To enhance user experience, Microsoft has rolled out a significant update to the web version of its Microsoft Store, simplifying the process of downloading and installing applications. This move aims to minimize the number of steps required, making it more convenient for users to access their desired apps. Previously, the process of installing apps from the Microsoft Store website involved multiple steps, including navigating through deep-linked dialogues and mini-window popups before the actual download could commence. While this approach was implemented as a security measure to prevent malicious scripts from executing, it was deemed cumbersome by many users. With the introduction of the "undocked version" of the Microsoft Store, the app installation process has been streamlined. Users can now download an app for their Windows system with just two clicks.

The first click initiates the download of the app package, and the second click launches the application itself. Early feedback from testers and developers has been overwhelmingly positive, with reports indicating a 12% increase in app installations and a remarkable 54% surge in the number of applications launched after installation. This update not only improves the user experience but also holds the potential to boost app adoption and engagement on the Microsoft Store platform. While not all apps currently support this new lightweight installation process, with some still directing users to the dedicated Windows app or requiring additional downloads during installation, Microsoft is committed to expanding the availability of this feature across its app catalog. This update underscores Microsoft's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and user-friendliness of its services.

NVIDIA has today released the latest iteration of its GeForce Game Ready drivers - Version 535.98 WHQL. This latest update provides optimizations in advance for the launch of Blizzard's long awaited and much anticipated new entry in the Diablo series - IV launches on June 6th with day one support for NVIDIA DLSS 3 and NVIDIA Reflex. Today's release of Nightdive's System Shock Remake is also catered for in the shape of DLSS 2 enhancements. Today's patch notes indicate that a general gaming bug fix addresses reports of GeForce Experience Freestyle filters causing in-game crashes. General amendments include the prevention of brief monitor flickering following waking from display sleep mode with DSR/DLDSR enabled, and visual glitches encountered in productivity software (SOLIDWORKS 2023, MAGIX Vegas Pro 7 & more). Owners of GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs will not be happy to find out that a sky flickering issue encountered in Watch Dogs 2 is not yet fixed - this remains an open issue.

DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 535.98 WHQL

QNAP Systems, Inc. (QNAP) today released the QTS 5.1.0 beta NAS operating system that delivers highly efficient and cost-effective storage solutions for business IT with abundant features, including SMB multichannel, delegated administration, accelerated SMB signing, automatic RAID disk replacement, Hailo-8 AI module support, and multi-device management through a cloud management platform. QNAP provides numerous NAS models with 2.5GbE and 10GbE as standard, providing suitability for SMB multichannel to drive boosted network performance and maximize IT investment.

"QNAP continues enhancing core functions of storage and strengthening NAS security," said Tim Lin, Product Manager of QNAP, adding "We help our users stay fast, flexible, and agile by offering competitive storage solutions, ensuring they can acquire cutting-edge applications and operational efficiency to lower IT and management costs."

According to multiple reports and sources close to Tom's Hardware, Intel and Microsoft have quietly resumed operations and a basic level of support in Russia. As to comply with sanctions imposed by Europe, the UK, and US, Intel and Microsoft are forbidden to sell any new technology within the state of Russia. This has made Intel and Microsoft block official software downloads. However, Intel has stated that the company is obliged to provide warranty services that are a part of purchasing an Intel product. "Intel continues to comply with all applicable export regulations and sanctions in the countries in which it operates. This includes compliance with the sanctions and export controls against Russia and Belarus issued by the US and allied nations. Access to resources that meet driver update needs, such as the Intel Download Center and Intel Download Support Assistant (IDSA), are part of Intel's warranty obligations," said Intel, adding that "There have been no recent changes to our operations."

These changes are not exactly "recent," as reports close to Tom's Hardware have noted that downloads were resumed towards the end of 2022. Izvestia and CNews reported that users could access the Intel download portal without VPN and IP masking. This required finding a download section through Google/Yandex, as the official Intel Russia website is still not officially reachable by Russian IPs.

QNAP Systems, Inc. (QNAP) today officially released the QuTS hero h5.0 operating system, the latest version of the ZFS-based NAS operating system. Including an upgraded Linux Kernel (5.10), improved security, WireGuard VPN support, snapshot instant clone, and free exFAT support, QNAP's QuTS hero NAS provides exceptional solutions for data storage/backup, virtualization, or time-sensitive collaborative media editing.

"Data security is a top priority for QNAP, and we have implemented a major system kernel update for QuTS hero to enhance NAS security and reliability," said Sam Lin, Product Manager of QNAP, adding "In QuTS hero h5.0, we have also optimized the overall performance to meet larger and complex business workloads."

Is AMD planning to retire driver support for 32-bit Windows? A bulk of the company's Radeon R9 and Fury series GPUs feature 4 GB or more of video memory, and 64-bit Windows users making up the overwhelming majority, the company has begun steering users away from using 32-bit Windows altogether. We got whiff of this when we visited AMD's Drivers + Download Center on the company website, and tried clicking on the "32-bit" links of some of its Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 drivers, which redirected to an ominously-worded AMD knowledge-base article (Article #GPU-622).

This knowledge-base article, intended for people looking for 32-bit drivers, reads:

A system running Microsoft Windows 10 64 Bit can take full advantage of the advanced visual and performance features of these graphics cards. However, AMD also provides 64 Bit drivers for Microsoft Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Windows 7 to accomodate those users who choose to use an older Microsoft Operating System.

ASUSTOR Inc., a leading innovator and provider of network storage solutions, today announced the release of three new NAS Apps for its well-received AS 6 Series NAS devices. These new Apps consist of Symantec Backup Exec's RALUS, an acclaimed backup solution, Dropbox, a popular cloud storage and sync service and DVBLink TV Server, a digital television App. Additionally, two of ASUSTOR's existing Apps are being upgraded with advanced features and enhancements. Download Center now features the new and convenient Smart Download Folder function. Its mobile App, AiDownload, has added a push notification function and is now available for both iOS and Android. Not to be outdone, the Surveillance Center App now boasts added Daylight Saving Time adjustments along with full compatibility with Panasonic's BB and BL camera lines. Interested users may begin enjoying these new Apps and upgrades by downloading them through ASUSTOR's App Central.

ASUSTOR Inc., a leading innovator and provider of network storage solutions, has announced the launch of its all new AS 6 Series Network Attached Storage (NAS). The AS 6 Series NAS devices come in two, four, six and eight-bay models and feature System Sleep Mode (S3) along with near instantaneous wake up times. Equipped with the Intel Atom 2.13 GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM (expandable), the 6 Series combines supercharged performance with low power consumption. Intel technology also makes it possible for the devices to boast HDMI outputs which allows for the playing of HD video and multimedia directly to HDMI ready displays.

"In the last ten years we have seen exponential growth in the amount of digital assets worldwide. Properly securing and managing these assets has become a big issue," said Shawn Shu, President at ASUSTOR. "At ASUSTOR we truly understand how to secure our customers' most valued digital assets while providing dynamic new ways for them to interact with and access these assets."

Microsoft recently launched the beta version of the new Microsoft Download Center website that intends to be more convenient and easier to navigate than the current version. The new website is powered by SilverLight technology which is Microsoft's anti-creation of Adobe Flash. You must have the SilverLight plugin for Firefox or Internet Explorer in order to view this new beta site. From now on when you enter the Download Center you'll be asked to try the new SilverLight Beta Center.