Windows Weekly #959: "Thurrott Syndrome" (Nov 19, 2025)

Host: Leo Laporte

Co-hosts: Paul Thurrott, Richard Campbell

Main Theme: Microsoft's AI Evolution, Windows Ignite Recap, Agentic AI, Windows 11 Backlash, Steam Machine & Gaming Hardware, Community Dynamics

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Microsoft's vision for "agentic AI," covering key Ignite announcements, community reactions to AI integration in Windows, the progression of Windows 365 Copilot and other AI services, and a spirited discussion around hardware, including the new Steam Machine and gaming handhelds. The hosts also reflect on tech industry practices, social media toxicity, and the transition of Windows within the larger Microsoft ecosystem.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Microsoft Ignite 2025: Keynote and Leadership Shakeups

Timestamps: 00:42–08:45

• The hosts react to Microsoft's somewhat underwhelming Ignite keynote, noting the absence of Satya Nadella, with Judson Althoff (commercial CEO) taking the spotlight.
• Paul: "[Satya] is best when he comes out and just does a quick little intro... and then takes off." (05:37)
• Insight into tech company leadership structures and the prevalence of crony boards.
• Satya Nadella’s 10-year milestone, Apple’s Tim Cook's likely chairmanship, and how transitions at the top shape company direction.

2. AI Announcements: Gemini 3, Copilot, and Competitive Tensions

Timestamps: 07:29–14:02

• Google unveils Gemini 3 just before Microsoft's Ignite to steal thunder; strategic media outreach and heightened rivalry between Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella.
• Paul: "If I was Sundar Pichai... I’d be like, 'Who’s dancing now, bitch?'" (09:33)

3. The Promise and Hype (and Reality) of Agentic AI

Timestamps: 11:30–23:40

• Breakdown of what "agentic AI" means: AI acting proactively on behalf of users, e.g., price monitoring, automating purchases—but also the risks around misplaced trust and “horror stories.”
• Richard: "It's asynchronous automation... Let me know when the price hits.” (14:10)
• Current actual use cases lag behind the marketing promises; developer tools are ahead but still error-prone.

4. Copilot, Coding Assistance, and Developer Frustrations

Timestamps: 16:18–22:12

• Co-hosts debate the usefulness and current limitations of coding AIs like GitHub Copilot, Google’s new models, Anthropic’s Claude, etc.
• Paul's personal struggles with AI-generated code in C#, .NET, Windows App SDK, and the frustration with "free AI credits" running out.
• Paul: “You spent my AI credits. You were wrong repeatedly on the same thing. And now I don’t get to do this anymore.” (18:06)
• Developer community camaraderie and the ongoing trial-and-error in using LLMs for programming help.

5. Community Sharing, Open Source, and AI Commercialization

Timestamps: 22:43–29:22

• The tradition of developers sharing solutions, tips, and caveats when working with AI tools.
• Controversy over open source tool Olama transitioning to a costly, cloud-based model—reflecting pressures across the AI ecosystem.

6. Windows 11: AI Everywhere & Agentic OS Backlash

Timestamps: 33:30–54:19

• Nearly all Ignite news was AI-focused, especially the further integration of Copilot and agents at both enterprise and consumer levels.
  • Copilot Chat: Now available in the Microsoft 365 app for free (web-data only, not personal data).
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot Business: $21/month for small (<300 user) businesses.
  • Agent 365: For managing multiple AI agents across apps.
• Windows 11 to host “AI agents” in the taskbar—a flashpoint for community outrage.
• Debate over whether user feedback is constructive or just reactionary:
  • Paul: “The sheer amount of hate and terribleness that this guy [Pavan Davuluri, Windows head] received... made me so sad. There is no call for that.” (46:05)
  • Richard: “Let’s be clear…how you get a Windows 8 is by NOT talking to anybody about what you’re doing…” (47:59)

Notable Quotes:

• Leo: “It’s just a bunch of people on Twitter. Who the hell cares?” (51:17)
• Paul: “Your needs and wants are 1% of 1% of what people do with Windows. You do not speak for us.” (46:43)
• Richard: "I hope that that toxic spew that came out of that tweet doesn’t put him off..." (54:58)

