Windows Weekly (Audio)

Windows

Week D arrives, and this time we get updates - a preview of Octoberʼs Patch Tuesday 24H2/25H2 Minor update with new Copilot key remaps, Wi-Fi in WRE, more 26H1 Major update that brings all new 26H2 features—Start, Taskbar, Search —to 26H1. Finally.

Windows Insider Program

Four new builds last Friday - Biggest change is Cloud Rebuild in WRE (in Experimental) gaining new capabilities.

Software

30 years ago, Dave Plummer created Task Manager, and now heʼs vibe-coded a modern version that works on Mac and Linux too. Stardock announces a new Windows 11 utility called Snipboard. Clipchamp does AI upscaling to 4K now

Hardware

The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15p Aura Edition is nearly perfect, with 11 hours of battery life. Googlebook revealed! Questions answered - $899 starting price is much lower than expected. This is Androidʼs Copilot+ PC moment - An AI PC? What a concept!

AI/dev

Microsoft announces a OneDrive + Copilot event in October - Also a separate Copilot event before then. Financial Times reveals internal OpenAI prediction of $278 billion in losses over the next five years. NYT copyright case discovery reveals what Microsoft and OpenAI really think about stealing content. Anthropic merges Cowork into chat, adds Docs and Slides. Google Labs CC turned into Gemini Daily Brief, so now itʼs an AI agent for families. Google opens up its Home smart home ecosystem to other AI assistants. XAML.io is a web-based vibe coding IDE for .NET apps and it looks amazing.

XBOX and Gaming

A big reorg and a small number of layoffs at XBOX sets off a new round of hand wringing.

Tip and Picks

Tip of the week: Get Auto SR on Panther Lake-based laptops Auto SR was designed to make gaming viable on Windows 11 on Arm/Snapdragon X/X2, but now itʼs available on Intel Core Ultra Series 3-based PCs and it is worth experimenting with.

App Pick of the Week: Affinity

Possibly the greatest free app in existence, Affinity just got 60 new features and is even better.

Hosts: Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott

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Microsoft's record-breaking Patch Tuesday unleashed nearly a thousand fixes, but the bonus story is in the chaos that followed as out-of-band updates and AI-driven bug hunts left admins scrambling to keep up.

Windows

Patch Tuesday was so buggy Microsoft had to release an emergency fix to address all the issues New Release Preview builds for 24H2/25H2 - I guess we're moving past the features that are also in the initial 26H2 release - New Copilot key remapping feature, they will get it right eventually Five builds across Experimental and Beta channels - All over the map as you'd expect Google releases the Gemini app for Windows Adobe released Photoshop and Premiere Elements 2027 AnyType is a top-tier Notion alternative and it's about to get very interesting Microsoft previews an October Windows + Surface event that's clearly all about Nvidia - but is this also tied to 26H2 release? HP announces a new Ryzen-based portable workstation with an interesting detail about unified memory Apple announced iPhone 18 Pros, iPhone Duo, Watch 12 + Ultra 4, AirPods 5, and then released its '27 OS updates - And sure whatever

AI

AI fear-mongering reaches new heights (or new lows): Is this just PR from Big AI to keep the money rolling? Bill Gates says Gates Foundation will donate $1+ billion to solve AI inequality Big AI could solve the PR problems by actually doing something positive for mankind. Just a thought Copilot Work and Copilot Studio get app building capabilities Google will bring MCP to Google Home, in early preview now Mozilla and Mistral partner on Firefox Smart Window AI

XBOX and gaming

Gears of War: E-Day and more is coming to Game Pass in the second half of September XBOX is going to the Tokyo Game Show and a nice surprise for Kojima fans Valve opens up Steam Frame preorders and it's only $1060! Amazon Prime Gaming and Luna are having a pretty g26ood September Apple is reportedly making an iPhone game controller for some reason

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: There's a new MSA bypass for Windows 11 Setup App pick of the week: Google Dreambeans RunAs Radio this week: Patching in 2026 with Susan Bradley Brown liquor pick of the week: Art of the Spirits Honored to Serve

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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With Microsoft shattering records for patched vulnerabilities and AI exposing even more bugs, Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell debate whether this tidal wave of fixes signals progress or just bigger trouble ahead for Windows users. Also, Sonos is back and here's something no one has been able to say for, well, forever: It's new app is great! Plus, Gemini's Daily Brief is surprisingly useful, and it's available for free to everyone in the U.S.

MICROSOFT MAKES MAJOR FINANCIAL REPORTING CHANGE

The canary in the coal mine has finally been rewarded: Microsoft will dramatically change how it reports earnings, effective immediately. The good: Didn't see this coming, Microsoft will allegedly be transparent about Azure revenues every quarter The bad: A simpler structure means more revenues are being hidden and you can only make accurate YOY comparisons dating back two years now The unknown: What this will really look like in practice How is it possible that Paul has been all over this for years and Wall Street has mostly ignored it?

