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Windows Weekly (Audio)
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Windows Weekly is about more than Windows. Veteran Microsoft insiders Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell join Leo for a deep dive into the most valuable company in the world. From consumer to enterprise, AI to Xbox, Windows Weekly is the only Microsoft podcast you'll ever need. You can join Club TWiT for $10 per month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for $5 per month.
New episodes every Wednesday.
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WW 987: SelfLoathing.md - Will AI-Driven Vibe Coding Replace Traditional Developers?
3d ago02:39:37Summary readyIf you think code is safe from automation, think again. This week's discussion tackles why the rise of vibe coding and AI-powered tools could upend long-held beliefs about software development, with even seasoned pros rethinking their roles. Also, a new C++ documentary is worth watching! Windows After a weekend of Build session viewing, two big takeaways! Vibe coding native Windows apps and a new reactive dev model for WinUI will help to make modern app dev easier for everyone A new theory emerges: The real reason Microsoft is fixing Windows 11 is that it needs this foundation for a future of hybrid AI agents. And hybrid means more than just local + cloud. Patch Tuesday is here! As promised, Microsoft fixed a record number of security issues thanks to AI 24H2/25H2: Shared audio, more NPU in Task Manager, multi-app camera support, user folder name choice in OOBE, more 26H1: Xbox Mode, Drop tray, etc. Windows Insider Program: New 26H1 Beta channel added for some reason Dell now sells a Windows Hello ESS-compatible wired mouse AI WWDC 2026: Apple announced vibe-coding advances for normal users (Safari extensions) and developers (Xcode). Paul used Xcode and Claude Code to create a full-featured Markdown editor app in about 12-15 minutes. Google drops the price of AI Plus plan to $4.99 per month, raises storage to 400 GB and announces new NotebookLM capabilities Proton Drive is coming to Linux, has a new SDK, and now has a new CLI too. We're going to need a CLI section in the show notes. XBOX and gaming Microsoft Games Showcase: It needed to be a big day for Xbox and it was Microsoft showed off Halo: Campaign Evolved, Gears of War E-Day, Fable, and a lot more Some games will be console-exclusive in the future, starting with the new Gears Microsoft will sell a limited edition Xbox Series X25 later this year Xbox leadership is exploring new business models for the next console - Game Pass lost "millions" of subscribers after last year's price hikes Xbox Insider update adds a new way to discover mutual friends, more Valve says the Steam Machine and Steam Frame will ship this summer Tips and picks Tip of the week: Windows 11 Field Guide is being updated to 2026 edition App pick of the week: Brave Origin RunAs Radio this week: How Machine Learning Fails with Megan Robertson Brown liquor pick of the week: Thy Bøg Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: helixsleep.com/windows zscaler.com/security trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365
Summary
WW 986: Liminal AI - RTX Spark, Project Solara, Scout, & Much More!
