Windows Vms
The latest Windows Vms coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
AIDA64 v8.35 Quietly Adds Recognition for AMD Zen 6 and Intel’s Rugged Panther Lake-R
AIDA64 v8.35 adds early detection for unreleased AMD Zen 6 desktop and APU processors, Mustang Peak Threadripper platforms, and Intel Panther Lake-R rugged chips. The update simply gives the tool proper CPUID strings to identify engineering samples, offering practical value to validation labs and enthusiasts with pre-release hardware while leaving everyday users unaffected. It marks incremental progress in platform development but reveals no final specs or launch dates.
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS adds six-month QEMU/libvirt HWE stack, easing confidential computing for mixed environments
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS introduces an opt-in Hardware Enablement (HWE) stack for its KVM-based virtualization components, refreshing QEMU, libvirt, and guest firmware every six months. This allows administrators to adopt newer confidential computing features like AMD SEV-SNP and Intel TDX on a stable LTS base without upgrading the entire operating system, directly benefiting mixed environments where Ubuntu hosts run Windows Server or client VMs.
Intel's Graphics Command Center Won't Open? It Might Be Obsolete on Your PC
Intel Graphics Command Center may fail to open because Intel is transitioning to Intel Graphics Software for newer systems. This guide explains which app you actually need, walks through the least-invasive fixes first, and reveals when a driver reinstall is truly necessary.
The 11 Unplayable .raw Files in Windows Are Xbox UI Sounds—Here's How to Access Them
The 11 unplayable `.raw` files in `C:\Windows\Media` are not corrupted or leftover debug files; they are intentional WinUI control sounds originally designed for Xbox. Because Windows PCs lack the expected playback support, double-clicking them produces silence, though the files can still be accessed through specialized tools or extraction methods.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2026): Cooler RTX 5090, Sharper 4K, Heftier Price
The 2026 Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 refines the 18-inch gaming laptop with a vastly improved cooling system that lets its RTX 5090 run cooler and quieter. A new 4K 240Hz Mini LED panel enhances visuals, but performance gains over the 2025 model are negligible. Starting at $4,999, it’s best suited for buyers who prioritize low noise and thermals over raw value.
Lenovo's Next Budget All-in-One Could Bring Six New Colors and Qi Charging to Windows 11 Desktops
Exclusive renders show a new Lenovo IdeaCentre all-in-one PC with six colors, including four muted pastels, and a design hinting at features like Qi wireless charging and a Windows Hello webcam. The leak suggests Lenovo is targeting the budget AIO market with a focus on desk appeal, but key specs remain unknown ahead of an official announcement.
Steam Deck OLED Finally Streams HDR from PC: Valve Beta How-To
Valve’s July 29 Steam Beta brings HDR streaming to Steam Deck OLED, finally allowing Remote Play to preserve high-dynamic-range visuals from a gaming PC. The update also improves color range handling for all clients and introduces experimental AV1 video streaming. Steam Deck OLED owners can enable the feature today by switching to the beta channel and ensuring HDR is active on their Windows host.
Why Microsoft’s Intel 18A Test Chip Isn’t the Windows Hardware News You Think It Is
Intel completed the RAMP-C pilot on its 18A process with Microsoft, Nvidia, and IBM taping out test chips, but no production orders were announced. The milestone validates the design flow but doesn’t signal any upcoming Intel-powered Windows devices. Enterprise IT buyers should keep their hardware roadmaps focused on announced products, not test-chip milestones.
AMD Adrenalin 26.7.1: Gears of War E-Day Beta Ready, But Windows 10 Smart Access Memory May Disable
AMD's Adrenalin 26.7.1 driver adds game-ready support for the Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta and official compatibility with the new Radeon RX 9050 GPU. However, a known issue may disable Smart Access Memory on Windows 10 systems after installation, requiring users to manually re-enable it. The update also fixes several rendering and stability bugs, but introduces a few new glitches on specific hardware.
Ditch Ctrl+Alt+Del: This Overlooked Windows 11 Shortcut Gets You Straight to Task Manager
Windows Central’s July 29 roundup highlights the undersung Ctrl+Shift+Esc shortcut for opening Task Manager directly, bypassing the Ctrl+Alt+Del security screen, alongside other essential Windows 11 key combinations. This guide breaks down which shortcuts are genuinely worth adding to muscle memory, corrects a common multi-monitor mistake, and provides step-by-step instructions for clipboard history, battery health reports, and cautious use of local account workarounds during setup.
Update Your Radeon Drivers Now: AMD Fixes Blender Crashes and FSR 4.1 Hiccups on RX 7000 GPUs
AMD Adrenalin 26.7.1 delivers critical fixes for Blender crashes and FSR 4.1 instability on Radeon RX 7000 GPUs, adds support for the new RX 9050, and includes game profiles for upcoming titles. Home users and creators should install immediately, while IT admins and Battlefield 6 players on Ryzen AI hardware should proceed with caution due to unresolved issues.
DRM-Free Star Ocean Hits GOG: How to Play Offline and What the Linux Promise Really Means
Star Ocean: The Divine Force and Star Ocean: The Second Story R are now available on GOG with no DRM, standalone offline installers, and inclusion in the GOG Preservation Program. GOG has also confirmed that it is in the early stages of developing a native Linux Galaxy client, though no release timeline has been announced.
Intel Foundry Validates Keysight’s RFPro for Next-Gen Nodes, Slashing Simulation Risk for Chip Teams
Keysight announced that its RFPro electromagnetic simulation software is certified for Intel Foundry’s advanced 18A-P and 14A process technologies. The validation helps RFIC and mixed-signal teams identify layout-related issues before tape-out, potentially reducing costly redesigns and accelerating development of AI, 5G, and high-performance computing chips.