Windows Weekly Episode 930 Summary: "Flocculation & Saponification - Profanity Filter, EU Digital Commitments, FY25 Q3"

Release Date: April 30, 2025

In this episode of Windows Weekly, hosts Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell delve into several pressing topics surrounding Microsoft’s latest developments. The conversation spans Microsoft's stance on telemetry and privacy, changes within the Windows Insider Preview channels, security enhancements like Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) enclaves, and Microsoft's strategic partnerships in the AI landscape. Additionally, they touch upon recent financial performances and upcoming gaming releases.

1. Telemetry and Privacy in Windows 11

Paul Thurrott initiates the discussion by addressing the controversy surrounding Microsoft’s telemetry in Windows 11. He references Dave Plummer’s critique, questioning whether users truly are the product when telemetry is implemented.

Paul Thurrott [05:42]: "Microsoft, as it turns out, has a privacy policy that explicitly states what they are sending back to Microsoft about your computer. It's anonymous and focused on reliability issues."

Thurrott emphasizes his support for telemetry as a means to enhance Windows' reliability, contrasting it with consumer concerns about personal data privacy.

Leo Laporte [11:42]: "Should all want to send that to Microsoft, shouldn't we?"

Paul Thurrott [11:45]: "If you literally think that they're lying, that they have put up this legally binding document that could be used against them in court, you should not be using Windows at all."

2. Windows Insider Preview Channels Out of Order

The hosts express confusion and frustration over Microsoft's recent changes to the Insider Preview channels, which no longer follow a traditional progression from Canary to Dev to Beta to Release Preview.

Richard Campbell [53:09]: "What's the point of Canary, and why don't new features follow a logical cascade from top to bottom?"

Paul Thurrott [54:03]: "There's no order to this because there's no order in our universe."

They critique the absence of a structured release path, making it difficult for developers and enthusiasts to anticipate feature rollouts and manage testing effectively.

3. Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclaves and Copilot Plus PC

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Microsoft's security enhancements, specifically VBS enclaves and the Copilot Plus PC initiative. The hosts explore how these features integrate with Microsoft's broader security strategies and the implications for users.

Paul Thurrott [31:16]: "These security features are all part of the same thing—Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, VBS enclaves, Windows Hello ESS. They build on what came before."

Richard Campbell [26:53]: "A Copilot Plus PC is not generally available. It's available only on Snapdragon-based PCs and will come to x86-based PCs later."

They debate the necessity and user experience impact of these features, noting that while they enhance security, they also introduce complexities and potential usability issues.

4. Microsoft’s Response to EU Digital Commitments

The conversation shifts to Microsoft's efforts to defend EU companies against US government pressures, amidst broader geopolitical tensions affecting big tech.

Paul Thurrott [68:16]: "Europe is looking at whether they could reduce their reliance on the United States and US Technology. Microsoft issued a statement explaining what they would do to reassure their customers in Europe."

Leo Laporte [69:43]: "Microsoft is saying they're going to protect your data from the US government, taking issues to court if necessary."

Thurrott expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of Microsoft's assurances, citing concerns over the impartiality of the US legal system.

5. Financial Performance and AI Investments

As the episode progresses, the hosts analyze Microsoft's latest financial results, highlighting robust growth in cloud services and productivity tools, offset by declines in hardware revenue. They scrutinize Microsoft's substantial investments in AI infrastructure and their partnership with OpenAI.

Paul Thurrott [120:14]: "Microsoft 365 continues to go gangbusters with double-digit growth across commercial and consumer sectors."

Richard Campbell [72:26]: "Google has now lost three major antitrust cases in the United States, which is impacting their advertising revenue."

The discussion underscores the strategic importance of AI for Microsoft's future, while questioning the sustainability of their high expenditure in this area.

6. Xbox and New Game Release: "Tower Born"

Towards the end, the focus shifts to gaming, with the hosts briefly mentioning the upcoming Xbox-exclusive game "Tower Born."

Paul Thurrott [137:22]: "Tower Born is a side-scrolling brawler that offers a retro gaming experience, combining elements of classics like Mortal Kombat with modern gameplay mechanics."

They express enthusiasm for the game's release, anticipating it as a refreshing addition to the Xbox lineup.

Conclusion

Episode 930 of Windows Weekly provides an in-depth exploration of Microsoft's current challenges and strategic initiatives. From navigating privacy concerns and restructuring insider programs to bolstering security measures and forging pivotal AI partnerships, the hosts offer nuanced insights into the company's trajectory. Additionally, the episode touches upon Microsoft's financial health and upcoming gaming endeavors, presenting a comprehensive overview for listeners keen on the latest Microsoft developments.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Thurrott [05:42]: "Microsoft has a privacy policy that explicitly states what they are sending back to Microsoft about your computer. It's anonymous and focused on reliability issues."

• Leo Laporte [11:42]: "Should all want to send that to Microsoft, shouldn't we?"

• Richard Campbell [53:09]: "What's the point of Canary, and why don't new features follow a logical cascade from top to bottom?"

• Paul Thurrott [31:16]: "These security features are all part of the same thing—Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, VBS enclaves, Windows Hello ESS."

• Paul Thurrott [68:16]: "Europe is looking at whether they could reduce their reliance on the United States and US Technology. Microsoft issued a statement explaining what they would do."

• Leo Laporte [69:43]: "Microsoft is saying they're going to protect your data from the US government, taking issues to court if necessary."

• Paul Thurrott [120:14]: "Microsoft 365 continues to go gangbusters with double-digit growth across commercial and consumer sectors."

• Paul Thurrott [137:22]: "Tower Born is a side-scrolling brawler that offers a retro gaming experience."

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Episode 930 of Windows Weekly, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not have the opportunity to listen to the episode.