Windows Weekly 957: Selectively Transparent – Windows 26H1 Aims For Snapdragon X2 PCs

Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, Richard Campbell
Main Theme: Deep-dive on the future of Windows, shifts in Microsoft’s hardware and software strategy, evolving AI and ARM ecosystems, and how “selective transparency” defines tech’s financial and product communications today.

Episode Overview

This episode explores the reveal of Windows 26H1, Microsoft’s growing ARM ambitions via Snapdragon X2, transparency (or lack thereof) in tech earnings, password management headaches, and the wider tech industry’s financial smoke and mirrors.

Paul notes:
“We’re at this moment, we just got 25H2, and already we’re talking 26H1, Snapdragon X2, and what’s really going on at Microsoft and these other big tech companies if you look past the surface.”

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Richard’s Adventures and Family Life in New Zealand (02:08–04:25)

• Richard connects from Tauranga, New Zealand, sharing family anecdotes and the difference between summer in the northern and southern hemispheres.
• Lighthearted banter about endless summer, living globally, and kids’ fascination with trucks and beach life.

Quote:
Richard: “We did the hike around the volcano, and then my granddaughter got her dip in the South Pacific. Start high, my friends. Start high.” (02:07)

2. Windows 26H1 on Snapdragon X2 – What’s New? (04:33–15:43)

Windows Build Cadence and Snapdragon X2

• Microsoft prepping Windows “26H1” for Snapdragon X2 — the next-gen ARM chipset.
• Clarifies: It’s an ARM/X2-specific release to take advantage of what Qualcomm’s new chip brings to PCs.
• 26H1 references first-half-of-year release, but could shift as dates slip.

Paul:
“I think we’re looking at a Snapdragon X2-only release in the first half of 2026... Like, last time it was June, so this is barely in the window.” (06:42)

Qualcomm’s ARM Push vs. Apple Silicon

• Snapdragon X2 offers double the neural processing unit (NPU) performance, better graphics, CPU, and potential “ultra” memory architecture.
• Richard: Industry is catching up to Apple’s M-series systems.
• Unified, on-die memory means no user upgrades—but faster performance.

Notable exchange:
Leo: “Should I, if I’m thinking of buying a PC, wait for X2?”
Richard: “It’s definitely what I’m doing.” (09:32)

Will x86 PCs Get the Same Features?

• Speculation: Most features will overlap, but some will be exclusive to X2 Copilot+ devices.
• ARM team and x86 team continue to specialize, contribute different features, later to be integrated.

3. Windows Update Naming Controversy & Sysadmin Frustrations (15:48–20:51)

• Microsoft tried simplifying update names—IT admins rebelled, demanding dates and more precise naming.
• Richard recounts feedback from Aria Hanson, a notable Microsoft update engineer.
• The update infrastructure is a labyrinth of methods, often confusing even insiders: “I spend 50% of my life on that topic.” —Paul (19:12)

4. Windows on Handhelds & Gaming Devices (23:59–28:28)

• Paul’s hands-on with new Windows gaming handhelds: performance has improved, but instability remains (“blue screens a lot”).
• Comparison to Nintendo Switch for reliability.
• Microsoft adds features for Xbox handhelds and improved Prism emulator support for Windows on ARM to boost x86 game compatibility (especially with future X2 hardware).

Paul:
“It’s a neat example of how good Windows can be as a gaming handheld… but also the serious problems that still exist.” (26:04)

5. Password Managers, Passkeys, and the Confusion of Too Many Choices (29:58–34:42)

• Edge’s password manager now supports syncing passkeys but...
• Paul and Richard advise against using browser-based password managers—third-party tools are safer and less siloed to a single account.
• Chaos around which app/service mediates passkey choices on devices—user confusion reigns.

Memorable moment:
Paul: “If there’s anything worse than saving a passkey in your browser’s password manager, it’s using a device where you have three password managers. You’re an idiot! I want just the one thing.” (32:16)

6. Insertification, Tech Giants’ Earnings, and Financial Opacity (46:59–73:46)

Microsoft, AI, and the OpenAI Web

• Paul’s deep dive into “insertification”—the process where platforms become less user-friendly/more self-serving as they chase revenue.
• Microsoft’s financials: grows revenue, hides details. Massive AI expenditure, questionable transparency.
• Discussion of OpenAI’s mystical accounting, speculative deals, and investor games ("There's going to be a trillion dollars in the circle somehow, and it's all just money we've promised each other." —Paul, 49:39)

Notable exchange:
Paul: “There was this line item—‘net, other’—for a $4.1 billion loss, just a loss on their investment in OpenAI. They had to report it, which is the only reason they did.” Richard: “And arguably this is a one-time write down to adjust for the fact that equity is measured differently now.” (55:48–57:16)

Selective Transparency Across Big Tech

• All major earnings calls (Apple, Google, Amazon, Spotify) now marked by evasion and selective statistics, even when pressed by analysts.
• Tension between what investors are owed versus what companies voluntarily disclose—or obfuscate.