Windows

Patch Tuesday arrives - And, yes, it's basically 26H2 New Start, Taskbar, and Windows Search are generally available Is the "real" 26H2 still on track for October or does it just happen whenever? Microsoft fixed almost 1000 security vulnerabilities this month (974), with 723 of them in Windows and 112 of them critical-severity. It has already released over double the number of security patches this year (2760) as it did in all of 2025 (1139). Five new builds drop just ahead of Patch Tuesday updates with three minor new features Project Zenith is a misguided attempt to make Windows better for developers that shows they've learned nothing Microsoft Edge team promises two contrary improvements: Faster extension approvals, better quality

It came from IFA

Lenovo: Two AMAZING prototype PCs, one of which is imminent as a shipping product. Two killer NVIDIA RTX Spark-based laptops. Colorful laptops and AIO deflate the MacBook Neo balloon nicely. New ThinkCentre desktops and ThinkBook laptops, including a killer AMD-based workstation that can be daisy-chained HP: Three new NVIDIA RTX Spark PCs, one of which is a desktop PC Acer: RTX Spark, gaming handheld, more Key takeaway: NVIDIA RTX Spark is a game-changer

Apps

Vivaldi adds PWA and address bar improvements Yes, Virginia, Brave is still the fastest web browser

AI and dev

Newsday and The Seattle Times sue OpenAI and Microsoft for stealing copyrighted content at scale There's a great new documentary about the making of Visual Studio Code out and it's free This is a modern example of how tech limitations can spur innovation, something that happened a lot in the early home computer era and happens a lot less now .NET 11 heads to release candidate phase ahead of November release

XBOX and gaming

XBOX Cloud Gaming is getting usage caps starting in November and a standalone service is on the way XBOX app is coming to TCL smart TVs XBOX Insiders are testing startup animation choices, Showcase customization, an improved Remote Play experience, background downloads for Cloud Gaming, and more

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Gemini offers a useful and free daily briefing App pick of the week: Sonos RunAs Radio this week: State of WSUS with Adam Brown

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/1000

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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While Microsoft pushes Copilot+ PCs, NVIDIA storms into the Windows ecosystem with AI-focused Spark machines and game-changing specs, igniting new rivalries with Apple and upending expectations for what local hardware can do. Plus, Atari revives 39 Activision classics for a price that will make retro fans blink, while the Sonos saga continues as it pivots to an open AI platform that might finally win back old loyalties. Finally, Paul's Markdown book will be released sometime in the next week.

Windows

The mystery of 26H2 is now less mysterious Last week: Week D came and went without a preview release, triggering speculation Microsoft issues Windows 11 version 26H2 to Release Preview, a first This means a September or October release to stable. Just guessing, but Preview Update in September, general Update in October is most likely Version numbers don't matter much anymore. There are no unique 26H2 features, just a few unique 26H2 presets - These include Point-in-time restore and Memory Integrity Protection being on by default Two 26H1 pre-release builds with little to speak of IFA 2026 is underway in Berlin Acer is first out of the gates with dozens of new PCs, including one based on the NVIDIA RTX Spark EU General Court confirms that Microsoft Edge is not a gatekeeper Visual Studio Code now has a full Markdown Editor experience Brave now offers free email aliases, and will have a premium option soon Firefox for iOS now has integrated ad blocking NVIDIA - $96.2 billion in revenues, up 106 percent YOY Dell - record $47 billion in revenues, but it's all from server/infrastructure HP - $15.7 billion in revenues, up 12.5 percent - $11.8 billion from PCs, vs. $15 billion for all Dell client products

AI/dev

Sony and Warner sue Anthropic for stealing their music Gemini Notebook gets first Expert Intelligence upgrade with integrated e-book support Sonos announces Sonos 27 OS with major AI functionality Microsoft moves WinUI development fully to GitHub ahead of open-sourcing it

XBOX and gaming

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, more coming to Game Pass Every Activision title for the Atari 2600 is being reissued in cartridge form, but it's going to cost you

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Markdown: A Field Guide for Writers App pick of the week: ImageGlass 10 RunAs Radio this week: Reimagining Intranets with Susan Hanley Brown liquor pick of the week: Macaloney's Cath-Nah-Aven

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Microsoft tries to prove Windows on ARM is ready for prime time, but behind the PR push, unresolved questions about compatibility, branding, and a tepid market threaten to derail the company's ambitions. Also, PowerToys 0.101 is here with Windows Hopper and multiple improvements! Plus, Parallels Desktop 27 for Mac launches.

Windows

If a Week D falls in the woods and no one installs it, did a Week D really happen? Theory: This is the big one, with the three big changes Microsoft promised this year. Basically, this is Windows 11 version 26H2 Three new builds across Beta, Experimental, and Experimental (26H1) with a modernized AutoPlay experience and a new "Open apps maximized" accessibility feature Microsoft reminds business customers that Windows on Arm is terrific ahead of Nvidia RTX Spark launch Totally coincidental that this happened on the same day that Apple announced a new Mac Mini with M6 and M5 Pro and Mac Studio with M5 Ultra and M5 Max

Microsoft 365

OneDrive for Mac gets native sync engine Proton Mail gets automatic and customizable category filtering

AI/dev

Bill Gates issues a strong warning on the dangers of AI. And you're not going to believe what number two is WSJ report echoes the complaints that Paul has been making for years. Again Adobe Firefly gets production-quality music, speech, and sound effect generation capabilities Apple Music will start labeling AI-generated music .NET Conf 2026 on track for November with .NET 11

