Windows Weekly (Video)

Windows Weekly (Video)

By TWiTNewsTechnologyTech News
Download on the App Store

Windows Weekly (Video) episodes

  • WW 990: Don't Be Nostalgic for Stupid - The Doom & Gloom Watch

    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

    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 audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

    Sponsors:

    • blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT
    • zscaler.com/security
    • cohesity.com/Resilience

      • 2 hr 40 min
    • WW 989: Deer Hate MSDN - Point-in-Time Restore Arrives for Windows 11

      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 2 are 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

      • These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/989

      Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

      Sponsor:

      • webroot.com/twit

        • 2 hr 42 min
      • WW 988: Bubbleable - XBOX Could Be Facing a Moment of Reckoning

        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 Hellblade games
      • 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

        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 audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

        Sponsor:

        • trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365

          • 2 hr 52 min
        • WW 987: SelfLoathing.md - Will AI-Driven Vibe Coding Replace Traditional Developers?

          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

          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 audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

          Sponsors:

          • helixsleep.com/windows
          • zscaler.com/security
          • trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365

            • 2 hr 40 min
          • WW 986: Liminal AI - RTX Spark, Project Solara, Scout, & Much More!

            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 Fable reboot because of GTA 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

            Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

            Sponsors:

            • joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT
            • threatlocker.com/twit
            • cachefly.com/twit

              • 2 hr 32 min
            • WW 985: Putting the Mental in Experimental - Some Linux Learnings for the Windows User

              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

              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 audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

              Sponsors:

              • trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365
              • webroot.com/twit

                • 2 hr 36 min
              • WW 984: For Entertainment Purposes Only - Price Shock With Surface Laptops?!

                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

                Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

                Sponsors:

                • outsystems.com/twit
                • trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365
                • zscaler.com/security

                  • 2 hr 45 min
                • WW 983: Puts the Buh in Benelux - Can Googlebooks Challenge Existing Laptops?

                  It's not just Recall: Security vulnerabilities that require you to sign into an account on your PC are not necessarily vulnerabilities. Also, Windows 11 gets its first big feature updates in this week's Patch Tuesday releases. Snapseed 4.0 comes to Android/iOS, and Claude FM is great for relaxing or getting coding/work done. Plus, the Helium browser has emerged as a favorite with 2 notable caveats: No online settings sync and no mobile client.

                  Windows

                • 25H2/24H2: Xbox Mode, Agents on the Taskbar, more
                • 26H1: Smart App Control improvements, other things we saw previously (26H1 is like the stable version of Canary, it seems)
                • Microsoft used a new Mythos-like model called MDASH to find vulnerabilities this month, so expect the numbers of fixed bugs to jump in coming months
                • A low-latency profile for Windows will let it optimize for app/UI launch performance just like mobile platforms already do
                • New builds across most channels with two major changes: Touchpad improvements in Experimental and free upgrade path to Pro for education users in Experimental Beta.

                  • A new threat emerges

                • Google announces Googlebook, an Android-based laptop platform with Google Intelligence
                • Some morning-after thoughts, including Microsoft promising AI and that Copilot will be the new Start, while Google delivers AI and is remaking the laptop as an intelligent device

                  • AI

                • Microsoft Edge gets big AI and productivity updates on desktop and mobile
                • An Anthropic engineer argues that AI should use HTML for output, not Markdown. He's right.
                • About that 4 GB Gemini Nano model that Chrome secretly downloads
                • OpenAI brings Codex to Google Chrome

                  • Security

                • A Bitlocker concern emerges
                • Microsoft Edge loads all saved passwords into plain text when it launches, Microsoft says this is as intended
                • Mozilla patched 423 vulnerabilities in Firefox during April, most courtesy of Anthropic Mythos
                • 465 million Amazon customers have enrolled in passkeys

                  • Xbox & gaming

                • Xbox Insider Program: New build for console with previously announced new boot animation, tiered Gamerscore badges, new filters in Game Library
                • Forza Horizon 6 leaks on Steam, those who play it early will be banned until the sun swallows the earth
                • Discord Nitro now has an Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition perk
                • Mojang will host a special MINECRAFT LIVE event on May 30
                • Sony sold just 1.5 million PS5s in most recent quarter, its lowest number yet
                • Nintendo sold just 2.49 million Switch 2s in quarter, lowers annual estimates
                • Supreme Court gives Apple the 🖕 so Epic v. Apple will head to remedy phase

                  • Tips & picks

                • Tip of the week: A web browser is the 1st step for anyone looking to escape Big Tech
                • App pick of the week: Helium
                • RunAs Radio this week: Production LLMs with Vaishnavi Gudur
                • Brown liquor pick of the week: Gouden Carolus Port Oak

                  • 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 audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

                  Sponsors:

                  • canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT
                  • trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365
                  • threatlocker.com/twit

                    • 2 hr 18 min
                  • WW 982: Don't Lick the Manta Rays - Breaking Down Microsoft's Earnings

                    Microsoft's earnings report went out last week, and the company spent a lot on AI in the quarter. Microsoft updates its customers on what it's done to address Windows 11 problems. And Xbox kills Copilot plans for the console.




                    Microsoft Earnings

                  • Microsoft announced that it earned a net income of $31.8 billion on revenues of $82.9 billion in the previous quarter.
                  • Windows: 1.6 billion monthly active devices, a focus on quality after years of enshittification - but revenues from PC makers were down 2 percent YOY.
                  • Microsoft Edge "has taken share for 20 consecutive quarters," which isn't supported by the evidence.
                  • Bing "monthly active users reached one billion for the first time," raising questions about how Microsoft defines the term "user."
                  • Xbox: "The team is recommitting to our core fans and players, and shaping the future of play," new records for monthly active Xbox users and game streaming hours.
                  • AI: Capex spending in the quarter was $32 billion, down from previous quarter as previously described, but up 49 percent YOY.