Leo on Apple:
“These calls are almost entirely execs dodging the questions of fiscal analysts. At least Tim Cook admitted it this time.” (73:19)

7. Password Management and Passkeys (30:00–39:50; revisited throughout)

• More warnings about browser password managers, Microsoft Edge, and inter-account confusion (MSA, Entra).
• Emphasis on moving to proper passkey solutions, but with caution and backup plans.

8. Microsoft Store, Winget, and App Bundles (40:41–42:27)

• Store is improving: bundles let you install multiple apps at once (currently web-only, but moving to Windows Store proper soon).
• Power users can script installs via winget—a nod to Windows Package Manager’s growing importance.

9. Tech Earnings: The Fictionalization of Numbers (79:15–89:40)

• Spotify, despite showing losses, trumpets “profit expansion” via creative accounting ("If we didn't have to pay... staff... just, or rent—then they made a profit." —Paul, 83:59).
• Other earnings notes: AMD, Apple, Amazon, Google—massive numbers but often little true insight or breakdown.

10. Epic vs. Google: Antitrust Case Settled (95:20–104:28)

• Epic and Google settle after years of courtroom battles;
• Google agrees to global changes on Play Store fees, less restrictive payment and download practices—possibly spelling trouble for Apple’s similar App Store policies.

Richard:
“The good news is now there’s case law and precedent set. Apple is really screwed.” (100:23)

11. Tip of the Week: “Insertification” Book Review (132:50–136:54)

• Paul recommends Cory Doctorow’s Insertification for its analysis of how platforms self-sabotage for profit.
• Laments: There’s not much individuals can do—but we’re all stuck with the consequences (and each other).

12. Little Tech: Affinity Suite Goes Free (138:38–144:06)

• Affinity (rival to Adobe’s Photoshop etc.) now offers full apps for free, not just trials, as part of their Canva acquisition.
• “If you want an alternative to Photoshop, there it is.” —Paul (143:20)

13. Xbox & Gaming News (112:59–124:56)

• Xbox Game Pass “Ultimate” is expensive but can pay for itself if you use many new releases.
• New features for Xbox, ongoing console market analysis: Nintendo thrives with Switch 2, PlayStation cloud streaming coming, Xbox hardware sales sluggish.

14. Whiskey Segment: Glen Cadam Distillery (147:02–161:48)

• Richard brings a story of Glen Cadam, an eastern Highlands distillery rarely seen as single malt.
• Shares the tale of a unique 22-year-old cask (“one of the most honest representations of whisky you could possibly imagine…” 159:33) — even if you’ll never taste it.

Notable Quotes

• Richard (on ARM/Windows future):
  “They’re finally catching up to what Apple figured out years ago with the M series.” (08:35)

• Paul (on Microsoft’s focus):
  “What Microsoft is doing is essentially saying, ‘Look, our business is great, our stock price is through the roof, our market cap is amazing. That’s all you need to know.’” (64:29)

• Leo (on company transparency):
  “If you’re an investor before you put your money into a stock for a company, you have the right to know what’s going on inside… That’s why public companies reveal more.” (70:32)

• Paul (on passkeys chaos):
  “If there’s anything worse than saving a passkey in your browser’s password manager, it’s using any device where you have three password managers… I just want the one thing!” (32:16)

• Paul (on ‘insertification’):
  “As individuals, there’s not a lot you can do… but I think we all need to selfishly do the right thing for ourselves.” (135:14)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Richard’s Travel Tales: 02:08–04:25
• Windows 26H1 / Snapdragon X2 Deep-Dive: 04:33–15:43
• Update Naming Controversy: 15:48–20:51
• Windows on Handhelds: 23:59–28:28
• Passkey & Password Management Chaos: 29:58–39:50
• Insertification, Tech Earnings & Transparency: 46:59–73:46
• Epic v. Google Settlement: 95:20–104:28
• Book/Tip of the Week: 132:50–136:54
• Affinity Going Free: 138:38–144:06
• Xbox/Game Pass Discussion: 112:59–124:56
• Whiskey Segment – Glen Cadam: 147:02–161:48

Tone and Language

Humorous, conversational, and occasionally acerbic—blending technical insight with real-world skepticism about tech industry practices.

Conclusion

This episode pulls back the curtain on the next phase of Windows on ARM and the shifting culture of Microsoft, all while highlighting the trend of “selective transparency” in big tech. It’s a mix of product news, sysadmin minutia, consumer advice, and high-level analysis—seasoned by a skepticism toward marketing spin and financial storytelling.

For those who want the pulse of Microsoft, the Windows ecosystem, and the real-life impact (and frustrations) behind tech industry decisions, this episode is both dense and unmissable.