Windows Weekly 947: "Hallucinated Clown Shoes"

Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Leo Laporte
Co-hosts: Paul Thurrott (Thurrott.com), Chris Hoffman (Windows Readme newsletter, filling in for Richard Campbell)

Overview

This episode of Windows Weekly provides an inside look at hot-button issues in the Microsoft world—including ongoing employee protests about Microsoft's relationship with Israel, Windows security changes, AI features proliferating (and sometimes floundering), and wide-ranging discussion of how Windows is (and isn't) changing for users and developers. Along the way, the hosts tackle newsletter culture, frustrations with disruptive security features, how cross-device experiences on Windows compare to Apple, AI image generation advances, and the evolving ecosystem for Windows apps and Xbox gaming.

The conversation is sharp, funny, occasionally exasperated, and full of pragmatic insight on both Microsoft's public image and technical directions.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Microsoft v. Protesters: Employee Activism and Azure for Israel

[04:54 - 18:18]

• Context:
  Recent events at Microsoft’s Redmond campus: protesters—mostly Microsoft employees and some ex-employees—opposing the company’s cloud contracts with Israel over its actions in Gaza, occupied Building 34 (home to Satya Nadella and other execs).

• Key Details:

  • Protests have been recurrent, including interruptions at Build Conference and employee sit-ins.
  • Most headlines miss that protesters are overwhelmingly Microsoft insiders, not outside activists ([11:09] Chris Hoffman).
  • Microsoft called police after offices were occupied and protesters refused to leave; didn’t find evidence its Azure tech was specifically used in military actions ([08:57] Leo Laporte, [13:35] Paul Thurrott quoting Brad Smith).
  • Company says: “We hear you, we're sympathetic, you don't need to do what you're doing for us to pay attention. … We don't build bomb systems and guidance, whatever. We don't do that.” ([08:57] Leo Laporte quoting Microsoft statements).
  • Protesters’ demand is to stop all Azure sales to Israel—Microsoft has no intention of this, though the language stays conciliatory ([10:00] Paul Thurrott, Leo Laporte).

• Analysis / Opinions:

  • Debate over where to draw the line for tech company contracts; comparison to Apple, Google, and others' approaches ([10:10] Leo Laporte).
  • Company walking fine line: allows peaceful protest until law is broken, but remains tolerant ([15:55] Paul Thurrott).
  • Hosts openly acknowledge “this is above our pay grade… outside of our worldview.” ([17:45] Leo Laporte, [18:18] Chris Hoffman).

2. Windows 11 and Features: Between Apple Imitation and Legacy Complexity

[19:10 - 32:28]

• Windows 11 "Continuity" Push:

  • New cross-device workflows (e.g., OneDrive, now Spotify) aim to mimic Apple’s handoff/continuity experience ([19:10] Leo Laporte, [20:21] Chris Hoffman skepticism about developer pickup).
  • Right-click context menus are getting bloated again—AI-powered contextual actions, expanded Share functions ([20:39] Leo Laporte).
  • Sharing and OneDrive integration still seen as confusing and inconsistent ([24:03] Chris Hoffman).

• Memorable Quotes:

  • “This sounds like we’re creating this great new feature for third party developers in Windows. Is anyone going to use [it]?” —Chris Hoffman ([20:21])

• Apple vs Windows Cross-Device:

  • Acknowledgment that Apple’s ecosystem “just works” for continuity, and Microsoft is still playing defense ([26:20] Leo Laporte; [26:52] Paul Thurrott).

3. Semantic Search & Copilot: AI Advancements and Artificial Limitations

[32:54 - 52:30]

• New Semantic (Natural Language) Search:

  • Progressively rolling out on Copilot+ PCs; now also available in Copilot app/365 app UI ([28:54] Paul Thurrott).
  • Insider builds can now natively search OneDrive/cloud file systems using natural language.

