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.
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WW 987: SelfLoathing.md - Will AI-Driven Vibe Coding Replace Traditional Developers?
Episode 987
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 • Duration 02:39:37
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
The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.
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WW 988: Bubbleable - XBOX Could Be Facing a Moment of Reckoning
Episode 988
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 • Duration 02:51:13
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
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
WW 989: Deer Hate MSDN - Point-in-Time Restore Arrives for Windows 11
Episode 989
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 • Duration 02:41:45
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.
WW 990: Don't Be Nostalgic for Stupid - The Doom & Gloom Watch
Episode 990
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 • Duration 02:39:55
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
WW 991: Strategically Repositioned Productivity Surface - Gaming Layoffs Signal a New XBOX Era
Episode 991
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 • Duration 02:19:36
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
WW 992: Gassy Jack - Largest Patch Tuesday in Microsoft History!
Episode 992
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • Duration 02:32:12
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 Fallout game, duh.
A quiet time after last week's terribleness
WW 993: The Columnist Savant - Reflecting on John C. Dvorak's Influence & Impact
Episode 993
Thursday, July 23, 2026 • Duration 02:19:16
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 announces Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters, and Fallout 5 is entering pre-production
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 in 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
WW 994: The Best Kind of Correct - Can Windows Survive the 8GB RAM Comeback?
Episode 994
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 • Duration 02:17:15
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 Halo remake 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
WW 995: The Greatest Depression - Microsoft Reports $90 Billion in Revenue for FY26 Q4
Episode 995
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 • Duration 02:43:45
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
WW 996: Security Through Lack of Features - MV3 in Edge, Quake Turns 30, & AltTabby
Episode 996
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 • Duration 02:21:57
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 Quake to mark 30th anniversary!
Minecraft is 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
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
The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.
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