XBOX and gaming

XBOX testing long-awaited disc to digital entitlements The ASUS ROG XBOX Ally X20 is available now for $1299, or in a $2499 bundle Rumor: Microsoft prepping an Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console for November Update: it's real. The XBOX 25th anniversary collection arrives November 13 Microsoft announces (third party) Designed for XBOX 25th Anniversary Collection of hardware peripherals IKEA has designed some XBOX-influenced furniture and it is amazing Rockstar Games weighs in on leaks asGTA VIreveal arrives (tomorrow) Commodore announcesAlien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection for PC, consoles NVIDIA brings GeForce Now to Firefox

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Expose yourself to other points of view App pick of the week: PowerToys RunAs Radio this week: Security Features of PowerShell 7 with Mike O'Neill Brown liquor pick of the week: SpiceBox Spiced Whisky

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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For years, the checkbox to get a PC out of the Insider Program when that Windows version shipped in stable did absolutely nothing. That's no longer the case.

Windows

A new context menu for File Explorer heads out to Insiders along with five new preview builds There are lots of other like UX changes happening with little communication. Will Microsoft really touch (and update) all the ancient UIs in Windows 11? New Release Preview builds point at next Week D and Patch Tuesday updates: New Taskbar, New Start, new Windows Search, many minor changes throughout

Hardware

Now we know more about Snapdragon C ahead of IFA, where we may see the first laptops Google is holding a PixelBook reviewers event in mid-September You know that Commodore is back, but now the Amiga is back too! Lenovo surges on AI spending, but it's now engaged in financial shenanigans too. More like Spotify than Big Tech, but still bad

AI

Big Tech spending on AI is finally getting more scrutiny from financial/business publications It's happening: Microsoft "pulls a Teams" and will consolidate its Copilot (consumer) and Microsoft 365 Copilot (business apps) into a single app, evolve it in a "super app" OpenAI's new strategy: Get 'em while they're young Mozilla provides a progress report on Smart Window for Firefox, details new AI search partnership Alexa+ is now free on all FireTV devices in the U.S., no Prime required

XBOX

Resonance: A Plague Tale and more are heading to Game Pass during the second half of August XBOX August Update is here with more Achievements details, Game Hubs now support Xbox 360 titles, Game Pass subscribers can now stream a game while it installs in the background XBOX Insiders can now test Home Improvements, local save game management, and profile badges Apple makes major App Store concessions in the EU. But Epic Games says it is not enough. The new Call of Duty has a public beta on Friday, and there will be a single-player episode for the first time

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Yes, Virginia, you canexit the Insider Program now App pick of the week: Brave RunAs Radio this week: Automatic Attack Disruption with Liz Tesch Brown liquor pick of the week: Red Bank Premium Blended

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Microsoft's AI investments reveal a bizarre financial loop where billions pour into infrastructure, yet profits remain elusive. The hosts break down why the industry's most hyped tech might just be a high-stakes game of circular accounting. Plus, a developer has resurrected Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a to run natively on Windows 11! Lastly, Stardock's latest utility replaces Alt + Tab for $7.99.

Windows

25H2: new touchpad gestures, Windows Hello ESS improvements, Widgets improvements, Windows Search improvements, more 26H1: Windows Update calendar-based pausing, Picture Password EOL, Point in time restore, multi-camera support, user folder customization in Setup, etc. Over 420 bug fixes, but that's over 200 less than last month Follow-up on Microsoft's AI spending. It's much worse than we knew - And also much worse than we know now Yes, Microsoft Edge is going all-in on Manifest V3 Proton Drive - Now with a CLI and business features, and it's coming soon to Linux A developer ported Word for Windows 1.1 to x64

AI

Gemini now has one billion users. But how many pay? - Plus the new Pixel phones are one step sideways, one step back OpenAI brings ChatGPT to Linux (!)

Xbox and gaming

A new Xbox Elite Series 3 controller leak shows it will have a mini display Microsoft tests new console features with Xbox Insiders Id Software brings a new episode to Quaketo mark 30th anniversary! Minecraftis coming to Switch 2 Here comes GTA VI A Valve partner was hacked, Steam Machine customers warned Nintendo revenues decline 9.5 percent to ¥518 billion

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: View Git status directly in File Explorer App pick of the week: AltTabby RunAs Radio this week: The Content Management System Landscape with Matt Garrepy Brown liquor pick of the week: Sideshow Lincoln Straight Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Behind the headlines about skyrocketing revenues and AI investments, the actual costs and future risks for Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are shrouded in strategic accounting moves. Plus, Paul finished rewriting and adding new chapters to the Windows 11 Field Guide - mostly just clean-up now, and then whatever new monthly features. Lastly, The Document Foundation issues a friendly reminder about the Office 2021 EOL and how that never happens with their software

Microsoft earnings

Microsoft earnings up 18 percent to $90 billion Analysis: Microsoft finds a new way to not account for AI costs

Windows

Pavan Davuluri says he's "energized" about what's happening to Windows in 2026. OK. But what's really happened so far? When will the biggest changes land? And when, if ever, will you address the real enshittification in Windows 11? Windows Insider Program: Five new builds - New Taskbar comes to Beta channel This leads to questions of timing, and here, WIP is not all that transparent still Another antitrust win: Apple to allow Copy and Paste between Windows and iPhone AMD revenues up 50 percent to $11.5 billion, but it's all AI datacenter Amazon: up 20 percent to $200 billion Apple: up 16 percent to $109 billion