1w ago02:32:00Summary readyBuild 2026 is underway in San Francisco this week, and it started with a big, overly-long keynote as always. And Computex is this week, too. There's a lot going on, and some of it is fascinating. Plus, WWDC is next week because you cannot relax. Also, Microsoft GA's WinApp CLI, announces the Windows Platform Skills plug-in for native app creation, and you're not going to believe what Paul did next. OK, you will believe itBuild + Computex = OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD NVIDIA finally announces Arm-based N1X as the RTX Spark RTX Spark is an Arm-based portable workstation chip for Windows 11 Microsoft announces Surface Laptop Ultra - It and other RTX Spark-based PCs will appear in late 2026 Some of this leaked earlier, including a lower-end N1 chipset Microsoft continues to optimize and evolve Windows 11 for developers Windows Developer Configuration, Windows Developer Skills + WinApp CLI, Terminal, more Linux, and more on-device ("unmetered") AI - Tied to this, Copilot+ PC features are coming to more PCs, with CPU/GPU support - this, plus the RTX Spark stuff hints at answers to some obvious questions but there's nothing concrete from Microsoft Microsoft Edge is getting three new on-AI features Scout is a personal work agent powered by OpenClaw GitHub Copilot app arrives on desktop for your agentic coding and management needs Microsoft AI announces seven new foundation models Stevie Bathiche is back, baby! And he's talking about those AI app structures and how they've led to Project Solara Windows Microsoft discusses the progress it's made on Windows 11 pain points You can now test the new Start menu in Experimental - Paul did so along with the new Taskbar Qualcomm announces low-cost Snapdragon C for $300+ PCs to take on MacBook Neo And Acer is the first to announce a Snapdragon C laptop New Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 leaks for June release (!) Dell XPS 13 is coming soon with Intel Wildcat (also to take on MacBook Neo) Dell revenues are through the roof, but not because of PCs HP revenues are up, and it is because of PCs AI and dev Anthropic gets a new valuation exceeding OpenAI and then it files for an IPO OpenAI adjusts GPT5.5-Instant for less sucking-up and releases computer use in Codex on Windows Flutter takes the lead on Flutter desktop development XBOX and gaming Asha Sharma says you can't please everyone and then immediately jumps the shark trying to please everyone XBOX delays Fable reboot because of GTA VI New titles coming to Game Pass in early June across platforms XBOX starts early testing of new console features ASUS announces ROG Xbox Ally X20 with OLED display and XReal R1 glasses Intel announces Arc G-series for gaming handhelds Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 is next and it's the COD we've been begging for Tips and picks Tip of the week: Now you can vibe code a native Windows app from the CLI App pick of the week: iA Writer RunAs Radio this week: Data API Builder and SQL MVP with Jerry Nixon Brown liquor pick of the week: Old Malt Casking of Longmorn 20 These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/986 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsors: joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT threatlocker.com/twit cachefly.com/twit
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WW 985: Putting the Mental in Experimental - Some Linux Learnings for the Windows User
2w ago02:35:36Summary readyPaul has been testing various Linux distributions and other Windows alternatives for months as part of a Switcher series. The zen of Linux can mostly apply to Windows, too: Install and manage software with package managers, and embrace the command line, especially. And if you're going to use a local account, at least be smart about it. Also, Vivaldi 8.0 looks awesome and appears to deliver what Firefox is promising with its Nova UI. Plus, Discord has a native app for Windows 11 on Arm now. Windows Week D arrives with a surprise: 24H2/26H1 are aligned and getting the same new features Shared audio with BT LE, multi-app camera support, many improvements - but the big deal may be the performance and reliability improvements across the board This is the next Patch Tuesday, today Friday builds - new accessibility features in Experimental and Beta, more Microsoft CMO Yusuf Mehdi to leave company after an astonishing 35-year run - started in Windows, but with IE, Bing & MSN, Interactive Entertainment (Xbox), Windows and Devices, and then a SLT position before the end. Incredible run. Paul has three milestones and one throughline to share. Lenovo revenues surge 27 percent to $21.6 billion NVIDIA revenues really surged 85 percent to $81.6 billion AI/dev Google adds Google Drive sync to NotebookLM, and moves preferred sources into AI Mode and AI Overviews Saying no to AI: DuckDuckGo usage surges in the wake of Google I/O's AI tsunami OpenAI releases ChatGPT plugin for PowerPoint .NET MAUI to get Material You support for Android in .NET 10 Follow-up on last week's vibe coding adventures: Paul talked about this last week, but a lot has happened since then. The Android app creation capability in Google AI Studio is live. A few thoughts on vibe coding with Android Studio, Claude Code, and more Xbox and gaming XBOX—and, yes, it's XBOX now—has an official merchandise store to go alongside all its other official merchandise stores The Steam Deck is back in stock! Also, it's 40 percent more expensive Tips & picks Tip of the week: Understanding the zen of Linux can help a Windows user too App pick of the week: A grab-bag of apps for Windows RunAs Radio this week: Team Productivity using Loop with Karinne Bessette Brown liquor pick of the week: John Sleeman & Sons Rye Whisky Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365 webroot.com/twit
Summary
WW 984: For Entertainment Purposes Only - Price Shock With Surface Laptops?!
