[SONY] Newest Drivers + Windows 10 Guide

In this thread you will find:

• Latest drivers/software including
  • Sony Firmware Extension Parser (SFEP)
  • Sony Shared Library (SSL)
  • Sony Vaio Control Center (SVCC)
• Windows (10) Upgrade / Installation Guide

Sony specific drivers and software (should) work with all models and is known to work with the following series:

Spoiler

• SV: SVD / SVF / SVP / SVS

You could contribute and help each other when you report back:

Spoiler

• Your series is/isn't listed and you failed/successfully updated
• You found a new driver/software version
  • Don't report Intel/Realtek/nVIDIA/AMD drivers. You will find the latest versions here:
    • Station-Drivers (Thank you Guys so much!)
    • NecaCom
• You found a failure, have a suggestion, imrovement or question

Before upgrading/installing Windows:

Spoiler

• Always be sure to use the latest BIOS
  • Update your Intel ME Firmware
• Download the drivers/software
• Always do a clean/fresh install:
  • After upgrading activate Windows 10 to reserve your license if you haven't
  • Wipe your complete disk. When did you ever used this senseless function?
    • If you ever need a recovery disk get a fresh iso off the internet
  • Never ever use the bundled recovery as it's loaded with old software/drivers/crap/etc.

After upgrading/installing Windows:

Spoiler

• Be sure to let the update process do it's thing
• Don't forget to reboot
• After Windows has installed all updates beginn installing drivers/software

Drivers/Software (you should download at least the stated version: "the newer the better"):

Spoiler

If you want a clean System extract the drivers wherever possible: Install via right click on the .inf-File (select Install) or do it via Device Manager.

"Always extract. Never install. Expect you really have to."​

If you wanna check which Sony specific versions you have installed:

Spoiler

Fire up PowerShell (ISE) and execute the following codes:

• SFEP:
  Code:

  gwmi Win32_PnPSignedDriver | select DeviceName,DriverVersion | ?{$_.devicename -like "*Sony*"}

• SSL:
  Code:

  gc "Program Files `(x86`)\\Common Files\\Sony Shared\\Version.txt" -First 1

• SVCC:
  Code:

  gc "Program Files `(x86`)\\Sony\\VAIO Control Center\\Version.txt" -First 1

• Intel Chipset Drivers (had to use all three versions, seems this is caused by a bug):
  • First 10.0.27 then 10.1.1.9 then 10.1.2.9: Install
• Intel Management Engine 11.0.0.1162: Driver Only
• Intel HD Graphics 15.40.5.1.64.4274: Install
• Intel Smart Connect Technology 5.0.10.2936: Driver Only (expect you are using this)
• Intel Rapid Storage Technology 14.6.0.1029: Driver Only (read tweaks below)
• Realtek HD Audio 6.0.1.7581: Install
• NXP NearFieldCommunication 6.5.9.0: Install (cause of the certificate that gets installed)
• Sony Firmware Extension Parser 8.0.2.5: Install (be sure to get at least this version!)
• Sony Shared Library 6.3.0.07020: Install (download was taken from Vaio and repacked)
• Optional:
  • VAIO Control Center 6.4.0.10210 then update to 6.4.6.03190

Some little tweaks (not finished yet):

Spoiler

• Disable all unnessary Windows 10 services/spying features/logging (ETW, DiagLog, PerfLog, etc).
  There's a ****load of tools out there to do so. This is just consuming cycles, ram and no one needs it

• Tweak your Intel HD Graphics Settings:
  • Display: Set the frequency to 40 Hz
  • 3D: Disable Optimal mode, MSAA, CMAA, choose Performance setting
  • Video: choose Application setting everywhere (dunno how it's called in the english version) and disable everything under Standard and Advanced tab
  • Energy: Maximum battery, Display Power Saving Technology: Max Battery
  • Options and Support: Disable Hotkeys and disable all other settings under settings
  
  
• Vaio Pro owners with the slower Toshiba SSD (like me..) should do the following:

Spoiler

• • No need to install Rapid Storage software. Apply the following registry settings cause this is the only thing the software does. This disables HIPM + DIPM power saving features only on the port where the SSD is connected for better performance. This won't hurt your battery life.
    
