Windows Weekly (Audio) Summary Episode: WW 934: OK, JK - Paint, Notepad, and Snipping Tool Get AI Upgrades
Release Date: May 29, 2025

Hosts:

• Leo Laporte
• Paul Thurrott
• Richard Campbell

Introduction and Build Conference Post-Mortem

The episode kicks off with Leo Laporte welcoming veteran Microsoft insiders Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell. They delve into a post-mortem analysis of the recent Microsoft Build conference, discussing the overarching themes and notable announcements.

Notable Quote:

Leo Laporte [00:00]: "Time for Windows Weekly. Paul Thurat's here. Richard Campbell is here. We're going to have a little post mortem for the Microsoft Build conference last week."

Windows 11 Week D Updates: AI Enhancements

The trio transitions to discussing the Week D updates for Windows 11, highlighting significant AI-driven enhancements to built-in applications such as Paint, Notepad, and the Snipping Tool.

Key Points:

• AI Upgrades in Paint and Notepad: Microsoft has integrated AI features like object selection and sticker generators in Paint, making it more competitive with advanced tools like Photoshop. Notepad now includes AI writing tools for drafting and rewriting text, available exclusively to Microsoft 365 subscribers.

• Snipping Tool Enhancements: The Snipping Tool now offers screen recording capabilities and advanced OCR features, allowing users to extract text from images seamlessly.

Notable Quotes:

Paul Thurrott [05:32]: "We have this tsunami of new features coming to Windows 11 across various versions of the product."

Richard Campbell [06:23]: "You can configure which of those appear in the order they appear in... Baby steps, I guess that's all."

Windows Update Expands to Third-Party Applications

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Microsoft’s strategic move to include third-party applications in the Windows Update ecosystem. This aims to streamline the update process, ensuring apps are consistently up-to-date without relying on individual developers' update mechanisms.

Key Points:

• Integration with Microsoft Store: Microsoft has been transitioning system components to the Microsoft Store over the past few years, allowing for more frequent and reliable updates separate from the core OS updates.

• Impact on Existing App Infrastructure: While many apps will benefit from seamless updates via Windows Update, some applications with their own update systems (e.g., Affinity Photo, PowerToys) remain exceptions.

• IT Admin Benefits: For businesses, this integration simplifies the deployment and management of applications across multiple machines, though it introduces complexities in version control and customization.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [35:13]: "So, the big change that Microsoft has made in the past, I don't know, three, four years with Windows Update is that they've separated out OS components and put them into the store so they can be serviced that way."

AI Integration and the Future of Windows

The conversation shifts towards the broader implications of AI within the Windows ecosystem. The hosts discuss Microsoft's introduction of AI features across various applications and the potential divergence of Windows capabilities based on hardware specifications.

Key Points:

• Windows AI Foundry: Microsoft is enhancing its AI toolkit, allowing developers to integrate AI functionalities that can run locally or leverage cloud resources based on the user's hardware capabilities.

• Copilot Subscription Models: Advanced AI features in applications like Paint and Notepad require users to have a Copilot subscription, creating a tiered functionality system within Windows 11.

• Versioning and Branding Challenges: The hosts express concerns over Microsoft's confusing versioning schemes (e.g., 24H2, 25H2) and the potential introduction of AI-centric Windows versions, which might complicate user experience and brand identity.

Notable Quotes:

Paul Thurrott [23:06]: "Someone I think last week or the two weeks ago said something like this is almost like a new. A different version of Windows. You know, like the copilot plus PC version of Windows 11 is almost like Windows 12."

Richard Campbell [24:19]: "If you make every PC a Copilot plus PC, I will be forgiven."

Comparisons with Other Operating Systems

The hosts draw parallels between Windows' evolving update and AI integration strategies with those of other operating systems like Linux and Apple’s macOS.

Key Points:

• Linux Flexibility: Linux offers users the choice between long-term support (LTS) versions for stability and rolling distributions for the latest features, contrasting sharply with Windows' more rigid update system.

• Apple’s Versioning Approach: Speculation arises on whether Microsoft might adopt a versioning system similar to Apple’s, potentially simplifying Windows' complex update nomenclature.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [48:33]: "I think part of it is just that you also want to go up with something that's materially an advance, like something where people can go, yeah, okay, I get it. This is a... something."

AI in Daily Tools and User Experience

The discussion returns to practical AI implementations in daily Windows tools, emphasizing the balance between functionality and user accessibility.

Key Points:

• User Accessibility: Not all users will benefit from or require advanced AI features, highlighting the importance of customizable AI integrations that cater to diverse user needs.

• Potential Overcomplication: There is a concern that the increasing number of AI features and version complexities may overwhelm users, detracting from the overall user experience.

Notable Quote:

Paul Thurrott [21:08]: "It’s running locally, but it doesn’t require an NPU. It’s part of Word, it’s built into Word, which actually technically means it’s reaching out to the cloud."

Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

In the concluding segments, the hosts reflect on the rapid advancements in AI and their implications for both users and developers. They anticipate further integration of AI across Windows platforms and discuss potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Key Points:

• Rapid AI Advancement: The pace at which AI features are being developed and integrated into Windows applications is unprecedented, raising both excitement and apprehension among the hosts.

• Developer Opportunities: Enhanced AI toolkits present new opportunities for developers to create more intelligent and responsive applications, albeit with the added complexity of managing diverse hardware capabilities.

• User Adaptation: Users will need to adapt to the evolving Windows environment, balancing the benefits of AI enhancements with the potential for increased system complexity.

Notable Quote:

Leo Laporte [71:03]: "Some of it is, I guess, blocked. Where is the prompt writer to save you from me? Where is he?"

Conclusion

Episode WW 934 of Windows Weekly provides an insightful exploration into the latest Windows 11 updates, particularly focusing on the integration of AI into core applications and the expansion of Windows Update to include third-party apps. The hosts effectively highlight both the potential benefits and challenges posed by these advancements, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future trajectory of the Windows ecosystem.

End of Summary