• Feature Fragmentation & Hardware Lock-In:

  • Most advanced Copilot features require Copilot+ PC with NPU (neural processing unit); many modern desktops/laptops can’t access these unless they have the right chip ([32:28] Chris Hoffman, [33:27] Leo Laporte).
  • “What about everyone else without a Copilot+ PC, which is most people buying new PCs?” —Chris Hoffman ([35:45])
  • Microsoft’s insistence on tying features to new hardware criticized—“It’s inevitable these features will be available everywhere. It just is.” —Paul Thurrott ([38:42])

• AI on Device vs Cloud:

  • Debate over practicality of local AI (NPU-enabled): great privacy but low utility, while cloud models are vastly superior ([43:32] Chris Hoffman, [45:12] Leo Laporte).
  • “The local AI versions...are children's drawings on a refrigerator and then...cloud-based AI models are like Rembrandt paintings.” —Leo Laporte ([44:39])

• Cynicism About "AI PC" Hype:

  • Marketing term is muddy, with varying definitions from hardware vendors ([41:54] Paul Thurrott, Leo Laporte).
  • “2024 was the year of the AI PC. How many people are even using the NPUs on their laptops for anything?” —Chris Hoffman ([43:33])

4. UAC Revisited: Security vs. Usability

[57:12 - 72:03]

• The New “Administrator Protection” Mode:

  • Aims to run all sessions as standard user, even for admins; prompts for elevation via Windows Hello token ([57:12] Paul Thurrott).
  • Great in theory, but “astonishing how much this thing comes up” — extremely disruptive; will break workflows and developer tools like Visual Studio ([61:27] Chris Hoffman, Paul Thurrott).
  • Unlikely to be enabled by default any time soon.

• Analysis:

  • Hosts agree: strong security features that are too disruptive will simply be turned off or bypassed by users ([63:36] Paul Thurrott).

5. Bluetooth Audio Finally Gets Good on Windows

[72:31 - 76:43]

• Breakthrough Update:

  • Windows 11 Insider build now enables high-quality Bluetooth stereo (A2DP) audio for gaming headsets and calls ([72:31] Leo Laporte, [73:57] Paul Thurrott).
  • Ends the “mono only” headset era—a big improvement for gamers and call quality.

• Memorable Moment:

  • “This honestly is huge news. … It sounded pretty good, I flipped it, I started using the microphone with it and the quality went off a cliff…That’s just how they work…no wonder everyone uses...a little wireless now.” —Chris Hoffman ([74:02])

6. AI Competition, Web & Image Generation: Google Gemini Surges, Microsoft Lags

[94:02 - 105:55]

• Browser AI Arms Race:

  • Rise of agentic browsers, extensions in Chrome, privacy and security headaches ([94:02] Paul Thurrott, Leo Laporte).
  • Noted: Apple considering buying AI startups; Anthropic and Mistral positioning themselves as the “Apple of AI” for privacy ([94:22] Leo Laporte, [95:25] Paul Thurrott).

• Google Gemini (Nano Banana) Image Generation:

  • Gemini’s new model for generating images is significantly ahead of Microsoft’s Copilot/Designer—“Order of magnitude better” ([150:24] Leo Laporte).
  • Demonstrations show impressive photo-realistic synthesis and “cowboy” transformations of real team photos ([151:14] Leo Laporte).

7. Windows Development: Native Apps Declining, Open Source SDK Coming

[118:34 - 127:28]

• Windows App SDK Crisis and the Future:

  • Persistent developer complaints: Microsoft slow to fix bugs, update documentation, or ship new promised features ([118:34] Leo Laporte).
  • Microsoft responds by opening up the SDK for community fixes. But, as hosts note: “Who’s making Windows native apps today other than me? Nobody.” —Paul Thurrott ([122:00])

• Shift to Cross-Platform Apps:

  • New Windows-only apps increasingly rare; everything is cross-platform-first (React Native, Electron, web apps, etc.) ([123:34] Paul Thurrott, Leo Laporte).

8. Xbox & Gaming: Cloud Expansion, IP "Crossover Skins" Backlash, Gears of War Remastered (Again)

[127:31 - 164:20]

• Game Pass Cloud Streaming Expands:

  • Xbox Insider Program now testing game streaming for PC games, not just console titles, using Game Pass Core and Standard ([128:21] Leo Laporte, [131:54] Chris Hoffman).