AI

Satya Nadella mentions AI super app again, not clear why anyone cares about this Proton Lumo can do data visualization now

Xbox and gaming

Asha Sharma details the priorities for XBOX in the next year and number 5 will shock you XBOX console prices going up in the EU and UK Thanks, Caption Obvious: Yes, Backward Compatibility on PC will support Xbox 360 games too XBOX plans new FanFest tour dates - there's SO much to celebrate! Gears of War: E-Day leads the charge for new Game Pass titles in August XBOX Insiders is testing new console features XBOX app comes to Hisense and VIDDA TVs EA goes private for $55 billion in cash, but also some debt Sony has sold 95.3 million PS5s Sony responds to concerns about no more discs (with "pffffftttt")

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: It's done! App pick of the week: LibreOffice RunAs Radio this week: Ransomware Readiness with Heather Renze Brown liquor pick of the week: Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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There's been so much drama over what options Microsoft will allow for the Copilot key. But you don't have to wait for a future Windows update; you can remap any key with Microsoft's own Keyboard Manager PowerToy. More people should take advantage of this. Also, Paul just finished his major 2026 rewrite of the Windows 11 Field Guide! Every single chapter was rewritten or consolidated, with several new chapters added. Lastly, the OG Haloremake is a great reminder of how good this series was in the beginning. And it looks and plays terrific.

Windows

Week D updates arrive on time this month Windows Hello ESS support for external fingerprint readers, many small improvements Experimental (Future Platforms) finally gets an update, but it's just the features we saw elsewhere first Several in-box app updates for July, nothing major Microsoft convinces LG to drop the McAfee ads, but HP's Bing ads are A-OK Chris tested Windows 11 with 8GB of RAM and the experience is not great Paul has a Wildcat-based laptop waiting for him in PA Microsoft is testing a "Do nothing" option for the Copilot key Your Windows 11 PC now has a OneDrive Photos app for some reason Opera One gets vertical tabs, deeper Google Lens integration

Earnings

Google/Alphabet - net income of $28 billion on $120 billion in revenues, but negative cash flow for the first time in the company's history Intel - net loss of $11 million, no Foundry customers leaves Wall Street swooning for some reason

AI

Microsoft begins shifting to its own MAI models, but the forward progress is minimal NVIDIA, Microsoft, more team up for AI empire, er, Alliance Anthropic launches Claude Opus 5

Xbox and gaming

Halo: Campaign Evolved is here XBOX went down for the count for most of the day on Monday. But disc-based games still worked XBOX begins testing ad-supported Cloud Gaming Ubisoft game purchases on Xbox now carry over to PC for free Luna comes to Prime Video app

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Remap keys with PowerToys Keyboard Manager App pick of the week:Halo Campaign Evolved Chris's pick of the week: His new newsletter! https://preferences.pcmag.com/PCMag/windows-guide

Hosts: Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott

Guest: Chris Hoffman

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As the tech world catches its breath from AI whiplash and retro gaming returns to the PC, Microsoft quietly kills underused tools and tries to double down on what actually works. This episode blends the excitement of tech and entertainment (like Xbox classics landing on Windows 11) with a poignant look back at the life and legacy of legendary columnist John C. Dvorak.

Windows

Five new Insider builds released on Monday; the new Start menu comes to the Beta channel Experimental (26H1) a day later with no interesting new features The Whiteboard app is apparently being retired

AI

Microsoft expands partnership with Mistral to improve EU AI infrastructure Copilot for consumers is losing Podcasts and Deep research features soon U.S. judge approves Anthropic $1.5 billion settlement with authors it stole from 1Password partners with Anthropic to make AI access to password-protected websites secure Google renames NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook Google's next big AI models are delayed, but we got Gemini 3.6 Flash, Flash-Lite, and 3.5 Flash Cyber to tide us over

XBOX and gaming

Microsoft brings XBOX Backward Compatibility to PC!! Here comes Halo: Campaign Evolved, along with more Game Pass titles for the end of July Bethesda announcesFallout 3andNew Vegas remasters, andFallout 5 is entering pre-production Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4in Early Access on August 21, Open Beta on August 27 XBOX July update adds support for longer gamertags, new library customization options, and more XBOX teams with Meta to bring Game Pass Starter Edition to Meta Horizon+ subscribers Valve says the component crisis dogging Steam Machine pricing will only get worse

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Windows Package Manager for bulk app installs App (game) of the week: Doom: The Dark Ages RunAs Radio this week: Security Begins at Procurement with Jessie Schofer Brown liquor pick of the week: Loup River Nebraska Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Microsoft's July 2026 Patch Tuesday just shattered records with hundreds of bug fixes, and AI is the force behind the surge. Are we witnessing the beginning of a safer Windows, or is this flood of vulnerabilities the new normal? Plus, Tony Redmond's epic book has a new name (was Office 365 for IT Pros) and is now a bundle of four books.