3w ago02:44:28Summary readyWindows Insider Program Release Preview channel updates (including 26H1 for the first time? - A preview of the June Patch Tuesday updates - Shared audio, NPU usage in Task Manager, multi-app camera support, Magnifier improvements. Taskbar updates come to Insiders! Also in Canary, weʼre throwing them a bone this time. Enshittification remedies all around Microsoft just held a WinHEC for the first time since 2018 and thereʼs a new Windows Driver Initiative! Microsoft will soon let us remap Copilot key to Right Ctrl, which is what it was in the first place. A Linux privacy nut YouTuber confuses privacy and security and doesnʼt understand Windows 11 so... ... Paul wrote a complete guide to the local account de-Microsoft experience in Windows 11 Microsoft Edge will stop loading all passwords into clear text on startup like a big boy browser. Hardware Paul came home to an ASUS Zenbook A16 and ohmygodohmygodohmygod Surface Microsoft finally revs Surface Laptop and Surface Pro for Business, with Intel chips and VERY high prices. Snapdragon X2 variants in late 2026 because of supply issues wa-waa-waaaaa. AI MDASH is Microsoftʼs answer to Anthropic Mythos, in-house only. Elon Musk and Sam Altman are both terrible but a jury decided against Muskʼs frivolous lawsuit. OpenAI and Apple might head to court over Siri promises OpenAI Codex is on mobile via the ChatGPT app Google unleashes an AI tsunami at Google IO this week. A few relevant takeaways: Overview of the major announcements Google advances Android as a developer platform Chrome is turning into a proactive assistant Google AI subscriptions are an incredible value Related: The Gemini Intelligence feature for Googlebooks and more has steep hardware requirements - 12 GB of RAM, flagship SoC So Pixel 10 series/Galaxy S26 series and newer only etc. Just a reminder that Microsoft makes a Linux distribution ... for Azure specifically More dev WWDC schedule is up for June 8 opening day Build 2026 kicks off June 2 in SFO After another boring .NET 11 preview release, we finally get our first look at a major change: MAUI is switching from the Mono runtime to the CoreCLR runtime. And we should pause for a moment to remember S "Soma" Somasegar, who sadly passed away this week. Xbox and Gaming Next Xbox Elite controller leaks and it is glorious Related: An Xbox Cloud-Connected controller leaks too and it is less than glorious. Forza Horizon 6 is here, and itʼs on Game Pass on Day One. Be sure to read Laurentʼs detailed review. Haters gonna keep hating: Fans want Xbox exclusives because their heads are still in the sand. Sony is allegedly returning to this model for single player experiences Related: Sony raises prices on PS Plus Fortnite comes back to the Apple App Store worldwide *excluding Australia for some reason. Tips and Picks Tip of the week: Google AI Studio. Vibe-code your next app with this incredible free tool. Related: A look at Markdown editors. App pick of the week: DeskScapes 2026 Stardock DeskScapes 2026 is normally $9.99 but it will cost just $6.99 during the launch period. Also: Firefox 151 is a big update on desktop and mobile, the latter gets the AI kill switch RunAs Radio this week: UEFI Secure Boot with Richard Hicks Brown liquor pick of the week: Daftmill Winter Batch Release These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/984 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsors: outsystems.com/twit trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365 zscaler.com/security
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WW 983: Puts the Buh in Benelux - Can Googlebooks Challenge Existing Laptops?