• Call of Duty "Crossover" Skins Controversy:

  • Increasingly absurd skins (Seth Rogen, Beavis and Butthead) in CoD garner community backlash. Push to revert to military realism for Black Ops 7 ([133:47] Leo Laporte).
  • “As an adult, I’m looking at this thing. C’mon. What are you doing?” —Leo Laporte ([136:35])
  • Background on industry-standard 30% digital store fee tracing back to Nintendo, and how it influenced Apple and Google ([135:55] Leo Laporte).

• Gears of War "Reloaded":

  • Yet another, now cross-platform, edition of Gears of War remastered, with cross-play and cross-progression ([159:04] Leo Laporte).

9. Tips, Picks & Notable Rants

Summary Section, [148:35+]

• AI Image Generation:

  • Try Gemini’s image generation at gemini.google.com for state-of-the-art synthesized photos ([149:07] Leo Laporte).

• Nvidia Broadcast App:

  • Alternative to Copilot+ PC AI webcam/audio features for those with Nvidia GPUs; robust real-time processing for video calls, background removal, etc. ([164:24] Chris Hoffman).

• Windows Debloating:

  • You can uninstall OneDrive and most pre-installed apps right from control panel or Settings—no hacks/scripts needed ([155:02] Chris Hoffman).

• Newsletter Culture:

  • Chris Hoffman plugs his new “Windows Readme” Substack as “artisanal, handmade Chris Hoffman content…no ads, no SEO, no AI slop” ([80:01], [81:09]).

Selected Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Microsoft balancing protest:

  "They've been as tolerant as one would expect. And as soon as the law gets broken, they have to...step in. That's not inappropriate." – Paul Thurrott ([15:55])

• On Copilot+ PC hardware exclusivity:

  “It's not possible to do the right thing for everybody. … What do you mean, I can’t do a stupid little drawing in Paint that for some reason works on a $600 laptop because it has an NPU?” – Paul Thurrott ([38:42])

• On AI being oversold:

  “AI is hyped right now. 2024 was the year of the AI PC…How many people are even using the NPUs on their laptops for anything?” – Chris Hoffman ([43:33])

• On disruptive security:

  “I'm willing. I'm gonna take this bullet. … And then I've used it and I'm like, you know what? I'm not sure I do want this. This is—it's annoying.” – Paul Thurrott on Admin Protection ([61:27])

• On AI image gen:

  “The local AI versions...are children's drawings on a refrigerator and then...cloud-based AI models are like Rembrandt paintings.” – Leo Laporte ([44:39])

• On Cross-device Apple envy:

  “I do want [Apple-like seamless continuity] because it's awesome. It's convenient. It's really good.” – Leo Laporte ([26:22])

• On Call of Duty skins:

  “As an adult, I'm looking at this thing. C'mon. What are you doing?” – Leo Laporte ([136:35])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:54] – Microsoft employee protests, background, and policy
• [19:10] – Windows 11 features, right-click/share menus, Share bloat
• [28:54] – Copilot, Semantic Search, and NPU hardware fragmentation
• [57:12] – UAC/Administrator Protection: deep dive on new security feature
• [72:31] – Bluetooth audio upgrade (stereo/A2DP) for gaming and calls
• [94:02] – AI browser market & image generation (Nano Banana/Gemini)
• [118:34] – Windows app development: SDK, open source, and cross-platform shift
• [127:31] – Xbox Game Pass, Call of Duty skins, and origins of the 30% fee
• [150:24] – AI image generation demo & tips
• [155:02] – Debloating Windows, removing built-in apps
• [164:24] – Nvidia Broadcast app as AI webcam/audio alternative

Tone & Style

• Conversational, witty, and candid; the hosts riff off each other with a healthy dose of skepticism about hype (“AI PC”), mixed admiration/annoyance for Microsoft and Apple, and a “veteran insider” angle that’s grounded in real-world usage.
• Occasional exasperation with tech marketing (“Why is it so messy?”) and policy, but always returned to with humor.

For Listeners

If you’re interested in the intersection of Microsoft, AI, and the PC industry—with a critical yet deeply informed take—this episode provides a lively overview of what matters and why, with real talk about which features live up to the marketing (or not), and what the future may—and likely will not—look like for everyday users.

Subscribe to Chris Hoffman's new "Windows ReadMe" newsletter for artisanal, human-written Windows content, and check out Gemini's new image generation model for a demo of cutting-edge AI.