Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Google Chrome 95
“Chrome 95.0.4638.54 contains a number of fixes and improvements…This update includes 19 security fixes.”
Download | Release Info
To update go to Menu (the the dots in upper-right corner > Help > About Google Chrome
or
type this in the URL bar: chrome://settings/help

VirtualBox 6.1.28
Several fixes, support for Linux Kernel 5.14/5.15 and Win11 guest support.
Download | Changelog

Intel Graphics Drivers 30.0.100.9955
Several game related fixes.
Download | Release Notes

VMware Workstation Player 16.2.0
“This release contains security updates and bug fixes.”
Download | Release Notes

Notepad++ 8.1.7
1/2 dozen fixes.
Download & Info

Windows Updates
Win10 – October 12, 2021—KB5006670 (OS Builds 19041.1288, 19042.1288, and 19043.1288)
Address 1 issue, 39 security updates.
Win11 – October 12, 2021—KB5006674 (OS Build 22000.258)
“Addresses known compatibility issues between some Intel “Killer” and “SmartByte” networking software and Windows 11 (original release).“, 39 security updates.

O&O ShutUp10++ 1.9.1425
A few changes and fixes. UI is looking better.
Download | Changelog

PowerToys 0.47.1
1/2 dozen small fixes.
Download & Info

AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 21.10.2 OPTIONAL Drivers
Support for a couple of games, 3 fixes.
Download | Release Notes

Nvidia Geforce Game Ready Drivers 496.13 WHQL
Support and updates for many games and a few fixes.
Download | Release Notes

NVMe Windows Drivers for Intel SSDs v5.3.0.1005
Support for Windows 11.
Download & Info

AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 21.10.1 OPTIONAL Drivers
Support for Windows 11, Far Cry 6, Battlefield 2042, Naraka: Bladepoint, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
Download | Release Notes

Windows 11 Performance Variation in Certain Applications on Compatible AMD Processors
“AMD and Microsoft have determined that compatible AMD processors may exhibit reduced performance in certain applications when running Windows 11…AMD and Microsoft are actively investigating these known issues for resolution via software updates. This knowledge base article will be updated to include version numbers and delivery vehicle(s) when they are available. In the interim, customers using compatible AMD processors affected by these issues may continue to use a supported version of Windows 10.”

Benchmarked: Do Windows 11’s Security Features Really Hobble Gaming Performance?
“However, our tests show that you will still see an impact in both gaming and application performance due to the heightened security, and that’s even with the newer chips. Now, the performance hit we’ve seen surely isn’t as profound as the ~28% numbers we’ve seen bandied about, but losing 5% of your gaming performance isn’t acceptable if you don’t need the added security — especially when that represents a full CPU generation’s worth of performance improvement.”
Uses actual benchmarks unlike some sites.

Google Maps Adding 3 Cool New Features
“Make greener choices when getting from A to B with new eco-friendly routes, updates to biking directions and bike and scooter share information in Google Maps.”

Google – Making sign-in safer and more convenient
“we have started to automatically configure our users’ accounts into a more secure state. By the end of 2021, we plan to auto-enroll an additional 150 million Google users in 2SV and require 2 million YouTube creators to turn it on.”

iVerge Tech Survey 2021
“The Verge has conducted periodic surveys gauging Americans’ attitudes toward the major tech industry”
[Read more…] about Wednesday News

More Win11 Links
Microsoft – Ways to install Windows 11( Includes official registry hack to bypass TPM check.)
Microsoft’s Windows 11 Articles
The Register – Windows 11 in detail: Incremental upgrade spoilt by onerous system requirements and usability mis-steps
PC Gamer readers choose to wait on installing Windows 11 and we don’t blame them

“We’re pumped to be launching Windows 11; the entire user experience brings you closer to what you love, empowers you to produce and inspires you to create. Windows 11 provides a sense of calm and openness. It gives you a place that feels like home. It’s secure and everything is designed to be centered around you.”
Panos Panay, Chief Product Officer, Windows + Devices

Firefox 93
A few new features, fixes, and improvements.
Download | Release Notes

Intel Killer Performance Suite
Installs Wi-Fi, Ethernet drivers and Killer Software for the Intel Killer products.
Support for Windows 11
Updated Wi-Fi driver to version 22.80.1.1
Updated Killer Networking Software to version 3.1121.927.5
Download & Info
[Read more…] about Tuesday Random Stuff…

O&O ShutUp10 Updated
A few GUI improvements, several new settings, “Support for Windows 11…Change of application name to “O&O ShutUp10++”
Download | Changelog

HWiNFO 7.12
Some GUI improvements, some fixes and enhancements. (see screenshot below)
Download (I use portable) | Version Info

Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp go DOWN worldwide for FOUR hours and counting in catastrophic outage – as experts suggest internal error is to blame and staff ‘are locked out of offices’
Every news outlet is reporting on this. From what I can tell it’s a DNS issue. There are reports of Twitter and Gmail being down for some. I can reach both fine. My webhost seems to be having issues too.
#DeleteFacebook was trending on Twitter today. You know, because Twitter is such a positive benefit to society.

HWiNFO v7.12 screenshot from my main computer:
[Read more…] about Monday News