KB5065505: Phi Silica AI Update 1.2507.797.0 for AMD Copilot+ on Windows 11 24H2

KB5065505 is a Microsoft update that delivers Phi Silica AI component version 1.2507.797.0 targeted to AMD-powered Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11 (version 24H2). (support.microsoft.com)
Overview and what this article covers

• What KB5065505 is and which devices it applies to.
• What Phi Silica is and why Microsoft ships on‑device SLM components.
• What the update changes (what Microsoft documents).
• How the update is delivered and prerequisites.
• How to confirm installation and basic troubleshooting/deployment options for consumers and IT.
• Impact, recommendations, and short FAQ.

Executive summary

• KB5065505 upgrades the Phi Silica AI component to version 1.2507.797.0 for AMD-powered Copilot+ PCs on Windows 11, version 24H2. It is intended to improve the Phi Silica component on those systems. The update is published by Microsoft on August 12, 2025 and is delivered through Windows Update. (support.microsoft.com)

What is Phi Silica?

• Phi Silica is Microsoft’s Transformer-based local language model (a small language model / on‑device model) tuned for Neural Processing Units (NPUs). Microsoft positions Phi Silica as an NPU-optimized local model that provides many capabilities similar to larger LLMs but is designed to run efficiently and privately on Copilot+ PCs. (support.microsoft.com)
• Microsoft has released Phi Silica component updates for multiple processor families (Intel, AMD, Qualcomm) as it rolls out on‑device AI across supported hardware; KB5065505 specifically targets AMD-powered systems while parallel KBs exist for other CPU types. (support.microsoft.com)

Who should care (applies to)

• Applies to Copilot+ PCs only — i.e., Windows 11 devices that Microsoft identifies as Copilot+ (hardware with on‑device AI support such as NPUs). The KB lists the Windows SKUs: Windows 11 SE, Windows 11 Enterprise and Education, Windows 11 Enterprise Multi‑Session, Windows 11 Home and Pro, and Windows 11 IoT Enterprise — all at version 24H2. (support.microsoft.com)

What the KB says the update does

• The article’s Summary line states the update “includes improvements to the Phi Silica AI component for Windows 11, version 24H2.” Microsoft does not publish a detailed line‑by‑line changelog in the KB beyond that high‑level description for this component update. In practice, these component releases typically include performance, stability, compatibility, and model/runtime tuning improvements for the on‑device model on the targeted hardware. (support.microsoft.com)

When and how you get the update

• Delivery: The update will be downloaded and installed automatically via Windows Update on eligible devices. (support.microsoft.com)
• Prerequisite: The device must have the latest cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2 installed before this component update will apply. Microsoft explicitly lists that prerequisite in the KB. (support.microsoft.com)
• Replacement: The KB states KB5065505 replaces the previously released AMD‑targeted Phi Silica update KB5064650. If you saw KB5064650 previously on an AMD Copilot+ PC, KB5065505 supersedes it. (support.microsoft.com)

How to confirm the update is installed

• GUI (recommended for most users): Settings > Windows Update > Update history. After installation, the update should appear as “2025‑08 Phi Silica version 1.2507.797.0 for AMD‑powered systems (KB5065505).” (support.microsoft.com)
• Notes about other methods: Many Microsoft KBs point Windows Update users to the Update history GUI because component and feature updates are not always shown the same way in older command‑line tools. If you need programmatic confirmation for many devices, consider using modern management tools (Intune, Configuration Manager) or Windows Update for Business reporting; behavior can vary by update type and packaging. (support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)

Manual and enterprise deployment (short guidance)

• Automatic Windows Update is the primary delivery mechanism for this component update. If you manage many devices and require manual control, typical enterprise options are:
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) / Windows Update for Business (WUfB) policies to approve and schedule updates for your rings.
• Microsoft Update Catalog: many Microsoft updates provide downloadable MSU/CAB entries in the Microsoft Update Catalog so admins can stage or import them into deployment tools; see Microsoft guidance about checkpoint/cumulative behavior and catalog downloading procedures. Note: not every component update appears in the Catalog immediately or in the same way as CU/LCU packages — check the KB “How to get this update” and the Update Catalog for the specific KB. (support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)
• If you need a standalone package for offline installations or imaging, verify the Catalog or official Microsoft enterprise channels for availability; follow Microsoft’s guidance on installing MSU/CAB files via DISM or WUSA and ensure checkpoint cumulative prerequisites are met. (learn.microsoft.com)