    Save the following code as .reg-File and double click it:
    
    Code:

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStorA\Parameters\Device]
    "Controller0Phy0HIPM"=dword:00000001
    "Controller0Phy0DIPM"=dword:00000001
    "Controller0Phy1HIPM"=dword:00000001
    "Controller0Phy1DIPM"=dword:00000001
    "Controller0Phy2HIPM"=dword:00000001
    "Controller0Phy2DIPM"=dword:00000001
    "Controller0Phy3HIPM"=dword:00000000
    "Controller0Phy3DIPM"=dword:00000000

    
    
  • Import these registry settings to unlock Link Power Management under Power Settings:
    
    Code:

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\0012ee47-9041-4b5d-9b77-535fba8b1442\0b2d69d7-a2a1-449c-9680-f91c70521c60]
    "Attributes"=dword:00000002
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\0012ee47-9041-4b5d-9b77-535fba8b1442\dab60367-53fe-4fbc-825e-521d069d2456]
    "Attributes"=dword:00000002

    Go to your Advanced Power Plan settings. There are two new options under Hard Drive:
    
    - AHCI Link Power Management – HIPM/DIPM
    - AHCI Link Power Management – Adaptive
    
    Set the first one to Active (this will disable HIPM/DIPM): This disables the power saving feature that slows down the SSD. It won't hurt your battery time.
    This tweak can be applied to every PC. Not only Sony Vaios...

• For better cooling and a less noisy fan:
  • Open your Vaio and replace the thermal paste with Liquid Metal (eg. Coollaboratory Liquid Metal Cooling Pad)
  • Apply some oil to your fan (not the coil ^^)
• Update your ME firmware (eg.: Vaio Pro 11/13 but works for every ME-9.5-1.5):
  • Download FWUpdate (FWUpdLcl.exe) and latest 9.5-Series ME Firmware: 9.5.4.1922
  • Update via admin cmd/PowerShell: FWUpdLcl -f ME9.5_1.5M_Production.bin
  • The links are taken from the great win-raid forum and the thread by plutomaniac
    All credit goes to them! Thank you guys! You are awesome

If anyone from Sony/Vaio reads this:

Please help us:
Update the BIOS. Update the oROMs. Unlock the settings.​

Thanks!

(sry for my bad english, please correct me if anything is wrong and there is probably a lot wrong.. i hope you understand what is meant.. if anything is unclear: just ask)

———————————————————————————
​

Since the new Vaios use newer software and specific drivers i want to port them over to our Sony models (most if not everything works the same, they just rebranded it). Please help if you can! I will collect every piece of information here.

Spoiler

On the official Vaio homepage (yes.. the japanese one..) they offer a Windows 10 Upgrade for the Pro 13: Windows 10 Update For Pro13. This package comes with a complete new Vaio Control Center.

To extract only this package:

• Execute the whole package but when you are asked for UAC conformation don't click anything (lower your UAC settings to don't use secure desktop)
• Instead open a Explorer windows and go to (just copy the whole thing into your address bar:
  Code:

  %ProgramData%\VAIO Corporation\VAIO Packaging Manager\PackagingTemp\{6F4DB5FD-33B9-415C-B588-D7867F03D1F7}\Data\

• Copy the VAIOControlCenter_1_3_0_07310 folder to your desktop
• Press No on the UAC thing

Latest Sony Vaio Control Center: 6.4.6.03190
Latest Vaio Control Center: 1.3.0.07310

If you want to open/extract those new VAIO files:

• Open it with a HexEditor.
• Change "ExtractPathByUser=0" to "ExtractPathByUser=1"
• Change for "UseVAIOCheck=1" to "UseVAIOCheck=0"

The installation itself gets checked and handled via VAIOCheck.dll. Extracted Installations can be found in %temp%.

 

Succesfully upgradet ME firmware! Thank you.

 

After upgrading the Sony Vaio Control Center from
6.4.5.11140 to 6.4.6.03190 the alway on backlit function doesn't work anymore. xD

 

Are you sure that the latest versions of these are backwards compatible with older models? My VPCZ1 is 5 years old; there are people on this forum with models that are even older.

