Podcast Summary: Hands-On Windows 160 – Smarter Search and AI in Notepad

Host: Paul Thurrott
Podcast/Network: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
Episode Title: Smarter Search and AI in Notepad
Release Date: October 2, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Hands-On Windows, Paul Thurrott dives deep into the latest features rolling out with Windows 11 version 25H2, focusing especially on advancements to search functionality and the integration of AI tools in first-party apps like Notepad. The discussion covers both cosmetic and functional changes, what’s working now, what’s coming soon, and provides practical insights and honest takes on the user experience.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Windows 11 25H2 Release Timing & Feature Rollouts

• Microsoft is progressively rolling out features ahead of a broad November release.
• Features sometimes appear inconsistently across devices.
• Early adopters can get access now via the Release Preview channel.
• Quote:

  “The unfortunate reality of Windows 11 is that these things don’t go out at the same time to all computers.” (Paul Thurrott, 02:15)

2. Lock Screen Customization Upgrades

• New interface allows manual selection and ordering of up to four widgets (e.g., weather, finances, sports).
• Adds better control similar to the widgets tray on the Windows 11 desktop.
• Users can turn individual widgets on or off and reorder their display.
• Recommendation feature can be disabled for a cleaner look.
• Quote:

  “You can only have four. You can add a widget, and if you add a widget, it will replace the thing that’s on the bottom.” (Paul Thurrott, 04:28)

3. Widgets Interface and Third-Party Expansion (Theoretical, Not Yet Visible)

• Anticipates a new sidebar/nav bar in the desktop widgets area, allowing toggle between widget view and Discover feed.
• Users will be able to add future third-party widget feeds, though none are available yet.
• The overall widgets experience is evolving but some features are still more “theory than reality.”
• Quote:

  “This is more theory than reality at this point. But that is coming, so we’ll get there.” (Paul Thurrott, 05:30)

4. Copilot Plus PCs and Smarter, AI-Driven Search

• Semantic search across File Explorer, Start search, and (now) Settings.
• Settings Agent: Leveraging a local small language model to interpret and execute natural language queries (e.g., changing the theme, modifying the taskbar)—with certain commands able to be completed directly, inline.
• Local, device-based AI reduces internet dependency and increases privacy for common queries.
• Quote:

  “Instead of clicking on a link to go to a page in Settings...you can actually just do it right here, inline.” (Paul Thurrott, 06:49)

5. File Explorer—Visual and Functional Updates

• Expanded “recommended files” feature, now for consumers as well as enterprise users.
• Updated context menus:
  • Icons now match other OS elements.
  • Addition of a “Share With” submenu—actions can target not just apps, but also features within apps.
  • Context menus are growing complex, potentially overwhelming users as more AI-driven and third-party integrations appear.
• Quote:

  “One of the other updates brings a ‘share with’ and then you get a submenu with all of the applications that are compatible with that thing...It could literally be a feature in an app.” (Paul Thurrott, 07:50)
  “This menu...is about to be horrifically long.” (Paul Thurrott, 10:08)

6. Notification Center and Returning Features

• The Notification Center (previously "Action Center") gets a minor enhancement:
  • Option to display time in the Notification Center, catering to user demand reminiscent of Windows 10’s setup.
• Quote:

  “There were a lot of people who, you know, said, look, I kind of rely on having the time there. Why can’t I have the time there? So now you can have the time there.” (Paul Thurrott, 11:15)

7. Inbox Apps: Deep Dive into Notepad’s AI-Powered Tools

• Notepad’s AI Integration:
  • "Copilot" integration for writing, rewriting, and summarizing text.
  • Cloud-based AI features are available to Microsoft 365 subscribers; Copilot Plus PC owners will get most features locally, even offline (leveraging on-device neural processors).
  • Users can choose local processing (faster, private) or cloud processing (higher-quality, but uses credits/bandwidth).
  • Updated context menus with new icons and dividers for consistency.
• Control & Privacy:
  • All AI features are user-optional and can be turned off entirely.
• Quote:

  “Most of these options will just be available even if you’re disconnected from the Internet. They’ll work off the MPU and you’ll have some kind of a choice in here where it will say do you want to do this locally or do you want to use the cloud-based version.” (Paul Thurrott, 13:12)
  “It amazes me how much they’ve changed it and yet it’s still really, really good.” (Paul Thurrott, 12:57)

8. Closing Thoughts and What’s Next

• Upgrades to Paint and Snipping Tool are coming soon, to be covered in future episodes.
• Microsoft’s aggressive pace means “there’s always going to be more” added between preview and public release.
• Paul notes the difficulty and excitement in tracking continual, rapid changes.
• Quote:

  “Between the time that this hit release preview and the time when it’s going to go out to the public, they just start throwing features at it again.” (Paul Thurrott, 15:55)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the chaos of rapid feature rollouts:

  “This is going to be this convoluted mess of things. So that’s going to be fun for all of us, I guess, at some point.” (Paul Thurrott, 11:48)

• On user choice regarding AI features:

  “If you don’t like these things, you can turn off Copilot. You can turn off everything, really.” (Paul Thurrott, 15:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Windows 11 25H2 rollout context: 01:03–02:30
• Lock screen widget interface: 03:20–05:00
• Widgets interface, Discover feed speculation: 05:00–06:00
• Semantic search and AI settings agent: 06:00–07:30
• File Explorer/Context menu updates: 07:30–10:30
• Notification Center update: 11:00–12:00
• Notepad and AI tools: 12:00–15:30
• Closing thoughts on rapid Windows development: 15:30–16:40

Conclusion

Paul Thurrott delivers a densely informative walkthrough of Windows 11’s latest updates, especially the blend of AI into everyday user experiences like search and Notepad. The episode is practical, opinionated, and gives clear insights into where Microsoft is heading—balancing helpful automation with user control, while constantly shipping incremental improvements.

For more, listen to future episodes every Thursday at TWiT.tv/HOW.