Known issues and support status

• The KB itself does not list any known issues for KB5065505. Microsoft’s page for the update is the authoritative source for known issues and any later updates or advisories. If you experience problems after the update, check the same KB page (it may be updated) and Microsoft’s support channels for advisories. (support.microsoft.com)

Troubleshooting: common situations and steps

• If the update has not appeared and you expect it to:
• Confirm the device is a Copilot+ PC and is running Windows 11, version 24H2.
• Ensure the latest cumulative update for 24H2 is installed (the KB requires that prerequisite). (support.microsoft.com)
• Manually check Windows Update (Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates) and then Check Update History.
• If managed by an organization, confirm policies (WSUS approvals, WUfB deferrals, maintenance windows) are not blocking the update.
• For stubborn cases, gather update logs: run Windows Update Troubleshooter and check %windir%\WindowsUpdate.log and Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System for update‑related entries.
• If installing manually from catalog files, follow Microsoft’s instruction to install any required checkpoint cumulative updates in order and use DISM/WUSA as documented. (Refer to Microsoft Update Catalog documentation for details.) (learn.microsoft.com)

Impact on functionality, performance, and privacy

• Functionality: Phi Silica is used by on‑device Copilot features; component improvements can change responsiveness, accuracy, and local capabilities for Copilot interactions that run offline or locally on NPUs. Microsoft’s KB frames the update as “improvements”; it does not claim new user‑visible features beyond improved AI component behavior. (support.microsoft.com)
• Performance: Because Phi Silica is NPU‑tuned, updates often include runtime and model optimizations improving speed and NPU utilization on targeted hardware. Expect potential small gains in latency for Copilot tasks on supported AMD hardware.
• Privacy: Phi Silica is an on‑device model. Running local AI components reduces the need to send data to cloud LLMs for many Copilot interactions; Microsoft’s messaging around Phi Silica emphasizes local processing for latency and privacy benefits. However, system‑level privacy policies and Copilot settings still govern what data is processed locally vs. sent to the cloud; check Windows and Copilot privacy settings in Settings if you need to control cloud interactions. (support.microsoft.com)

Recommended actions for end users and IT

• End users:
• Keep Windows Update enabled and ensure you install the latest cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2 first. The Phi Silica component update will follow automatically. (support.microsoft.com)
• After install, verify via Settings > Windows Update > Update history that “Phi Silica version 1.2507.797.0 for AMD‑powered systems (KB5065505)” is listed.
• If you notice regressions in Copilot behavior after the update, capture repro steps and open feedback via the Feedback Hub or contact Microsoft Support if needed.
• IT administrators:
• Validate prerequisites and plan update rings so that the required cumulative updates are in place before the component update is released to your rings.
• If you need to stage or control rollout, check WSUS/WUfB settings and the Microsoft Update Catalog per your standard patching processes. See the Microsoft guidance about catalog downloads and checkpoint cumulative sequences before attempting offline installs. (learn.microsoft.com, support.microsoft.com)

FAQs (short)

• Q: Is KB5065505 a security update?
• A: The KB describes component improvements to the Phi Silica AI component; it is not presented as a monthly security cumulative update. Always review the KB text for whether security fixes are listed — this one is described as “improvements.” (support.microsoft.com)
• Q: Will this require a reboot?
• A: The KB does not list a required restart in the summary. For component updates reboots are sometimes not required; check the KB text or your Windows Update UI during install for any restart prompts. (support.microsoft.com)
• Q: Can I uninstall KB5065505?
• A: The KB page does not provide explicit uninstall instructions for this component. If you must revert, your options are typically: remove the most recent cumulative update (if the component is bundled), roll back via a system image, or open a Microsoft support case for guided remediation. Because component packaging varies, check the KB and Microsoft support guidance before attempting removal. (support.microsoft.com)

