Windows Weekly (Audio)

Tensions rise as Microsoft's Windows chief faces backlash over AI integration tweets. Ignite 2025 highlights Google's strategic timing with Gemini 3. The discussion dives into the evolution of Windows 11 with new Copilot features and agentic AI capabilities. Developers play a crucial role in shaping AI's future, while community outrage on social media sparks debates about constructive feedback. The hosts also explore gaming improvements and partnerships, and the implications of AI in daily software use.

Windows 11 unveils a revamped Start menu, sparking debates on its true productivity benefits. Major surprises from Patch Tuesday catch attention, while the potential of generative AI tools is questioned. Qualcomm deals with financial hurdles yet thrives in earnings, and a new cube-shaped Steam console stirs excitement in gaming circles. The hosts also touch on Microsoft's transparency regarding OpenAI's financial challenges and the latest .NET performance improvements. Personal anecdotes about dairy farm life and Thanksgiving add a relatable touch.

Microsoft's upcoming 26H1 release focuses on optimizing Windows 11 for Snapdragon X2 PCs. The hosts discuss strong revenues alongside troubling AI-related losses. Edge's new passkey manager raises eyebrows, while the Microsoft Store introduces a web-based bulk installer. A surprise Epic-Google settlement stirs up conversation about app store fees. They also explore the decline in device revenues and reflect on corporate transparency issues. Plus, insights into gaming updates and a unique whiskey tasting experience add a fun twist!

Microsoft experienced a significant Azure outage on earnings day, leading to widespread service disruptions. In the fast-paced AI landscape, they discussed practical ways to evaluate AI effectiveness. Windows 11's preview update brought exciting new features like a revamped Start menu and improved voice access. Meanwhile, a lawsuit over misleading Microsoft 365 pricing highlights ongoing transparency issues. Plus, the podcast touched on Grammarly's rebranding and insights on Xbox's hardware strategy.

Microsoft reveals its bold vision for an AI-driven future in Windows 11. The hosts scrutinize whether these AI enhancements genuinely solve problems or are just tech hype. New features like Copilot’s wake phrase and AI Actions in File Explorer are discussed. They dive into Microsoft’s security measures for these AI agents, reflecting on lessons from past issues. There’s also a look at the October update hiccup affecting USB support, alongside insights into evolving in-box apps and the latest in AI for education and enterprise.

Paul, Richard, and Leo delve into the so-called end of Windows 10, reassuring users to not fear a panic. They explore exciting updates in Windows 11, including AI enhancements and File Explorer improvements. The team discusses the potential of local AI and orchestration tools in streamlining workflows. New collaborations like Dashlane and YubiKey signify passwordless trends. They also highlight the emerging Snapdragon PCs and offer insights into recent PC sales growth trends, focusing on regional variations.

The latest discussions unveil the mystery surrounding the Windows 25H2 update and its elusive features. Microsoft is shaking things up with changes in OneDrive, integrating Copilot, and emphasizing MSA sign-in. In gaming, the raising of Xbox Game Pass prices sparks concern, but Microsoft reassures fans about future hardware. Plus, there's insight into the rapid growth of Brave browser and OpenAI's new ventures. Finally, get impressions of Lenovo's Legion Go 2 and its capabilities for mobile gaming.

Windows 11 version 25H2 is here, but blink and you might miss the difference from last year! Also, Microsoft just hiked Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $30/month and is leaving gamers everywhere weighing their subscriptions—and their loyalty. 25H2 is here?! Microsoft announced that 25H2 is GA! But where is it? And what is it? Microsoft has a list of "new" features More Windows 11 Microsoft delivers the 24H2 Week D update in Week E No, it's not the preview version of 25H2 for some reason But it is a massive update. And it is essentially 25H2 Pavan Davuluri was promoted to president and his first change was to bring Windows engineering back in-house and out of Azure Dev and Beta: Minor changes to File Explorer, Quick settings, Get Started Photos app is getting AI-based categories Windows 10 Extended Security Updates to be free-free in the EU Snapdragon X2 It's real and it's really better than almost anything out there. The bad news: Not until next year Hardware prototypes point the way for device makers Arm is the epiphany we need for everything to just work Also, apparently Qualcomm still makes phone chips Qualcomm declares "total litigation victory" against Arm Holdings. More like Harm Holdings, ammmi right? AI Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella steps aside to focus on engineering Microsoft enters a new era for Copilot/AI "More Copilot" is the new "more cowbell" Microsoft 365 Premium is the AI-powered subscription you were looking for, Copilot Pro is out This maps neatly to the three app structure model and to Paul's "I will not pay for AI" thing Tied to this, Microsoft also announced inside app vibe working updates across Office apps Is this also tied to low uptick on paid AI? Report claims just 8 million seats for Microsoft 365 Copilot Stevie Bathiche came to Hawaii to talk about the importance of NPUs and on-device AI "Directive AI, 80 TOPS NPUs enable concurrent AI, AI agents are the "outside app" structure, Orchestration is evolving Copilot users can talk to a cartoon now Xbox and gaming Major revamp to Xbox Game Pass with some good and some bad Xbox Cloud Gaming is out of beta after what feels like 17 years, now on all Game Pass tiers Game Pass Ultimate gets big price hike but also some improvements Game Pass Premium replaces Standard Game Pass Essential replaces Core Amazon Luna got a big update too You can preorder a ROG Xbox Ally Gaming handheld now And Microsoft announces how it will handle compatibility Costco drops Xbox consoles Flight Simulator 2024 is coming to P5 in 2025 EA goes private for $55 billion Tips and picks Tip of the week: Videogames are getting expensive App pick of the week: Proton Mail RunAs Radio this week: HaveIBeenPwned with Troy Hunt Brown liquor pick of the week: Compass Box Vellichor 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. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: 1password.com/windowsweekly zapier.com/windows

