Latest news with #vPro
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft Confirms Emergency Update For Windows Users
Emergency update confirmed for Windows users. Getty Images Microsoft has just confirmed an emergency update for Windows 10, after an increasing number of users reported May's mandatory security update breaking Windows. Affected users have been hit with BitLocker Recovery screens and even dreaded Blue Screens of Death after downloading and trying to install the latest critical update. 'Windows 10 might repeatedly display the BitLocker recovery screen at startup,' the company warned, confirming an out of bounds update via Microsoft's Update Catalog. The issue affects users 'on devices with Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) enabled on 10th generation or later Intel vPro processors.' Those who have not yet deployed May's update should install the out of bounds update instead. For those who have tried to install the update and are now stuck, Microsoft says: Windows Latest was first to flag the issue, reporting that 'the KB5058379 install starts, but ends up at 'Enter the recovery key to get going again (Keyboard layout: US)' screen, and there's a text field to add the recovery key. In some cases, there's a BSOD as well.' Microsoft has again warned Windows users that its support team 'doesn't have the ability to retrieve, provide, or recreate a lost BitLocker recovery key,' but can use this link to find your BitLocker recovery key.' This issue and fix primarily applies to enterprise users, as 'consumer devices typically do not use Intel vPro processors and are less likely to be impacted by this issue.' May is proving an interesting month for the Windows-maker, with the wider release of its controversial Recall photographic memory for Copilot+ owners and the continuing drive to push 700 million Windows 10 users to upgrade ahead of October's deadline.
Forbes
18-05-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft Confirms New Update Locks Windows 10 — Or Worse. Here's What To Do
Windows 10 users have recently come across a problem caused by the latest Windows 10 KB5058379 update. The problem is, it's a mandatory update. Here's what you should do. Windows 10 operating system logo NurPhoto via Getty Images The issue was reported on May 15 by Windows Latest. 'Windows 10 KB5058379 is causing PCs to boot into Windows Recovery and require BitLocker key… In some cases, there's a BSOD as well… Windows 10 KB5058379 is a mandatory security update rolling out for everyone, including businesses or enterprises, and you don't have a choice but to install the update,' Windows Latest said. On Saturday, May 17, Microsoft updated a support document to acknowledge the issue. 'We are aware of a known issue on devices with Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) enabled on 10th generation or later Intel vPro processors,' it said. It also shared some good news. 'Consumer devices typically do not use Intel vPro processors and are less likely to be impacted by this issue. This issue ONLY applies to the affected platforms listed below. Windows 10, versions 22H2; Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, Server: None,' Microsoft said in its support document. So, if you have a PC with Intel vPro chip, you could be tempted not to install it yet, though since it's mandatory, it's not advisable to skip it. Take heart, though: Microsoft is working on it. 'We are urgently working on a resolution for this issue, with plans to release an Out-of-band update to the Microsoft Update Catalog in the coming days,' it says, and the fact that the latest support document was filed on a Saturday indicates the urgency. The first stage, obviously, is to find your 48-digit Bitlocker recovery key. Here are Windows Latest's helpful instructions for what you need to do. You need to reboot into BIOS/UEFI, which can be done by pressing a key after power-on, but the keys are different across all OEMs. On most Dell/HP/Lenovo: press F2, F10/F12, or Esc immediately after power-on to enter BIOS/UEFI. Next, in BIOS, look for Security, open Virtualization or Advanced CPU Settings and turn off Intel TXT. This could also be referred to as Trusted Execution, or OS Kernel DMA Support. Note that you can leave VT for Direct I/O (or VT-d) enabled. Finally, save changes and exit BIOS. 'The idea is to disable Intel TXT / Trusted Execution and allow KB5058379 to finish installation. If you followed the steps correctly, you won't run into BitLocker Recovery or BSOD. Remember that the BSOD or BitLocker is triggered when installing KB5058379, but you won't have the issue after the update is installed successfully. The catch is that it's a challenge to install the security patch without turning off Intel TXT / Trusted Execution in BIOS,' Windows Latest explains. Windows 11 is not affected by this issue, it seems.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'It's not just about power and performance anymore': Intel says its leveling up AI PCs for business