Where to find more information and next steps

• Official KB page: The Microsoft Support article for KB5065505 is the authoritative and current source for this update (published/last‑updated August 12, 2025). If Microsoft later publishes more detail (file lists, known issues, downloadable packages) they will update that same page. (support.microsoft.com)
• Microsoft Update Catalog / enterprise deployment guidance: For admins who need offline packages, catalog details, or to learn about checkpoint cumulative sequences, see Microsoft’s Update Catalog documentation (guides for finding checkpoint CUs and how to apply MSU/CAB files). (learn.microsoft.com)

Appendix — quick checklist

• For end users:
• Make sure your PC is a Copilot+ device and is running Windows 11, version 24H2.
• Install the latest Windows 11 (24H2) cumulative update.
• Wait for Windows Update to install KB5065505 automatically or check Windows Update manually.
• Verify via Settings > Windows Update > Update history: “2025‑08 Phi Silica version 1.2507.797.0 for AMD‑powered systems (KB5065505).” (support.microsoft.com)
• For IT admins:
• Confirm prerequisite cumulative updates are deployed to the target ring.
• Use your update management (WUfB, WSUS, Intune, SCCM) to stage the rollout.
• If you require a manual package, check Microsoft Update Catalog and the KB’s “How to get this update” section for availability and special instructions; install checkpoint CUs in order if required. (learn.microsoft.com, support.microsoft.com)

Closing note
KB5065505 is a targeted component update that continues Microsoft’s rollout and optimization of on‑device AI (Phi Silica) across supported hardware families. If you manage or use Copilot+ PCs with AMD processors, the high‑level action is to ensure your devices are on the latest 24H2 cumulative update and allow Windows Update to deliver the Phi Silica component automatically; for managed environments, follow standard deployment and staging practices and consult the Microsoft Update Catalog/enterprise guidance as needed. (support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)
References

• Microsoft Support: KB5065505 — KB article for Phi Silica AI component update (version 1.2507.797.0) for AMD‑powered systems. (support.microsoft.com)
• Microsoft Learn: Guidance on Microsoft Update Catalog and checkpoint cumulative updates (useful for admins planning manual deployments). (learn.microsoft.com)

If you’d like, I can:

• Extract the exact file list and file versions from the KB page (if Microsoft has the file table on the article) and present them in a separate table.
• Give step‑by‑step instructions for deploying this update through WSUS or Intune for an enterprise ring.
• Walk through the safest rollback options if your environment needs the ability to revert the component. Which would you prefer?

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Source: Microsoft Support KB5065505: Phi Silica AI component update (version 1.2507.797.0) for AMD-powered systems - Microsoft Support

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft has issued KB5065505, a targeted on-device AI update that advances the Phi Silica component to version 1.2507.797.0 for AMD-powered Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11, version 24H2 — a quiet but technically significant rollout that tightens Microsoft’s strategy for delivering local, NPU-accelerated language capabilities on consumer and enterprise devices. This release is an incremental successor to earlier Phi Silica packages and is distributed automatically through Windows Update to eligible systems; it replaces the previous AMD-targeted Phi Silica update (KB5064650) and requires the latest cumulative update for Windows 11 version 24H2 to be present before installation. (support.microsoft.com)

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Background / Overview​

Phi Silica is Microsoft’s purpose-built, small language model (SLM) engineered to run largely on-device via the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in so‑called Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft positions Phi Silica as a Transformer‑based, NPU‑tuned local language model that can deliver many of the practical capabilities of larger cloud LLMs while keeping latency and data residency close to the endpoint. Phi Silica’s design choices — aggressive quantization, short time‑to‑first‑token, and NPU offload — are intended to make interactive language features feasible on battery‑constrained laptops and thin clients. (blogs.windows.com)
Windows Update distribution of AI components like Phi Silica is now a standard pattern: Microsoft publishes short KB articles outlining a version bump, a brief summary of “improvements,” the prerequisite cumulative update, and a replacement‑or‑superseded note. The systemwide release history for AI components confirms that Microsoft is shipping Phi Silica updates in waves across processor families (Qualcomm, Intel, AMD), with release notes and version numbers tracked centrally. (learn.microsoft.com)