7. Windows Insider Preview, December Patch, and New Experience Features

Timestamps: 60:17–66:21

• Multiple new builds, including Copilot Actions, extended Windows Studio Effects (external camera support), improved fingerprint security, more intuitive quick settings, and better recovery logic.
• Paul: “There’s a bunch of stuff in here that I think people will like. Right…” (61:53)

8. AI Browser Wars and Mozilla’s Compromise

Timestamps: 83:01–88:19

• Mozilla announces "AI Window," an optional, privacy-preserving AI mode for Firefox—predicting a user revolt given the audience’s ethos.
• Contrasts with Vivaldi’s "never AI," and Chrome/Edge’s all-in approach.

9. Gaming Hardware: Steam Machine / Gabe Cube, Xbox Handhelds & Reviews

Timestamps: 88:40–105:01

• Qualcomm and Windows on ARM improvements, AVX2 emulation, and new drivers enabling more games on ARM.
• Microsoft's recent updates: full-screen gaming experience now on more handhelds (e.g., Lenovo Legion Go) and integration with Xbox/PC game libraries.
• Fortnite coming to Xbox on PC in a play-anywhere model.
• Steam’s new "Gabe Cube" (Steam Machine 2.0): Leveraging Linux, advances in mainstream laptop gaming, and the interplay of community love vs. Xbox’s scrutiny.
  • Richard: “Steam is beloved. Valve is a beloved company. There’s no two ways about it.” (102:59)

10. Back of the Book:

10.1. Paul’s Tip: Tiny 11 Builder for Minimalist Windows

Timestamp: 108:06

• Paul’s hands-on experience slimming Windows 11 using Tiny 11 Builder, pitfalls of custom installations, and the benefits of streamlined OS installs.

10.2. Hardware Review: Lenovo Legion Go

Timestamps: 111:14–121:31

• Review of the biggest Windows gaming handheld to-date, its performance, quirks, and growing appeal for controller-first, on-the-go PC gaming.

10.3. Richard’s Whiskey Segment: Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve 2007

Timestamps: 128:41–142:29

• The history of Jameson, the uniqueness of the Reserve, the collaboration between master distillers, and the rarity (only ~3,000 bottles; auction price >$3,600).
  • “The thing you should do with really old whiskey is blend…” (138:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paul: “If it doesn’t make this [AI] transition, it’s probably not coming along for the ride. That’s how they see it…” (41:21)
• Richard: “We’re now doing that thing—rebuilding the platform while rebuilding the tools, while redefining the application.” (24:36)
• Leo (regarding developer AI): “You can’t do it without knowing how to code. You have to be able to look at the code.” (24:47)
• Paul: “Leave. Then leave. We’re better off without you. You are just noise.” (47:11)
• Leo: “We all want to teabag our neighbors.” (96:23, comedic context during gaming discussion)
• Richard (whiskey): “If I'm in the mood for an Irish, that’s the one I can find on the shelf of virtually any bar…” (129:41)

Section/Talking Point Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Start Timestamp | |---------|-------|----------------| | 1 | Microsoft Ignite/Leadership | 00:42 | | 2 | AI Announcements & Google Rivalry | 07:29 | | 3 | Agentic AI Explained | 11:30 | | 4 | AI for Developers | 16:18 | | 5 | Community/Coding/Commercial Open Source | 22:43 | | 6 | Windows 11 AI/Backlash | 33:30 | | 7 | Insider Builds/Features | 60:17 | | 8 | AI Browsers, Mozilla | 83:01 | | 9 | Gaming Hardware (Steam Machine, Xbox, Handhelds) | 88:40 | | 10.1 | Paul’s Tip: Tiny 11 Builder | 108:06 | | 10.2 | Legion Go Review | 111:14 | | 10.3 | Whiskey: Jameson Reserve | 128:41 |

Conclusion:

This episode captures a moment of intense transition for Windows and Microsoft—from leadership styles to engineering strategies, corporate PR gamesmanship, and intensely polarized reactions from the community, especially with the new push for "agentic" AI. Technical deep dives mix with candid frustrations, developer humor, and human moments (wine racks, Home Simpson grills, whiskey parties) to make this both a concrete and relatable look at the tech world in flux.