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Drop Windows XP/Vista support


Windows XP and Windows Vista will no longer be supported in future versions of CrystalIDEA apps. Server versions of these legacy systems will be discontinued as well (Windows Server 2003/2008).

Below is the list of last versions of our apps (plus download links) that are still compatible with Windows XP and Vista:

Licensing concerns

Already issued licenses will continue to work normally on legacy systems. If you decide to upgrade your OS (e.g. Windows XP -> Windows 10) there’s no need to purchase a new license, simply uninstall the app from the old PC/OS and activate your license in the new OS.

If you purchase a new license and do really want to use it on a legacy OS, just just use one of download links above.

Some numbers

  • Windows XP was released in 2001 and Microsoft officially discontinued its support in 2014.
  • Windows Vista was released in 2006 and Microsoft officially discontinued its support in 2017.
  • In 2021 both Windows XP + Vista users are 0.58% of the website audience (1 Jan - 4 May).

Solve KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED when trying to update to Windows 10 version 2004


Some computers with different hardware may encounter BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) with KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED error code when trying to upgrade to Windows 10 version 2004 from previous versions (1909).

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Stop Dropbox client using GPU on Windows

We’ve recently noticed that dropbox.exe process appears in the list of apps that consume GPU resources:

Actually, quite many modern apps (e.g. Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox) may also use GPU, but this behaviour can be turned off though not in the case of Dropbox Client, no command line switch exist either. While for most people this shouldn’t be an issue, some advanced guys would want to have full control over their working environment and resources.

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Malware abusing AnyToISO and CrystalBit Solutions


We’ve received two reports from people running Windows who were infected by a Trojan (or some another kind of malware) by executing a file signed by our company (CrystalBit Solutions). More specifically this executable had the AnyToISO icon. How can this be possible?

Unfortunately, it is possible by using a common technique used by cybercriminals called - DLL Search Order Hijacking. In short:

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Improving NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER Founders Edition


NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER Founders Edition is a great looking card of premium build quality that performs on the same level as RTX 2070 (also with 8GB of GDDR6) with a competitive 400$ price tag. Dual axial fans provide outstanding thermal results and very quiet acoustics when gaming. But does it have some flaws? From our perspective:

  • Idle fan noise
  • No way of controlling LED RGB logo (GEFORCE RTX)
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Optimizing thermals on Mac Pro 2013


Mac Pro 2013 is still a beast of a machine. We still own one with the most balanced (from our perspective) custom CPU installed: 8 Core / 16 Threads 3.3 Ghz Base (4.0 Ghz Turbo) E5-2667 v2. It features same 130W TDP thermal design as with other CPUs that are officialy installed (12 core, for example).

The computer has a single whisper quiet fan but Apple traditionally prefers acoustics levels over actual thermals. In this post we demonstrate this behaviour and explain how to improve it.

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Macs Fan Control now works in Windows 10 on modern Apple computers equipped with the T2 chip


Update: MacPro7,1 and iMacPro1,1 are supported in version 1.5.6.

Macs Fan Control wasn’t able to work under Windows on Apple computers equipped with the T2 security chip since its introduction in 2018. We honestly thought it wasn’t actually possible but now it is! We’re happy to announce that the program now flawlessly works in Windows 10 on modern Apple computers that have the T2 chip:

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Macs Fan Control 1.5, introducing Pro version


Our extremely popular Macs Fan Control app now gets even better: Pro version with presets for advanced users, major UI improvements and more stability.

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Classic Mac Pro (5,1): Upgrade Wi-Fi to 802.11ac and Bluetooth to 4.0


Classic Mac Pro 5,1 (also 4,1 upgraded to 5,1) features only Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.1. Here’re main reasons why you want to upgrade Wi-Fi to 802.11ac and Bluetooth to 4.0:

  • You get Continuity, Handoff and new AirDrop working natively
  • Wi-Fi 802.11ac is insanely fast, Bluetooth 4.0 is more reliable, secure and way quicker
  • macOS 10.15 Catalina no longer supports old BCM94322MC Wi-Fi card so Wi-Fi will not work there
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Boot Camp and Windows 10 1903 (May Update)


Problem: the latest Windows 10 update 1903 runs into BSOD (Blue screen of death) with error message WDF_VIOLATION on some mac models (MacBook Pro 2010/2011, MacBook Air 2011, Mac Mini 2012, iMac 2010/2011 and some others). This fatal failure occurs when Windows is already loaded and system tries to start Apple Boot Camp Utility (BootCamp.exe). This tool is responsible for controlling screen brightness, volume, functional keys, backlit, etc with Apple keyboard. On some machines crash happens only if you try to start our Macs Fan Control app.

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