May 1302:17:27Summary readyIt's not just Recall: Security vulnerabilities that require you to sign into an account on your PC are not necessarily vulnerabilities. Also, Windows 11 gets its first big feature updates in this week's Patch Tuesday releases. Snapseed 4.0 comes to Android/iOS, and Claude FM is great for relaxing or getting coding/work done. Plus, the Helium browser has emerged as a favorite with 2 notable caveats: No online settings sync and no mobile client. Windows 25H2/24H2: Xbox Mode, Agents on the Taskbar, more 26H1: Smart App Control improvements, other things we saw previously (26H1 is like the stable version of Canary, it seems) Microsoft used a new Mythos-like model called MDASH to find vulnerabilities this month, so expect the numbers of fixed bugs to jump in coming months A low-latency profile for Windows will let it optimize for app/UI launch performance just like mobile platforms already do New builds across most channels with two major changes: Touchpad improvements in Experimental and free upgrade path to Pro for education users in Experimental Beta. A new threat emerges Google announces Googlebook, an Android-based laptop platform with Google Intelligence Some morning-after thoughts, including Microsoft promising AI and that Copilot will be the new Start, while Google delivers AI and is remaking the laptop as an intelligent device AI Microsoft Edge gets big AI and productivity updates on desktop and mobile An Anthropic engineer argues that AI should use HTML for output, not Markdown. He's right. About that 4 GB Gemini Nano model that Chrome secretly downloads OpenAI brings Codex to Google Chrome Security A Bitlocker concern emerges Microsoft Edge loads all saved passwords into plain text when it launches, Microsoft says this is as intended Mozilla patched 423 vulnerabilities in Firefox during April, most courtesy of Anthropic Mythos 465 million Amazon customers have enrolled in passkeys Xbox & gaming Xbox Insider Program: New build for console with previously announced new boot animation, tiered Gamerscore badges, new filters in Game Library Forza Horizon 6 leaks on Steam, those who play it early will be banned until the sun swallows the earth Discord Nitro now has an Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition perk Mojang will host a special MINECRAFT LIVE event on May 30 Sony sold just 1.5 million PS5s in most recent quarter, its lowest number yet Nintendo sold just 2.49 million Switch 2s in quarter, lowers annual estimates Supreme Court gives Apple the 🖕 so Epic v. Apple will head to remedy phase Tips & picks Tip of the week: A web browser is the 1st step for anyone looking to escape Big Tech App pick of the week: Helium RunAs Radio this week: Production LLMs with Vaishnavi Gudur Brown liquor pick of the week: Gouden Carolus Port Oak Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365 threatlocker.com/twit
Summary
WW 982: Don't Lick the Manta Rays - Breaking Down Microsoft's Earnings
May 702:46:47Summary readyMicrosoft's earnings report went out last week, and the company spent a lot on AI in the quarter. Microsoft updates its customers on what it's done to address Windows 11 problems. And Xbox kills Copilot plans for the console. Microsoft Earnings Microsoft announced that it earned a net income of $31.8 billion on revenues of $82.9 billion in the previous quarter. Windows: 1.6 billion monthly active devices, a focus on quality after years of enshittification - but revenues from PC makers were down 2 percent YOY. Microsoft Edge "has taken share for 20 consecutive quarters," which isn't supported by the evidence. Bing "monthly active users reached one billion for the first time," raising questions about how Microsoft defines the term "user." Xbox: "The team is recommitting to our core fans and players, and shaping the future of play," new records for monthly active Xbox users and game streaming hours. AI: Capex spending in the quarter was $32 billion, down from previous quarter as previously described, but up 49 percent YOY. More earnings Apple, Google/Alphabet, and Amazon. AMD - Up because of AI datacenter. Qualcomm - Plus, Intel just hired away a key Qualcomm exec. Windows Microsoft shares an update about what it's done to address Windows 11 pain points so far. Marcus Ash is one of the good guys. Some of this is happening in Insider, some is rolling out to retail. Windows Insider Program and Windows Update improvements we discussed last week - two primary channels in WIP now. Simplifying AI experiences - fewer Copilot icons (Notepad, etc.). File Explorer improvements - performance, fewer hangs, better