Paul Thurrott reports live from Maui with exciting details on Qualcomm's next-gen Snapdragon X2 Elite chip and how it could shake up the PC world, while behind the scenes, Microsoft quietly drifts further from OpenAI just as an NVIDIA mega-deal makes headlines. Is Windows about to get its biggest reboot in years, and can ARM finally topple Intel? Windows 25H2 is imminent: The real ISOs and eKBs are here! Paul's Arm-based trip to Mexico and Arm-based Apple-tastic experience at Snapdragon Summit And yet. It's Week D. And we didn't get any preview updates (for 24H2) Windows AI Labs is a thing If you're migrating from Windows 10 get a Windows 11 on Arm PC, Microsoft suggests New AI features coming to Notepad, Paint, and Snipping Tool New Dev and Beta (and Canary) builds: Click to Do translation, Share with Copilot, Accounts management improvements AI The Microsoft/OpenAI rift widens yet again NVIDIA invests $100 billion in OpenAI, days after "investing" $5 billion in Intel Intel will keep making its own GPUs because who gives a crap Microsoft is bringing Anthropic Claude to Microsoft 365 Copilot - "Model choice" Microsoft reportedly trying to pay publishers for content used by AI Microsoft Teams is getting more agents Google Chrome is getting a major AI update Snapdragon Summit 2025 6G, AI as the new UI, glasses as the next wave, Android PCs out of nowhere X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme (with up to 18 cores for ultra-premium PCs) 3rd Gen Oryon CPU (X2 was 1st gen, last year's phone chip was G2) 75 percent faster CPU perf than competition at ISO power First Arm chip to hit 5+ GHz New Adreno GPU architecture with 2.3x perf per watt and power efficiency over previous gen Hexagon NPU with 80 TOPS for "concurrent AI experiences" on Copilot+ PCs Supports latest 5G SD X75 modem, Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4 75 percent faster CPU perf than competition at ISO power Bad news: First half of 2026 availability Not in the press release: The secret of why X2 Elite Extreme is so fast Xbox Microsoft raises Xbox console prices for the second time in 2025 Here comes the Gaming Copilot on Windows 11 Google is copying it on Android and bringing Android and native games to Windows now Tips and Picks Tip of the week: Think of 1 story for everyone you care about App pick of the week: Notion 3.0 RunAs Radio this week: Managing Vendor Incidents with Mandi Walls Brown liquor pick of the week: High Coast Whisky Quercus IV Mongolica 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. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: threatlocker.com/twit uscloud.com cachefly.com/twit

With Windows 10's end-of-life looming, Paul and Leo dissect the real risks, questionable hardware requirements, and whether dumping old PCs in landfills is an acceptable trade-off for modern security. Plus, why is Apple finally buying up touchscreen displays for MacBooks after years of resistance, and what could that mean for the future of both Mac and Windows hardware? Windows Consumer Reports asks Microsoft to continue Windows 10 support Reminder: Windows 11 25H2 ISOs are available... x64 only, in Insider Preview. Arm version is from Dev channel and is a VHDX Dev (25H2) and Beta (24H2) - Copilot prompt in Click to Do, Prompt recommendations in Start, controller navigation for gaming handhelds, SCOOBE, agents in the Store, more Release Preview (24H2 AND 25H2) - Click to Do table detection, action tags, and Summarize improvements; agent in Settings improvements, Hardware indicator improvements, more Quick Machine Recovery is a solid addition to your recovery toolbox Microsoft releases Windows 365 Cloud Apps in Preview A MacBook with a touch screen? Oh the irony Microsoft 365 Microsoft finally settles Teams antitrust case with EU and you're not going to believe what happens next Microsoft 365 desktop apps (i.e. "Office") gets Copilot chat even for free - Web grounded? That's ungrounded, right? Microsoft 365 commercial pulls in previously separate sales, service, and financial services Outlook Lite is heading off to a farm to chase rabbits No more Office file editing in Microsoft 365 Copilot app for iPhone and iPad AI OpenAI and Microsoft hint at another major restructuring of their partnership Auto AI model selection comes to Visual Studio Code. Your orchestration is showing Visual Studio 2026 on .NET Rocks and the recent news about configuring GitHub Copilot in VS 20xx. Hardware October is going to be a big month for new hardware Apple rumored for October Google Home on October 1 with Gemini Amazon devices (September 30, close enough) Where are the next-gen PC chips? Xbox & games Third-party store integration comes to Xbox app on Windows Microsoft kicks off another big half month for Xbox Game Pass Epic Games can't stop beating Google in court Tips & Picks Tip of the week: Improve Windows 11 security App pick of the week: Google app for Windows Hosts: Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott 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. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: uscloud.com helixsleep.com/twit