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Intel is trying to make debacles like the Cloudstrike outage of 2024 a thing of the past. At MWC in Barcelona, Intel announced vPro commercial editions of the "Arrow Lake" family of Intel Core Ultra chipsets, including the Core Ultra 200U, H, HX, and S suffixes, so the entire Intel Core Ultra 200 series now has vPro enterprise-ready variants. With the full slate of Core Ultra 200 series CPUs available for commercial use, Intel's enterprise portfolio will cover the gamut of powerful compute performance to high power efficiency with the embedded hardware security Intel's vPro systems are known for. 'You see serious gen-over-gen, double-digit plus/minus performance gain,' Intel's vice president of the Client Computing Group and general manager of Client Segments, David Feng tells Laptop Mag. Alongside the new hardware, Intel also announced new service updates to the vPro platform to make it easier for companies to enroll in Intel's Fleet Services for active support in case of major outages. 'It's not just about power and performance anymore, it's multiple pillars that you need to look at from a commercial perspective. It's security, manageability, systems stability, and sustainability,' Intel's General Manager of Commercial Client Segments, Jennifer Larson, tells Laptop Mag. With the new Intel Core Ultra 200U, 200H, 200HX, and 200S vPro variants, the entire Core Ultra 200 series is now commercially viable. The Core Ultra 200H and HX series offer up to 20% increases in multithread performance compared to the Intel Core Ultra 100 and Intel 14th gen CPUs. While we have yet to get our hands on an Intel Core Ultra 200HX system for testing, we were able to confirm Intel's performance claims on a few launch systems for the "Arrow Lake" 200H series. If we see similar performance from the 200HX, that would make the Core Ultra 200 series a worthwhile upgrade even for users on newer systems. But for enterprise customers who tend to work on a three to five-year upgrade cycle, the Core Ultra 200 series is a massive overhaul across raw computing power and efficiency when compared against Intel's 11th gen CPUs, offering up to 2.84x higher multicore performance in Cinebench 2024 and nearly 2x faster video editing. 'For commercial, given that four years is kind of the plus/minus refresh cycle, we compared against the 11th gen,' Feng explains. 'As you can imagine, massive, massive gain across the board for almost 3x the MT [multithreaded] performance.' But Intel's vPro systems include more than just powerful commercial hardware. Intel vPro chipsets come with hardware and software security systems designed for commercial purposes. Intel started the vPro line 19 years ago to meet the needs of IT professionals, and includes fleet deployment systems, increased security and manageability, connectivity, and device stability with a reported 99.7% app compatibility. Intel's vPro Fleet Service is an SaaS (software-as-a-service) commercial solution is being upgraded for an easier enrollment process, dropping the enrollment steps from 24 down to six, and the new Fleet Services will no longer require on-premises servers. So businesses that didn't enroll or did not meet the requirements previously can recover faster from disruptions. Intel vPro Fleet Services is in a private preview now and will be available in the coming weeks. Intel vPro will also be integrated into Microsoft Intune, coming later this year. Intel also introduced the Intel Assured Supply Chain (ASC) program, which will offer customers greater visibility and assurance in the silicon manufacturing process. So, customers with enhanced security needs can be aware of the entire chain of custody for each chip. 'We just came out with our product security report,' Larson tells Laptop. 'A third-party evaluation firm rated us number one as compared to our competitors in security assurance. We break what we build.' Intel Core Ultra 200V systems with the Intel vPro platform are currently available. Intel Core Ultra 200U, 200H, 200HX, and 200S series systems with vPro are expected to ship in late March 2025. Intel's vPro Fleet Services is in preview and will be available generally in the next few weeks, while the Intel Assured Supply Chain program will start later this year, likely in late Summer or Fall 2025. While Intel's Arrow Lake 200S desktop chips saw a number of performance issues at launch, Intel has worked to patch that experience for better, more consistent performance and efficiency gains. Arrow Lake 200H saw a successful launch last month and the first 200HX systems are expected in the coming weeks. The vPro editions of these chips will be launching around the same time frame, offering a wide range of chips to meet the needs of multiple industries and jobs. On the heels of major service outages and security failures from the competiton, the robust hardware and software security value makes Intel vPro a more attractive solution than ever. And the new vPro chips do offer on-device AI for additional security and commercial features. For gamers and general consumers, vPro isn't much of a concern, but the enterprise business is a massive market for Intel, and the company is dedicated to maintaining that lead. Intel's enterprise business