TweakHound

O&O AppBuster 1.1.1340
GUI changes, settings now saved in user profile folder, Win11 support.
Download & Info | Changelog

Samsung Magician SSD Software 7.0.1
“Bug fix, Security improvement”
Download & Info | Install Guide

Sysinternals Freeware Updates
Bugfixes. Updated apps include Autoruns 14.07, Process Monitor 3.87, and Sysmon 13.31.
Blog Post

Intel Graphics Drivers 101.1191
Download | Release Notes

Deal
$50 Panera Bread Gift Card for $40

Windows 10 – December 14, 2021—KB5008212 (OS Builds 19041.1415, 19042.1415, 19043.1415, and 19044.1415)
“This update contains miscellaneous security improvements to internal OS functionality. No additional issues were documented for this release.”

Windows 11 – December 14, 2021—KB5008215 (OS Build 22000.376)
“This update contains miscellaneous security improvements to internal OS functionality. No additional issues were documented for this release.“

“The Stable channel has been updated to 96.0.4664.110 for Windows, Mac and Linux…This update includes 5 security fixes.”
Download | Release Notes
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

Intel Memory and Storage Tool (GUI) v1.12
Drive management tool for Intel SSDs and Optane devices.
Changes include:
-Resolved firmware update for Optane P5800X Series
-Added namespace overprovisioning support
-Corrected the capacity calculation displayed in drive info
Download & Info

Intel Ethernet Adapter Complete Driver Pack v26.7
“This zip file contains all of the Intel Ethernet network drivers and software for currently supported versions of Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD for most Intel Ethernet Adapters.”
Download & Info

Firefox 95
“New – RLBox — a new technology that hardens Firefox against potential security vulnerabilities in third-party libraries — is now enabled on all platforms.”
5 fixes and over a dozen security fixes.
Download | Release Notes
To update, go to Settings > Help > About.

Google Chrome Updated
“The Stable channel has been updated to 96.0.4664.93 for Windows, Mac and Linux…This update includes 22 security fixes.”
Download | Release Notes
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
Chrome for Android updated too. “This release includes stability and performance improvements“

AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 21.12.1 Optional Drivers
Support for Halo Infinite, Fortnite, Icarus, and a few fixes.
Download | Release Notes

The Verizon app might be collecting your browsing history and more
There is no “might be” about it. I received an email last week (screenshot below). The text read in-part (bold text added my me for clarity):
“We’d like to introduce Verizon Custom Experience, a program designed to provide you more personalized experiences with Verizon. You will be part of Custom Experience unless you opt out.
How it works
The program uses information about websites you visit and apps you use on your mobile device to help us better understand your interests. This helps us personalize our communications with you, give you more relevant product and service recommendations, and develop plans, services and offers that are more appealing to you.
To be very clear, this information is used only by Verizon; we do not sell this information to others for them to use for their own advertising.
You’re in control
You will be part of Custom Experience unless you opt out. You can opt out at any time on the My Verizon site or your My Verizon app by accessing privacy preferences.”
– – –
Can you guess how quickly I opted out? Screw you Verizon. FYI, you must opt out of BOTH “Custom Experience” and “Custom Experience Plus” for EVERY LINE. Non-Verizon users don’t get too smug, AT&T and T-Mobile started pulling this crap earlier this year. Oh, and one more thing Verizon. We aren’t friends so stop addressing me by my given name. Show some frigging manners while your trying to spy on me and at the same time bleeding me every last cent you can.

Two American Heroes Pass
Bob Dole, Old Soldier and Stalwart of the Senate, Dies at 98
“Mr. Dole, a son of the Kansas prairie who was left for dead on a World War II battlefield, became one of the longest-serving Republican leaders.”

Edward Shames, last ‘Band of Brothers’ officer, dies at 99
“Shames was involved in some of the most important battles of World War II. During the war, he was a member of the renowned Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
“He made his first combat jump into Normandy on D-Day as part of Operation Overlord. He volunteered for Operation Pegasus and then fought with Easy Company in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne”
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
[Read more…] about Weekend Random Stuff…

Nvidia Geforce Game Ready Drivers 497.09 WHQL
Support for the new HALO game, new hardware, and 8 other fixes.
Download | Release Notes

IrfanView 4.59
A few new features, “Several PlugIns are changed/updated, please install the newest versions”
Download & Info | Release Notes

PowerToys 0.51.0
Several changes and improvements.
Download & Info