Windows Weekly Summary: Episode 937 – Vexed by Perturbations

Release Date: June 18, 2025

In Episode 937 of Windows Weekly, hosts Leo Laporte, Paul Thurott, and Richard Campbell delve into a range of topics centered around Microsoft's latest developments, gaming updates, AI advancements, and personal tech experiences. This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Windows Hello Vulnerability and User Experiences

The episode kicks off with a deep dive into recent updates addressing vulnerabilities in Windows Hello, Microsoft's facial recognition system.

• Vulnerability Fixes: Paul Thurott highlights a critical patch released eight days prior to the episode, targeting a spoofing vulnerability in Windows Hello. This flaw allowed local attackers to exploit "adversarial input perturbations" to bypass facial recognition security.

  [03:59] Paul Thurott: "In Windows Hello."

• User Frustrations: The hosts share personal anecdotes about Windows Hello's inconsistent performance, particularly in low-light conditions. Paul expresses his annoyance with the system's inability to recognize his face in the dark, leading to unreliable authentication prompts.

  [04:13] Richard Campbell: "You ought to be a lawyer. Worked on that, I'm pretty sure."

  [07:44] Paul Thurott: "I'd like to set a little note that says, hey, by the way, this used to work."

2. Microsoft 365 and Recall Feature Enhancements

Transitioning to productivity tools, Paul discusses enhancements in Microsoft 365, specifically the Recall feature.

• Data Export Capability: A new update allows users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to export their Recall data. This feature aims to facilitate data portability across devices, addressing previous limitations where Recall data couldn't sync seamlessly.

  [07:16] Paul Thurott: "Today is the one year anniversary of the day that Window or Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11 were released."

• Business Chat and AI Integration: The discussion moves to Microsoft's AI-driven Business Chat, part of the Copilot initiative. However, the Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division found discrepancies between Microsoft's advertising claims and the actual capabilities of Business Chat, recommending clearer disclosure of its limitations.

  [69:18] Paul Thurott: "Business Chat, or whatever the name of the thing is."

3. AI Developments and the OpenAI-Microsoft Relationship

A significant portion of the episode centers on the evolving dynamics between Microsoft and OpenAI.

• Investment and Control: Microsoft has invested a substantial $13 billion into OpenAI, securing a 49% stake and a 1.49% revenue share. This investment grants Microsoft considerable influence over OpenAI's strategic decisions.

  [73:14] Paul Thurott: "It's a matter of time and it still doesn't."

• Conflict Over Acquisitions: Tensions escalate as OpenAI announces the acquisition of Windsurf for $3 billion, a move that Microsoft perceives as competing with its own GitHub Copilot service. OpenAI is contemplating formal antitrust complaints to regulators to block the deal, citing conflicts of interest.

  [74:06] Richard Campbell: "I don't know how Microsoft would react to this."

• Antitrust and Competitive Practices: The hosts discuss potential antitrust implications and the strategic maneuvers both companies might employ to maintain their market positions amidst the AI boom.

  [80:43] Paul Thurott: "I mean, this is a uniquely Microsoft problem of today."

4. Laptop Reviews and Recommendations

The conversation shifts to personal experiences with Microsoft's Surface devices and recommendations for alternatives like Lenovo ThinkPads.

• Surface Laptop Reliability: Paul recounts a one-year experience with the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11, praising the devices for their battery life, compatibility, and overall performance. However, he laments the absence of a fingerprint reader, relying solely on facial recognition.

  [07:16] Paul Thurott: "I've had a nearly flawless experience with this laptop that I bought a year ago."

• Lenovo ThinkPad Insights: Richard contemplates purchasing a new Lenovo ThinkPad, particularly the ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 Snapdragon model, which boasts a fingerprint reader—something Paul finds preferable for explicit authentication.

  [21:25] Richard Campbell: "The one thing they were talking about, there's like little subtle things, like even something like the color of the browser page."

5. Xbox and Gaming Platform Developments

A dedicated segment explores the future of Xbox and its integration with Windows technologies.

• New Xbox Hardware: Microsoft revealed a partnership with AMD to co-design next-generation Xbox hardware, aiming for better performance and backward compatibility with existing game libraries. The shift suggests moving towards a more PC-like architecture, potentially enhancing scalability and integration with services like Game Pass.

  [105:34] Paul Thurott: "This is super exciting."

• Cross-Platform Gaming: The hosts speculate on Xbox's strategy to become a unified gaming platform, emphasizing compatibility across Windows and Xbox consoles. This move aligns with Microsoft's broader goal to leverage Windows' infrastructure to bolster Xbox's market presence.

  [112:02] Richard Campbell: "They're headed right at it."

6. Software Tools: Camtasia and Adobe Firefly

The discussion transitions to software applications that aid content creation and productivity.

• Camtasia Online: Paul introduces Camtasia Online, a web-based version of the popular video editing tool, tailored for quick screen recordings and presentations. While it offers a user-friendly interface, it is limited to five-minute recordings without watermarks.

  [35:00] Paul Thurott: "It's going to be a good way to get over the top."

• Adobe Firefly Integration: Adobe expanded its Firefly suite to mobile platforms, allowing creators to generate and edit AI-driven images and videos on-the-go. This integration aims to streamline the creative process by bridging mobile and desktop workflows, although it requires an active Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.

  [35:26] Richard Campbell: "Thanks to US Cloud, they support 50 of the Fortune 500."

7. Closing Remarks and Community Engagement

In the latter part of the episode, the hosts encourage listeners to engage with their community through Club TWiT, offering exclusive content and events. They also touch upon upcoming segments and teasers for future discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• "I am perturbed. I am vexed by the perturbations."
  Paul Thurott at [04:08]

• "And now Excel has a local AI thing. I'm depressed because I was up all night figuring it out."
  Paul Thurott at [50:40]

• "This is a uniquely Microsoft problem of today."
  Paul Thurott at [80:43]

Conclusion

Episode 937 of Windows Weekly offers a rich exploration of current technological challenges and advancements within the Microsoft ecosystem. From addressing security vulnerabilities in Windows Hello to navigating the complex relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI, the hosts provide insightful commentary on the industry's evolving landscape. Additionally, personal anecdotes about device reliability and software tool integrations offer listeners practical perspectives alongside broader strategic discussions.

For those interested in staying updated on Microsoft's latest moves, AI developments, and gaming innovations, this episode serves as a comprehensive resource.