April 15, 2026

Windows Weekly 979: The Nespresso of the PC World

2 hours 35 minutes

With Microsoft finally doing right by Windows 11 and the Windows Insider Program, it's time to start testing and provide some feedback. And then we'll see if we can really trust these people. Also, Stardock's Connection Explorer 1.0 is here! And if you want one of macOS's dumbest features on Windows 11, you can get it now.

Windows

Yesterday was Patch Tuesday - Another month in paradise

26H1 - Eh, 24H2/25H2 - Narrator, File Explorer, display, Pen settings, WRE, Remote Desktop improvements

Microsoft reveals how it will simplify the Windows Insider Program

Two top-level channels, but really three

A way to enable all features in new builds, finally, and easy channel switching. But there are complexities, of course

New builds for Canary, Beta, and Dev - Two for Canary, but nothing new, Beta and Dev get Storage, networking, Windows Security, and Feedback Hub improvements

The first Snapdragon X2-based PC is out, and Paul has that waiting in PA, and two more PCs are coming to Mexico

PC sales were somehow up 2.5 percent in Q1, but the rest of 2026 will be a bloodbath

Also, smartphone sales are doing even worse

NVIDIA reportedly wants to buy Dell or HP ahead of a big PC chipset push. Interesting

Surface/Microsoft 365

Microsoft is forced to hike Surface prices dramatically

Microsoft reportedly kills Surface Hub

Microsoft College Offer: 12 months of Microsoft 365 Premium, 12 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a custom Xbox controller when students in the U.S. purchase a PC

AI/Dev

Microsoft AI releases a faster and more efficient image model

Amazon CEO tries to explain the AI spending

Google app for Windows rolls out worldwide, but the Mac gets a Gemini app

Claude for Microsoft Word arrives in Beta

Claude for Desktop gets a major redesign for multiple AI agents

Microsoft's reported plans to charge for AI agents

.NET 11 Preview 3 arrives right on schedule, but there's nothing to see here

Build session catalog is up - joking, but the new Windows native app strategy should just be vibe coding

Google I/O registration is open, and you are never going to believe what the main topics will be - number five will shock you

Xbox & gaming

New Xbox CEO says Game Pass is too expensive, also that the sky is blue

Xbox will show off the next Metro game soon

Starfield for PS5 is getting a fix

Amazon Luna is stripping down to the basics e.g. "pulling a Stadia"

Tips & picks

Tip of the week: It's time to get involved

App pick of the week: Stardock Connection Explorer

RunAs Radio this week: Internal Corporate Communications in 2026 with Emily Mancini

Brown liquor pick of the week: ScapeGrace Vanguard

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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