polish and consistency. Widgets - Feed will be off by default, fewer interruptions, no hover activate. System performance - Smaller memory footprint, more aggressive RAM restoration, and more. Soon: Taskbar updates, Start updates, and more to share at Build in June. Week D update arrives with a peek at May's Patch Tuesday. Major: Xbox Mode, AI agents on the Taskbar are the first two big features of 2026. Minor: Also adds File Explorer improvements, new haptic feedback effects, touch keyboard improvements, and more. Shocking new report that Microsoft Edge is incredibly insecure should surprise no one. AI Microsoft Agent 365 Platform is out of preview, supports local AI agents and Copilot Cowork Agent arrives on mobile with plugin support. Microsoft launches a Legal AI Agent in Word. Apple's plan to open up to multiple third-party AIs is a good one. Canonical's plan to add AI to Ubuntu is also good, but you're never going to believe what happened next. Xbox and Gaming Asha Sharma reorgs Xbox, kills Copilot on the console. Forza Horizon 6, more coming to Game Pass in May. Xbox April Update is out with updates for all platforms. Next Call of Duty will not ship on Xbox One, PS4. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is coming to the Mac for some reason. And finally, with the Supreme Court refusing to block the implementation of the ruling in Epic v. Apple, Microsoft's Xbox game store for mobile is one step closer to happening. Tips and picks Tip of the week: Embrace inconvenience. App pick of the week: Windows Defender. RunAs Radio this week: Securing Active Directory with Spencer Alessi. Brown liquor pick of the week: Stalk & Barrel Whisky. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/982 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsors: outsystems.com/twit threatlocker.com/twit joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT helixsleep.com/windows cachefly.com/twit
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WW 978: Pre-Peated - "Copilot Is for Entertainment Purposes Only"
Apr 802:19:19Summary readyJulia Liuson is leaving Microsoft. Liuson joined Microsoft in 1992, the same year as CEO Satya Nadella (she worked on Access at first). She helped build the first version of Visual Studio and was the first female corporate vice president at Microsoft. Liuson has been president of Microsoft's Developer Division since 2021. Also, curious about life on the other side of the fence? Paul has a tip for finding games that are optimized for Linux. Plus, Chrome joins the 21st century with vertical tabs and a real reading view. Just be sure to install those anti-tracking extensions. Windows Microsoft promises more native apps for Windows 11, but... which apps? New apps? Replacements for existing apps? Thanks for making us revisit the web app vs. native app thing yet again, Microsoft Windows 11 version 25H2 is now being pushed to all compatible PCs Compatibility milestone, not a big deal because 24H2/25H2 features are identical, same underlying codebase - but some will complain that Microsoft is "forcing" 25H2 on them Secure Boot certificate notifications are now available so you can see where your PC is at Another month, another emergency Windows Update patch New Dev/Beta builds add Xbox Mode, new haptic effects, etc., plus a new Canary build with features we've seen before Microsoft is taking the Insider Program on the road Component shortages trigger another Raspberry Pi price hike, but also a promise for the future The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition processor will be available from leading retailers starting Apr. 22 with a retail price of $899 AI Microsoft's terms of service for Copilot say it's for entertainment purposes only. Yes, really. Microsoft AI releases new foundational models for transcription, voice, and images Word on iPhone gets Copilot co-create capabilities - used to be AI Mode, you need a Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription Anthropic has hired away a key AI executive from Microsoft, and what he has to say about the opportunity is interesting Anthropic brings Computer Use to Windows Google: Seriously, we are not training AI with your Gmail Google AI Pro plans now offer 5 TB of cloud storage, yikes Xbox & gaming Xbox is refreshing the look of achievements on the console Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, more coming to Game Pass this month Was this the best COD ever? In search of greatness Also: Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19 and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and playable day one with Xbox Game Pass Xbox will hold FanFest events around the world Tips & picks Tip of the week: So you want to try gaming on Linux App pick of the week: Google Chrome RunAs Radio this week: Securing AI Agents with Niall Merrigan Brown liquor pick of the week: Corowa Peated Single Barrel 521 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zscaler.com/security helixsleep.com/windows cachefly.com/twit