Windows

Patch Tuesday is here! Point in Time Restore, quieter Widgets, Windows Update improvements, Screen tint, and more The biggest Patch Tuesday in history, by far: a record 570 fixes for security flaws, and a huge 3X increase from the then-record flaws fixed last month. (Some say the number is 622. Math is hard.) And this is on top of 468 Microsoft Edge/Chromium flaws that were fixed by Google this month too. Yikes. Microsoft discusses how it's improving Windows security with AI Windows Insider Program: Improved Windows Search is next on the docket, heading out to Experimental this week. Question: When do these things hit stable? Microsoft releases Snapdragon X2 versions of its Surface for Business Pro and Laptop models

AI

Apple sues OpenAI for stealing trade secrets Surprised there was no talk of "thermonuclear war" OpenAI's response is hilarious, and it is already prepping its first hardware device OpenAI just announced the rumored super app, which is a combination of ChatGPT, Work, Codex, and an in-app web browser, which replaces the standalone Atlas web browser. Also, GPT-5.6. In keeping with recent history, Anthropic announced its in-app web browser for Claude less than 24 hours later Reminder that Microsoft acknowledged that it, too, is working on an AI super app at Build Apple releases public betas of its OS 27 releases and, shocker, Siri is really good Now Spotify has an AI chatbot so I can tell it how much I hate Spotify

Xbox and gaming

Obsidian is working on a new Falloutgame, duh. A quiet time after last week's terribleness

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Microsoft 365 for IT Pros (2027 edition) is here! App pick of the week: MusicBee RunAs Radio this week: Finding Security Vulnerabilities using AI with Sami Laiho Brown liquor pick of the week: Sanctuary Single Malt Whisky Reserve Edition

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Microsoft's latest round of layoffs and game studio shakeups reveal deep cracks in the XBOX business, as years of unprofitability and missed expectations force the company into tough decisions. Are industry icons like Game Pass and big-name studios on borrowed time? Also, Paul's made major progress on the Windows 11 Field Guide updates! Plus, a desktop and mobile web browser that now blocks YouTube ads by default.

Layoffs

Microsoft announces 4800 layoffs, 3200 at XBOX Analysis: What Sharma said and didn't say. Many interesting details revealed here. Many questions unanswered Great outcomes for four studios, id Software reportedly laid off half its staff Interesting alternative analysis: The Game Pass thesis, XBOX can't do everything

Windows

Four new builds yesterday, one major new feature: Cloud restore Microsoft Edge is adding support for Google account sign-ins Opera One adds clipboard attack prevention Google and Samsung have announced new hardware launches, both with new foldables on the way - Apple's first foldable expected in January

AI

Microsoft is reportedly transitioning to its in-house MAI models where possible Latest Corey Doctorow book takes on the future of AI and is surprisingly middle-of-the-road. Unlike his last book, he explains how he handles this and has some ideas for doing so yourself

XBOX and gaming

Gears of War Reloaded,more head to Game Pass The oldest rumor in XBOX history is back, with Microsoft working (again, or as always) on a disc-to-digital program in the wake of the Sony PS5+ physical media announcement Nintendo to end OG Switch sales, make Switch 2 changes in the EU You can play Half-Life 2 in a web browser now

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: All Mint Mobile Plans Are Now Just $15 Per Month App pick of the week: DuckDuckGo browser RunAs Radio this week: Implementing Azure Policies with Barbara Forbes Brown liquor pick of the week: Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly

Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

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Windows 10's Extended Security Update program quietly gets extended for another year for consumers. Microsoft reportedly kills Surface Go products & is now selling 8 GB Surface Pro & Laptop models. And Xbox Series X & S prices are going to go up again.

Windows

Microsoft quietly extends the Windows 10 Extended Security Update program one year to October 2027 for consumers

Windows Insider

Windows Update is transitioning to the new Windows Insider experience by default Plus, five new builds across Beta, Experimental, Beta (26H1), Experimental (26H1), and Experimental (Future Platforms) — new Taskbar size setting is the much-needed new feature

Hardware

Apple raises prices on Macs, iPads, and more, easing pressure on PC makers Microsoft quietly begins selling 8 GB Surface Pro/Laptop models Microsoft reportedly kills Surface Go products right when we need them the most The ASUS Zenbook A16 is nearly perfect, but it's unclear what you get with an X2 Elite Extreme chip

AI

HP partners with OpenAI for its agentic makeover Anthropic seizes on the "good enough" AI movement with Sonnet 5 Proton Lumo 2.0 is here Gemini personalized image creator is available for free in the US Notion blames agentic AI for it killing Notion Mail

Xbox and Gaming
The 2026 Doom and Gloom Watch

Xbox Series X|S prices to go up again, by $150, on August 1 - and the 2 TB X is going away Undead Labs and Arkane Lyon possible victims of pending closures Latest rumor: Microsoft to layoff 2.5 percent of workforce next week - that's 5,500 people, less than expected, but that's because of the earlier voluntary buyouts, which apparently met internal expectations Minecraft Bedrock edition gets closed captions Sony will stop selling PS physical media in 2028

Tips and Picks

Tip of the week: Help or get out of the way People who just complain aren't solving problems, they're just making noise and distracting us from the real problems.