helps the company build better gaming and AI chipsets and develop affordable discrete GPUs. After all of the buyout rumors and the loss of former CEO Pat Gelsinger, today's vPro news is a reminder that Intel is still a company with plenty of success to its name. Best AI PCs in 2025: 6 laptops I recommend for the latest AI features A Windows 11 update has tanked performance on some Intel CPUs — Here's what it means for you Lenovo debuts a solar laptop that plays 1 hour of video from 20 minutes of sunlight Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HP's EliteBook X 14 (G1i) balances security with AI functionality — "The momentum is real, and it's being unleashed"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. When is a business laptop more than just a business laptop? HP launched three new EliteBook business laptops at CES 2025, featuring new Intel Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" vPro chipsets. In conjunction with all the benefits of the "Lunar Lake" architecture, the vPro series adds security features built onto the silicon. At CES in Las Vegas earlier this month, Laptop Mag met with representatives from HP and Intel to discuss the co-engineering that went into these new EliteBook laptops. Cory McElroy, Vice President of Commercial Project Management at HP, explained to Laptop that "The vPro value proposition with the HP commercial and elite value proposition is very important." And from that combination of the Lunar Lake vPro and HP enterprise mindset, we get the EliteBook X. I've been using the EliteBook X 14 for the last few weeks to experiment with its AI capabilities, as AI for business and the IT Workforce Experience Platform were two of HP and Intel's main focus points for the updated EliteBooks. But what's new beyond the silicon? HP EliteBook X G1i's starting price is $1,999. This model likely features an Intel Core Ultra 5 200V-series processor, 16GB of memory, 256GB of storage space, and a 14-inch (1920 x 1200) LED panel. The EliteBook X G1i can be configured with an Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 200V series vPro CPU, up to 32GB of memory, and up to 512GB of storage space. Display panel options include a 14-inch (1920 x 1200) LCD panel, a 14-inch (1920 x 1200) touchscreen, a 14-inch (1920 x 1200) low-power LED panel, or a 14-inch 120Hz (2560 x 1600) LED panel. The pre-production test sample I have currently won't be available for sale as it features a 1TB SSD. The prices for all other configurations have yet to be announced. The EliteBook X G1i is expected to launch in March 2025. HP's EliteBook line maintains a minimalist business aesthetic but with new quirky colors for the AI PC generation. The EliteBook X G1i comes in either Atmospheric Blue or Glacier Silver. The Atmospheric Blue reads as a deep navy, while the Glacier Silver reads more white. While these colors aren't exactly eye-catching, they are a nice twist on the standard business laptop choices, which range from silver to dark gray or gunmetal. The EliteBook uses up to 90% recycled Magnesium in its chassis, more than 20% recycled cooking oil in the bezels, 30% ocean-bound plastic in the speakers, and 30% post-consumer plastic and recycled fishing net materials in the keyboard. So, at least 70% of the major parts of the EliteBook X G1i are recycled materials. Impressive sustainability figures for HP. Our EliteBook X 14 pre-production configuration also weighs just 2.81 pounds, while some configurations will weigh as little as 2.6 pounds. Coming in below 3 pounds is optimal for a business laptop, especially for those with lengthy commutes. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 Based on our hands-on time with the EliteBook and HP's product brief provided to the press before CES, we've pieced together the full list of ports on the EliteBook X 14: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps signaling rate, USB power delivery, DisplayPort 2.1) 1x USB Type-C (10Gbps signaling rate, USB power delivery, DisplayPort 1.4) 1x USB Type-A (5Gbps signaling rate) 1x HDMI 2.1 1x Audio combo jack 1x nano SIM That should be enough ports for most professionals, but you may want to invest in a laptop docking station or USB-C hub if you plan to power your office workstation using the EliteBook X 14. Our preview configuration of the EliteBook X 14 G1i features a 60Hz (1920 x 1200) LED touchscreen panel with a matte finish. HP rates the EliteBook X G1i FHD panel options at 100% sRGB color gamut coverage, and based on what my eyes can tell, the EliteBook X 14 meets that claim. I pulled up the trailer for the upcoming suspense film Drop and was pleasantly surprised by the vibrance and deep contrast on the EliteBook's display, as much of the trailer takes place in dim and low-lit environments. The tense dinner scene between Meghann Fahy's Violet and Brandon Sklenar's Henry is dark enough to create a sense of tension, but, the colors on the EliteBook X 14's display were vibrant enough to catch the bright red details of Violet's date outfit. HP rates the LED touchscreen at 800 nits. While we didn't get a chance to test this claim in the lab, based on how