 

Are you sure you are using the latest SFEP and SSL versions? I also updated and everything is working. Be sure to use SFEP 8.0.2.5 and SSL 6.3.0. You can check the installed versions with powershell:
SFEP:

Code:

gwmi Win32_PnPSignedDriver | select DeviceName,DriverVersion | ?{$_.devicename -like "*Sony*"}

SSL:

Code:

gc "Program Files `(x86`)\\Common Files\\Sony Shared\\Version.txt" -First 1

SVCC:

Code:

gc "Program Files `(x86`)\\Sony\\VAIO Control Center\\Version.txt" -First 1

If you are already using them then it must have something to do with the upgrade path of your SVCC. I started with installing 6.4.0.10210, upgrading to 6.4.5.11140 and then upgrading to 6.4.6.03190.

Regarding the drivers/software (also SFEP/SSL/SVCC), they are generic: "If it installs it'll work"
Just try the latest SFEP/SSL/SVCC versions and report back. Since i can't test it, i and every other Vaio owner would like to know if it works. Guessing if something is/isn't working never helped find an answer

 

@e.v.o. first, thanks for this!

I was looking at this link: https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/mode...te_id=1&region_id=1&tab=download#/downloadTab

Seems that Sony removed all the drivers, and instructs to use Windows Update instead, so, seems that on Windows 10 1511 there is no need to manually install the Intel drivers.

Other funny things I noticed:

• The Intel SATA/AHCI driver is the same version Windows Update provides.
  
• The SFEP version provided is 8.0.2.3, that is an old one.
• The VCC version 6.4 acknowledges the removal of some functions:
  • Removes the multi-touch gesture function
  • Removes the X-reality feature
  • Removes the Sony Sound Effect function
• There is an Intel Smart Connect removal tool. Sony says that is not supported under Windows 10, but the funny thing is that my (almost) clean installation of Windows 10 detected and installed the driver.

 

@Somnio

I think you got something wrong: Driver != Software. So if the SCT (Smart Connect Technology) drivers get's installed it doesn't has anything to do with the software. Only after installing the software under Windows you are able to use this feature. Since Windows 10 doesn't support this feature the software won't get installed but Windows Update provides the driver for the hardware "module".

I would also not recommend to use the VCC.

 

Hi @e.v.o. Yes, you're right. The uninstaller that Sony provides, specifically says "software". My bad.

About VCC, on my SVP1321 Vaio Update recommended to install 6.2, that it's what I'm using now. I'm really using only the adaptive brightness and battery care functions. The amount of background process troubles me, but they are using ~0.04 CPU sometimes, and the helper service is always 0 CPU usage, so, I believe is not harm to leave them there. But, yeah, if you are not going to use a particular feature, better remove it.

 

Pls, can you help me with ratling noise from fan? I tried to lubricate fan, but when put oil on silver dot in midle fan wont soak oil? Do i need to make hole in silver center or something else? It ratling when i move and tilt laptop, only stops ratling when on table...

 

It is a fairly complicated job. You have to remove the motherboard, take the heatsink off, separate the plastic fan cover from the heatsink by breaking off the melted tabs, and then the fan can be lifted off the base. Now you can get in and clean the hole where the shaft goes, then lubricate the shaft and reassemble. The fan blades are brittle and break fairly easily, so be careful. I have done this about 10 times and haven't broken a blade yet. The plastic fan cover then has to be held in place using strong adhesive tape.

 

Hi there,
is it correct that i can delete all 7 partitions showing up or do some of them must be kept?
Thanks in advance.

 

Hi @partigton. You only need the EFI system partition, the rest are just backups from Sony and old Windows versions.
However, I recommend you to do something like this:

• First, buy a cheap 8GB pendrive and create a Windows 10 recovery disk.
• Install an external partition tool like Minitool or easeUS, because the built-in one does not show all the information you need, and also has restrictions expanding and moving partitions.
• You're going to see that Sony has in fact two partitions, the bigger one is the recovery media, that you can choose to burn or not, the other is a small (260mb) that I believe is used to recover from a BIOS fault.
• Keep the EFI partition and the small Sony one, nuke the rest.
• Relocate and expand your system partition to gain the extra space.

