Neowin News Feed for: Firmware

Microsoft wants to make Surface devices more secure and reliable through Rust

Usama Jawad — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:12:01 +0000

Microsoft Surface has joined the Open Device Partnership (ODP) meant to standardize device firmware and system design. Read more...

Like HP and Canon, Brother now under fire over alleged third-party printer ink manipulation

Sayan Sen — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:04:01 +0000

Brother has denied the recent accusations and allegations that it is manipulating firmware to harm printers using third-party ink. Read more...

Microsoft details how Surface firmware evolved over more than ten years

Taras Buria — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 20:04:01 +0000

Every Surface computer comes with its firmware, which is a critical component responsible for managing various device aspects. Here is how Surface firmware evolved over the last decade. Read more...

Microsoft fixes video glitches, display flickering, and crashes in the Surface Pro 9 5G

Taras Buria — Thu, 30 May 2024 08:24:01 +0000

If your Surface Pro 9 5G is suffering from display flickering, video glitches, and crashes, then the latest firmware update will save your day as it fixes all those bugs and instabilities. Read more...

Microsoft fixes video freezes and audio device issues in Surface Laptop 4

Taras Buria — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:38:01 +0000

Microsoft has released a new firmware update for the Surface Laptop 4 with AMD processors. It fixes freezes and stutters during audio calls in Teams and resolves issues with audio devices. Read more...

Surface Pro 7 Plus and Laptop Studio get auto Slim Pen pairing in new firmware

Taras Buria — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 21:44:01 +0000

Microsoft has released a new firmware update for the Surface Pro 7 Plus and the original Surface Laptop Studio. It adds auto Slim Pan pairing and various improvements for LTE connectivity. Read more...

Microsoft updates Surface Pro 9 firmware with machine learning improvements

Taras Buria — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:34:01 +0000

Microsoft has released a new firmware for the Surface Pro 9. The latest release makes the device more stable when connected to Surface Thunderbolt 4 dock Dock and improves machine learning service. Read more...

After fixing DDR5 memory training and speed, AMD Ryzen desktop (AM5) APUs seem ready to fly

Sayan Sen — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 17:22:01 +0000

After improving DDR5 speeds and fixing memory training bugs and issues, AMD seems to finally be ready to announce the Ryzen 7000 desktop APUs for AM5. These upcoming parts may be revealed at CES. Read more...

Alongside DX 11 performance boost, Intel firmware update quietly bumps up Arc specs

Sayan Sen — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 22:46:01 +0000

Intel's recently released WHQL-certified Arc driver brings in multiple improvements. It not only brings DX11 improvements and a new monitoring tool, the driver also bumps up the clocks. Read more...

ASUS router owners might need to get a new firmware patch to fix security issues

John Callaham — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 12:34:01 +0000

ASUS has issued a new security alert for many of its routers, including firmware patch downloads that are designed to fix a number of security issues that have been discovered in those devices. Read more...

You can now update your Gigabyte motherboard BIOS to fix that security backdoor

John Callaham — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 11:14:01 +0000

The new BIOS firmware for Gigabyte's motherboards should help fix an issue that was revealed last week that would have allowed hackers to install malicious software on the affected boards. Read more...

Surface Laptop Go gets graphics performance improvements and more in latest firmware update

Taras Buria — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:46:01 +0000

Owners of the original Surface Laptop Go can download new firmware from Microsoft. The latest release improves GPU performance and delivers vital stability and security enhancements. Read more...

Samsung issues new firmware to stop, but not reverse, 990 Pro SSD rapid health degradation

Robbie Khan — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 23:56:01 +0000

The German Samsung community forum admins reports a new firmware that addresses the rapid health degrade on 990 Pro SSDs. Sadly, it comes with some pros and cons that are important to note. Read more...

New Xbox Insider Alpha update includes new controller firmware that fixes issues

Paul Hill — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 05:50:02 +0000

Microsoft has released Build 2302.221206-2200 to the Xbox Alpha ring. It comes with a new controller firmware update that fixes two controller issues. The Alpha ring is invite-only. Read more...

Leaked AMD RX 6950 XT vBIOS suggests the card is more versatile than 6900 XT

Sayan Sen — Sat, 07 May 2022 13:26:01 +0000

The vBIOS details for a couple of AMD RX 6950 XT variants, the upcoming flagship RDNA 2 refresh GPU, have leaked. The leak provides some interesting details about the upcoming Radeon product. Read more...

Surface Go 3 gets its first firmware update

Taras Buria — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 06:50:01 +0000

Microsoft has released the first firmware update for its budget Surface tablet. The April 2022 firmware update with various stability improvements is now available for the Surface Go 3. Read more...

DualSense controller firmware can now be updated on Windows without a PS5

Pulasthi Ariyasinghe — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 11:12:01 +0000

Sony has released an official tool that allows its PlayStation 5 DualSense controller to be updated with new firmware on Windows PCs. Before, this required a console to accomplish. Read more...

Experiencing stick drift on Steam Deck? Fret not, a fix is already out

Usama Jawad — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 06:18:01 +0000

There have been many reports of Valve's Steam Deck showing signs of thumbstick drift even after light use. However, worry not, this is only due to a firmware issue that has now been fixed. Read more...

UEFI firmware from Microsoft, Intel, and more, at risk from nearly two dozen threats

Sayan Sen — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:04:02 +0000

Firmware security research firm Binarly has revealed that it discovered nearly two dozen vulnerabilities in InsydeH2O UEFI used by several vendors like Microsoft, Intel, Dell, HP, and more. Read more...

Microsoft rolls out August firmware update for Surface Laptop 3 (AMD)

Mehrotra A — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 08:28:02 +0000

Surface Laptop 3 users are now receiving the August firmware update that brings general improvements, addresses security vulnerabilities as well as improves stability when using Microsoft accessories. Read more...

