Windows Weekly Episode 925 Summary

Title: It's the Shirt - Security Copilot Agents, Cursor, AC Shadows
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, Richard Campbell
Location: Paul Thurrott in Mexico City, Richard Campbell in Redmond, Washington

1. Windows 11 in 2025: The Continuation of 24H2

Paul Thurrott initiates the discussion by delving into the current state of Windows 11 in 2025. He highlights a significant development where Microsoft has continued with the 24H2 build series without transitioning to a new version number, such as Windows 12.

Paul Thurrott [06:31]: "Previously in dev and currently on beta, if you're in 24H2, the build stream... They've moved to 26200, whatever. You will be amazed and unpleased to know that it's still 24H2."

He elaborates on the complexity introduced by multiple branches of the 24H2 builds, especially with the introduction of Copilot Plus PCs and Snapdragon X chipsets. This bifurcation has led to confusion among users, as updates and features are not uniformly distributed across all build streams.

2. AI Integration in Windows: Copilot and Beyond

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to Microsoft's expansive integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the Windows ecosystem. The hosts discuss various AI-driven features being rolled out, particularly focusing on Copilot Plus PC enhancements.

Richard Campbell [04:51]: "One would argue their advantage was really the Azure data centers."

Key AI Features Discussed:

• Click to Do: An AI-powered feature allowing users to perform actions by simply holding the Windows key and clicking on screen elements. Initially exclusive to Snapdragon X-based systems, it is gradually being expanded to other architectures.

  Paul Thurrott [10:28]: "The interesting feature now is something called Click to Do... It works with everything in Windows."

• Semantic Search: Enhanced search capabilities that understand context and intent, making file and data retrieval more intuitive.

• App-Specific AI Enhancements:

  • Notepad: Introduction of rewriting tools and document summarization.
  • Paint and Photos: Consolidated Copilot menus with AI-driven editing suggestions.
  • Snipping Tool: Enhanced with OCR capabilities and API-based extensibility for developers.

Paul emphasizes the fragmented nature of AI feature deployment across different applications, noting the lack of a unified strategy.

Paul Thurrott [13:32]: "24H2 was actually a major Windows release in the sense that they made a lot of architectural, kind of foundational level changes."

3. Security Copilot Agents: Revolutionizing IT Security

The conversation shifts towards Microsoft's Security Copilot, a suite of AI-driven agents designed to assist IT administrators in maintaining robust security protocols.

Paul Thurrott [62:38]: "Microsoft Security Copilot is actually a suite of AI agents... and I think that's all I'm going to say about this because seriously, dear God, Microsoft."

Key Points:

• Proactive Security Management: AI agents analyze the IT environment to identify and prioritize security risks, enabling administrators to focus on preventative measures rather than reactive fixes.

• Ease of Use: Designed for administrators who may not specialize in security, the agents provide actionable insights and recommendations without requiring deep technical expertise.

Richard Campbell [63:26]: "This tool would help you focus in on the best preventative work you could do."

Paul draws parallels between traditional best practices in IT management and the automated, intelligent suggestions provided by Security Copilot.

4. Cursor AI Editor: Enhancing Developer Productivity

One of the standout topics is the introduction of the Cursor AI Editor, an advanced tool aimed at streamlining the coding process for developers.

Paul Thurrott [106:31]: "The Cursor AI Editor is actually kind of amazing... It gave me an enormous excellent to-do list."

Features:

• Project-Wide Analysis: Unlike traditional code editors that focus on individual files, Cursor AI analyzes entire projects, identifying inefficiencies and suggesting improvements across the board.

  Paul Thurrott [110:02]: "It's overseeing the entire project and providing a priority list for enhancements."

• Automated Refactoring: The tool can suggest and implement code optimizations, reducing redundancies and improving overall code quality.

• Learning Aid: Acts as a mentor for developers by offering explanations and best practices, thereby accelerating the learning curve for less experienced programmers.

Richard Campbell [108:12]: "It's a productivity boost of 30%. It's not a little."

Paul shares a personal anecdote about how Cursor AI significantly improved his coding workflow, highlighting its potential to revolutionize software development practices.

5. Disjointed AI Integration Across Applications

Despite the promising advancements, the hosts express concerns over the inconsistency in AI feature integration across various Windows applications.

Paul Thurrott [44:58]: "They’re just adding new features to this thing willy-nilly... it's about five times slower."

