become one of the fastest selling games of all time, I've prepared a couple of HD YouTube videos to demonstrate typical Call of Duty: Black Ops gameplay for those considering purchasing the game. There's a Singleplayer Video and a Multiplayer Video. The gameplay is much the same as previous COD games - singleplayer is best described as a cross between an FPS and an immersive interactive cinematic; multiplayer places emphasis on fast-paced action over realism.
Driver Sweeper 2.7.5
16 November 2010
A new Version 2.7.5 of the free Driver Sweeper driver file residue cleanup utility has been released. This version improves driver cleaning, removes Guru3D branding, and contains bug fixes.
Games for Windows Live 3.4
16 November 2010
Microsoft has released an Update for the Games for Windows Live client.
Game Patches
16 November 2010
Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool 1.25.0.0-6-5
14 November 2010
Intel has released Version 1.25.0.0-6-5 of its Processor Diagnostic Tool, which can verify the brand, functionality and operating frequency of the CPU, as well as performing a stress test. Note: Only works on Windows 32-bit
VLC Media Player 1.1.5
14 November 2010
The free VLC Media Player has been updated to Version 1.1.5. This version adds features including 1000 web-shows listing integration, Game Music Emu support, live .webm streams support, and contains bug and security fixes.
AMD Catalyst 10.10e Hotfix
13 November 2010
AMD has released the Catalyst 10.10e Hotfix graphics driver for Windows 7. This driver adds new Catalyst AI user interface options on the HD 5000 series which were previously only available on the HD 6000 series, as well as containing the changes in the previous 10.10 hotfixes.
iTunes 10.1
13 November 2010
Apple has released a new Version 10.1 of the iTunes software. This version supports the use of AirPlay for wireless streaming of videos from Apple TV, iOS 4.2 compatibility improvements, and a range of stability and performance improvements.
Game Patches
13 November 2010
Game Patches
11 November 2010
Site Update
10 November 2010
Regular readers will know that I stopped writing game tweak guides in late 2008 for the reasons explained here. Earlier this year, Nvidia approached me with an offer to commission new game guides for their newly redesigned website. After careful consideration I accepted the offer on the basis that I would not be writing my guides solely for users of Nvidia products, and that they would still be available for free and devoid of intrusive ads. This arrangement has also allowed me to alter my approach to writing game guides in two ways: Firstly, since most PC games now have few options for advanced tweaking, and as most readers were just skimming the guides anyway, the new game guides are shorter and focus on the in-game settings and any significant advanced tweaks. Secondly, through Nvidia's hardware labs it is now possible to provide indicative performance data for every setting.
You can access the first of these new game guides - for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 - under the Optimize section of the newly launched GeForce.com website. I've already completed two other guides for more recent games, which will appear on the site in coming weeks.
I suspect that some readers may be unhappy with my decision. The simple fact of the matter is that without Nvidia sponsorship, there would be no new game guides at all. Furthermore, I have for several years been recommending Nvidia GPUs because I genuinely believe they provide the best out-of-the-box gameplay experience, primarily due to Nvidia's significant investment in their drivers, and working closely with game developers. Indeed as recent games have become 'consolized', many of the advanced features which can truly take advantage of PC hardware have come from Nvidia's direct investment in games development. For all these reasons, and given I'm writing guides on a commission basis and not as a contracted employee of Nvidia, I am comfortable with this arrangement.
Nvidia Forceware 262.99
10 November 2010
Nvidia has released the Official Forceware 262.99 WHQL certified driver for Windows XP, Vista and 7. This driver is only for the new GeForce GTX 580 card. The driver package also contains the 9.10.0514 PhysX drivers.
Microsoft Security Updates
10 November 2010
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.
GPU-Z 0.4.8
10 November 2010
GPU-Z, a free graphics card information utility, has reached Version 0.4.8. Changes include support for new chipsets as well as a range of bug fixes.
Game Patches
10 November 2010
Game Patches
9 November 2010
WinZip 15
7 November 2010
The archival utility WinZip has been upgraded to Version 15 Build 9302.
Game Patches
7 November 2010
Sandra 2011
7 November 2010
SiSoftware has released a new 2011 Build 17.15 of the free system information utility Sandra.
Game Patches
6 November 2010
Realtek HD Audio 2.54
6 November 2010
Realtek has released Version 2.54 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'.
Flash Player 10.1.102.64
5 November 2010
Adobe has released Version 10.1.102.64 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers.
Chrome 7.0.517.44
5 November 2010
Google has released Version 7.0.517.44 of the Chrome browser. This version has a range of security fixes and an updated version of flash.
Game Patches
5 November 2010
Internet Explorer Security Vulnerability
4 November 2010
Microsoft has warned of a Security Vulnerability which potentially exists in all versions of Internet Explorer, except IE 9 Beta. Internet Explorer 6 and 7 users are most at risk, as IE 8 users are likely shielded from the impact of this vulnerability due to the protection afforded by the Data Execution Prevention feature which is enabled by default in IE8, along with Protected Mode. A patch will be issued for this vulnerability shortly.
Game Patches
4 November 2010
CCleaner 3.00.1310
4 November 2010
A new Version 3.00.1310 of the free CCleaner system cleaning utility has been released. This update fixes a bug with extensions on Chrome.
SpeedFan 4.42
4 November 2010
Almico has released Version 4.42 of SpeedFan, a free utility for changing system fan speeds, measuring temperatures and voltages and adjusting clock speeds. This version improves Nvidia GPU support, as well as a range of other improvements and fixes.
AMD Catalyst 10.10d Hotfix
3 November 2010
AMD has released the Catalyst 10.10d Hotfix graphics driver for the HD 6000 series under Windows 7. This driver resolves issues with the new Morphological Anti-Aliasing (MLAA) feature not being applied correctly in some games. Note the link above goes directly to the driver file on AMD's servers, as there is currently no page on the AMD site for this hotfix.
Game Patches
3 November 2010
Game Patches
2 November 2010
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