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What KB5065505 actually does​

Short summary​

• Applies only to Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11, version 24H2 on AMD‑based hardware. (support.microsoft.com)
• Bumps the Phi Silica component on AMD systems to 1.2507.797.0 and replaces the prior AMD Phi Silica package. (support.microsoft.com)
• Delivered automatically via Windows Update; prerequisite is the latest cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2. (support.microsoft.com)

What Microsoft states (and what it omits)​

Microsoft’s KB entry for KB5065505 is concise: it confirms the version number, scope (Copilot+ AMD systems), distribution method (Windows Update), and the replacement relationship to earlier packages. It does not publish granular technical changelogs — there are no per‑operator performance counters, no specific security fixes listed, and no detailed developer notes inside the KB itself. That level of detail typically appears in accompanying developer blogs, platform release tables, or extended release notes. (support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)
The Windows Experience and Windows Developer blogs, which provide broader context for Phi Silica’s capabilities (multimodal vision support, token rates, time‑to‑first‑token targets, NPU integration, LoRA support for fine‑tuning), fill in some of the picture about why Microsoft issues these component updates: they tune models, adapt to new NPUs or driver changes, and add feature support for vision or plug‑in connectors. Those blogs note runtime characteristics like time to first token ~230ms and throughput claims for Phi Silica on specific NPUs; such numbers are profiling results from Microsoft’s internal testing and are useful planning data for ISVs and OEMs. Treat them as manufacturer performance indicators, not independent benchmarks. (blogs.windows.com)

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Why this matters — technical and practical implications​

1) On‑device AI becomes more consistent across silicon families​

Microsoft is migrating AI features out of the cloud-first model and onto the client stack where hardware supports it. The Phi Silica updates are part of a broader release cadence that aims to ensure parity of capability between Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD Copilot+ devices. For AMD owners this update is specifically intended to deliver the latest Phi Silica improvements with AMD NPU scheduling, memory usage, and runtime tweaks addressed for the vendor’s silicon. The Windows release table for AI components shows a synchronized update approach across platforms, with Phi Silica versioning tracked centrally. (learn.microsoft.com, support.microsoft.com)

2) Better features (and lower latency) — in theory​

When Phi Silica runs primarily on the NPU it reduces round‑trip latency for text and multimodal queries, avoids cloud bandwidth and costs, and keeps sensitive prompts local. Microsoft’s engineering blogs describe multimodal additions that let Phi Silica consume limited vision inputs (via a vision encoder and a small projector), enabling on-device image description and other accessibility features. Those functions are part of the ongoing reason to keep Phi Silica updated on clients. However, precise latency/accuracy gains for a given AMD machine depend on the NPU generation, drivers, and the OEM firmware. (blogs.windows.com)

3) Enterprise management and update control​

Because Phi Silica is delivered as an OS component update, Windows ecosystem management tools (Windows Update for Business, WSUS, Microsoft Update Catalog) handle distribution. IT admins should be aware:

• The update requires the latest OS cumulative update; deploying Phi Silica without that prerequisite can make the update fail or remain pending.
• For controlled environments, administrators can approve or defer the update through standard update management channels.
• Rollback of these component updates is limited: typically you can remove the LCU package but not the servicing stack, and component removal semantics depend on the component type and OS version. IT should validate in staging before broad deployment. (support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)

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Strengths and potential wins​

• Lower latency and better privacy: Running language and image reasoning locally reduces dependence on cloud APIs and the network, which improves responsiveness and the privacy posture for sensitive prompts.
• Uniform developer APIs: Microsoft is exposing on‑device model capabilities via local APIs in the Windows App SDK and platform frameworks, which can reduce integration complexity for ISVs who want to use text rewrite, summarization, or image description functionality offline. (blogs.windows.com)
• Hardware‑level optimization: Targeting updates per processor family (Qualcomm, Intel, AMD) allows Microsoft to ship NPU‑specific operator placements, memory optimizations, and runtime fixes that yield measurable efficiency improvements on supported silicon.
• Accessibility wins: Multimodal Phi Silica has clear benefits for image description and screen reading scenarios, where locally produced alt text and detailed descriptions improve accessibility without cloud dependency. (blogs.windows.com)