Issues Identified:

• Lack of Coordination: Multiple teams within Microsoft are developing AI features independently, leading to a fragmented user experience.

  Richard Campbell [22:23]: "There's a lot of different contributors going into that stack. But yeah, I mean, where's the gatekeeper?"

• Performance Lag: The addition of AI features has inadvertently introduced performance issues, such as slower context menu operations in File Explorer.

• User Confusion: The sporadic rollout of features makes it challenging for users and IT professionals to keep track of available functionalities and updates.

6. Qualcomm Chipsets and the Future of AI in Windows

The discussion touches upon Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chipsets and their pivotal role in powering AI-driven Windows features.

Paul Thurrott [26:11]: "September is the time frame for that."

Insights:

• Snapdragon X Adoption: AI features like Click to Do and semantic search initially debuted on Snapdragon X-based Copilot Plus PCs, showcasing the chipset's capabilities.

• Production Challenges: Qualcomm's focus on improving chipset yield and integrating advanced features like enhanced GPU performance has delayed the release of next-generation processors.

• Competitor Advancements: While Qualcomm strides forward, competitors like Intel and AMD are rapidly advancing their own chipset technologies, further intensifying the race to optimize AI performance in Windows devices.

7. Gaming and Xbox Updates

The hosts briefly discuss recent developments in the gaming sector, focusing on Microsoft's Xbox ecosystem.

Paul Thurrott [89:15]: "Xbox cloud gaming is a feature of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate... they've added seven new games including Assassin's Creed Shadows."

Highlights:

• Assassin's Creed Shadows: The latest installment in the series has garnered over 2 million players in its first two days, surpassing the performance of previous titles except for Valhalla.

• Xbox App Enhancements: Microsoft is envisioning the Xbox app as a unified hub for various gaming storefronts, including Steam and Epic Games Store, aiming to streamline the gaming experience across platforms.

• Minecraft Visual Upgrades: Announced at a recent Minecraft Live event, graphical improvements such as accurate light reflection and enhanced visual effects are set to elevate the game's aesthetic appeal.

8. OneNote for Windows 10: End of Support

A significant update comes in the form of Microsoft's OneNote application for Windows 10, which is scheduled to reach its end of support in October 2025.

Paul Thurrott [77:12]: "OneNote for Windows 10 aka the Metro app is going to reach end of support in October."

Details:

• Deprecation Reasoning: Microsoft has been progressively unifying its Office applications, and OneNote for Windows 10 has become redundant with newer iterations offering enhanced functionalities.

• Impact on Users: Organizations and individuals relying on this version will need to transition to alternative note-taking solutions, such as OneNote for Desktop or third-party applications like Notion.

9. The Future of AI in Microsoft Ecosystem

The episode concludes with speculative discussions on the broader implications of AI integration within Microsoft's suite of products.

Paul Thurrott [82:07]: "AI is not going to take your job. It's going to take everyone's job."

Key Points:

• Unified AI Strategy Needed: The fragmented approach to AI feature deployment across applications calls for a more cohesive strategy to ensure consistency and optimal performance.

• AI as an Assistive Tool: While AI augments productivity and automates mundane tasks, it also raises questions about the evolving role of professionals in various industries.

• Upcoming AI Features: Anticipation builds around Microsoft's AI User Group and upcoming AI-focused events that promise deeper insights into the future of AI within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Thurrott [06:31]: "You will be amazed and unpleased to know that it's still 24H2."
• Richard Campbell [04:51]: "One would argue their advantage was really the Azure data centers."
• Paul Thurrott [13:32]: "24H2 was actually a major Windows release in the sense that they made a lot of architectural, kind of foundational level changes."
• Paul Thurrott [106:31]: "The Cursor AI Editor is actually kind of amazing... It gave me an enormous excellent to-do list."
• Richard Campbell [22:23]: "There's a lot of different contributors going into that stack. But yeah, I mean, where's the gatekeeper?"
• Paul Thurrott [82:07]: "AI is not going to take your job. It's going to take everyone's job."

Conclusion:

Episode 925 of Windows Weekly offers an in-depth exploration of Microsoft's ongoing developments with Windows 11, emphasizing the integration of AI across various applications and the complexities arising from such widespread implementation. The hosts provide valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of these advancements, highlighting both the potential for enhanced productivity and the issues related to consistency and user experience. As Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of AI within its ecosystem, the conversation underscores the need for a more unified approach to ensure optimal performance and user satisfaction.