                    • More earnings

                  • Apple, Google/Alphabet, and Amazon.
                  • AMD - Up because of AI datacenter.
                  • Qualcomm - Plus, Intel just hired away a key Qualcomm exec.

                    • Windows

                  • Microsoft shares an update about what it's done to address Windows 11 pain points so far.
                  • Marcus Ash is one of the good guys.
                  • Some of this is happening in Insider, some is rolling out to retail.
                  • Windows Insider Program and Windows Update improvements we discussed last week - two primary channels in WIP now.
                  • Simplifying AI experiences - fewer Copilot icons (Notepad, etc.).
                  • File Explorer improvements - performance, fewer hangs, better polish and consistency.
                  • Widgets - Feed will be off by default, fewer interruptions, no hover activate.
                  • System performance - Smaller memory footprint, more aggressive RAM restoration, and more.
                  • Soon: Taskbar updates, Start updates, and more to share at Build in June.
                  • Week D update arrives with a peek at May's Patch Tuesday.
                  • Major: Xbox Mode, AI agents on the Taskbar are the first two big features of 2026.
                  • Minor: Also adds File Explorer improvements, new haptic feedback effects, touch keyboard improvements, and more.
                  • Shocking new report that Microsoft Edge is incredibly insecure should surprise no one.

                    • AI

                  • Microsoft Agent 365 Platform is out of preview, supports local AI agents and Copilot Cowork Agent arrives on mobile with plugin support.
                  • Microsoft launches a Legal AI Agent in Word.
                  • Apple's plan to open up to multiple third-party AIs is a good one.
                  • Canonical's plan to add AI to Ubuntu is also good, but you're never going to believe what happened next.

                    • Xbox and Gaming

                  • Asha Sharma reorgs Xbox, kills Copilot on the console.
                  • Forza Horizon 6, more coming to Game Pass in May.
                  • Xbox April Update is out with updates for all platforms.
                  • Next Call of Duty will not ship on Xbox One, PS4.
                  • Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is coming to the Mac for some reason.
                  • And finally, with the Supreme Court refusing to block the implementation of the ruling in Epic v. Apple, Microsoft's Xbox game store for mobile is one step closer to happening.

                    • Tips and picks

                  • Tip of the week: Embrace inconvenience.
                  • App pick of the week: Windows Defender.
                  • RunAs Radio this week: Securing Active Directory with Spencer Alessi.
                  • Brown liquor pick of the week: Stalk & Barrel Whisky.

                    • These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/982

                    Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

                    Sponsors:

                    • outsystems.com/twit
                    • threatlocker.com/twit
                    • joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT
                    • helixsleep.com/windows
                    • cachefly.com/twit

                      • 2 hr 47 min
                    • WW 981: Semi-Sophisticated - Microsoft Releases Source Code For 86-DOS 1.00

                      This episode dives into early MS-DOS/PC-DOS source code, Snapdragon X2 gaming, and the "We are Xbox" messaging. Plus, Paul details 2 big changes in the Windows Insider Program. The latest PowerToys adds 2 useful new utilities and many improvements. And a TWiT listener asked about buying Windows 11 on Arm to virtualize it on a Mac. You're not going to believe what happened next.

                      Windows

                    • Microsoft announces big changes to Windows Update
                    • Microsoft announces Windows Insider Program changes, with Experimental channel
                    • Hands-on with both predictably shows some nice improvements
                    • Hands-on with Snapdragon X2 gaming - more wins, but still some losses
                    • Microsoft open sources some of the earliest MS-DOS source code and related materials
                    • Intel loses $3.7 billion and Wall Street could not be happier. WTF is happening - Paul has a theory and its called collusion

                      • AI

                    • Microsoft and OpenAI revise partnership again and wait for it...
                    • OpenAI immediately signs on with AWS
                    • Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers get Word, Excel, and PowerPoint agentic AI features
                    • Copilot in Outlook can manage your inbox and calendar, but seriously stop using Outloook
                    • GitHub Copilot's switch to usage-based billing starts June 1
                    • OpenAI is reportedly working on a phone because of course it is
                    • Adobe Firefly AI Assistant is now available in preview
                    • And then Anthropic goes deeper into the creator market

                      • Xbox and gaming

                    • Microsoft Gaming is being (re)rebranded to Xbox!
                    • New Xbox leadership can't stop explaining its plans and it's glorious
                    • Microsoft still plans a mobile game store, waiting on Apple to stop being so f'ing terrible
                    • Valve's Steam Controller will cost $99 and launches next week

                      • Tips and picks

                    • Tip of the week: Windows licenses, $, and you
                    • App pick of the week: PowerToys 0.99
                    • RunAs Radio this week: M365 Copilot vs Claude Cowork with Sharon Weaver
                    • Brown liquor pick of the week: Reifel Rye

                      • 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 audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

                      Sponsors:

                      • webroot.com/twit
                      • zscaler.com/security

                        • 2 hr 44 min

                      About Windows Weekly (Video)

                      From the publisher's feed

                      Windows Weekly is about more than Windows. Veteran Microsoft insiders Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell join Leo for a deep dive into the most valuable company in the world. From consumer to enterprise, AI to Xbox, Windows Weekly is the only Microsoft podcast you'll ever need.

                      You can join Club TWiT for $10 per month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for $5 per month.