Windows Weekly (Audio) – Episode WW 929: The Blue Screen of Soup - Agent Store, Oblivion Remastered, Ubuntu 25.04

Release Date: April 23, 2025

Hosts:

• Leo Laporte
• Paul Thurrott
• Richard Campbell

1. Windows Updates: 23H2 and 24H2

The episode begins with a discussion about the Windows 23H2 update and the anticipated release of the 24H2 preview update. Paul Thurrott expresses frustration over the repeated delays in receiving the 24H2 updates, noting a pattern where preview updates are released later than scheduled.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [02:30]: "We don't get 24H2 until a few days later. So I don't know."

Key Points:

• Windows 23H2 is expected to be similar to previous updates with no significant new features.
• The new feature of Phone Link integration within the Start menu is highlighted as a useful addition. Paul initially found the feature intrusive but has grown accustomed to its functionality.

Notable Quote:

Richard Campbell [07:25]: "At least Samsung phones aren't terrible."

2. AI Developments in Microsoft: Copilot, Agent Store, Wave Two

The conversation shifts to Microsoft's advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly focusing on the Copilot feature and the introduction of the Agent Store. Paul Thurrott delves into Microsoft's strategy of integrating AI into various applications and services, emphasizing the shift towards personalized and agentic AI tools.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [40:17]: "This is part of their push towards making Copilot agents that can interact with various online services seamlessly."

Key Points:

• Copilot Wave Two: Microsoft is enhancing Copilot with reasoning capabilities and agentic properties, introducing tools like the researcher and analyst tools.
• Agent Store: A marketplace for Copilot agents that can integrate with online services, aiming to provide customizable AI assistants for various tasks.
• Personalization: Microsoft's approach includes AI remembering user interactions to provide a more tailored experience, raising potential privacy concerns.

Notable Quote:

Richard Campbell [43:48]: "You're not trying to index your whole life. You're picking pieces that you want to make available in different contexts."

3. Blue Screen of Death Transformation: "Blue Screen of Soup"

Microsoft is reportedly experimenting with changing the traditional Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) to a more user-friendly "Blue Screen of Soup" in the Insider Canary builds. Paul Thurrott shares his personal experience encountering this new error screen while attempting to install Ubuntu natively on a Surface laptop.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [24:42]: "It's not a happy error. It's a serious punch in the mouth."

Key Points:

• The new BSOD design aims to align with Windows 11's aesthetic but has not significantly altered functionality.
• The inclusion of a QR code intended to direct users to a knowledge base article about the error, though its effectiveness remains questionable.
• Richard Campbell recounts a breach incident related to a beta software bug, adding context to the frustrations expressed with the BSOD experience.

Notable Quote:

Leo Laporte [16:28]: "If it said, you know, this thing happened because of the last hotfix and you can undo that, that might be of use."

4. Ubuntu 25.04 Release: Enhanced ARM and BitLocker Support

The hosts discuss the release of Ubuntu 25.04, highlighting significant updates such as native ARM64 support and integrated BitLocker compatibility. These enhancements aim to simplify dual-boot configurations and improve security features for users integrating Ubuntu with Windows systems.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [19:12]: "They wanted to allow dual-boot setups without having to decrypt the disk first."

Key Points:

• Native ARM64 Support: Extends Ubuntu's compatibility with ARM-based devices, reflecting the growing trend of ARM architecture in personal computing.
• BitLocker Integration: Facilitates seamless dual-boot installations by recognizing BitLocker-encrypted drives, eliminating the need for manual decryption and re-encryption processes.

5. Security Breach Incident Involving Richard Campbell

Richard Campbell shares an incident where a software bug in a recently deployed update within Azure tenants led to the erroneous marking of numerous accounts as leaked. This false alarm caused significant stress among administrators, highlighting vulnerabilities in automated security systems.

Notable Quote:

Richard Campbell [27:02]: "They were deploying software on a Friday evening, and within seconds, it started marking accounts as leaked."

Key Points:

• The breach was triggered by faulty token generation in a software update, leading to false positives in security alerts.
• Microsoft promptly addressed the issue by invalidating the compromised tokens, advising affected users to reset their passwords.
• The incident underscores the challenges of maintaining robust security measures in large-scale enterprise environments.

6. Xbox Gaming News: Oblivion Remastered

In the Xbox segment, the hosts cover the remastered release of "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion." The revamped version features enhanced graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5 and is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Game Pass. The update is expected to resonate with a nostalgic audience while attracting new players with its modern visuals and performance improvements.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [94:03]: "It looks awesome. It was a cool story because the people worked on getting it right."

Key Points:

• Graphics Enhancement: Utilizes Unreal Engine 5 to provide a visually stunning experience, modernizing the classic RPG.
• Wide Availability: Released across multiple platforms, including integration with Game Pass, broadening its accessibility.
• Development Story: The remastering process involved collaboration with enthusiasts who aimed to preserve the game's legacy while updating its technical aspects.

7. Antitrust Discussions: Microsoft vs. Big Tech

The episode delves into ongoing antitrust issues surrounding major technology companies, particularly focusing on Google and comparing its current standing to Microsoft's past antitrust challenges. Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell discuss the implications of government actions on these tech giants and the potential future landscape of the industry.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [74:22]: "Google is now seven times bigger than Microsoft was when the government wanted to break them up."

Key Points:

• Google's Antitrust Case: The U.S. government is actively pursuing cases against Google for monopolistic practices in search and advertising.
• Comparison with Microsoft: Reflecting on Microsoft's antitrust battles from the early 2000s, the hosts note that Google's scale and market dominance present new challenges for regulators.
• Industry Impact: Potential breakup of these companies could reshape the tech ecosystem, though the exact outcomes remain uncertain.

Notable Quote:

Richard Campbell [82:41]: "Even if the charges go through, it's not the end of the world."

8. Additional Technical Insights: Ubuntu Installation Challenges

Paul Thurrott recounts his attempts to install Ubuntu on a Windows 11 ARM-based Surface laptop, encountering issues related to the device's recovery environment. This technical challenge serves as a case study for the complexities of dual-boot configurations and the intersection of different operating systems.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [23:35]: "I have an eye for a cup, please."

Key Points:

• Installation Hurdles: Faced with unexpected blue screens during the installation process, highlighting the fragile nature of cross-platform integrations.
• Recovery Environment: Microsoft's Windows Recovery Environment displayed errors that complicated the troubleshooting process, emphasizing the need for more robust tools.

Conclusion

Episode WW 929 of Windows Weekly offers an in-depth look into the evolving landscape of Microsoft’s operating systems, the integration of AI tools like Copilot, and the broader implications of antitrust actions on big tech companies. Alongside technical discussions, the hosts share personal anecdotes and experiences that humanize the complex topics, making the episode both informative and engaging for listeners.

Final Notable Quote:

Leo Laporte [141:12]: "This is the way it is. It has to be."

For more detailed discussions, notable insights, and technical analyses, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode of Windows Weekly.