I did exactly that, and my system now looks like this:

 

You could delete all partitions. Nothing has to be kept expect you need it. But since you wanna install Windows 10: wipe the complete drive

 

Thanks for your answer, I just kept the partitions by Sony.

 

Hi e.v.o

I am trying to download the SSL from the link you posted but the zip file is broken?

• Sony Shared Library 6.3.0.07020: Install (download was taken from Vaio and repacked)

Can you please direct me to another download location? I have searched everywhere without luck.
Trying to get the keyboard backlight working after a clean Win 10 install.

Thanks.

 

(Just recognized it was version 6.3.0.05080 I'd linked.)

 

Thanks. No keyboard backlight with this update though...

 

I don't know if this helps you but for me the windows 10 drivers from the US support site are working.
If I remember correctly it was important to install them in a certain order.

 

Thanks. I'll have a look there.

 

Hi! Can I use this guide to upgrade Vaio SB1 with Intel+AMD graphics to Windows 10?

 

You could also delete them. No need to keep anything.

It's not broken the archive is packed using WinRAR5.

This has something to do with the Sony Software. Don't install the latest version.

It has nothing to do in which order you install the drivers. All drivers linked here are working fine. The problem is the software which comes from Sony and you really should use the latest versions mentioned in this thread.

Why not? Every Sony specific driver mentioned here is for every Sony model out there.

 

Fantastic guide. Only issue I have encountered is that my fan is running at 100%. I just replaced my old fan as it was rattling. My question is I am trying to update SFEP version from 8.0.2.4 to 8.0.2.5 and it appears to install correctly but when I check my version after rebooting it still says 8.0.2.4. Is there any way to force the removal of version 8.0.2.4 and then install 8.0.2.5?

 

I should state that I upgraded from 8.1 and my Vaio is an SVP13219PGB

 

Following up, I still have the fan running at 100%. I have upgraded the following components to the following current versions and still no joy:

Sony Shared Library: 6.2.0.07020

SFEP: 8.0.2.5 (had to unpack and manual install to upgrade from 8.0.2.4)

Sony Vaio Control Centre (SVCC): 6.4.6.03190

Intel(R) Smart Connect Technology Device: 1.0.8.0

Intel(R) Management Engine Interface: 11.0.0.1160 (28/07/2015)

Intel Collaborative Processor Performance Control (CPPC): 1.0.0.1018 (4/09/14)

ME Firmware Update: v9.5.55.1948 (applied with FWUpdLcl.exe from dos prompt[admin])

Intel(R) 8 Series LPC Controller (Premium SKU): 10.1.1.14 (26/01/2016)
Intel(R) 8 Series PCI Express Root Port - 9C14: 10.1.1.14 (26/01/2016)


Any ideas?

 

All sorted. Had a faulty replacement FAN - All drivers as per above work perfectly.

Only difference is I upgrade the Sony Shred Library to 6.3.0.05080 (via vaio japan website downloads)

 

I have done a clean install on a SVE1711 as the update completely ruined networking. The annoying thing is though that my Fn keys don't work with a clean install while they do after an update....I also can't choose a power plan besides the standard one (you know, the choice between silent, balanced and performance). Anyone got an idea?

 

Hi! About the FN keys, have you installed:

• Sony Firmware Extension Parser (SFEP)
• Sony Shared Library (SSL)
• Sony Vaio Control Center (SVCC)

?

 

Yes, all from I tried to install some other drivers and now I got the Fn key working except for the screen brightness. Also tried to install newer drivers from Pro 13 (location utility, power management) but the installer won't start. I'm not sure what other model to use for newer drivers. With my Z installing Notebook Utilities but I haven't found that for this laptop.

 

Vaio Event Service is the one that solves the function key issue, except for screen brightness. You should be able to adjust it using the windows 10 charm and settings.
That's what most people do.

 

Yeah I already installed that. I found out that it is relatively easy to change the brightness by clicking on the battery icon in the taskbar. That should work even for my parents in law who will be using a computer for the first time in their live Thanks guys.