Summary
WW 977: Moonshine University - The Push for Building 100% Native Windows Apps
Apr 102:15:31Summary readyMicrosoft's AI ambitions overflowed into GitHub, sparking backlash when ads appeared in pull requests and raising new concerns about where your code is really going. GitHub is going to automatically use your data to train AI, so Paul tells how to opt-out if you don't want that. Plus, there's a new Microsoft 365 alternative in town, and this one is from a little tech company you can trust Windows Week D updates go live last Thursday - Smart App Control, many other minor changes And here we go again: Microsoft issues emergency patch for March Week D optional update Microsoft says it will replace web-based in-box apps and experiences with native apps ... somehow Four builds across three channels - Canary with opt-in gets a huge Windows Console upgrade, Dev/Beta get Administrator Protection (again), more AMD has a new flagship gaming processor AI/Dev Microsoft Research AI has a new Critique feature that uses ChatGPT and Claude together in an unholy Frankenstein's monster of orchestration A week of Siri AI rumors/leaks - This is Apple's version of Microsoft trying to buy TikTok Google makes it easier to switch to Gemini - This is like Mac vs. PC, but for AI Mozilla's approach to AI in Firefox is both right and correct The plan to the save the open web from Big Tech The future of Firefox includes a Smart Window mode that works like Private window but for AI SwiftUI SDK for Android is now available Xbox and gaming New Xbox chief seeks to reset Xbox brand image - reminder, that's not the same as changing anything Xbox announces 14 Day One Game Pass titles coming soon Xbox Games Showcase 2026 and Gears of War E-Day Direct are coming in June Sony to raise PS5 prices soon Nintendo to raise prices for physical Switch 2 games soon Tips & picks Tip of the week: Opt-out of training AI on GitHub App pick of the week: Proton Workspace with Meet RunAs Radio this week: My Home Lab Brown liquor pick of the week: Jeptha Creed Six Year Old Wheated Bourbon Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: threatlocker.com/twit joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT
Summary
WW 976: Full Thurrottle - Microsoft's Plan To Save Windows in 2026
Mar 25Summary readyIn 2015, Satya Nadella said that he wanted users to love Windows. But Microsoft has only enshittified Windows more aggressively since then. Paul wrote a book. And now Microsoft says it's changed, baby, and it's serious this time. Here's what was said ... and what was not said.A Timeline Early signs of positive change: Rust in the Windows kernel, numerous new security features in Windows 11 - "two sides" of Windows, the engineering side and the "let's push AI at all costs/UX" side - more recently, Baseline Security Mode and User Transparency and Consent announcement Last September, Pavan Davuluri took over Windows and reorganized the business immediately, bringing Server/Core back in-house In December, Paul saw the first signs of positive changes in OneDrive, while not perfect, a major step back from the enshittification there. It took a few months to understand exactly what changed. In January, there are over one billion Windows 11 users. Davuluri first mentions a push for quality in 2026 - "pain points" In February, Nadella announced leadership changes that included people directly in charge of security and engineering quality Now, Microsoft has announced that it will address (some of) the complaints about Windows 11, and this includes performance and reliability improvements across the board Microsoft said it will Let you move the Taskbar to other screen edges, finally Improve File Explorer performance Make changes to how users to skip Windows Updates (vaguely) Make improvements to Widgets (but what about the quality problem?) Remove unnecessary Copilot entry points Make the Windows Insider Program more transparent More relevant recommendations in Start - ?? Reduce resource usage across the board, give more resources to what you're doing (good for gaming, especially) Reduce interaction latency - WInUI3 Reduce search latency throughout - also context menus and navigation (which is WinUI3, I guess) Make