App Pick of the Week: Snapdragon Control Panel

If you have a Windows 11 on Arm PC on Snapdragon X or X2, you need this app to make games run as well as possible. Plus - Settings > System > Display > Graphics for Auto SR and other settings and whatever is in each game

RunAs Radio this week: AI-Accelerated Supply Chain Attacks with Mackenzie Duncan

Brown liquor pick of the week: Rupert's Exceptional Canadian Whisky

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Windows 12 is stalled and the real reasons go far beyond software. The conversation unpacks how soaring hardware prices, AI chaos, and market confusion have Microsoft in a holding pattern. Also, Paul finally took a sledgehammer to the subscription services he pays for, and more is on the way. Plus, one of Paul's favorite Markdown editors supports authorship on Windows now and an integrated Search/Outline view on Mac, iPad, and iPad.

Windows

Week D is here with a preview of July's Patch Tuesday Point-in-time restore is now generally available in Windows 11, sort of Quieter widgets, which is nice! Plus, Screen tint, Windows Update improvements, more Tied to this, sort of, something wonderful is happening to the Windows 11 Field Guide Five new builds, plus some 26H2 news (and still no news about what 26H1 becomes, see below...) Mostly minor fit-and-finish improvements So... what about Windows 12? The history is interesting, and Copilot+ PC was what Paul originally thought Windows 12 would be. But now we're talking agentic capabilities that will handle local/cloud/hybrid orchestration per last week's discussion, and maybe that will be it. We knew that Surface Laptop and Surface Pro would come in 8 GB configurations. But they're available now with just 256 GB of storage and the prices are $950 and $850 and up, respectively. Plus all the usual Surface limitations, like one color choice. (16 GB is $1150 and $1050, respectively, so $300 more.) Once again, it's time to just get a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x for $850. It has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and is awesome. Tim Cook just admitted that Apple will raise hardware prices because of the component crisis. If this is hitting Apple hard, the rest of the industry is screwed.

AI

Cory Doctorow's new book is out and let's just say his new neologism isn't as catchy as enshittification Reverse centaur (groan) Surprisingly centrist view on the pros and cons of AI Highlights the Microsoft financial shenanigans I point out every quarter: Microsoft "invests" $10 billion of "tokens" in OpenAI, but there's no volume discount and Microsoft books the transaction as $10 billion in AI revenues as OpenAI simply uses its infrastructure. It gave $10 billion to OpenAI so that it could spend $10 billion on Azure. Google Home Speaker is the Gemini speaker and it's now shipping to first customers as Google discontinues Nest Audio and Nest Mini speakers. Can we trust this company with hardware? And why are there no Apple or Google home theater setups? Adobe brings its creative agent to Firefly and the biggest apps in Creative Cloud

XBOX & gaming

No movement yet on the massive changes we expect in XBOX soon Microsoft has "dozens" of gaming IP-based movies and TV shows in the works XBOX Insiders can now test updates to Gamertags, Game Hub, and Wish List Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2are being ported to modern PS consoles. Sadly, not remakes or remasters. GTA VI will cost $79.99 and up - Arrives in November, can preorder on June 25 Steam Machine to cost $1049 and up, and that's with no controller

Tips & picks

Tip of the week: How to save $100 a month App pick of the week: iA Writer RunAs Radio this week: Securing Developers with Tanya Janca Brown liquor pick of the week: Glen Breton Rare 10

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With major leadership shakeups and rumors of studio closures, the future of XBOX inside Microsoft suddenly looks uncertain. Is this the beginning of a Game Pass overhaul, or could XBOX face an outright split from the company? Plus, PowerToys 0.100 (yes, point one hundred) arrives with so many improvements. And the Windows Insider program is leaving even seasoned users scratching their heads over Microsoft's so-called "simplification."

Windows

Windows Insider Program: Microsoft releases a record 7 builds to the allegedly simpler Insider Program You can't tell the players without a program Experimental: Less disruptive Windows Update, Windows Search improvements Beta 26H1: Screen tint Beta 25H2: Screen tint, quieter Widgets, Magnifier zoom controls Release Preview 25H2: Screen tint, quieter Widgets, Magnifier zoom controls, Bluetooth connectivity improvements All (?) get Voice access and Voice typing improvements, and new right-click Touchpad settings Good God, Microsoft

Hardware

Microsoft announces Snapdragon X2-based Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Laptop 13 and the prices are eye-watering Samsung announces Snapdragon X2-based Galaxy Book6 Edge and, yes, the prices are eye-watering The component crisis is a disaster but limitations are driving innovation, as they always have Google releases Android 17 alongside a new Pixel Drop, setting the stage for Googlebooks

Software

Microsoft Edge to follow Chrome to a two-week development schedule because we all love updating our web browsers Mozilla releases Firefox 152 and a new roadmap for the browser

AI

FINALLY AN AI-FREE WEEK

XBOX and gaming

Fear & loathing at XBOX! The Microsoft fiscal year ends in two weeks, and big changes are coming XBOX leadership set to reveal "hard truths" that will absolutely include layoffs and studio and game closures Microsoft is looking at all options for XBOX, including a spin-off XBOX Studios CEO and chief of staff announce their departures ahead of expected layoffs XBOX reportedly closing Ninja Theory, makers of the Hellbladegames Compulsion Games is likely on the chopping block too XBOX is coming to Gamescon this year Xbox June Update arrives with new boot animation, more while Microsoft continues testing minor UX changes in the Insider Program COD: Vanguard, EA Sports FC 26 and more coming to Game Pass in the second half of June Rockstar Games is giving free GTA V upgrades to Xbox One and PS4 players

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Don't doomscroll, learnscroll instead App pick of the week: PowerToys 0.100 RunAs Radio this week: 47 Day Certificates with Todd Gardner Brown liquor pick of the week: Thornæs Kagerup

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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If you think code is safe from automation, think again. This week's discussion tackles why the rise of vibe coding and AI-powered tools could upend long-held beliefs about software development, with even seasoned pros rethinking their roles. Also, a new C++ documentary is worth watching!