Microsoft details how security is at the forefront with Windows 11

Usama Jawad — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 20:24:01 +0000

Microsoft has detailed a bunch of hardware-based protections that Windows 11 will utilize to allow organizations to operate Zero Trust models and enable consumers to finally ditch passwords. Read more...

Microsoft acquires ReFirm Labs to enhance its Azure Defender for IoT platform

Stergios Georgopoulos — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 18:16:01 +0000

Microsoft will integrate ReFirm Labs' firmware analysis technology into the company's existing IoT security platform, offering customers an all-in-one, cloud-based security solution. Read more...

First-gen Surface Go receives firmware updates with a bunch of fixes

Abhay V — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 17:04:01 +0000

Microsoft has released firmware updates for the first-gen Surface Go, bringing camera improvements, charging fixes, and more. The updates are out for both, the Wi-Fi and LTE models. Read more...

Older Surface Laptop and Pro models get driver and firmware updates

João Carrasqueira — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 10:40:01 +0000

Microsoft has released a few new firmware and driver updates to older Surface devices, specifically in the Surface Laptop and Pro families. The updates focus on security and stability. Read more...

Surface Laptop 3 and Pro X get long lists of driver and firmware updates

João Carrasqueira — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 17:02:01 +0000

Microsoft is rolling out a series of firmware and driver updates to a couple of its newest devices, addressing a wide range of issues with graphics, audio, networking, and stability. Read more...

Surface Pro X day-one firmware updates improve stability

João Carrasqueira — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 21:53:06 +0000

Microsoft launched the Surface Pro X yesterday, and to go along with it, there are a handful of firmware updates available. The updates focus on improving stability and battery performance. Read more...

Surface Pro 7 and Laptop 3 get firmware updates ahead of official launch

João Carrasqueira — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 18:04:01 +0000

Microsoft's new Surface devices, the Pro 7 and Laptop 3, are set to be released tomorrow, October 22, but they're already receiving firmware updates. These improve battery life and more. Read more...

Surface Pro 6 and Surface Book 2 users see their PCs throttling down to 400MHz

Muhammad Jarir Kanji — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 06:26:02 +0000

The latest batch of firmware updates to Microsoft's Surface Book 2 and Surface Pro 6 seem to be playing havoc with the PCs' processors, leading to excessive throttling down to 400MHz clock speeds. Read more...

Samsung updates Galaxy S10 line with improvements to Wireless PowerShare

Timi Cantisano — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 21:58:01 +0000

Samsung has issued new Galaxy S10 updates, bringing improvements to its camera and also Wireless PowerShare feature. The update comes in at a bit over 400MB and is now available to those in Europe. Read more...

Microsoft announces Project Mu to promote Firmware as a Service

Usama Jawad — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 07:20:01 +0000

Microsoft wants firmware development to follow the Firmware as a Service (FaaS) model. It has announced an open-source release of Project Mu, which allows UEFI development in a modular manner. Read more...

Surface Go drivers and firmware bundle now available to download

Rich Woods — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 03:00:02 +0000

Nearly three months after the device was released, Microsoft has made the Surface Go drivers and firmware bundle available for download. Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 bundles are still missing. Read more...

Microsoft updates drivers and firmware for Surface devices

Muhammad Jarir Kanji — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 21:16:02 +0000

Microsoft is reportedly pushing new firmware and drivers to the Surface Book 2, Surface Pro and Surface Laptop running the April 2018 update. The company has not updated their product pages yet. Read more...

Huawei could embrace the notch on its next flagship

Dreyer Smit — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 10:16:02 +0000

According to new data uncovered in its latest firmware updates, it has been suggested that Huawei could embrace the notch on its upcoming flagship which could be announced in February next year. Read more...

Linux hardware vendor outlines Intel Management Engine firmware plan

Paul Hill — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 04:44:01 +0000

The hardware vendor, System76, has outlined its plan to update its systems in light of the Intel ME revelations. If you've got one of their computers, read on to learn how to upgrade the firmware. Read more...

Microsoft offers new guidelines for a "highly secure" Windows 10 device

John Keefer — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 16:24:01 +0000

With the threat of hacking always in the background, Microsoft has published a document detailing the best ways for the hardware and firmware of Windows 10 devices to remain secure from threats. Read more...

Report: Unupdated firmware in 4% of Macs means security issues

John Keefer — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 17:32:01 +0000

A new Duo Security report says that firmware that hasn't been updated makes security holes for hackers. A test of Macs found 4% have the problem. Windows users could also be at even more of a risk. Read more...

High Sierra comes with weekly EFI checking utility

Paul Hill — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:48:01 +0000

Apple is set to release macOS High Sierra later today and when it does it'll come with a new EFI checker utility to ensure that the firmware on your Mac has not been altered by malware. Read more...

DJI updates its drones to defend against Russian software that bypasses flight restrictions

Stergios Georgopoulos — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 18:20:01 +0000

DJI, the world's largest consumer drone manufacturer, is forcing its drones to auto-update their firmware, in a move to defend against hackers who circumvent built-in flight restrictions. Read more...

Intel finally patches a security vulnerability that has existed for almost ten years

Florin Bodnarescu — Tue, 02 May 2017 17:14:01 +0000

It was revealed via an advisory that Intel has finally patched a security vulnerability which has been around since 2008. It affects the firm's management solutions, firmware versions 6 through 11.6. Read more...

Samsung's January security patch is now rolling out to the Galaxy S6 in the EU

Timi Cantisano — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:02:01 +0000

A month after its release, Google's January security update for Android is rolling out to Samsung S6 handsets in the EU. The update will roll out OTA and will be for unlocked variants. Read more...