improvements to Windows Subsystem for Linux OS, drive, and in-box app reliability improvements Windows Hello improvements - Wonders if this is tied to the complaint about speed here What Microsoft didn't discuss Of the several items in the Windows 11 Enshittification Checklist, only one was addressed by Davuluri's post, Windows Update chaos, and then only partially. Not mentioned: Forced telemetry, bundled crapware, forced Microsoft account sign-ins, forced Microsoft Edge usage and configuration harassment, hardware requirements (less relevant today), OneDrive behaviors (partially addressed already). Recall is rare in that it's opt-in, but most of the AI and unwanted features are opt-out or worse Controlled Feature Releases are not controlled, but they do suck Microsoft has monthly Security Updates that include new features. Security and Feature updates should be separate and have different pausing rules Microsoft is not removing Copilot from Windows, nor is it doing less AI; it is just removing Copilot icons from most places and trying to be more thoughtful about how it deploys AI in Windows 11 The Windows Insider Program makes 0 sense right now, and this was only partially addressed; it's not clear what's changing yet Davuluri says that WinUI3 UIs are the solution to many performance problems, but just using an old Mor These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/976 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell
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WW 975: A Bubble of Knowledge - Microsoft Reorgs, OpenAI Drama, & Xbox's Next Move
Mar 1802:17:55Summary readyThere's an ongoing narrative that Windows is worse than ever today and people are leaving in droves. Paul does not see that, and will simply point to Windows 8 and remind folks that it can be (and was) worse. Also, PowerToys 0.98 adds a major new feature to Command Palette, big changes to Keyboard Manager and CursorWrap, and about 100 other updates. This is a big one. Plus, Mozilla Firefox is staging a comeback and may be worth another look. Windows Rajesh Jha is retiring and Microsoft is reorging its Experiences + Devices team Release Preview: A peek at next week's Week D update (and April's Patch Tuesday) shows we're getting improvements to Narrator, Settings, Smart App Control, Pen settings, Display, File Explorer, and the Windows Recovery Environment (WRE). The trend continues! New Canary, Dev, and Beta builds - Nothing new in Canary. Dev/Beta: Drag Tray is being renamed to Drop Tray, you can change the user folder name during Setup, Restore points are getting a modern update finally Intel goes nuts with new "Arrow Lake refresh" processors; these are not Copilot+ PC capable and it's unclear what the Panther Lake comparison looks like IDC now expects 11.3 percent decline in PC market in 2026, 7.6 percent decline for tablets AI Microsoft may sue OpenAI for contract breach - the best Microsoft divorce since IBM Major reorg in Microsoft's AI businesses Former Snap exec in charge of consolidated Copilot offerings across consumer and commercial Mustafa Suleyman to focus on Microsoft's foundational models There has been a lot of retiring and a lot of outside hires for top-level executive positions in Microsoft over the past year or more. Curious. Rumors vs. reality in Microsoft scaling back AI ambitions in Windows Rumor: Microsoft is backtracking on some Copilot features Reality: Microsoft is not backtracking on its AI ambitions, it's just going to try to do a better job with branding and positioning Microsoft launches Copilot Health in the U.S. Google Personal Intelligence ships in the U.S. OpenAI releases GPT-5.4 mini and nano models GPT-5 mini is available as a reasoning model on Duck.ai Xbox and gaming Rumor vs. reality in Xbox strategy Rumor: Microsoft removed "This is an Xbox" messaging from website so it must be focusing on consoles again Reality: Literally nothing has changed Xbox Insiders is testing per-game Quick Resume toggle Also more groups on Home, custom colors, profile badges in guide Big half month for Game Pass, with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, more coming Starfield is coming to PS5 on April 7 NVIDIA launches DLSS 5, changes existing games, people are freaking out Tips and picks Tip of the week: The grass is always greener App pick of the week: PowerToys 0.98 RunAs Radio this week: Sustainable AI with Darshna Shah Brown liquor pick of the week: Teeling Small Batch Whiskey Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: outsystems.com/twit zscaler.com/security
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