Windows

After a weekend of Build session viewing, two big takeaways! Vibe coding native Windows apps and a new reactive dev model for WinUI will help to make modern app dev easier for everyone A new theory emerges: The real reason Microsoft is fixing Windows 11 is that it needs this foundation for a future of hybrid AI agents. And hybrid means more than just local + cloud. Patch Tuesday is here! As promised, Microsoft fixed a record number of security issues thanks to AI 24H2/25H2: Shared audio, more NPU in Task Manager, multi-app camera support, user folder name choice in OOBE, more 26H1: Xbox Mode, Drop tray, etc. Windows Insider Program: New 26H1 Beta channel added for some reason Dell now sells a Windows Hello ESS-compatible wired mouse

AI

WWDC 2026: Apple announced vibe-coding advances for normal users (Safari extensions) and developers (Xcode). Paul used Xcode and Claude Code to create a full-featured Markdown editor app in about 12-15 minutes. Google drops the price of AI Plus plan to $4.99 per month, raises storage to 400 GB and announces new NotebookLM capabilities Proton Drive is coming to Linux, has a new SDK, and now has a new CLI too. We're going to need a CLI section in the show notes.

XBOX and gaming

Microsoft Games Showcase: It needed to be a big day for Xbox and it was Microsoft showed off Halo: Campaign Evolved, Gears of War E-Day, Fable, and a lot more Some games will be console-exclusive in the future, starting with the new Gears Microsoft will sell a limited edition Xbox Series X25 later this year Xbox leadership is exploring new business models for the next console - Game Pass lost "millions" of subscribers after last year's price hikes Xbox Insider update adds a new way to discover mutual friends, more Valve says the Steam Machine and Steam Frame will ship this summer

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Windows 11 Field Guide is being updated to 2026 edition App pick of the week: Brave Origin RunAs Radio this week: How Machine Learning Fails with Megan Robertson Brown liquor pick of the week: Thy Bøg

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Build 2026 is underway in San Francisco this week, and it started with a big, overly-long keynote as always. And Computex is this week, too. There's a lot going on, and some of it is fascinating. Plus, WWDC is next week because you cannot relax. Also, Microsoft GA's WinApp CLI, announces the Windows Platform Skills plug-in for native app creation, and you're not going to believe what Paul did next. OK, you will believe it

Build + Computex = OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD

NVIDIA finally announces Arm-based N1X as the RTX Spark RTX Spark is an Arm-based portable workstation chip for Windows 11 Microsoft announces Surface Laptop Ultra - It and other RTX Spark-based PCs will appear in late 2026 Some of this leaked earlier, including a lower-end N1 chipset Microsoft continues to optimize and evolve Windows 11 for developers Windows Developer Configuration, Windows Developer Skills + WinApp CLI, Terminal, more Linux, and more on-device ("unmetered") AI - Tied to this, Copilot+ PC features are coming to more PCs, with CPU/GPU support - this, plus the RTX Spark stuff hints at answers to some obvious questions but there's nothing concrete from Microsoft Microsoft Edge is getting three new on-AI features Scout is a personal work agent powered by OpenClaw GitHub Copilot app arrives on desktop for your agentic coding and management needs Microsoft AI announces seven new foundation models Stevie Bathiche is back, baby! And he's talking about those AI app structures and how they've led to Project Solara

Windows

Microsoft discusses the progress it's made on Windows 11 pain points You can now test the new Start menu in Experimental - Paul did so along with the new Taskbar Qualcomm announces low-cost Snapdragon C for $300+ PCs to take on MacBook Neo And Acer is the first to announce a Snapdragon C laptop New Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 leaks for June release (!) Dell XPS 13 is coming soon with Intel Wildcat (also to take on MacBook Neo) Dell revenues are through the roof, but not because of PCs HP revenues are up, and it is because of PCs

AI and dev

Anthropic gets a new valuation exceeding OpenAI and then it files for an IPO OpenAI adjusts GPT5.5-Instant for less sucking-up and releases computer use in Codex on Windows Flutter takes the lead on Flutter desktop development

XBOX and gaming

Asha Sharma says you can't please everyone and then immediately jumps the shark trying to please everyone XBOX delays Fablereboot because ofGTA VI New titles coming to Game Pass in early June across platforms XBOX starts early testing of new console features ASUS announces ROG Xbox Ally X20 with OLED display and XReal R1 glasses Intel announces Arc G-series for gaming handhelds Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 is next and it's the COD we've been begging for

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Now you can vibe code a native Windows app from the CLI App pick of the week: iA Writer RunAs Radio this week: Data API Builder and SQL MVP with Jerry Nixon Brown liquor pick of the week: Old Malt Casking of Longmorn 20

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/986

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Paul has been testing various Linux distributions and other Windows alternatives for months as part of a Switcher series. The zen of Linux can mostly apply to Windows, too: Install and manage software with package managers, and embrace the command line, especially. And if you're going to use a local account, at least be smart about it. Also, Vivaldi 8.0 looks awesome and appears to deliver what Firefox is promising with its Nova UI. Plus, Discord has a native app for Windows 11 on Arm now.