 

So my discrete nvidia card will work with this guide? Like my switch is going to work?

I have an svs13 that came with Windows 7 (different bios then the one that came with windows 8)

 

hey!!

Following this thread was one of my biggest mistake

I couldn't play a single game without the cpu throttling down to 0.4ghz (like really?! nothing was working.)
The fan speed didn't pick up and at 70, windows 10 was really... scared of the temp.

I didn't had the bightness control using the fn key and when switching between stamina/speed, nothing actually happened.

I redid my installation from scratch. this time, I did exactly what I did for windows 8.1


https://esupport.sony.com/CA/p/mode...te_id=1&region_id=3&tab=download#/downloadTab

I installed everything that I thought was useful from this page. (windows 8) ( Sony® Firmware Extension Parser Device Driver was newer on windows 8 page)
and then updated everything from the windows 8.1 tab.

Finally, for some random reason, my model doesn't have the file for the shared library, I had to go to the following page in order to get it
https://esupport.sony.com/CA/p/mode...te_id=1&region_id=3&tab=download#/downloadTab

It's strange because it's the same exact laptop but one came with 7 and the other come with 8.


Now everything is working fine.
All my fn key are working, my switch is working and the power plan change by itself. my fan is working too.

Last test, let's see if it's throttling down to 0.4ghz again (I hope no)

Edit: my laptop isn't throttling down to 0.4ghz now I can enjoy my game (a little since its a pretty outdated laptop)

 

Hi Somnio

Have read your above instructions with interest. I have one question though.

You have advised :

"Always extract. Never install. Expect you really have to."

However, the link to the Sony Firmware Extension Parser 8.0.2.5 is to an EXE file.

May I ask you please to let me know how I should extract files from this file.

When I try to run it I am getting a message informing that this update is not for my laptop.

Your prompt response would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Carlo.

That was some time ago, but I believe I managed to extract the EXE files using WINRAR. You can also try renaming the EXE file as ZIP, and see if you have a program installed that can pick that up.
If everything fails, just let me know, I can try download the file and extract the contents for you.

Good luck!

 

Hi Somino

Thanks for responding so quickly.
Will try your suggestion and let you know.
And thanks for the offer of assistance.

Regards

Carlo

 

You could just install it in compatibility mode with administrator privileges. Right click and select 'troubleshoot compatibility' and then choose Windows 7 and additional permissions.

 

Hi Smino
Good news. Have managed to extract files from the EXE file using Universal Extractor.
Thanks for your suggestions. They help me to find a solution that has worked.
Regards
Carlo

 

Hi! I hope that you guys are still following this post here...
I've updated to windows 10 CU following your guide BUT....
Stamina/speed mode is not working and i can't change brightness with Fn....
I was already with windows 10 with no problems but i decided to upgrade doing a fresh install because it was since windows 8 that i was just upgrading.....
so, my question is:
1) why? it is probably a problem of hotkey but really don't know why
2) if brightness isn't a problem, i would like to know if my Gdpu Nvidia is still working even if i can't use the speed setting...HELP

Thanks!

 

Great thread, thanks a million e.v.o.
New ME_Firmware Update 9.5.61.3012 on Lenovo:
http://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/p...ries-laptops/thinkpad-t440/downloads/ds038194
Just installed it on my SVP1321C5E. Seems to work so far

 

@rudolffischer: New version online (same link): 9.5.62.3002. works with my SVP1321C5E

 

Too add a hint, I found on shutdown with the latest 1803 build of windows, windows would sit at a black screen for several minutes before turning off or restarting. I struggled to figure out which driver it was in crash reports with the DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE.

Disabling the NXP proximity sensor in device manager has shutdown like normal. Something is unable to turn power off to the NXP chip.

I’ve tried all the driver variations from the vendor, Sony, and microsoft with no luck. Disabled and all is well. If you have odd issues on shutdown, disable it in device manager

 

I got everything working on my SVP13213CGB except for the intel gpu is constantly at boost clocks at idle no matter what settings I change. That is, until I run a 3D benchmark, then it goes down to 200-300mhz base clock instead of boosting up/staying at to 1000mhz. You have it all backwards you stupid laptop.

Any recommendations?