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Risks, caveats, and real‑world problems to watch for​

Fragmentation and feature availability​

Microsoft’s approach — distinct component packages per silicon family — risks a fragmentation effect where feature parity lags between vendors. Community reports and forum discussion show users sometimes encountering blocking behaviors or compatibility hiccups after AI/component updates. Those reports indicate the update ecosystem remains sensitive to OEM BIOS, chipset drivers, and NPU enablement. Administrators should treat AI component updates as they would a driver change — test in representative hardware pools before broad deployment. (windowsforum.com, learn.microsoft.com)

Compatibility and installs failing on older hardware​

There are documented community threads and Microsoft Q&A posts showing some systems being misidentified or blocked by monthly updates (general Windows updates, not specifically Phi Silica), and troubleshooting often points to outdated BIOS or chipset drivers. As with past Windows cumulative updates that caused stalls or boot issues on some AMD systems, mismatches between vendor drivers and OS packages remain the most frequent cause of post‑update instability. Back up systems and ensure OEM firmware, chipset drivers, and NPU drivers are current before applying these AI component updates. (learn.microsoft.com, windowsforum.com)

Lack of granular changelog and transparency​

The KB entry is intentionally terse. It lists version, scope, and distribution method but provides no detailed list of model changes, operator rewrites, or the precise behavioral deltas that developers might need to rely on. For enterprise customers and power users who demand deterministic behavior from local models, the lack of a fine‑grained changelog is disappointing. Microsoft’s developer blogs provide high‑level context but not per‑commit information. That forces power users to run controlled benchmarks or rely on third‑party tests to measure real impact. (support.microsoft.com, blogs.windows.com)

Security and supply‑chain considerations​

Any code that runs local model inference — particularly code that calls into proprietary quantized model runtimes and NPU drivers — expands the attack surface. While no security advisories were attached to KB5065505, organizations with high security requirements should treat new on‑device AI components like any privileged runtime: vet updates in a contained environment, monitor telemetry, and review any new local processes and network behavior after installation. If regulatory compliance requires cloud‑data governance, confirm whether the updated client-side components change telemetry or logging behavior. (support.microsoft.com)

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What administrators and power users should do now​

• Confirm prerequisites: Ensure devices have the latest cumulative Windows 11, version 24H2 cumulative update before applying KB5065505. The KB explicitly lists that prerequisite. (support.microsoft.com)
• Update OEM firmware and drivers: Install the board vendor’s latest BIOS/UEFI and chipset drivers, plus any AMD NPU driver packages that relate to the platform. Community reports show many update failures are rooted in outdated firmware. (learn.microsoft.com, windowsforum.com)
• Staged rollout:
• Test on a hardware pool representing your fleet (consumer, corporate, docked laptops).
• Validate key workflows and capture telemetry for model‑driven features (e.g., image description, summary generation).
• Rehearse rollback and troubleshooting:
• Know how to remove the Latest Cumulative Update (LCU) with DISM if necessary.
• Document expected Update History entries: after a successful install you should see “Phi Silica version 1.2507.797.0 for AMD‑powered systems (KB5065505)” in Settings → Windows Update → Update history. (support.microsoft.com)
• Security review: Treat new local AI components the same way as any new system service — review process details, file system changes, and telemetry settings in your organizational baseline.