eye-searingly bright the Google homepage appeared when the display brightness was set to 100%, I'm inclined to believe the brightness comes close to HP's claim. With an Intel Lunar Lake vPro processor onboard, we expect the EliteBook X to offer solid productivity performance. However, the Intel Core Ultra 200V series is designed for thin and light laptops that can last for a full day or more on battery life, so don't expect record-breaking performance scores. While the vPro line differs slightly from the consumer-level Core Ultra 200V series, we expect similar performance to the Asus ExpertBook P5 (P5405). In my hands-on testing, I had no trouble loading multiple AI programs and running them simultaneously, even with a cluster of 15-20 Chrome tabs open. In general, the Intel Core 200V series has kept cool under pressure, even in ultra-thin systems like the Zenbook S 14. In my hands-on testing, the ExpertBook X 14 G1i remained cool, even after extended use with the display set to 100% brightness. The keyboard was a comfortable temperature, and the underside was just a bit warm but not unbearable to leave on your lap for extended periods. AI features that could help businesses were one of the major points of my talk with Intel and HP about the new EliteBooks. McElroy tells Laptop Mag, "As we look at manageability, security, productivity, name your application, it's really great to see the right workload on the right XPU." The AI for Business solutions showcased by Intel and HP do work across the CPU, GPU, and NPU as different software developers target different hardware accelerators. Some of the demos shown by Intel and HP included video conferencing software that can use an existing recording and sync your mouth movements to new audio. Or Poly Camera Pro, which can control your video settings across multiple applications so you get a quality video feed regardless of whether you're using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The two companies also showcased LLMWare, a private AI software for Intel PCs. "It's really been great to see the flywheel really going... We put out a goal last year to try to get about 300 AI-enabled features, and we surpassed that. And, you know, we didn't do that alone. It took partners, the ecosystem team, and a lot of them doing on their own," enthused Carla Rodriguez, Vice President and General Manager of Client Software Ecosystem at Intel. McElroy explained the decision to utilize the vPro line of Intel processors was mainly a response to the kind of users targeted by the EliteBook. "The EliteBook X is our flagship premium product for these kinds of managed IT environments. So it needs to have all the security and manageability and everything you need to deploy and support these devices, yet at the same time, it's really catering to highly mobile users." Indeed, the Intel vPro line comes with additional security features including, built-in security on the CPU itself, faster on-chip security operations, isolation of sensitive operations and data to the processor for increased security, and a dedicated security engine for third-party firmware. The Intel Core Ultra 200V vPro chips have MITRE ATT&CK framework validation, meaning the chips have proven protection against over 150 real-world cyber-attack techniques. HP has optimized the EliteBook X for its Workforce Experience Platform, designed to increase IT fleet control, offer better self-help solutions for employees, provide a collaborative work environment, and offer better endpoint security for companies upgrading to the EliteBooks. HP has also included a TPM 2.0 embedded security chip, and Wolf Security for Business on the EliteBook X 14. That includes the BIOSphere, a 5th Gen Endpoint Security Controller, Sure Start, Sure Admin, Sure Recover (Cloud), Sure Click (Basic), Secure Erase, Privacy Camera, Tamper Lock, Seamless Firmware Updates, and Sure Run. The EliteBook X 14 G1a comes with either Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro, with the standard Microsoft applications pre-loaded like Edge, Copilot, and Clipchamp. HP proprietary software like Poly Camera Pro and HP AI Companion have also been pre-loaded. Intel's vPro line of processors aims to increase security for employees and for IT departments, and HP has its own security solutions baked into the Wolf Security program and the Workforce Experience Platform. And with Intel's Lunar Lake vPro chips offering a powerful NPU, employees can use more in-depth AI while maintaining on-device security for those functions. AI applications and AI features built into existing apps has seen exponential growth in the last year alone. While some of that AI exists in a legal gray-area like image generation, other AI features like video conferencing tools have become more needed than ever in a hybrid working environment. As Rodriguez wrapped up for me during our discussion at CES, "the momentum is real, and it's being unleashed." HP EliteBook Ultra review: It makes a good case for ARM business laptops I'm a veteran laptop reviewer. Here are my top 10 laptops of CES 2025. I loved the Summit 13 AI Evo before, but a new add-on makes it a must-buy
