Windows Weekly 929: The Blue Screen of Soup April 23, 2025

In the latest episode of Windows Weekly, hosts Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell delve into a variety of pressing tech topics, ranging from Microsoft's confusing update nomenclature to significant developments in AI and antitrust battles involving tech giants. This comprehensive discussion offers insights into the current state of Windows, the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, security concerns, and the gaming industry's latest happenings.

1. Windows Update Confusion: 23H2 vs. 24H2

The episode kicks off with a discussion about Microsoft's recent Windows updates, specifically the anticipation surrounding the 23H2 and 24H2 releases. Paul Thurrott expresses frustration over the delayed previews and the overlapping feature sets between these updates.

[02:35] Paul Thurrott: "It has happened, I bet, five or six times in the past 12 months...for some reason, the preview update day comes around week D. Tuesday."

Leo Laporte laments the naming conventions, questioning Microsoft's shift to year-based versioning.

[03:26] Leo Laporte: "But they are using those designations to tell you when they're deprecating something."

The hosts agree that while these updates are largely under-the-hood changes, they can impact user awareness and system compatibility.

2. AI Features and Copilot Enhancements in Microsoft Products

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Microsoft's integration of AI, particularly through their Copilot features. The hosts explore new functionalities introduced in the Insider Preview builds, such as Text Actions, Reading Coach, and Image Recognition capabilities.

[09:52] Richard Campbell: "But under the hood, that means that they're taking all the photos that are in OneDrive and running it through an analog, an image recognizer and writing tags for them."

Paul Thurrott highlights the convenience and potential frustrations of these AI enhancements, noting the fine line between useful automation and intrusive indexing.

[12:01] Paul Thurrott: "It's a form of indexing, really. The idea is that later on you want to find that thing quickly. So, you know, you store photos in OneDrive, it's doing some kind of thing in the background... I just want it to come up quick."

The conversation shifts to Copilot Vision, an AI feature that allows users to interact with their screen or environment using natural language.

[40:55] Paul Thurrott: "They’re going to have this agent store... It's relatively confusing because if you think about, like, what does that mean?"

3. Security Breach Scare: A False Alarm

Richard Campbell shares an unsettling incident where a system breach alarmed Microsoft partners, leading to widespread panic among administrators.

[27:02] Richard Campbell: "Friday night I get pinged by a sysadmin friend of mine saying, oh, it looks like we've got a... we've been breached."

It was later revealed that a bug in deployed software mistakenly flagged accounts as compromised, causing unnecessary stress and prompting rapid response measures.

[28:32] Paul Thurrott: "But not before scare. That's like, you know, I recovered from you jumping around the corner and scaring the crap out of me."

The hosts reflect on the challenges of cybersecurity and the importance of accurate threat detection.

4. AI Personal Assistants: Capabilities and Privacy Concerns

The trio delves into the burgeoning world of AI personal assistants, discussing their integration into daily workflows and the inherent privacy implications. They highlight how AI like Copilot can augment productivity but also raises questions about data privacy and user control.

[43:22] Paul Thurrott: "It's inevitable. Like, it's... it only makes sense. This is that Cortana thing where someone say, you know, this thing told me it needed to get permissions for my calendar, my email, blah, blah."

They debate the balance between convenience and privacy, with Paul expressing skepticism about the depth of personalization versus potential overreach.

[44:14] Paul Thurrott: "I think this is not a horrible use case for AI... I just don't. I want the blandest voice."

5. Antitrust Developments in Big Tech

A heated discussion unfolds around the antitrust cases against major tech companies, particularly Google and Microsoft. Paul Thurrott draws parallels with the early 2000s antitrust issues faced by Microsoft, emphasizing the exponential growth of these companies.

[73:33] Paul Thurrott: "Google is now 50 times bigger than Microsoft was when the government wanted to break up Microsoft."

Leo Laporte and Richard Campbell express concern over the monopolistic practices and the potential impact of regulatory actions on the tech ecosystem. They critique the bureaucratic delays and the aggressive stances taken by companies in the face of legal scrutiny.

[76:24] Richard Campbell: "Another example, Intel had an antitrust case in the EU... they were charged with the same thing as Microsoft."

The conversation highlights the complexities of enforcing antitrust laws in the rapidly evolving tech landscape, questioning the efficacy of current regulatory frameworks.

6. Xbox Gaming: Remastered Classics and Expansion to Smart TVs

Transitioning to the gaming segment, the hosts discuss the remastered release of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion on modern platforms, including Xbox Series X&S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Game Pass. They praise the enhanced graphics powered by the Unreal 5 engine and the nostalgic value for long-time gamers.

[95:34] Paul Thurrott: "Do it right. You're not going to come back in a year and be like, 'we need this.'"

Additionally, they touch upon Microsoft's initiative to expand the Xbox app to various smart TVs, including Samsung, Fire TV, and LG, enhancing accessibility for gamers.

[97:51] Richard Campbell: "And now the moment the lighting out there. Oh, get a little lighter."

7. Promotions and Closing Remarks: Club Twit and Community Engagement

In the concluding segment, the hosts promote Club Twit, a subscription-based service offering ad-free shows, exclusive events, and access to a dedicated Discord community. They emphasize the value of community support and the benefits members receive, including special event streams and networking opportunities.

[108:04] Richard Campbell: "We have lots not available. Yeah, like small print, you know, footnote type disclosures were like, not here, not here, not here, not yet, not whatever."

Leo Laporte encourages listeners to join the club to support the show and gain access to premium content.

[111:04] Paul Thurrott: "Yes. So the reason I'm mentioning it now is because I have this list of things that I'm going to buy when... So I've heard now from a bunch of people who have been buying this stuff that it's literally, as you would expect, identical."

The episode wraps up with friendly banter about upcoming travels and personal anecdotes, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the hosts and their audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Thurrott [02:35]: "It has happened, I bet, five or six times in the past 12 months...for some reason, the preview update day comes around week D. Tuesday."

• Richard Campbell [09:52]: "But under the hood, that means that they're taking all the photos that are in OneDrive and running it through an analog, an image recognizer and writing tags for them."

• Paul Thurrott [73:33]: "Google is now 50 times bigger than Microsoft was when the government wanted to break up Microsoft."

• Richard Campbell [76:24]: "Another example, Intel had an antitrust case in the EU... they were charged with the same thing as Microsoft."

This episode of Windows Weekly offers a deep dive into the intricate developments shaping the tech world today. From navigating Microsoft's update strategies to understanding the profound implications of AI advancements and antitrust regulations, the hosts provide valuable perspectives for both tech enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.