May 28, 2025

Windows Weekly 934: OK, JK

2 hours 27 minutes

Microsoft shakes up Windows Update with third-party app integration while AI features flood into Paint, Notepad, and Snipping Tool. Plus, the browser wars heat up as Arc pivots to agentic AI and Opera launches Neon, while Richard calls in from Cape Town with whiskey wisdom.

Windows 11

It's Week D! Microsoft issues preview updates for 23H2/22H2 - Windows Key + C for Copilot, Drag tray, FAQs in Settings, Lock screen widget customization, IT admin controls for Taskbar

Windows Insider Program

Canary - Microsoft adds support for asymmetrical key encryption that won't be vulnerable to quantum computing attacks

Beta (24H2) - New Microsoft 365 text actions in Click to Do, Lock screen widget customization, multiple dashboards in Widgets, App recommendations in Open with dialog, PC to PC migration experience in Windows Backup

New Paint, Notepad, and Snipping Tool features in Canary and Dev - Paint sticker generator and Object select tool, Snipping Tool perfect screenshot and color picker, Notepad writing tools (draft from prompt, rewrite text, etc.)

Now Windows Update is going to update third-party apps too

As promised last week, Notion is now available in the Microsoft Store

Signal will explicitly prevent Recall from screenshotting the app

Related: Why is Lenovo doing so well financially?

Also related: IDC predicts 4.1 percent growth in PC market this year to 274 million units

AI and Web Browsers, Oh My

Browsers go agentic

The Browser Company says it will no longer offer functional updates to Arc as it focuses on Dia

Opera announces Neon, its agentic AI web browser

Hand-wringing as OpenAI buys Jony Ive's newish company

Duck.ai if you ask it nicely (and use the right model)

Yes, Google is going to put ads in Search AI Mode

Vivaldi 7.4 arrives for desktop and for mobile

Firefox 139 is a minor update - maybe it's time to move to a 6 week schedule?

Xbox and Games

Xbox's Copilot for Gaming Launches on iOS and Android in Beta

FTC drops its bid to unwind Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard

Sony discounts PS5 and peripherals temporary to undercut Switch 2

Tips and Picks

Tip of the Week: 'Fear and Loathing in Seattle' and 'More Fear and Loathing in Seattle'

App Pick of the Week: Instapaper

Plus: Fences 6 is GA on Windows 11

RunAs Radio This Week: How to Talk to Security with Sarah Young

Brown Liquor Pick of the Week: Aerstone 10 Sea Cask

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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