Windows

Week D arrives with a surprise: 24H2/26H1 are aligned and getting the same new features Shared audio with BT LE, multi-app camera support, many improvements - but the big deal may be the performance and reliability improvements across the board This is the next Patch Tuesday, today Friday builds - new accessibility features in Experimental and Beta, more Microsoft CMO Yusuf Mehdi to leave company after an astonishing 35-year run - started in Windows, but with IE, Bing & MSN, Interactive Entertainment (Xbox), Windows and Devices, and then a SLT position before the end. Incredible run. Paul has three milestones and one throughline to share. Lenovo revenues surge 27 percent to $21.6 billion NVIDIA revenues really surged 85 percent to $81.6 billion

AI/dev

Google adds Google Drive sync to NotebookLM, and moves preferred sources into AI Mode and AI Overviews Saying no to AI: DuckDuckGo usage surges in the wake of Google I/O's AI tsunami OpenAI releases ChatGPT plugin for PowerPoint .NET MAUI to get Material You support for Android in .NET 10 Follow-up on last week's vibe coding adventures: Paul talked about this last week, but a lot has happened since then. The Android app creation capability in Google AI Studio is live. A few thoughts on vibe coding with Android Studio, Claude Code, and more

Xbox and gaming

XBOX—and, yes, it's XBOX now—has an official merchandise store to go alongside all its other official merchandise stores The Steam Deck is back in stock! Also, it's 40 percent more expensive

Tips & picks

Tip of the week: Understanding the zen of Linux can help a Windows user too App pick of the week: A grab-bag of apps for Windows RunAs Radio this week: Team Productivity using Loop with Karinne Bessette Brown liquor pick of the week: John Sleeman & Sons Rye Whisky

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Windows Insider Program

Release Preview channel updates (including 26H1 for the first time? - A preview of the June Patch Tuesday updates - Shared audio, NPU usage in Task Manager, multi-app camera support, Magnifier improvements. Taskbar updates come to Insiders! Also in Canary, weʼre throwing them a bone this time.

Enshittification remedies all around

Microsoft just held a WinHEC for the first time since 2018 and thereʼs a new Windows Driver Initiative! Microsoft will soon let us remap Copilot key to Right Ctrl, which is what it was in the first place. A Linux privacy nut YouTuber confuses privacy and security and doesnʼt understand Windows 11 so... ... Paul wrote a complete guide to the local account de-Microsoft experience in Windows 11 Microsoft Edge will stop loading all passwords into clear text on startup like a big boy browser.

Hardware

Paul came home to an ASUS Zenbook A16 and ohmygodohmygodohmygod

Surface

Microsoft finally revs Surface Laptop and Surface Pro for Business, with Intel chips and VERY high prices. Snapdragon X2 variants in late 2026 because of supply issues wa-waa-waaaaa.

AI

MDASH is Microsoftʼs answer to Anthropic Mythos, in-house only. Elon Musk and Sam Altman are both terrible but a jury decided against Muskʼs frivolous lawsuit. OpenAI and Apple might head to court over Siri promises OpenAI Codex is on mobile via the ChatGPT app Google unleashes an AI tsunami at Google IO this week. A few relevant takeaways: Overview of the major announcements Google advances Android as a developer platform Chrome is turning into a proactive assistant Google AI subscriptions are an incredible value Related: The Gemini Intelligence feature for Googlebooks and more has steep hardware requirements - 12 GB of RAM, flagship SoC So Pixel 10 series/Galaxy S26 series and newer only etc. Just a reminder that Microsoft makes a Linux distribution ... for Azure specifically More dev WWDC schedule is up for June 8 opening day Build 2026 kicks off June 2 in SFO After another boring .NET 11 preview release, we finally get our first look at a major change: MAUI is switching from the Mono runtime to the CoreCLR runtime. And we should pause for a moment to remember S "Soma" Somasegar, who sadly passed away this week.

Xbox and Gaming

Next Xbox Elite controller leaks and it is glorious Related: An Xbox Cloud-Connected controller leaks too and it is less than glorious. Forza Horizon 6 is here, and itʼs on Game Pass on Day One. Be sure to read Laurentʼs detailed review. Haters gonna keep hating: Fans want Xbox exclusives because their heads are still in the sand. Sony is allegedly returning to this model for single player experiences Related: Sony raises prices on PS Plus Fortnite comes back to the Apple App Store worldwide *excluding Australia for some reason.

Tips and Picks

Tip of the week: Google AI Studio. Vibe-code your next app with this incredible free tool. Related: A look at Markdown editors.

App pick of the week: DeskScapes 2026

Stardock DeskScapes 2026 is normally $9.99 but it will cost just $6.99 during the launch period. Also: Firefox 151 is a big update on desktop and mobile, the latter gets the AI kill switch RunAs Radio this week: UEFI Secure Boot with Richard Hicks Brown liquor pick of the week: Daftmill Winter Batch Release

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/984

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