Windows Weekly 922: "There's Never a 'Not OK' Button" Released on March 5, 2025

Hosts:

• Leo Laporte
• Paul Thurrott
• Richard Campbell

1. Farewell to Skype

The episode kicks off with the hosts bidding farewell to Skype, reflecting on its legacy and decline. Paul Thurrott shares anecdotes about using Skype, particularly during the pandemic when Microsoft’s focus shifted to Teams. Leo Laporte reminisces about early uses of Skype for personal connections, highlighting its once pivotal role in bridging communication gaps.

Paul Thurrott [72:12]: "Microsoft announced this week that they're going to kill Skype in May pretty quickly, actually."

2. Microsoft Copilot Updates and Privacy Concerns

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Microsoft's ongoing updates to the Copilot app in Windows 11. Paul Thurrott expresses frustration over the frequent updates and the lack of transparency regarding Microsoft’s changes.

Paul Thurrott [07:28]: "Microsoft is updating the Copilot app in Windows 11 for what I'm going to call the 127th time. I just don't understand. I don't even understand what's happening anymore."

The hosts delve into the privacy implications of these updates, particularly the default setting that enables model training on user text inputs. Richard Campbell and Leo Laporte raise concerns about data privacy and Microsoft's handling of user information.

Leo Laporte [09:43]: "Now, this is the same thing that caused so much concern, isn't it, that Microsoft was going to send this information to the home office. But that's not what's happening still, right?"

3. Phone Connection Integration

Paul Thurrott introduces the revamped Phone Connection feature, formerly known as Phone Plugin, which allows Copilot to interact with Android devices. The integration raises alarms about data harvesting from personal devices, as it enables Copilot to access messages, contacts, and more.

Paul Thurrott [15:03]: "It was like the aliens tendrils coming down and, like, you know, suctioning in your body."

The discussion highlights the potential risks of increased data access and the lack of clear communication from Microsoft about forthcoming features.

4. Recall Feature and User Experience Issues

Paul Thurrott shares his experience with the Recall feature, emphasizing its cumbersome update process. The necessity to manually install multiple updates for simple functionalities frustrates users, leading to a degraded user experience.

Paul Thurrott [18:52]: "Recall is interesting because like other copilot plus PCs, it relies on local AI models. Right. What I would call small language models, but we're just mixing up language. People call them large language models."

Richard Campbell and Leo Laporte echo the sentiment, criticizing the inefficient update mechanism and its impact on usability.

5. Windows Update Strategy and Frustrations

The hosts critique Microsoft's Windows Update strategy, drawing parallels to the overly complicated processes that hinder user convenience. Paul Thurrott cynically refers to it as the "Call of Duty experience," where updates intrude during user activities like gaming.

Paul Thurrott [23:45]: "There is no day you couldn't check for updates and not find them somewhere in Windows."

6. Adoption of Rust Language at Microsoft

A noteworthy segment discusses Microsoft's adoption of the Rust programming language to enhance security and reliability. Mark Russinovich, CTO of Azure, advocates for eliminating new C and C++ code from the Windows kernel, citing Rust's memory safety benefits.

Paul Thurrott [41:10]: "Mark Russinovich is the CTO of Azure. He is famous. You've probably heard of him."

The conversation touches on the challenges of integrating Rust with existing codebases and the broader implications for software development within Microsoft.

7. Widget Customization on Lock Screen

Paul Thurrott expresses satisfaction with the upcoming customization options for lock screen widgets in Windows Insider builds. This feature allows users to select which widgets appear on their lock screens, addressing previous limitations.

Paul Thurrott [28:04]: "They are adding that feature now in the Insider program. So that suggests to me that we'll see it in Windows by mid-year maybe."

8. Intel's Production Delays and Market Impact

The hosts briefly discuss Intel's announcement to delay the opening of Ohio fabs until after 2030, reflecting on its potential impact on the semiconductor industry and market competitiveness.

Paul Thurrott [56:55]: "Intel today at Mobile Congress announced the V Pro SL, meaning commercial versions of their latest Core Ultra Series 2 processors."

9. Outlook Mobile and AI Integration

Updates to Outlook Mobile are highlighted, including the addition of delivery and read receipts. Paul Thurrott notes increased activity on the app, indicating a push towards integrating more AI-driven features to enhance user experience.

Paul Thurrott [97:05]: "There has been a lot of activity on Outlook Mobile this year."

10. Sponsor Highlights

US Cloud:

• Leo Laporte introduces US Cloud as a top-tier third-party Microsoft support provider, emphasizing cost savings and enhanced performance compared to Microsoft's own support services.

Leo Laporte [40:18]: "So seven bucks a month, it's not expensive to get rid of all the ads."

Zscaler:

• Leo Laporte also mentions Zscaler, a leader in cloud security, focusing on their Zero Trust plus AI solutions to protect organizations against evolving cyber threats.

Leo Laporte [69:00]: "Protect your organization with Zscaler Zero Trust plus AI."

11. Gaming Segment and Updates

The episode includes a brief gaming segment where the hosts touch upon new releases in Xbox Game Pass, including re-releases of classic titles like Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4. They also discuss the challenges faced by PlayStation VR 2, including production delays and high costs.

Paul Thurrott [116:05]: "Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4 are both coming to all platforms, whatever that means."

12. AI Developments and Local Models

Paul Thurrott explores the advancements in local AI models, particularly Microsoft's expansion of their AI toolkit for Visual Studio Code. The discussion covers the performance differences between cloud-based and local AI models, highlighting the potential and limitations of running AI locally on PCs.

Paul Thurrott [100:04]: "And I was like, well, what does this look like? And what it looks like is using a chatbot, except it's in slow motion."

13. Closing Remarks and Call to Action

The episode concludes with the hosts encouraging listeners to leave positive reviews on platforms like iTunes to support the show. They also tease upcoming segments, including an interview with AI skeptic Gary Marcus, and promote various community features like Club Twit.

Notable Quotes:

• Leo Laporte [09:43]: "Now, this is the same thing that caused so much concern, isn't it, that Microsoft was going to send this information to the home office. But that's not what's happening still, right?"

• Paul Thurrott [41:10]: "Mark Russinovich is the CTO of Azure. He is famous. You've probably heard of him."

• Richard Campbell [130:30]: "This is the way they update themselves as if it were an online service is ludicrous..."

• Leo Laporte [120:27]: "Could they be triple LMs? Could they be triple lms?"

Conclusion

Episode 922 of Windows Weekly delves deep into Microsoft's evolving strategies with AI integration in Windows, highlighting both advancements and user concerns. The hosts navigate through complex topics like privacy, programming languages, and system updates with their characteristic blend of expertise and humor. Additionally, discussions extend to broader industry movements, including Intel's production strategies and the ongoing shift towards more secure programming practices with Rust. The episode serves as a comprehensive overview for tech enthusiasts keen on understanding the latest developments in the Microsoft ecosystem and beyond.