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Developer and ecosystem implications​

• APIs and capabilities: Microsoft is shipping higher‑level developer APIs (text summarization, rewrite, image segmentation, OCR) that can route to local models like Phi Silica when present. That pattern lowers the barrier for ISVs building offline‑capable apps but also means developers must check for model availability and hardware support at runtime. (blogs.windows.com)
• Fine‑tuning and LoRA: Microsoft has announced support for LoRA-style low‑rank adaptation for Phi Silica, enabling domain‑specific fine‑tuning on top of the baseline model. This paves the way for enterprise customers to adapt the on‑device model without full model retraining, but the operational workflow for secure fine‑tuning at scale is still nascent. (blogs.windows.com)
• Benchmarking expectations: Vendor‑published metrics (time‑to‑first‑token, tokens/sec) are helpful, but developers should create device‑level quick checks in their apps so fallback behavior can be robust when NPU capability is absent or the component update is not installed. (blogs.windows.com)

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Independent reporting and community response​

Independent and community sources show mixed responses to Microsoft’s AI component cadence. Enthusiasts and selective testing communities have reported measurable improvements when device NPUs are used correctly, but they also document compatibility pain points when OEM firmware or drivers lag the OS update. Community discussion threads and forum posts act as an early warning system; IT teams should consult them for known issues on specific hardware models but treat anecdotal claims as lead indicators rather than final verdicts. (windowsforum.com)
Caveat: some third‑party writeups highlight bold performance claims and industry positioning for on‑device AI that are hard to independently verify without controlled benchmarks. Where outside articles quote throughput or TOPS figures as comparative advantages, those numbers should be treated cautiously and validated on target hardware. (windowsnews.ai, windowsnews.ai)

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Verdict — who should care and why​

• OEMs and drivers teams: This update matters because it tightens NPU integration and affects out‑of‑box AI feature behavior. OEMs should coordinate BIOS and driver releases with Microsoft‑tracked component versions to ensure a smooth customer experience.
• Enterprises and IT administrators: Treat KB5065505 as a platform runtime update — validate prerequisites, stage the rollout, and monitor the update for unexpected side effects before enterprise‑wide approval.
• Developers and ISVs: Use feature detection in apps, and don’t assume the presence of the latest Phi Silica package across all user hardware. Provide robust cloud fallback or degraded feature modes.
• Enthusiast consumers: If running a Copilot+ AMD laptop and you want the latest on‑device AI features, allow Windows Update to install KB5065505 — but confirm your drivers and BIOS are current and create a restore point if you rely on uninterrupted workflows.

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How to verify installation and troubleshoot​

• Verification:
• Open Settings → Windows Update → Update history.
• Look for an entry labeled “Phi Silica version 1.2507.797.0 for AMD‑powered systems (KB5065505).” (support.microsoft.com)
• Troubleshooting checklist:
• Confirm latest Windows 11 24H2 cumulative update is installed.
• Update AMD chipset and NPU drivers from the OEM or AMD’s official channels.
• Update BIOS/UEFI to the vendor’s most recent published revision.
• If the update fails, consult Windows Update logs and consider temporarily pausing updates while collecting logs for Microsoft or OEM support. Community threads can also point to model‑specific mitigations. (learn.microsoft.com)

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Final analysis and cautionary notes​

KB5065505 is not a flashy consumer feature drop; it is a platform maintenance release with strategic implications. By iterating Phi Silica per silicon family and surfacing updates through Windows Update, Microsoft is operationalizing on‑device AI as a living part of the OS. That is technically forward‑looking and will benefit privacy‑sensitive and latency‑sensitive use cases once the update pipeline, OEM coordination, and driver support achieve parity.
At the same time, the approach introduces operational complexity: multiple component packages across vendors, terse KB notes, and dependency on firmware and driver readiness. Organizations and power users should be pragmatic: test, stage, and validate, and treat third‑party performance claims with caution until audited benchmarks are available for the exact hardware and workload in question. Community reporting is helpful, but it is not a substitute for controlled validation in a managed environment. (support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com, blogs.windows.com)

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KB5065505 marks another step in Microsoft’s on‑device AI roadmap — one that reduces reliance on the cloud for many day‑to‑day language and vision tasks, while simultaneously raising the bar for systems management and hardware–software co‑ordination.

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Source: Microsoft Support KB5065505: Phi Silica AI component update (version 1.2507.797.0) for AMD-powered systems - Microsoft Support